NHL 2021: I Pledge Allegiance to Gritty

[Kepler]

Come on Seattle! Not just because they are my second team. But because Vegas- Seattle conference final will just explode all the tin foil hats and I’m here for it

Seattle and Vegas are among the vanishingly few teams that escape the "every professional sports team created or moved since 1978 should be folded or returned" rule. Only other that comes to mind is Peg.

[state of hockey]

I’m no Hakstol fan, but f* Dallas.

[SJHovey]

I’m no Hakstol fan, but f* Dallas.

This is my fear for Seattle fans.

You start out wondering what the team is doing, and whether there is a plan. Pretty soon things start turning around, you enjoy the wins, but you have this nagging suspicion they are simply overachieving.

In stage 3, real belief takes over. This team can compete for the title. By stage 4, there is no reason why we won't win the title.

I don't want to talk about stage 5. Been there, done that. Love the man as a coach, but I don't want to go back on that ride.

I sort of sense Seattle fans are somewhere between 2 and 3 right now.

[SonofSouthie]

I'd really enjoy Bruce Cassidy and Vegas winning the Cup just to tweak the Bruins front office.

[Slap Shot]

I’m no Hakstol fan, but f* Dallas.

I'm just the opposite. I'm no Dallas fan but f* Seattle. Hard. And I really wanted to see EDM and TOR advance.

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

I'm just the opposite. I'm no Dallas fan but f* Seattle. Hard. And I really wanted to see EDM and TOR advance.

Just curious, why? The expansion factor and then do you feel same about Vegas?

[Slap Shot]

Just curious, why? The expansion factor and then do you feel same about Vegas?

Yes and yes.

[Spartanforlife4]

Wonder what the ratings will be for the Final. All on cable for the first time in 30ish years, and possibly an all-southern affair. I don’t think it will be as bad as the COVID Cup or the Anaheim-Ottawa series, as neither of those cracked 3 million for any game, but it could be close.

[Bronco]

Wonder what the ratings will be for the Final. All on cable for the first time in 30ish years, and possibly an all-southern affair. I don’t think it will be as bad as the COVID Cup or the Anaheim-Ottawa series, as neither of those cracked 3 million for any game, but it could be close.

Please don't take any offense to this, but the 'what about the ratings' discussion is something I greatly dislike since it is just media suits complaining about lost potential money on behalf of the owners. If these markets are big enough to have teams, then it shouldn't matter who is in the finals. Otherwise the argument is saying that the smaller market teams are simply there to collect the outstanding market revenue while only the biggest market teams deserve to win championships.

/rant

[Jimjamesak]

At the World Championships, through three games there is one team left who is undefeated in regulation: the US.

The US. With a top line of Alex Tuch, Nick Bonino, and Rocco *ing Grimaldi.

[Spartanforlife4]

Please don't take any offense to this, but the 'what about the ratings' discussion is something I greatly dislike since it is just media suits complaining about lost potential money on behalf of the owners. If these markets are big enough to have teams, then it shouldn't matter who is in the finals. Otherwise the argument is saying that the smaller market teams are simply there to collect the outstanding market revenue while only the biggest market teams deserve to win championships.

/rant

I don’t look at it that way. There are ebbs and flows and certain teams draw better than others, but even the Detroit-Pittsburgh series weren’t creating viewership records. Frankly the numbers show only Boston and Chicago bring out truly monstrous numbers on their own.

Really I just think the trends are interesting. Last year’s series averaged 4.6 million, which is actually more than the two COVID affected series combined. It also didn’t have a game below 3.7 million for the first time since 2015, which is likely due to the fact it was all OTA for the first time 40ish years.

Moving to cable is good for a very consistent 1.5 to 2 million drop in viewers. That’s going to hurt more than whatever the matchup ends up being.

[Spartanforlife4]

At the World Championships, through three games there is one team left who is undefeated in regulation: the US.

The US. With a top line of Alex Tuch, Nick Bonino, and Rocco *ing Grimaldi.

I swear this tournament gets less and less interest each year. I like following it and even I forgot it was going on. Of course it was easier when NBCSN had the rights. The only time I’ve had NHLN was the last four months or so PS Vue existed.

Looks like the US opponents record so far is 1-0-1-6. Granted one is Finland, but I’m not sure how much longer than undefeated streak will last.

[Jimjamesak]

I swear this tournament gets less and less interest each year. I like following it and even I forgot it was going on. Of course it was easier when NBCSN had the rights. The only time I’ve had NHLN was the last four months or so PS Vue existed.

Looks like the US opponents record so far is 1-0-1-6. Granted one is Finland, but I’m not sure how much longer than undefeated streak will last.

They’ve played probably two of their toughest matches (along with the easiest) in Finland and Germany. Their next three are Austria, Denmark, and France before the final group stage game against Sweden.

I wish they’d just put on ESPN+, I’ve never had NHL Network.

[aparch]

#FireHakstol

[Jimjamesak]

#FireHakstol

Lol.

Considering everyone expected the Kraken to be swept by Colorado, I consider this a success. Gonna be tough to make the playoffs again next season though.