CBJ Board realignment discussion II (Jackets officially to the Atlantic Division)

[db2011]

This move to the East is big imo.... for many reasons of which playing the original six and first NHL expansion teams more often are not a small part...

Personally, I can't wait for next season...

well that sounds familiar...

 

[Dr. Fire]

Remember folks, attendance isn't everything. I remember years ago the NFL commish stating that the league made so much money off of it's tv contracts, corporate sponsorships, and merchandise sales that they could play in empty stadiums and still make money.

For the NHL, attendance is extremely important because the other streams are not as lucrative as the big three major U.S. sports. However, even with great attendance a team in a city with fewer corporate sponsorship opportunities, in the U.S. or Canada, will struggle to turn a meaningful profit.

 

[Robert]

Remember folks, attendance isn't everything. I remember years ago the NFL commish stating that the league made so much money off of it's tv contracts, corporate sponsorships, and merchandise sales that they could play in empty stadiums and still make money.

For the NHL, attendance is extremely important because the other streams are not as lucrative as the big three major U.S. sports. However, even with great attendance a team in a city with fewer corporate sponsorship opportunities, in the U.S. or Canada, will struggle to turn a meaningful profit.

True... Today, small markets must at minimum have decent parts of both to succeed financially...

 

[Dying Alive]

Although we're not in the same division, I can really see Buffalo and Columbus learning to hate each other.

In my personal experience Buffalo fans are the hardest to deal with. I've had worse experiences with them than I have with Philly fans or any other fan base. I'm sure they're not all like that and they've gotten much less obnoxious now that their team stinks, but overall what I've seen of them has been wretched. Then again, Pens fans can be pretty insufferable too. I went to a game at Nationwide a few years ago when the Pens came back from behind and won and I was pretty mortified at some of the behavior I saw. I'm confident that if you don't already hate us you'll learn pretty quickly to do so.

 

[Robert]

In my personal experience Buffalo fans are the hardest to deal with. I've had worse experiences with them than I have with Philly fans or any other fan base. I'm sure they're not all like that and they've gotten much less obnoxious now that their team stinks, but overall what I've seen of them has been wretched. Then again, Pens fans can be pretty insufferable too. I went to a game at Nationwide a few years ago when the Pens came back from behind and won and I was pretty mortified at some of the behavior I saw. I'm confident that if you don't already hate us you'll learn pretty quickly to do so.

Yeah; the Boston Irish, NY Sicilians and Philly broad street bullies are a piece of cake.... Geez…..

 

[megashock5]

In my personal experience Buffalo fans are the hardest to deal with. I've had worse experiences with them than I have with Philly fans or any other fan base. I'm sure they're not all like that and they've gotten much less obnoxious now that their team stinks, but overall what I've seen of them has been wretched. Then again, Pens fans can be pretty insufferable too. I went to a game at Nationwide a few years ago when the Pens came back from behind and won and I was pretty mortified at some of the behavior I saw. I'm confident that if you don't already hate us you'll learn pretty quickly to do so.

The worst visiting fans I've EVER had to sit by were from Buffalo. They took it to a whole new level I didn't think was achievable. I will never go to another game against the Sabres, ever.

 

[Matthew]

The Buffaslug era was pretty bad...

 

[Robert]

The Buffaslug era was pretty bad...

True... I was at a few of those games, they where mostly 20 year olds (those that I delt with) out to party on a road trip...., folks who can't afford First Niagara prices... It won't change as long as lower bowl Jacket tickets can be had for $10....

 

[Robert]

The worst visiting fans I've EVER had to sit by were from Buffalo. They took it to a whole new level I didn't think was achievable. I will never go to another game against the Sabres, ever.

I'm not judging your conviction.... it has valid merit; I was just wondering, what level you would place the Vancouver fans on after losing the cup and rioted in their streets?

 

[megashock5]

I'm not judging your conviction.... it has valid merit; I was just wondering, what level you would place the Vancouver fans on after losing the cup and rioted in their streets?

That was bad, but...

1. I think a lot of the rioters weren't even at the game and jut used it as an excuse.

2. It's not really conviction on my part, it's that I had a horrible night in my home arena and don't want a repeat. Although, this year the Blackhawks fans were pretty bad too.

 

[RBarRegular]

Never had an issue with Blackhawks fans. In fact, they've always seemed pretty classy to me. Buffablow on the other hand, just ouch. Act like you've been out of your house before. Pissburgh? Obnoxious. Act like they own the place. Mostly bandwagon fans, like 75%. Detroit, not an issue. Just cheer when their team scores, know how to behave.

 

[Skraut]

The real question about alignment is this: Will the R-Bar get more urinals?

 

[Jaxs]

The Pittsburg takeover of NWA was the most bizarre home game I have been to. It was like a home game for the opposition. I still shake my head over that one. Even though they were all drunker than hell, the fans that we were sitting around calmed down pretty quick, they beat us 7-2 or something like that.

The Buffalo game where Sabre fan bussed here, I forget how many busses they used, but there was several thousand drunk Buffalo fans obnoxious as could be. The Jackets won that game iirc. Don't go away mad, just go away!

 

[CBJfan4evr]

Quick question to ponder. Will the CBJ be able to beat the teams in our division? Playing in the Central and losing to those teams 80% of the time puts you at a severe disadvantage for making the playoffs. Is year is a perfect example. 5 games with 1 point to show for games against Chi and Stl really hurts. Even if we played those two teams at .500 we'd have 4 or 5 more points and be closer to the bar. We've had decent luck with Eastern conference teams in the past so maybe this will continue to hold true. One canonly hope.

 

[CBJfan4evr]

One other question... I understand we'll play teams in our conference 5 or 6 times a year. This accounts for about 40 games. Does anybody have a sense of how many games will be played against the west -or- will we be playing strictly within the east?

 

[Dr. Fire]

Quick question to ponder. Will the CBJ be able to beat the teams in our division? Playing in the Central and losing to those teams 80% of the time puts you at a severe disadvantage for making the playoffs. Is year is a perfect example. 5 games with 1 point to show for games against Chi and Stl really hurts. Even if we played those two teams at .500 we'd have 4 or 5 more points and be closer to the bar. We've had decent luck with Eastern conference teams in the past so maybe this will continue to hold true. One canonly hope.

I am sort of buying into JD's pitch here, but I am really looking to the future now, and not looking up a dead horses ass.

This current team has actually been a fun team to watch, so that has been a positive in a season where we are going nowhere. I have enjoyed watching some of these young players auditioning for future jobs. It has kind of reminded me of the 2000 season, but in a different way.

No matter how we have done against whom in the past or present, I am now interested in what is being built for the future so that we are successful against whoever we play against.

 

[IBleedUnionBlue]

Does anybody have a sense of how many games will be played against the west -or- will we be playing strictly within the east?

I believe it will 1 home and 1 away with the west. Which I think means in total, 4 less 10 pm games or so. I never understood all the fuss about 10pm games anyhow (some of which are weekend games). I've stayed up and watched the Reds play 10pm games for 30 years.

 

[Jaxs]

One other question... I understand we'll play teams in our conference 5 or 6 times a year. This accounts for about 40 games. Does anybody have a sense of how many games will be played against the west -or- will we be playing strictly within the east?

They will play a home and home with each Western conference team (28). The remainder will be 3 times against Eastern, non divison (24), with the rest division games (30).

 

[CBJfan4evr]

I believe it will 1 home and 1 away with the west. Which I think means in total, 4 less 10 pm games or so. I never understood all the fuss about 10pm games anyhow (some of which are weekend games). I've stayed up and watched the Reds play 10pm games for 30 years.

. I don't mind the 10p games. Sorta fun staying up if it is a good game. So I guess we'll see the west coast swings cut in half.

 

[CBJfan4evr]

I am sort of buying into JD's pitch here, but I am really looking to the future now, and not looking up a dead horses ass.

This current team has actually been a fun team to watch, so that has been a positive in a season where we are going nowhere. I have enjoyed watching some of these young players auditioning for future jobs. It has kind of reminded me of the 2000 season, but in a different way.

No matter how we have done against whom in the past or present, I am now interested in what is being built for the future so that we are successful against whoever we play against.

Agree the team is back to playing year 1 type hockey. Remembering how far Tugnutt took us. Ultimately looking for a winner and playing against 4 cap teams in this conference will be tough. Grit will get you down the line but not get you over the hump and into the playoffs. Other side of the coin one could argue that many of the recent past cup winners have not spent a ton of bucks. If we canbe competitive in the conference we'll at least have a chance.

 

[IBleedUnionBlue]

Per mapquest:

Current Division
Detroit - 205 miles
Chicago - 356 miles
Nashville - 378 miles
St Louis - 420 miles

New Conference
Pittsburgh - 185 miles
Washington DC - 419 miles
Philadelphia - 469 miles
Raleigh NC - 480 miles
Trenton NJ - 489 miles
MSG - New York City - 538 miles
Uniondale, NY - 590 miles *** Brooklyn is 537 miles

Other Eastern Conf. Teams
Detroit - 205 miles
Buffalo - 325 miles
Toronto - 428 miles
Ottawa - 658
Montreal - 716 miles
Boston - 776 miles
Tampa - 1024 miles
Sunrise - 1136

If you are a fan that enjoys traveling to away games within the division, the miles that you will travel will increase. (For me, it is even worst since I live 2 hours west of Naionwide - which makes Chicago, St. Louis & Nashville even closer).

Not putting Florida and Tampa with either Carolina or DC was dumb. They could have tossed these 2 teams a bone and gave them Carolina, and put a Canadian team like Toronto with Columbus.

 

[EspenK]

Per mapquest:

Current Division
Detroit - 205 miles
Chicago - 356 miles
Nashville - 378 miles
St Louis - 420 miles

New Conference
Pittsburgh - 185 miles
Washington DC - 419 miles
Philadelphia - 469 miles
Raleigh NC - 480 miles
Trenton NJ - 489 miles
MSG - New York City - 538 miles
Uniondale, NY - 590 miles *** Brooklyn is 537 miles

Other Eastern Conf. Teams
Detroit - 205 miles
Buffalo - 325 miles
Toronto - 428 miles
Ottawa - 658
Montreal - 716 miles
Boston - 776 miles
Tampa - 1024 miles
Sunrise - 1136

If you are a fan that enjoys traveling to away games within the division, the miles that you will travel will increase. (For me, it is even worst since I live 2 hours west of Naionwide - which makes Chicago, St. Louis & Nashville even closer).

Not putting Florida and Tampa with either Carolina or DC was dumb. They could have tossed these 2 teams a bone and gave them Carolina, and put a Canadian team like Toronto with Columbus.

Still glad to see Trenton is still getting a team.

I think there was an effort to keep rivalries going so Montreal & Boston had to be together, I am assuming Toronto & Montreal wasn't getting split up either. The Jackets division has the whole Rangers-Isles-Devils thing to deal with plus the Flyers/Pens and their rivalries with the NY area teams. Never was going to be perfect, it just is what it is.

 

[Samkow]

Per mapquest:

Current Division
Detroit - 205 miles
Chicago - 356 miles
Nashville - 378 miles
St Louis - 420 miles

New Conference
Pittsburgh - 185 miles
Washington DC - 419 miles
Philadelphia - 469 miles
Raleigh NC - 480 miles
Trenton NJ - 489 miles
MSG - New York City - 538 miles
Uniondale, NY - 590 miles *** Brooklyn is 537 miles

Other Eastern Conf. Teams
Detroit - 205 miles
Buffalo - 325 miles
Toronto - 428 miles
Ottawa - 658
Montreal - 716 miles
Boston - 776 miles
Tampa - 1024 miles
Sunrise - 1136

If you are a fan that enjoys traveling to away games within the division, the miles that you will travel will increase. (For me, it is even worst since I live 2 hours west of Naionwide - which makes Chicago, St. Louis & Nashville even closer).

Not putting Florida and Tampa with either Carolina or DC was dumb. They could have tossed these 2 teams a bone and gave them Carolina, and put a Canadian team like Toronto with Columbus.

This is an issue for what, 250-500 fans a year at most?

 

[DJA]

I really had no desire to visit our former divisional cities for a road game, to be honest (outside of Chicago). I'd much rather take a road trip for multiple games in NY and DC than hanging out in Detroit or St. Louis for a weekend.

Plus, every single conference rival is now within driving distance, other than the Florida teams and maybe Boston. There is no earthly way I would ever see a Jackets away game in Edmonton, Vancouver, Calgary, etc. Now I can pretty much go to any away game I want.

 

[EDM]

Who plays in Trenton New Jersey?