NHL 2009 Official Thread

[Neil]

The NHL doesn't need NBC.

The NHL needs everything it can get if it wants to be in the American market outside the North.

Sure, I'd love it to be back on ESPN and Fox(without the stupid robots), but it isn't 1995 anymore.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5_ZrSPQQDY&feature=related

Sigh.

So long as Bettman remains in command, they'll never make it back to ESPN.  He spurned them, and they destroyed his league.

[Delirium]

I watch hockey on ESPN America over here, good channel, except for all the baseball.

[saskganesh]

exactly. the other networks pay NHL $ for broadcast rights, while NBC doesn't; they have some sort of revenue sharing understanding, with no money up front.

If I ran CBC, TSN or Versus, I would be pissed.

If I was the NHL, I'd be glad an American broadcast network was showing my games.

The NHL head office thinks that too. even though it's a  play for pay deal. and they get bumped for stuff like horse racing.

fact is they make more money elsewhere, including excellent local TV deals. the Islanders for example get $20 million (!) a year from comcast.

major us networks aren't necessary. dance with who brought ya.

[PRC]

Vancouver Canucks are Canada's team and the Team of Destiny™.

[saskganesh]

I like Kool Aid too.

[Neil]

Vancouver Canucks are Canada's team and the Team of Destiny™.

Let's not go crazy here.  They squeaked out a win against the Blues (a vastly inferior team).  Moreover, every single Canadian hates the Canucks.

[crazy canuck]

And so now i'm down to....Go BlackHawks!

You really like the underdog dont you.

[crazy canuck]

Let's not go crazy here.  They squeaked out a win against the Blues (a vastly inferior team).  Moreover, every single Canadian hates the Canucks.

The Blues were the hottest team in Hockey going into the playoffs and the Canucks swept them.  Moreover you need to remember that socialist corners of Alberta are not very representative of Canada .

[katmai]

And so now i'm down to....Go BlackHawks!

You really like the underdog dont you.

Cheer for the favorites didn't help last round. 

[C.C.R.]

And so now i'm down to....Go BlackHawks!

You really like the underdog dont you.

Yes, have some...

[Neil]

So the new Languish-approved teams are:

Red Wings vs. Ducks (This one is difficult.  I hate the store-bought Wings, but Grey Fox is as bad as Tim)

Canucks vs. Blackhawks  (Obvious, really.  Canucks fans are intolerable, and always have been)

Bruins vs. Hurricanes  (For most Languishites, this would be Strix vs. Tim.  I've always had a soft spot for the Bruins)

Capitals vs. Penguins  (Crosby is the whiniest force on Earth)

[katmai]

I'm scared as i agree with Neil on all counts!

[saskganesh]

my predictions:

wings
nucks
bruins
pens

[BuddhaRhubarb]

my predictions:

wings
nucks
bruins
pens

I concur with my hempen pal.

[Strix]

So the new Languish-approved teams are:

Red Wings vs. Ducks (This one is difficult.  I hate the store-bought Wings, but Grey Fox is as bad as Tim)

Canucks vs. Blackhawks  (Obvious, really.  Canucks fans are intolerable, and always have been)

Bruins vs. Hurricanes  (For most Languishites, this would be Strix vs. Tim.  I've always had a soft spot for the Bruins)

Capitals vs. Penguins  (Crosby is the whiniest force on Earth)

Just to throw a meaningless stat in there but the winner of the previous three meetings between the Devils and Hurricanes in the playoffs has gone to the Stanley Cup each season.