2011-2012 Pro Hockey Thread

[homer]

There shouldn't be hockey below the Mason Dixon line either.

[owbc]

Hockey is doing just fine in the south. Yes, the NHL went overboard back in the '90s, but it's clear that the sport can succeed in warm climates. Most of the cases of empty arenas are caused by perennially bad teams, but teams up north like the Islanders, Blue Jackets, and Avalanche have the same problem. In South Florida it is nice to have hockey for all the northern transplants down here--and the team has plenty of loyal supporters. Nashville has one of the most dedicated fan bases in the league and even Phoenix gets loud in the playoffs. There are not very many hockey fans in Milwaukee and most if not all of the southern cities support the NHL better than Milwaukee ever would.

 

I'm happy with either LA or Phoenix in the cup final--both would be great for the sport. LA vs. NY would draw lots of media attention.

[homer]

There are not very many hockey fans in Milwaukee and most if not all of the southern cities support the NHL better than Milwaukee ever would.

 

You are obviously entitled to your opinion but Milwaukee would be a great hockey town.

[JackNicholson1974]

I think Milwaukee would be a successful NHL city as well, far more than say Miami or Phoenix (as far as fan support goes)

 

I wanted Pitt v. Nash in the finals. At this point I will take NY/LA just for the extra media attention.

[owbc]

It just seems that the Admirals do not draw much local attention. I know they are seeing significant gains in attendance lately, but I think much of that can be attributed to the work that John Greenberg is doing. An NHL team in Milwaukee would certainly have a passionate fan base, because that's just how Wisconsin sports fans are, but I can't see them consistently putting up the required attendance numbers over the long term. So you would be left with a small but passionate group, which is the same situation as the struggling southern teams.

 

If the Bucks leave, then the situation might be different. But the next team to relocate will have several new arenas and ownership groups to choose from, so the odds of an expansion team landing in Milwaukee before 2025 are nearly 0.

[homer]

They had an expansion team in the bag back when the BC was new but the entry fee was ridiculous. Petit wisely turned it down.

 

And this isn't about WHEN Milwaukee gets a team. That is not going to happen as long as the Bucks are around. This is about IF they got a team how well the city would support it. Hockey and Milwaukee are made for each other.

[zurch1818]

I do realize the connection between the Preds and Admirals. I wasn't trying to come across as a Ghost of Quantrill either...I was very excited and tired last night. Because WI has no team, I think it is okay to have other favorite teams and the Preds are definitely a top 3 favorite team. Unfortunately LA is also a top 3 team too. It was fun watching LA turn from being crappy to being very skilled but very raw to now clicking on all cylinders. Kind of reminded me of how the Brewers were able to turn their team around. I believe they are the youngest team in the NHL too. It should be a fun series to watch. It will also be fun watching my patchy playoff beard grow. I might post pictures of it. It's better than Crosby's.

 

I believe Milwaukee has potential to become an excellent hockey city. It is a passionate city that will have no problem support any team that is winning. Look at how this state supports Badger hockey. Personal opinion here, I think the NHL game is better than the college game (as opposed to basketball or football). The pace is so much fun to watch. The city will embrace the game.

[owbc]

Now I can definitely agree that there's no comparison between NHL and college hockey. I had season tickets when I was a student at WI and even the national championship team was frustrating to watch at times. The narrow rink definitely helps things a bit in the NHL. But the NHL players are also just incredibly skilled with puck handling and only a few elite college players are even close. It is great to see all the former Badgers in the NHL postseason this year by the way.

 

I think you guys have convinced me that the NHL would succeed in Milwaukee. But it does fine in the southern cities also. It would also be great for youth hockey in the Milwaukee area.

[NeedMoreFans]

The narrow rink definitely helps things a bit in the NHL.

 

I believe the Kohl Center is one of the only college arenas to use an Olympic sized ice sheet. I think it is 98 feet wide or so, compared to 85(?) feet for the NHL. I actually wonder if this plays any role in the success of Badgers in the NHL.

[owbc]

I didn't know that. I think it makes it difficult to get the puck to the center of the ice, since most of the play in hockey is along the boards. Although it does potentially open up some space. It also makes the sightlines really bad on the third tier of the Kohl Center.

[zurch1818]

Minnesota's Mariucci Arena is a true Olympic sized 200x100 rink. I'm not sure why the Badgers made their rink 200x97. Fun fact here...the 2010 Olympics did not play on an Olympic sized rink, they used the Canucks NHL sized rink.

 

A bigger rink will definitely open up the offense. It gives you more room to pass...especially if the d pinches along the half boards. This is why they play 4 on 4 in regular season OT in the NHL. The smaller rink has quickened the pace of the game. The hands required to play the NHL game is incredible. Each pass has to be on the tape and lanes close up quickly. Blake Geoffrion won the Hobey Baker as a Badger and his game just doesn't translate to the NHL like Stepan's, McDonough's, Suter's, or Pavelski to name a few Badgers that have had success in the NHL.

[NeedMoreFans]

It also makes the sightlines really bad on the third tier of the Kohl Center.

 

The length is the same, and that's where most sight line problems occur (behind the net on the 3rd level above the 4th row...can't see the goalie). It's more the design of the Kohl Center that causes the problems, not the sheet of ice.

[owbc]

I didn't realize you couldn't see the goalie, yikes. I only sat up there once alongside the faceoff circle--could see both goalies but had to lean forward to see the glass closest to me--and I was only about halfway up. It made sense to design the arena for basketball. Seating in the lower two tiers is fine for hockey.