AHL- Apolyton Hockey League 07/08: IV The Rookie Menace

[Ninot]

Moving Nashville and Florida is fine, but NYI and Columbus are good franchises, if with perhaps terrible management.

Instead, move Atlanta and Phoenix. Scott Melanby said on the radio last night that he wouldn't be surprised if Atlanta had to move in the next 2 years.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Asher
I also notice Edmonton's attendance continues to lag significantly behind Calgary's. Are they all fairweather fans there? Bandwagoners...

What's this blather?

[Asher]

98.5% capacity this season vs 112% for Calgary.

Edmonton is 18th in the league in attendance. They were 15th in 2006, 17th in 2007, and now 18th in 2008. Calgary is 3rd, behind Montreal and Toronto.

[Kontiki]

Originally posted by Asher
That's crazy talk. It could easily support 2 or 3, like New York.

Two, yes (as I said above), three, I don't see it. There's more to being able to sustain a franchise than putting bodies in seats. Even one more team is going to have trouble competing with the Leafs for TV coverage, but it could probably be pulled off if it was in Hamilton since it's still a big enough population centre and has enough of a rivalry with Toronto to get relatively quick support. Once you go Hamilton, the next logical choice is London, but with Hamilton already feeding off an extended area, I'm not sure London's draw area would be big enough.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Asher
98.5% capacity this season vs 112% for Calgary.

Edmonton is 18th in the league in attendance. They were 15th in 2006, 17th in 2007, and now 18th in 2008. Calgary is 3rd, behind Montreal and Toronto.

This is based on what?

[Asher]

Originally posted by notyoueither
This is based on what?

Official NHL attendance statistics.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?year=2008

Kontiki: Why do you think there can only be 1 hockey team in Toronto Proper, let alone neighboring cities (eg, Mississauga)?

The GTA is massive and the Leafs are massively awful. There's enough stupid people to be loyal to the Leafs while the smarter people can watch the other Toronto team.

3 teams is easily doable, in terms of attendance and in terms of TV audience. Hell, there's already Sportsnet Ontario, TSN, CBC, and LeafsTV here for Leafs games. The 2 other teams can get coverage just as well -- it's not like local hockey on TV is not going to be a big draw in Canada.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Asher

Official NHL attendance statistics.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?year=2008

Those numbers are not entirely accurate.

16,839 is capacity after renovations, and that is what ESPN lists as average attendance. They are using the older capacity to come up with the percentage.

The Oilers are no longer reporting standing room either FWIU.

We went through this last year.

[Asher]

Originally posted by notyoueither


Those numbers are not entirely accurate.

16,839 is capacity after renovations, and that is what ESPN lists as average attendence. They are using the older capacity to come up with the percentage.

The Oilers are no longer reporting standing room either FWIU.

We went through this last year.

Ahhhh that's right, the Flames renovated to add seats so more people could enjoy the games while the Oilers removed seats in their renovations.

Forgot about that.

[notyoueither]

Toronto should have more teams after they redo the conferences on a basis other than geography.

The league should then buy the rights from the Leafs, and sell the expantion teams in SO as they become feasible.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Asher

Ahhhh that's right, the Flames renovated to add seats so more people could enjoy the games while the Oilers removed seats in their renovations.

Forgot about that.

Yup. It came down to money (the need for more of it) and the limitations of the old barn.

[Tingkai]

Originally posted by Asher
There are many more North Americans than there are Canadians.

You do realize that there are more people playing hockey in Canada than there are in the States.

And if North Americans tend to shoot right, what's your explanation for this odd situation. Afterall, right-handed people typically shoot left so how do you explain your weird theory? Please tell us, why do so many right-handed people shoot the wrong way?

[Asher]

Originally posted by Tingkai
Please tell us, why do so many right-handed people shoot the wrong way?

There is no wrong way. I'm left handed and shoot left, and I bat right in baseball.

In any case, the statistics are there. A huge portion of NHL players "shoot the wrong way", according to you. Which makes me think you need to re-think this whole "wrong way" business.

8-15% of people are left-handed, which according to you means that in order to shoot the "right way", 8-15% of NHLers need to shoot right.

39% of NHL forwards shoot right. Think about that in relation to the 8-15% of people being left-handed, then re-evaluate the "wrong way" comment you made.

[Asher]

Here's something funny. For the fourth time in a row, the Leafs will be facing a backup goaltender...

[Kontiki]

Originally posted by Asher

Official NHL attendance statistics.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?year=2008

Kontiki: Why do you think there can only be 1 hockey team in Toronto Proper, let alone neighboring cities (eg, Mississauga)?

The GTA is massive and the Leafs are massively awful. There's enough stupid people to be loyal to the Leafs while the smarter people can watch the other Toronto team.

3 teams is easily doable, in terms of attendance and in terms of TV audience. Hell, there's already Sportsnet Ontario, TSN, CBC, and LeafsTV here for Leafs games. The 2 other teams can get coverage just as well -- it's not like local hockey on TV is not going to be a big draw in Canada.

Because the Leafs are too entrenched. I think in order to gain traction, you need put another team in an area that's far enough away from Toronto and with enough of a distinct identity and independent media. That means Hamilton or further, but Hamilton simply makes the most sense. If you were starting with a blank slate, yeah, you probably could squeeze three teams in.

As for the TV, which of the stations you listed would drop the Leafs to cover a different team? Or do you think they'd just pick up more hockey and drop other programming? How does that work for the CBC, for example? How much do you think those stations would be willing to pay to pick up another team in addition to the Leafs?

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Tingkai


You do realize that there are more people playing hockey in Canada than there are in the States.

And if North Americans tend to shoot right, what's your explanation for this odd situation. Afterall, right-handed people typically shoot left so how do you explain your weird theory? Please tell us, why do so many right-handed people shoot the wrong way?

Is there a wrong way? Take golf-- Most golfers golf right despite the fact they are righthanded. I wonder how many of them would turn around and shoot left at hockey?

Personally I golf and shoot left.


Europeans were known for being predominantly left shots. I believe there have been Russian or Soviet teams in which EVERYONE shot left. It was probably just a coaching thing.


More generally . .. I actually found the shootout stats interesting respecting the handedness of the goalie versus the shot side of the shooter. It does appear that at least in shootouts, it makes a difference.


During play, I don't think its a big shock for a player to see a goalie catching with their "other hand" but when you are deking or whatnot, you are often working somewhat instintively and the goalies poke-check coming from the unaccustomed side can be a bit of surprise even though you "knew" it.

So, in summary, I could see how having a right catching glove could be a very small advantage for a goalie just by being moderately unusual. I don't see it as a huge thing though.