Around the League 2024-25 season

[ru4reals]

They started with the best

And then as stated before this was the start of that horrendous slump to end the season. 1 goal in 27 games and then potted one in the last game of last season. No more highlight reel goals for you Quinton. LOL.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Andrew Freidman in his office watching local teams reading his playbook (re: Ducks deferred salary contract to Vatrano)

View attachment 956700

AEG immediately vetoing Rob Blake's power to do so so that they don't have to pay PLD 5 million a year in 2070

 

[kingsfan28]

Andrew Freidman in his office watching local teams reading his playbook (re: Ducks deferred salary contract to Vatrano)

View attachment 956700

AEG immediately vetoing Rob Blake's power to do so so that they don't have to pay PLD 5 million a year in 2070

I thought that stuff only happened in MLB and the NFL. Shit, that sure sound like cap circumvention. Uncle Lou is probably screaming " that was my idea!"

 

[Herby]

I'm told the current on ice product is the worst it's ever been.

I know many here disagree, but I think the NHL is at the best it's been since I've been a fan. Looking back at the dead-puck era, it really was just an awful product on the ice and a terrible CBA off it.

Shutouts in the playoffs

1997 - 16
1998 - 13
1999 - 14
2000 - 15
2001 - 17
2002 - 25
2003 - 19 (including 4 out of 7 in the finals)
2004 - 24

Compared to the modern era

2021 - 12
2022 - 11
2023 - 5
2024 - 5

Remember how it used to be, if playoff games got to 2-0 they were basically over.

 

[bland]

I know many here disagree, but I think the NHL is at the best it's been since I've been a fan. Looking back at the dead-puck era, it really was just an awful product on the ice and a terrible CBA off it.

Shutouts in the playoffs

1997 - 16
1998 - 13
1999 - 14
2000 - 15
2001 - 17
2002 - 25
2003 - 19 (including 4 out of 7 in the finals)
2004 - 24

Compared to the modern era

2021 - 12
2022 - 11
2023 - 5
2024 - 5

Remember how it used to be, if playoff games got to 2-0 they were basically over.

And virtually everything goal meant something. The last two playoffs were easily the worst, most boring NHL playoffs I have ever seen.

 

[johnjm22]

I know many here disagree, but I think the NHL is at the best it's been since I've been a fan. Looking back at the dead-puck era, it really was just an awful product on the ice and a terrible CBA off it.

Shutouts in the playoffs

1997 - 16
1998 - 13
1999 - 14
2000 - 15
2001 - 17
2002 - 25
2003 - 19 (including 4 out of 7 in the finals)
2004 - 24

Compared to the modern era

2021 - 12
2022 - 11
2023 - 5
2024 - 5

Remember how it used to be, if playoff games got to 2-0 they were basically over.

I agree. The product is generally better now than it was in my youth.

Some exceptions IMO:
1) There's less violence nowadays*
2) Expansion has created too many teams that feel aimless. Too many low stakes meaningless games.
3) Everything feels more corporate now. There's less personalities in the game. Less characters. Player/media interactions feel rehearsed. Playing styles don't vary as much. Some of the in-arena experience and broadcasts have been homogenized across the league.

*Less violence doesn't bother me, but if we're being honest, it was something that was unique about hockey and added entertainment value. That was back before we knew about the true dangers of head trauma.

 

[Herby]

And virtually everything goal meant something. The last two playoffs were easily the worst, most boring NHL playoffs I have ever seen.

That is how it is with soccer, and we know that soccer has never come close to achieving the popularity here that it has elsewhere. NHL teams would get leads and completely suffocate the opposition, hence why we saw so many shutouts in the dead-puck era, which helped contribute to abysmal TV ratings and gates and the league moving from ESPN to OLN. You (and others) are free to enjoy 2-0 clutch and grab hockey , but the facts are it drove away many fans who enjoyed the sport in the 80's and early 90's and also made it difficult to grow the sport with new fans. I remember taking people to games in that era, and well if you go to a game where the home team loses 2-0 and the rules are geared more towards Craig Ludwig and Doug Zmolek than Ziggy Palffy and Paul Kariya, well the odds of gaining a new fans are significantly less, and that is exactly what happened to the NHL in the dead puck era, and that is why they (thankfully) changed the rules . At this point, if the NHL ever returned to a style like that, I think I would throw in the towel and stop watching the league closely.

 

[johnjm22]

That is how it is with soccer, and we know that soccer has never come close to achieving the popularity here that it has elsewhere. NHL teams would get leads and completely suffocate the opposition, hence why we saw so many shutouts in the dead-puck era, which helped contribute to abysmal TV ratings and gates and the league moving from ESPN to OLN. You (and others) are free to enjoy 2-0 clutch and grab hockey , but the facts are it drove away many fans who enjoyed the sport in the 80's and early 90's and also made it difficult to grow the sport with new fans. I remember taking people to games in that era, and well if you go to a game where the home team loses 2-0 and the rules are geared more towards Craig Ludwig and Doug Zmolek than Ziggy Palffy and Paul Kariya, well the odds of gaining a new fans are significantly less, and that is exactly what happened to the NHL in the dead puck era, and that is why they (thankfully) changed the rules . At this point, if the NHL ever returned to a style like that, I think I would throw in the towel and stop watching the league closely.

I understand what Bland is saying. A 5-4 game isn't necessarily more exciting than a 2-1 game.

IMO, you make the on ice product better by increasing two things:

1) Game flow. (Minimal play stoppages)
2) Scoring chances (Not the same as goals).

Soccer is low scoring, but it has few play stoppages. The game flows and it creates constant tension. Every goal is a huge deal.

The NHL needs to figure out how to keep play going and minimize whistles. It will automatically lead to more scoring chances.

 

[kingsfan28]

Not to be overlooked, Kevin Gravel has been recalled and will play in Nashville's next game. Didn't think he was still in the league and continues split his time between the AHL/NHL. The dude carved out a pretty long hockey career.

 

[bland]

That is how it is with soccer, and we know that soccer has never come close to achieving the popularity here that it has elsewhere. NHL teams would get leads and completely suffocate the opposition, hence why we saw so many shutouts in the dead-puck era, which helped contribute to abysmal TV ratings and gates and the league moving from ESPN to OLN. You (and others) are free to enjoy 2-0 clutch and grab hockey , but the facts are it drove away many fans who enjoyed the sport in the 80's and early 90's and also made it difficult to grow the sport with new fans. I remember taking people to games in that era, and well if you go to a game where the home team loses 2-0 and the rules are geared more towards Craig Ludwig and Doug Zmolek than Ziggy Palffy and Paul Kariya, well the odds of gaining a new fans are significantly less, and that is exactly what happened to the NHL in the dead puck era, and that is why they (thankfully) changed the rules . At this point, if the NHL ever returned to a style like that, I think I would throw in the towel and stop watching the league closely.

I will GLADLY watch Nottingham Forest take on West Ham well before I watch ANY out of market NHL game nowadays.

Competitiveness is what set hockey apart from all other sports, and modern fans think that competition is based on one teams best players outscoring the other teams best players, just like the video game fans they are catering to at the moment.

I couldn't care less how many new fans judge the sport by its highlights. If you have played it, you know why hockey is different - and why it will never appeal to a fanbase as large as other sports now matter how many times it sells it soul for approval of people who will never care anyway.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Watched Devils Kraken and that was a fun one. Markstrom made like 3 save of the month type saves, sheesh. East coast teams really struggling with the west coast lately.

Reminded me how much I've always liked Jaden Schwartz, such a gamer. And we don't play the Devils much but I'm always annoyed by Siegenthaler, a lot of hit and run stuff. At the end of the game he shoved Schwartz for next to nothing and Schwartz launched his stick into the 10th row before Beniers came in and decked him. Love to see it.

 

[Herby]

I understand what Bland is saying. A 5-4 game isn't necessarily more exciting than a 2-1 game.

Not always, but in most cases it is. And I'm not saying every game should hit a total of 9 goals. But it was ridiculous how bad the clutching and grabbing was ruining the sport before the lockout, people were tuning out and staying home because the product sucked so bad, resulting in drastic rule changes post-lockout.

In 89 games in 2003 there were 29 games with 3 or less goals
In 89 games in 2004 there were 32 games with 3 or less goals

Compare that to pre dead-puck and current.

In 86 games in 1992 there were 13 games with 3 or less goals
In 94 games in 1993 there were 8 games with 3 or less goals

In 87 games in 2023 there were 9 games with 3 or less goals
In 88 games in 2024 there were 17 games with 3 or less goals