The NHL is on the verge of big things

[Coach]

I used to watch maybe 1 hockey game a year, usually live, but I must say the NHL appears to have something special going on. Now I'm watching!

Who would have thought Hockey would be this big in the South? Well--It is and the games in the playoffs are a mix of skills, nerves, and phsycialcality. And the fans are really into it.

Meanwhile, the NBA ( The NHL's chief competition once the NFL is off the air ) has boring playoffs. What's the point when teams rest their stars during the season too often, and everyone knows it will come down to two teams, not because they draft well or develop their own players, but because the top free agents go to the best teams? It's really hard to be a fan of the remaining 25+ teams in the NBA.

 

[scstillerfan]

Who would have thought Hockey would be this big in the South? Well--It is and the games in the playoffs are a mix of skills, nerves, and phsycialcality. And the fans are really into it.

The same thing happened in Carolina when they first got the Hurricanes and eventually won the cup. It lasted until around 2012. Now they can't sell tickets, even in the playoffs. I would expect the same thing if the Preds decline.

 

[Buster]

Hockey becoming popular and basketball being in decline is racist.

 

[SteelerFan448]

I've watched ESPN and FS1 all week and there was no talk about the Stanley Cup. Until that starts to happen, hockey isn't on the verge of anything big.

 

[Stryker]

I wouldn't discredit this. Coach is onto something. The reason why it is killing in Nashville, is the country music scene is all over this. It's the place to be. It's like when all the actors would show up at Lakers games. All the stars are fighting over who will sing the anthem. It's an exciting sport, and the Preds are playing an exciting brand of hockey. Their fans are coordinated and passionate. It's like listening to the Duke Student section the way they are coordinating the cheers.

I think this may spread through the south, as the country music stars move out of Nashville. Country fans are now getting to see a blue collar sport, they are starting to relate. It may spread quicker than we think.

Coach is also right. The NBA product is horrible. Sure they're getting ratings, but the games are god awful. The pacing is slow and lethargic. Pull up shoot. Yay.... The NFL is starting to suffer also, since the talent is leaving the league. It's starting to resemble the XFL with the level of play now. In a couple years, it may become unwatchable as well.

I hope this passion for hockey catches on like wildfire. I'm even noticing caps fans, getting passionate for non Caps games. Never saw that in my life. It's a great game, it's a worldwide game, and it should dominate TV in the next decade if this passion is contagious.

 

[Coach]

I wouldn't discredit this. Coach is onto something. The reason why it is killing in Nashville, is the country music scene is all over this. It's the place to be. It's like when all the actors would show up at Lakers games. All the stars are fighting over who will sing the anthem. It's an exciting sport, and the Preds are playing an exciting brand of hockey. Their fans are coordinated and passionate. It's like listening to the Duke Student section the way they are coordinating the cheers.

I think this may spread through the south, as the country music stars move out of Nashville. Country fans are now getting to see a blue collar sport, they are starting to relate. It may spread quicker than we think.

Coach is also right. The NBA product is horrible. Sure they're getting ratings, but the games are god awful. The pacing is slow and lethargic. Pull up shoot. Yay.... The NFL is starting to suffer also, since the talent is leaving the league. It's starting to resemble the XFL with the level of play now. In a couple years, it may become unwatchable as well.

I hope this passion for hockey catches on like wildfire. I'm even noticing caps fans, getting passionate for non Caps games. Never saw that in my life. It's a great game, it's a worldwide game, and it should dominate TV in the next decade if this passion is contagious.

That's what I think. And the games being on National television will draw in more fans. If you look around what's going on before and during the games, you wish you were there.

Another thing to consider, the NHL has very few police blotter incidents. Personally I think the NHL could do really well in Omaha Nebraska, or Alabama. Yes, Alabama. A top college football town with nothing to due in the Feb - June.

 

[MTC]

I think the Nashville exposure will help.
Just depends on the success for the Preds the next few years.
Carolina was in the same boat. But the access and younger crowd now should bolster the sport.

My arguement however is this: The NHL needs to protect it's players. The officiating is inconsistent. Gotta credit Crosby and Ovechkin for reviving an era imo. But the league is heading in an exciting era with McDavid, Matthews, Johnny Gaudreu etc. Now is the time to really focus on eliminating the bush league **** which has the current die-hards up in arms. Retaliation has been part of the sport. It's why it's a blue collar atmosphere. But still. The skill now is amazing. Utilize it and protect it in a fair way

 

[MTC]

I was thinking about this thread last night.
If Nashville can retain this enthusiastic fan base and branch out to neighboring states.
I think a good job by the league. The Atlanta thrashers and Calgary flames were not big while residing in the state of GA.

To be honest, the Nashville fans are a positive for the NHL. Do I like their fanbase? Nothing personal. All things Nashville and anything supporting the Preds are enemy for the series. So as a fan I appreciate the fans of the opposition. As a Pens fan, **** them for now. I even had to tell my bro in-law no respect given to his team for the time being

So I hope fans of the opposition do not take fans like me to heart and drive them away from the league.
It's just been a weird vibe when the games are played in Nashville.
Nbc focuses more on the crowd than the game. But if this exposure spreads to places like Alabama, Louisiana, etc.

I'd be happy to see the league grow for the better.
But I think that's what makes it special in it's own way is it's big but not big enough to be compared to say the NBA or NFL. So when other hockey fans see you, it feels like a brotherhood. And when you've played it really changes your outlook and appreciation on how fun and athletic this sport is.

So keep it up fans
P.S. **** the flyers