GDT: Around the League 2023-24 I : "Wake Up. September Has Ended!"

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Pretty much every single decision the league makes is cost/revenue related, with zero consideration given to the fan experience. Just add another item to the list that will slowly nickel and dime long time fans away from the game. Death by 1,000 cuts as Chia once said.

Agree it is a big business with profitability first, second and all priority involved. Teams have made their own bed with the draft bringing massive entourages and then bringing them all on stage. The Draft is a probably a better broadcast vehicle with context for the players being selected and associated trade chatter happening. But creating a marketing event weekend every year in a different consortia partner city is a great showcase for the league and an extended way to support the local economies they bilk for subsidized hockey palaces.

Guess we'll see how the new format with work (it will be fine). Still, can see potential of the sudden of crying expenses connecting to the next CBA negotiation.

 

[K1984]

Not understanding the League's decision to de-centralize the draft. I get the cost savings involved but big picture this is a league high profile marketing initiative as a traveling road show each year to one of its consortia partner's home markets.

The NHL crying about cost through in an era of record revenue, expansion fees and franchise sale seems incongruent. Though with the CBA expiring in 2026 maybe this is part of their battle lines to engage in labour discussions with a players union on the rise with its new leadership.

IMO the travel argument is the only one that holds any water. For some teams it would be a burden to basically burn a day travelling everyone back to your city when there are only 2/3 days between draft and free agency.

The simple solution that makes the most sense is to start the season earlier so that the draft can be held earlier, but this simple solution that would probably make almost everyone happy isn't an option for reasons.

 

[Frank the Tank]

Formenton and now Pinto... Senators bleeding young players because of scandals.

 

[joestevens29]

Not understanding the League's decision to de-centralize the draft. I get the cost savings involved but big picture this is a league high profile marketing initiative as a traveling road show each year to one of its consortia partner's home markets.

The NHL crying about cost through in an era of record revenue, expansion fees and franchise sale seems incongruent. Though with the CBA expiring in 2026 maybe this is part of their battle lines to engage in labour discussions with a players union on the rise with its new leadership.

I thought they were just asking teams what they think about it as some GM's have brought up the idea

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

IMO the travel argument is the only one that holds any water. For some teams it would be a burden to basically burn a day travelling everyone back to your city when there are only 2/3 days between draft and free agency.

The simple solution that makes the most sense is to start the season earlier so that the draft can be held earlier, but this simple solution that would probably make almost everyone happy isn't an option for reasons.

The NHL controls its schedule. So ... adapt your schedule to make everything work. Frankly, for a secondary professional sports league trying to fight for impressions and relevance (especially off season), spread out the draft and free agency a bit to get additional media cycles would make a lot of sense. Of course, starting the league early October would help too but that bleeds into competition with MLB and NFL. Ending the season in May is probably something we all miss!

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

I thought they were just asking teams what they think about it as some GM's have brought up the idea

Being reported that the votes have already supported the move to a de-centralized draft format. Though its implementation is potentially in two years time versus this season end. https://thehockeynews.com/news/report-nhl-votes-to-decentralize-draft

 

[joestevens29]

IMO the travel argument is the only one that holds any water. For some teams it would be a burden to basically burn a day travelling everyone back to your city when there are only 2/3 days between draft and free agency.

The simple solution that makes the most sense is to start the season earlier so that the draft can be held earlier, but this simple solution that would probably make almost everyone happy isn't an option for reasons.

Could push free agency to July 15th. As media have complained it runs their long weekend lol.

 

[K1984]

The NHL controls its schedule. So ... adapt your schedule to make everything work. Frankly, for a secondary professional sports league trying to fight for impressions and relevance (especially off season), spread out the draft and free agency a bit to get additional media cycles would make a lot of sense. Of course, starting the league early October would help too but that bleeds into competition with MLB and NFL. Ending the season in May is probably something we all miss!

On 32 Thoughts Friedman said the NHL is convinced that starting the season earlier is a bad move strictly because more of the schedule collides with the NFL.

Ridiculous for a lot of reasons IMO, especially when this dumb league throws the All-Star break (event nobody cares about) in the Super Bowl bye week when lots of people have no sports other than NHL and NBA to watch. They cede the entire week to the NBA. Having the playoffs end earlier in the summer would be a ratings boon for the NHL as well, but instead they are paranoid about the two weeks in early October.

 

[joestevens29]

Being reported that the votes have already supported the move to a de-centralized draft format. Though its implementation is potentially in two years time versus this season end. https://thehockeynews.com/news/report-nhl-votes-to-decentralize-draft

Well that sucks. One less thing I'll watch now.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

On 32 Thoughts Friedman said the NHL is convinced that starting the season earlier is a bad move strictly because more of the schedule collides with the NFL.

Ridiculous for a lot of reasons IMO, especially when this dumb league throws the All-Star break (event nobody cares about) in the Super Bowl bye week when lots of people have no sports other than NHL and NBA to watch. They cede the entire week to the NBA. Having the playoffs end earlier in the summer would be a ratings boon for the NHL as well, but instead they are paranoid about the two weeks in early October.

I'm on your team. It's moronic.

 

[joestevens29]

On 32 Thoughts Friedman said the NHL is convinced that starting the season earlier is a bad move strictly because more of the schedule collides with the NFL.

Ridiculous for a lot of reasons IMO, especially when this dumb league throws the All-Star break (event nobody cares about) in the Super Bowl bye week when lots of people have no sports other than NHL and NBA to watch. They cede the entire week to the NBA. Having the playoffs end earlier in the summer would be a ratings boon for the NHL as well, but instead they are paranoid about the two weeks in early October.

Lol they are worried about the NFL yet again they have double digit games going against Thursday night football, and only one game yesterday.

 

[K1984]

Lol they are worried about the NFL yet again they have double digits going against Thursday night football, and only one game yesterday.

It's crazy. I could completely understand loading the schedule up on Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday/Saturday and limiting the schedule on Monday/Thursday/Sunday until NFL is over, but they don't even do that. It's incredibly bizarre.

 

[joestevens29]

It's crazy. I could completely understand loading the schedule up on Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday/Saturday and limiting the schedule on Monday/Thursday/Sunday until NFL is over, but they don't even do that. It's incredibly bizarre.

At least they have 6 games tomorrow unlike the two last week.

I get why they might want to move the draft, even though I don't agree with it.

But these excuses about competition are funny to hear when they do shit like they do with their schedule. There is always going to be something for them to compete with. There is just so many damn sporting events and leagues in north america, but when they do have chances to do something smart they don't.



Speaking of the draft. I bought Maclean's draft day book the other day. Heard it's a must read for people that like the draft.

One guy from main boards mentioned that in the book wonder boy Stevie Yzerman is one of the guys that has pushed for this decentralizing of the draft.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Well that sucks. One less thing I'll watch now.

The Draft is arguably a better broadcast vehicle than in-person with the context provided for prospects and frankly trade discussions brewing.

Moving to The NFL and NBA model risks losing some of the dynamic content components of trades as draft weekend is a pretty significant time for player movement with the NHL. Just not to the goofiness degree of NBA draft trading guys just after being picked. The big dog NFL can run whatever they want and get their audience.

 

[joestevens29]

The Draft is arguably a better broadcast vehicle than in-person with the context provided for prospects and frankly trade discussions brewing.

Moving to The NFL and NBA model risks losing some of the dynamic content components of trades as draft weekend is a pretty significant time for player movement with the NHL. Just not to the goofiness degree of NBA draft trading guys just after being picked. The big dog NFL can run whatever they want and get their audience.

The whole Kyle Davidson saying it's tough to get anything done because people are always watching you was a crock to me.

For years a lot of GM's have talked about how the draft is where shit gets done.

My worry is now that you don't have these guys together the whole draft week experience is gonna suffer.

 

[joestevens29]

So does anyone have the figures for what the draft actually made the NHL/club hosting? Between sponsors and all that crap you'd think it would be a decent chunk of coin.

Like are costs really even touching a million bucks combined? Would think you'd make that back and then some.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

At least they have 6 games tomorrow unlike the two last week.

I get why they might want to move the draft, even though I don't agree with it.

But these excuses about competition are funny to hear when they do shit like they do with their schedule. There is always going to be something for them to compete with. There is just so many damn sporting events and leagues in north america, but when they do have chances to do something smart they don't.



Speaking of the draft. I bought Maclean's draft day book the other day. Heard it's a must read for people that like the draft.

One guy from main boards mentioned that in the book wonder boy Stevie Yzerman is one of the guys that has pushed for this decentralizing of the draft.

Ah... Doug MacLean. Haha thought boring Ron McLean had a book out. I'll check this out via the Library. For peeps, here's a link:

Draft Day

Doug MacLean, former NHL coach, general manager, team president, and one of the game’s biggest personalities, reveals how teams build for greatness...

www.simonandschuster.com

I highly recommend Gare Joyce's draft book, "Future Greats and Heartbreaks". Future Greats and Heartbreaks by Gare Joyce | Penguin Random House Canada

 

[OilerTyler]

It would be very typical of the NHL to punish a Canadian team because Vegas tried to trade a player with a NTC to Anaheim

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

So does anyone have the figures for what the draft actually made the NHL/club hosting? Between sponsors and all that crap you'd think it would be a decent chunk of coin.

Like are costs really even touching a million bucks combined? Would think you'd make that back and then some.

There's a lot of junk economics involved in measuring economic impact for events. However here's one example of some of the considerations made including direct, in-direct (gets fuzzzzzy), and global broadcast reach to showcase one's market to prime prospective future visitation. (Of course, not all market destination hosts are created equal). Vancouver hoping for economic win with NHL Entry Draft

"The Canucks are projecting the draft to bring in about $10 million for the local economy by itself, with about 20,000 hotel room nights of business associated with the visitors. The draft’s first night is already sold out, Brumwell added, and tickets for the second day are expected to sell out soon. "

EDIT: Came across this sub-stack article about size and scale of The NFL Draft: The $100 Million Business Behind The NFL Draft

 

[McDNicks17]

Not understanding the League's decision to de-centralize the draft. I get the cost savings involved but big picture this is a league high profile marketing initiative as a traveling road show each year to one of its consortia partner's home markets.

The NHL crying about cost through in an era of record revenue, expansion fees and franchise sale seems incongruent. Though with the CBA expiring in 2026 maybe this is part of their battle lines to engage in labour discussions with a players union on the rise with its new leadership.

I like it. Hopefully they run it like the NFL draft.

It can still be a big event for the prospects and fans while the teams stay home and work from their war rooms.

 

[joestevens29]

Same guy saying Dorion to be relieved of his duties

 

[joestevens29]

There's a lot of junk economics involved in measuring economic impact for events. However here's one example of some of the considerations made including direct, in-direct (gets fuzzzzzy), and global broadcast reach to showcase one's market to prime prospective future visitation. (Of course, not all market destination hosts are created equal). Vancouver hoping for economic win with NHL Entry Draft

The Canucks are projecting the draft to bring in about $10 million for the local economy by itself, with about 20,000 hotel room nights of business associated with the visitors. The draft’s first night is already sold out, Brumwell added, and tickets for the second day are expected to sell out soon. •

I'm not even talking the City directly, but how much does the team and NHL make?

Then add what the City makes and ya you're looking real good.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

I like it. Hopefully they run it like the NFL draft.

It can still be a big event for the prospects and fans while the teams stay home and work from their war rooms.

I like the format for NFL. It's still a massive spectacle in the host city. But it isn't an environment where that league does its other business.

NHL draft weekend is one of the primary times for dealmaking. I think this element brings additional interest and intrigue when all teams gathered in one city and under one roof. Won't be the same broadcast wise. Personally I'd prefer the league gathering; tweak the schedule to address compression issues with free agency; and limit travel contingencies to a core operational group.

It will still be good. But a more vital marketing and business tool for the NHL than NBA.

 

[McDNicks17]

I like the format for NFL. It's still a massive spectacle in the host city. But it isn't an environment where that league does its other business.

NHL draft weekend is one of the primary times for dealmaking. I think this element brings additional interest and intrigue when all teams gathered in one city and under one roof. Won't be the same broadcast wise. Personally I'd prefer the league gathering; tweak the schedule to address compression issues with free agency; and limit travel contingencies to a core operational group.

It will still be good. But a more vital marketing and business tool for the NHL than NBA.

I don't think that's a big deal. Being at home in the war room with your entire crew in a quiet room might actually make trades easier.

I won't really miss the "Dubas is talking on two phones! He's a genius. Rumour is he's talking to Jim Rutherford about an unnamed player" talk that they use to fill the dead air haha.

 

[McAsuno]