Why doesn't the NHL have stars with personality like LeBron James or Conor McGregor?

[sr edler]

Are there people who still cares about McGregor? Guy last won a meaningful fight when, 5 or 6 years ago?

As for LeBron, I don't follow basketball, but from what I've seen the guy seems pretty milquetoast/boring.

 

[Caps8112]

prefer the league stay out of ridiculousness that personalities like that bring. Let the league remain as intended. entertainment.

 

[PK]

Never seen a sport where people want it to not gain more fans so badly.

No, we just don’t care if it gains more fans or not. Why should we? We watch hockey because we like it the way it is. Now we should change it so that other people like it? Doesn’t make any sense.

 

[joelef]

No, we just don’t care if it gains more fans or not. Why should we? We watch hockey because we like it the way it is. Now we should change it so that other people like it? Doesn’t make any sense.

So it dosent die off like in st pail and Minneapolis due to demographic vhanges

 

[joelef]

That's what the NHL needs. The CCP buying some NHL'rs so they can be spokesmen for communist propaganda.

No we got people pushing Putin propaganda

 

[PK]

So it dosent die off like in st pail and Minneapolis due to demographic vhanges

Should every less popular sport change pre-emptively just in case so that it doesn’t die off? Do we even need more than one sport and one culture? Let’s find the most popular one and make everything the same.

 

[joelef]

Should every less popular sport change pre-emptively just in case so that it doesn’t die off? Do we even need more than one sport and one culture? Let’s find the most popular one and make everything the same.

Yes thst called evolution

 

[Voight]

I think its good that McDavid doesn't call himself the King or anything like that.

Hes the clear best player in the sport but remains humble.

 

[malkshake]

NHL is dying for a personality injection but for whatever reason it stays the same old and it remains in the same place viewer wise. If the athletes were allowed to be themselves more and people could relate to them more the viewership would increase. Traditionalists are keeping it stagnant.

The NHL needs players to become brands as well, they are the ones who will grow the product. Hockey is the most exciting sport imo but everything outside that is the worst. Even the interviews sound like the same cut and paste lines regardless who's delivering it.

 

[Sabresruletheschool]

No we got people pushing Putin propaganda

And what is that?

 

[powerbomb]

Sports like basketball and boxing are very different by nature. Swagger is part of the contest; what I mean is, you are at the center of attention for almost all the minutes played and the match often comes down to tilt and momentum. Bravado, intimidation, and feasting on the psyche of your opponent(s) is a key element to many a match.

Compare that to hockey, in my opinion the ultimate team game, where you are hoping the 45-60 second shifts you log make a difference... you would look like an imbecile skating around calling yourself "The King" any given night you're pointless on the score sheet.

...to say nothing whatsoever about the weirdness of asking why one person's personality isn't like another person's personality.

 

[SkinsFan09]

No, we just don’t care if it gains more fans or not. Why should we? We watch hockey because we like it the way it is. Now we should change it so that other people like it? Doesn’t make any sense.

I'd love to have even more people if my team is lucky enough to have another title parade.

Some of the recommendations being made in here aren't fundamentally changing the sport. Do we need people to act like McGregor, no. But better marketing so people understand the talent in the league and the rules so they can becomes fans, how does that change the game you like?

 

[BrindamoursNose]

Using Connor McGregor is a bad example. I think what the OP means "Why aren't individuals well known?"

Really the answer is that basketball is probably the only team sport where individuals become a big deal - and I think that's a bad thing for the league functionally, but good for marketing.

LeBron is known everywhere, but we also know he can go to any team he wants, fire any player or coach he wants just to get his way. That's bad for business I think, but the NBA condones it culturally. There's a few other players that have this power, too.

 

[Reality Czech]

I'm glad that the NHL doesn't have stars like LeBron and Conor. LeBron is a stooge for the Chinese government and constant crybaby, whereas Conor has embarrassed himself numerous times due to his unchecked ego. Let's not emulate those two.

 

[Garl]

Lebron has personality, but Ovechkin doesnt?

 

[TGWL]

Lebron's personality = A confident, star player, with good looks and bad body language when plays don't go his way. I really don't think you can compare him to Conor, since it seems like you're using personality to draw interest and grow the sport.

 

[HenrikW]

Hockey is more of a team sport. Its impossible to win unless everyone is buying in. If you flaunt big egos Im fairly sure it would affect the team negatively

 

[blundluntman]

We don’t need overt showmanship but a bit more self confidence and outward competitive attitude could go a long way in storylines and rivalries. Messier’s guarantee is a good example of this. It doesn’t need to be that extreme but players are way too modest. Nobody will penalize a player for being more transparently competitive

 

[chaser17]

Lebron James is a tool. The dude refers to himself as the King for christ sake, why do people enjoy that. Still think he's the best basketball player of all time though.

 

[hypereconomist]

Why do people care about the NHL having personalities? I like the fact that hockey players are known for being humble and down to earth. There's already way too much narcissism, materialism and caring about social status in society.

If you've spend any modicum of time around elite hockey players (Jr A, major junior, pro), it's obvious that this isn't true. The "humble NHL player" is a myth. There's the odd exception or two like Crosby, but for the most part, these guys are no different than elite athletes in any other big sport. The only difference between NBA/NFL players and NHL players is that NHL players are more conscious about their public appearance and much more quiet about their enormous egos.

 

[ElysiumAB]

You lost me at Lebron and personality.

 

[stats1]

Subban had personality and Montreal quickly got tired of his act. The NHL is a country club. Members have to act and talk a certain way. Or they get labelled as “not team players” “disruptive” etc

 

[rogking65]

Stannis Baratheon had more humor and charm than Connor McDavid.

LeBitch is a POS. Not someone the NHL needs either.

The NHL needs someone like The Rock or Stone Cold.

we ae comparing sports stars,not actors

 

[PK]

I'd love to have even more people if my team is lucky enough to have another title parade.

Some of the recommendations being made in here aren't fundamentally changing the sport. Do we need people to act like McGregor, no. But better marketing so people understand the talent in the league and the rules so they can becomes fans, how does that change the game you like?

Once we accept that players’ behavior off ice can affect the overall product, it can go both ways. Some enjoy flamboyant, interesting personalities, I prefer a more humble, team-first attitude. While I love hockey too much to completely stop watching it, I might enjoy it less if it was full of NBA-style primadonas. I find many of them completely ridiculous and impossible to cheer for. Friends of mine love them though and that’s fine. It’s good when everyone can find what they like.

 

[AndreRoy]

Considering they’re both dirtbags it’s probably a good thing.