NHL (no 2012) 2013 season

[Luke]

Cheers, Luke.

I'm ready for a break.
It's gonna take me until October just to get my heart out of my throat

this sucks.

I'm at a loss for words buddy. It's a heart breaker for my second favorite NHL team, but DEAR GOD THAT WAS UNBELIEVABLE. Finesse for forever, and finally some smash mouth hockey got it done when it needed to be,

I hate the Ducks and Wings, but if they did the same thing, on this game, I would have to give them a tip of my hat.

Out freaking standing. That was some ill, stupid s#!t.

[EllertMichael]

Wow. I wouldn't have guessed that by the way he played tonight, making hits & getting in front of the net the way he was...

[MrPopo]

^It usually does, non NHL watchers.

I was hoping for some justification of a winter sport ending in the summer.

[dsheinem]

^It usually does, non NHL watchers.

I was hoping for some justification of a winter sport ending in the summer.

Oh I know it does, I went through a period of 4-5 years where I regularly watched much of the regular and post-season NHL (subscribed to Center Ice, etc.). I'm a Flyers fan and still watch them from time to time. But a big part of the reason I stopped being "into" hockey is that the season lasts 10 months or more (preseason in mid September-finals in June/early July) which is insane and far too much of a time commitment to be bothered with. I feel much the same way about the NBA, which I also used to follow intently for some years until I just got to a point where it was too much.

By contrast, in my three favorite sports:

NFL- preseason in early August- Superbowl in early February (7 months)
MLB - spring training in late February -World Series in late October (8.5 months)
NCAA basketball - early November - first week in April (6 months)

I don't watch much of the baseball spring training, so really each of these sports is more like a 5-6 month commitment, and baseball basically runs during the time where the other two aren't doing much, so there's not a ton of overlap.

I just don't have the commitment to follow multiple sports closely at the same time - especially when a sport is played practically year round like with the NHL. If they'd play from mid-November -finals in early May, I bet I'd get interested again.

[Luke]

Notice the number. No coincidence.

[Blu]

Notice the number. No coincidence.

What, behaving like a 17 year old? I'm confused. :-\ Oh, yeah, 2 goals in 17 seconds, bahahaha.

text

Dave: I don't find it difficult to commit to a few sports seasons at all. It really depends on how you want to commit your time if you're willing to follow a club and acknowledging that you won't get to watch every single game. Even if you miss a game, there's always a highlight reel. That or what might rope you in is a fantasy league. Those are quite fun and keep me interested, especially if my teams are terrible.

The English Premier League runs from August until May (10 Months) - plays 38 league games.
Spain's La Liga from September until June (10 Months) - plays 38 league games.
MLS plays from March until December (9 Months) - 36 League Games.
I'll be damned if I don't stay committed to following a few clubs for each league.
The key difference is: with the exception of a few matches here and there, most Association Football/Soccer/Football matches are played on the weekends, where I can commit a few hours here and there. Basketball, Baseball, and Hockey don't typically follow this set-up. It's virtually impossible for me to catch the day games the Tigers play, or some of the weeknight games for the Wings.
I think the common theme is you're too busy, the season is too long, and don't have enough time between all of your competing interests.

I was hoping for some justification of a winter sport ending in the summer.

Mr. Popo, there's a few justifications: First, the label of it being a winter sport is outdated because of the league's format and expansion. Second there's so many if not too many teams in the NHL. If you break down how there's too many games played, that's a big reason:
82 games are played; each team plays 41 games home and 41 games on the road.
24: 5 teams are in each division, and each team plays SIX games against its four opposing teams in that division, for a total of 24 games. A round robin format would slash the season considerably.
40: Each team plays a total of four games against the remaining 10 teams that are in their conference but in a different division.
18 & Zero sense mode: Each team plays every team in the other conference at least once—one game each against 12 teams and two games against the remaining three teams.

I love Hockey, but I agree the season is too long. Seriously, who crafted that league format and with what formula?! If you cut it down so that each team would play a round robin (one home and one away game versus each team), that's still 58 games. You can still make a valid assessment as to who the top teams are in the league and still have a valid competitive sport season. I understand the NHL is trying to expand its market and go against competitors while still being profitable, but I don't think having this incredibly lengthy season is the way to go about it.

[Luke]

If you break down how there's too many games played, that's a big reason:

I'm fine with the number of games played, but not with the amount of teams (and where they are located). I would be fine though with a 50 game, 25 team system.

[skyknight]

Day after the 17 (or 18) sec apart goals that shook the hockey world, I still can't believe it, I really thought there will be a Game 7, and mostly likely Chicago would win it - if all their players are able to play.

Still, I will say this was one of the best Cup finals that I saw, AND most importantly the NHL still matters after another lookout; various media did report higher attendance and TV ratings among most teams (I am sure the Coyotes were "dead"-last in most areas).

Give kudos to how the younger Rocky Wirtz turn around the Hawks, after what his father, "Dollar Bill," did to the team - yes, I think hardcore fans can cheer his death at the time. And I do think B's did a great job - just don't give-in to Rask demands of 6yr+ deal @ $6+mil/yr.

Yes, I am glad that there was a hockey season, granted it was 48-games, and didn't end until after Summer solstice (NHL area would have been a "cool" spot ); but like some of you, I would prefer a less-than 82-games season, and end the Cup finals before May. But remember that a new CBA was signed, and many key structures will remain the same for at least 5 years (after which the league could consider expansion and realignment).

SO, what's next? I want the NHL and NHLPA to agree with IIHC and IOC on letting players play in the 2014 Sochi Olympics ASAP, preferable right after the draft.

2013 NHL entry draft: Who's bluffing on Seth Jones and Nathan MacKinnon?

I can't wait to see that!

[EllertMichael]

just don't give-in to Rask demands of 6yr+ deal @ $6+mil/yr.

"Fuckin' serious?"

[pierrot]

Well, that was disappointing. This was the first series I actually had any expectations for the Bruins all playoffs, but when the two best two-way centers on the team are beat up, it's hard to be consistent. As much as I respect Jagr trying to fit into the system, he's not Recchi, either. Also, where was Marchand this series?

Anyway, at least I got a chance to start my playoff viewing with my dad, seven rows up from the benches at game 1 against the Leafs. Looked for a bit like that might be the only home game they'd win in the playoffs. (For some reason, no one wanted to go to it.) Pretty incredible run; would have been nice if they had been able to hold it together for games 1 and 6 of the finals.