The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=a ... &type=lgns

It seems as though hockey needs some help with getting people to watch their games.

It seems as though this thread is as boring as hockey is without fighting. Is hockey actually watched less than soccer (in the US) or even lacrosse?

I am curious as to why the NY market was used to analyze how many viewers watched the NJ Devils game, but hockey is definitely struggling right now. The Caps have one of the most electrifying players in the game. So much so, that the Caps draw the 5th biggest crowds on the road of any team in the NHL. At home, however, they struggle to draw 10,000 on some nights. I don't think it's as bad as this guy makes it out to be, but this is a crucial time for the league and they are struggling to get the casual fan.

The traditional teams with hard-core fan followers have not had teams even in the playoffs. Just ask BossHog or Tazlah how long ago was it that their team won a Stanley or ask me how long has it been that I feel proud about my beloved Habs.

Edmonton and Calgary in Alberta are the only teams with hard-core fans (young according to our standards but still) that have had some degree of success in recent years.

The traditional teams with hard core fans like Boston, Toronto and Montreal are shadows of themselves. Collective bargainaing agreemnets and instability in some seasons has diminished excitemt about the ame. But also, the attention of the fans picks up during the playoffs as opposed to this time in the season).

I think ...

Redskin in Canada wrote:...Just ask BossHog or Tazlah how long ago was it that their team won a Stanley...

Oh, sure, bring that up! Put it this way, I've NEVER seen it happen...

Redskin in Canada wrote:... or ask me how long has it been that I feel proud about my beloved Habs.

Ok... How long has it been???

I do concur with what JF said though. It truly is a conundrum as to why the Caps struggle with attendance (and why it's so hard to get such sports-minded folks like the American public to watch such a great and quick game as hockey, yet they have no problems watching cars zoom around an oval track for half a day); the Washington area just doesn't seem to realize the talent they have right under their noses. It's a shame really, because going to see the Caps play in person (or any NHL game) makes for such an incredible, energizing and affordable (well, not always) evening.

Hockey is a great sport, I am a huge Leafs fan and watch as much as I can. besides NFL Sunday Ticket, NHL center Ice is also a great package, over 1000 games, It keeps me in check around the league. For as much as people say they don't like the fights, they do attract viewers, i dont understand why they are trying to take it out, when Bettman is replaced and the instigator rule is scrapped the fights will come back, everybody loves a good fight.

I only came into this thread because the title seemed like an impossiblity to me.