No Heritage Classic next season

[dash]

according to LeBrun...I'm okay with that, although I did enjoy the game in Calgary (homer alert).

Sources: NHL won't stage Heritage Classic next season - ESPN

 

[Automattic]

I say they kick Winterpeg off with an outdoor fiesta.

 

[davnlaguna]

They were told that the Habs couldn't be in it two years in a row so they said screw it. We'll just skip this year and do it next year with the Habs vs the Leafs.

 

[elocomotive]

according to LeBrun...I'm okay with that, although I did enjoy the game in Calgary (homer alert).

Sources: NHL won't stage Heritage Classic next season - ESPN

Typical rampant homerism from Dash. Calgary this, Calgary that. F you, piss off, etc. etc. Too bad this guy never starts a thread that actually informs us of something important going on in the NHL.

 

[IPostedWhat]

I guess this means we can have 2 Winter Classics then?

It can be the Pens vs Flyers & the Caps vs the winner of Pens/Flyers.

 

[pixburgher66]

I think it's better this way...not enough Canadian teams to make it annual. Every other year will make it last longer before repeats (although the NHL doesn't seem to care about repeats it would seem).

 

[elocomotive]

I guess this means we can have 2 Winter Classics then?

It can be the Pens vs Flyers & the Caps vs the winner of Pens/Flyers.

What... no consideration for a Caps-Pens double header?

 

[beantownmaniac]

Personally, I think it sucks because it seems Bettman won't put a Canadian team in the winter classic and Canadians have shown more passion for the sport than most American cities. I fucking hate Bettman!!!

 

[flyersfan4706]

Flyers Penguins

Flyers Caps

Flyers vs Flyers

 

[sTyLnK]

I'm okay with it. Although I'd like to see the NHL throw a Canadian team into the Winter Classic eventually.

 

[IPostedWhat]

What... no consideration for a Caps-Pens double header?

Flyers vs Pens vs Caps in a steel cage rink, and the winner has to get a puck in a net that is 20 feet in the air.

Tables, chairs, and ladders will be added to the ice after the 1st period.

 

[elocomotive]

Personally, I think it sucks because it seems Bettman won't put a Canadian team in the winter classic and Canadians have shown more passion for the sport than most American cities. I fucking hate Bettman!!!

It's because the contract for it is with NBC. Bettman just got a huge TV contract for hockey. Why do people hate on Bettman no matter what he does? I think the league's discipline policies are bullshit, but the guy has been good for making hockey a viable sport again. He's done an outstanding job on that during his watch, especially during a recession.

 

[elocomotive]

Flyers vs Pens vs Caps in a steel cage rink, and the winner has to get a puck in a net that is 20 feet in the air.

Tables, chairs, and ladders will be added to the ice after the 1st period.

How about 3 ice surfaces stacked on top of each other with ice bridges connecting them? They play one period and the winning team skates up to the next level after each period. Players that fall off are done for the night.

If nothing else, fans will enjoy watching Bruce Boudreau fall/roll off the ice bridge.

 

[dash]

It's because the contract for it is with NBC. Bettman just got a huge TV contract for hockey. Why do people hate on Bettman no matter what he does? I think the league's discipline policies are bullshit, but the guy has been good for making hockey a viable sport again. He's done an outstanding job on that during his watch, especially during a recession.

Well, two work stoppages during his tenure still resonate quite highly with me. I guess you could argue that the second work stoppage was necessary to try to get bring salaries under control, but it hasn't really worked all that well when the salary cap continues to climb at an alarming rate. As for the NHL balance sheet, how much credit should go to Gary and how much is due to a strong Canadian dollar?!?

 

[dash]

Typical rampant homerism from Dash. Calgary this, Calgary that. F you, piss off, etc. etc. Too bad this guy never starts a thread that actually informs us of something important going on in the NHL.

Great post, eloco...Kudos!!

 

[elocomotive]

Well, two work stoppages during his tenure still resonate quite highly with me. I guess you could argue that the second work stoppage was necessary to try to get bring salaries under control, but it hasn't really worked all that well when the salary cap continues to climb at an alarming rate. As for the NHL balance sheet, how much credit should go to Gary and how much is due to a strong Canadian dollar?!?

Fair points. I'm not saying there haven't been missteps, but you almost never see hockey fans give him credit for anything, and he's done at least some parts of his job very well (whether or not they are totally to his credit or not). I hope they can continue to grow the NHL like they have the last few years and that the Canadian dollar continues to work out.

 

[dash]

One of the best moves the league made was getting John Collins on board. If Gary played a prominent role in his joining the league, then he deserves a lot of credit for a great hire.

John Collins (sports executive) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[beantownmaniac]

It's because the contract for it is with NBC. Bettman just got a huge TV contract for hockey. Why do people hate on Bettman no matter what he does? I think the league's discipline policies are bullshit, but the guy has been good for making hockey a viable sport again. He's done an outstanding job on that during his watch, especially during a recession.

I didn't say I hate Bettman for everything, but I hate a lot of things he does. Why do everything you can to save Phoenix but nothing for Atlanta? I believe the Heritage Classic was on Versus who owns NBC so that excuse don't wash. I think it sucks seeing the same 3 or 4 teams in the classic all the time. Pittsburgh had 2, now Philly getting a 2nd. I don't care if the Bruins aren't in it for a while, I think every team should get a chance to play in it so their fans have a chance to experience one.

 

[davnlaguna]

I didn't say I hate Bettman for everything, but I hate a lot of things he does. Why do everything you can to save Phoenix but nothing for Atlanta? I believe the Heritage Classic was on Versus who owns NBC so that excuse don't wash. I think it sucks seeing the same 3 or 4 teams in the classic all the time. Pittsburgh had 2, now Philly getting a 2nd. I don't care if the Bruins aren't in it for a while, I think every team should get a chance to play in it so their fans have a chance to experience one.

During the draft Bettman was asked if LA would ever get a chance to play in one. His answer was LA can have the draft or the all star game but never a Winter Classic.
Of course if the Kings start bringing in the ratings then NBC may show who really picks the teams for these games

 

[puckhead]

Fair points. I'm not saying there haven't been missteps, but you almost never see hockey fans give him credit for anything, and he's done at least some parts of his job very well (whether or not they are totally to his credit or not). I hope they can continue to grow the NHL like they have the last few years and that the Canadian dollar continues to work out.

he has done amazingly well for the owners.

Consider Atlanta had zero alternative. The league needed Winnipeg more than Winnipeg needed the league, and Bettman STILL bent over True North group to the tune of (an invented) $60 million relocation fee.