Tracking the NHL…

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Update (5/16/08): You can listen to the podcast of yesterday’s NHL Hour by clicking here.

According to Michael McCarthy of USA Today, the NHL and Versus are considering (re)introducing “puck-tracking” technology into broadcasts of NHL games, which they might put into effect as soon as next season. However, the Globe and Mail reports that this tracking technology would only be used in replays (see bottom of article) and not during live action.

When FOX covered NHL games in the 1990’s, they introduced a “glowing puck” technology… the puck had a blue streak behind it when traveling at low speeds, and then would have a red streak behind it when traveling at higher, slap-shot like speeds. It was supposed to make keeping track of the puck easier for fans watching the games on TV, but most people thought it was a foolish idea and interfered with their ability to focus on other aspects of the game. Players also complained that the FOX puck reacted differently than normal pucks and caused some problems for them.

Either way, we don’t see how this would help the NHL or its fans in any way. The idea has been tried and tested in the past, and it failed. There are obviously plenty of people who can follow the game without being taken by the hand and told exactly how to watch it… it is pretty easy to catch on to where the puck is just by watching the motion of the players and the flow of the game. Furthermore, with HDTV spreading rapidly through North American homes and bars, viewers can almost read the “NHL” logo on the puck ;) We see this as another decision by the NHL to help attract non-market fans, while turning off long-time and die-hard fans at the same time… which would result in a net loss in NHL fans’ enjoyment of the game and possibly the number of NHL fans. With Versus’ commentary of the games already being about the worst we’ve ever heard (try listening to Doc Emrick & Eddie Olczyk for a whole game) , they must be trying to see how far and low they can go with their awful coverage of the NHL. Who knows, maybe they’ll want to put virtual ads on the glass and ice during the game. Ahh, never miss an opportunity to make an extra penny Gary!!! You might need those pennies to pay off another owner in the future.

On a much brighter note, Diane Brady of Business Week emailed us a link to a video of an interview that she recently conducted with Gary Bettman. During the interview she asks Bettman what he thinks of sites such as ours, and also asks some other very good questions. Check it out!.

Additionally, today’s NHL Hour with Gary Bettman will feature guest Ken Holland — the great General Manager of the Detroit Red Wings. The show airs at 4p.m. EST on XM Radio channel 204, or you can listen through the NHL’s live stream (which now includes advertisements for your viewing pleasure). You can call your questions/comments in at 1-877-645-6696 or e-mail NHLHOUR@NHL.com. If you miss the show today, we will post a link to the NHL’s podcast of the show tomorrow.

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The one and only Don Cherry will be today’s guest on the NHL Hour with Bettman

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Don CherryUpdate: Click here to listen to last week’s NHL Hour podcast with special guest Don Cherry.

Today’s (05/08/08) guest on “NHL Hour” with Gary Bettman will be the best dressed man in hockey… you guessed it… Don Cherry! It should a very interesting show to say the least… Don Cherry is an outspoken critic of all things hockey, including Gary Bettman and the state of the NHL under his reign.

The show airs at 4p.m. EST on XM Radio channel 204, or you can listen through the NHL’s live stream. You can call your questions/comments in at 1-877-645-6696 or e-mail NHLHOUR@NHL.com. If you miss the show today, we will post a link to the NHL’s podcast of the show tomorrow.

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Gary goin’ down (under)?

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Fortune Magazine did an interview with Ding-dong last month and began the reporting with Bettman tripe about how he has quadrupled revenues, set records in attendance…you know, the same old bull from his lackies. Part of our problem with The Dufus may stem from the fact that he is still learning how to use all his electronic gadgetry. “I track scores all the time” was one quote attributed to the former NBA stooge. Well, isn’t that just peachy. Tracking scores. Next thing you know he’ll be looking at the standings! He also said he carries a rulebook with him at all times. Isn’t that reassuring! Further along in the interview little man was asked what his favorite trip would be and he responded “Australia”. Now I like Aussie land and have nothing against anyone from that great continent, but do you think we could convince them to ask Sir Screwsupalot to start a hockey league down there? They have desert and fans that don’t know a hockey stick from a burro. He’d be great (again, in his own mind). I’m afraid if he sticks around the states much longer there’s going to be “shrimp on the barbie”.

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8 More Reasons for Losing Bettman

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The NHL Commissioner’s Office notified the Detroit Red Wings team that their Zamboni driver’s antics would cause the team to be fined $10,000. The specific antic that has Gary concerned is the revered tradition of Al Sabotka collecting octopi from the ice and then twirling one overhead as he leaves the ice. Bettman’s reasoning is “Because matter flies off the octopus and gets on the ice when he does it.” Bullshit! This Zamboni driver is also responsible for ice conditions and has meticulously maintained temperature and surface conditions for years resulting in Joe Louis Arena ice known as the best in the league. So please don’t tell me that “matter flies off” causing untold problems. The reason for the rule change has been attributed to Brian Burke and his goon squad from LA-LA land. (I’m sure Anaheim ice must be perfect..after you get through the first two inches of slush.) Apparently Burke has complained to da commish (AKA: ding-dong) about the celebratory twirling which causes Detroit fans to cheer when his team visits. Seems to this writer that this reasoning implies Burke would only be pleased if no cheering were allowed for the opposing home team. That said, Burke is well respected around the league and may just be the scapegoat for another inane rule initiated by none other than…Dumbo the Commish. While players are looking for no-touch icing to be implemented to prevent career-ending concussions, our Mr. All-Time Worst Commissioner of Any Sport dwells on Al Sabotka’s pregame ritual. Perhaps that matter should be collected and placed between Butthead’s ears. At least there would be SOMETHING in there.

The Detroit Red Wings organization needs to spend ten grand this Sunday!

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Scotty Bowman will be the guest on today’s NHL Hour

Update: You can click here to listen to yesterday’s NHL Hour with special guest Scotty Bowman.

Scott BowmanOne of the greatest men ever involved in professional sports — Scotty Bowman — will be the guest on today’s (03/20/08) NHL Hour with Gary Bettman. The show airs at 4p.m. EST on XM Radio channel 204, or you can listen through the NHL’s live stream. You can call your questions/comments in at 1-877-645-6696 or e-mail NHLHOUR@NHL.com. So get some tough questions ready!!

We are STILL waiting to hear Gary Bettman address the ongoing issue of games on the NHL Network not being shown on NHL Center Ice… which is making fans who have already paid at least $145 a season, pay another monthly fee to get what they originally paid for.

We will post a link to the NHL’s podcast of the show early tomorrow.

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NHL Hour with Gary Bettman - 03/13/08 @ 4pm EDT

Update: To listen to the NHL hour from yesterday (03/13/08), please click here (MP3 file). The RSS feed for the NHL Hour podcasts is http://www.nhl.com/podcasts/nhl_hour.xml.
The issue regarding games on the NHL Network not being shown on NHL Center Ice was not addressed by Mr. Bettman once again. And it appears as though nothing has been done about it. Tonight, the Atlanta Thrashers vs. Washington Capitals game will be shown on the NHL Network, but will not be shown on NHL Center Ice. Multiple emails have been sent to the NHL (including Mr. Bettman), the question was asked last week on the NHL Hour, and still there has been no response or reasoning given from the NHL, besides Bettman saying last week that he will “look into it”.
Gary Bettman must have gotten our emails… because he confirmed on this show that his email address is indeed gbettman@nhl.com, which we posted here on FB a long time ago. So keep sending him emails and demand action!

Gary BettmanToday’s (03/13/08) guest on “NHL Hour” with Gary Bettman will be Maple Leafs executive Richard Peddie. The show airs at 4p.m. EST on XM Radio channel 204, or you can listen through the NHL’s live stream. You can call your questions/comments in at 1-877-645-6696 or e-mail NHLHOUR@NHL.com. So get some tough questions ready!!

We’re waiting to hear Gary Bettman’s answer/solution to the ongoing issue of games on the NHL Network not being shown on NHL Center Ice… which is making fans who have already paid at least $145 a season, pay another monthly fee to get what they originally paid for. If you listened to the NHL Network last week, you probably heard a question asked about this problem.

We will post a link to the NHL’s podcast of the show later today.

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Bettman on Steroids…

Gary Bettman took to The Hill in Washington, D.C. today, along with fellow NFL, MLB and NBA commissioners, in a hearing held to discuss the use of steroids and performance enhancing drugs in professional sports. Bettman testified about the rare documented usage of such performance enhancing drugs in the NHL, the NHL’s drug policy, and shared his rosy view of the overall situation in the NHL.

The following are a couple highlighted quotes thus far from Bettman during the hearing:

“This is not surprising when one considers the alleged benefits of steroid use, significant large muscle development, are not consistent with playing hockey at the highest level of the sport, and the resulting bulkiness attributable to steroid use simply is not the desired characteristic of skilled NHL players.”

“Indeed, while our historical experience indicates that performance-enhancing drugs are not a problem in the NHL, we nevertheless agree that the public at large and our fans in particular are entitled to have confidence that our games are being played in an environment free of performance-enhancing substances.”

The hearing will continue throughout the day. You can stay updated on the latest from the hearing at USA Today’s blog.

Just imagine Zdeno Chara on steroids!!

In the meantime, we have an update to make on our previous Stopping pucks for more bucks… post. We reported that Gary Bettman’s salary was $2 million per year. New data from the Sports Business Journal shows that Gary Bettman made $5.9 million in the year ending on June 30, 2006. So now we can save/earn the NHL another $4+ million per year by giving him a $1 million annual salary, further decreasing the need for advertising on goalie’s jerseys. But geeze, $5.9 million a year for Gary Bettman?!!! Give us a break… this is just another example of executives making off with millions, while the product they offer is turned to junk, and the company eventually runs itself into the ground. There are PLENTY of better qualified candidates out there who would accept a much more reasonable and lower salary to be commish, and would do a WAY better job than Gary Bettman has done.

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Stopping pucks for more bucks…

In this past Sunday’s Toronto Star, columnist Rick Westhead reported that the NHL is considering using goalies as billboards to generate more revenue for the league. According to Westhead, there is a “Goaltender’s Club” — consisting of at least Martin Brodeur, Marty Turco, Dominik Hasek and Dwayne Roloson — that has presented the idea of having advertisements from sponsors put on all goalie’s jerseys in the NHL. It is speculated that this advertising could generate up to $30 million in revenue for the league. Can’t you see it now? Dominik Hasek, brought to you by Requip (restless leg syndrome drug)…

The NHL is either really hurting for money, or they are really trying to turn fans off from the game…. Gary “Blue Skies” Bettman always says things have never been better financially for the league because of the collective bargaining agreement that was reached in 2005, and because of the overall health of the game. What Gary Bettman always forgets to mention when being questioned about the league’s financial health and the reason for it, is what Westhead points out in his article: “Consider that while just six of the NHL’s 30 teams are based in Canada, they account for close to one-third of the league’s overall revenue. And since September 2005 alone, the Canadian dollar has surged some 19 per cent in value, from 83.9 cents U.S. to parity. The loonie’s climb may be responsible for as much as half of the league’s revenue gains since the lockout, says one source familiar with NHL finances.” Furthermore, ticket prices are higher than ever this year (wasn’t the CBA supposed to help lower ticket prices for fans?), which is also the reason for greater revenue.

Just like us, we’re sure you are all sick enough of all of the advertising that already exists in the NHL… from the ads on the boards, ads on the ice, ads all over arenas, ads on TV (especially during the games), ads in the newspapers, ads in magazines, ads on our web site and others, etc… but to put ads on our favorite players?!!! That is an insult to fans and to the players, we would think.
We understand the need for the NHL to make money to survive, but we also think there are a lot of better ways that the league could $30 million per year. What about moving the Nashville Predators to Hamilton, where they were going to go if Bettman hadn’t interfered and taken the team away from Jim Balsillie?? There needs to be more hockey teams in Canada! That is where the biggest fan base is, where the game of hockey got off the ground, and right now, where the league is earning its most money! Next, get rid of the teams in the markets that are failing… Tampa Bay, Phoenix, Atlanta, Nashville (move them to Hamilton) and Florida. That would give us 26 teams in the league, and allow each of the teams to play one another more often, creating more rivalries (and bringing back old ones), thus increasing the enthusiasm from the fans. Next… lower the tickets prices so that you start selling out the games more… with the way the economy is, we would guess the reason why many teams aren’t selling out is simply because the average fan cannot afford to go to many games. Lower tickets $5-10 and you might see a higher turnout, and thus, more money if the difference is made up. Plus think of all the extra money these extra fans would spend on concessions, team paraphernalia, and so on. And lastly, reduce Gary Bettman’s salary from $2 million per year, to at least $1 million.

Our idea of lowering ticket prices so more fans come to games also requires the fans to want to go to games… if you start putting more ads on players, this could be a huge turn-off for fans, and keep them away from games. There are a lot of other reasons why fans still might not go to the games, but we don’t have room to cover all of ways that Gary Bettman has messed up the game here.

However, if the NHL does decide to move ahead with this plan to put advertisements of sponsors on the jerseys of all goalies in the league, we would be first in line to put a FireBettman ad on each of the goalies! What would Gary Bettman think of this money making idea then?

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Human life or more hockey?

In last night’s game between the Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers, Richard Zednik was accidentally cut across the neck by teammate’s Oli Jokinen’s skate… cutting his carotid artery and causing a significant amount of bleeding. Zednik barely made it off the ice to the bench, and then was rushed by ambulance to a local hospital, where he received life-saving surgery. Here is a video clip of what happened:



After the injury took place, Colin Campbell (who was at the game watching his son play) talked with Gary Bettman and they decided to let the game continue. What were they thinking? A teammate just had a hockey player’s worst nightmare occur, sustaining a life-threatening injury, and all Bettman and Campbell could think about doing was making the two teams finish the hockey game? Even Oli Jokinen said “We shouldn’t have finished the game”. We at FB didn’t get to see the game, but from what we’ve read, the remainder of the game was very “solemn” and no one really seemed to care about winning. The game could have easily been called off and re-scheduled for a later time when all players, coaches and FANS knew the status of Zednik and were not all in a state of shock. We think this was terrible judgment on the part of Gary Bettman, and really aren’t surprised by it… just add it to the long, long list of terrible decisions that Bettman has made. However, we are very happy to report that Richard Zednik is currently in stable condition and it appears as though he will be okay.

On a much lighter note, we’d like to apologize for the lack of updates to the site lately. Travel and other commitments have been dominating our time… but we promise to get back on the ball and have all the latest, breaking hockey and Bettman news coverage for you. Thanks for your patience, and as always, for your support!

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Wide World of Bettman

Update (01/27/08): If you missed last night’s “Ask Gary” segment on Hockey Night in Canada — where Gary Bettman took questions from hockey fans in Canada, live with Ron MacClean — you can watch it here. Nothing too new or exciting… but “Blue Skies” Bettman does strongly deny having any kind of role in keeping the Nashville Predators out of Hamilton, ON … even though there is strong evidence that suggests otherwise, including Craig Leipold taking $40 million less for the team than he could have gotten, which still has not been explained.
Bettman also states that the NHL is not considering any expansion… within Canada or the U.S. in the near future. One fan’s email in the segment asks about why the Red Wings are in the West… and Gary’s response is that if the Wings moved to the East, a team would have to move to the West, which no team is willing to do. But what if an expansion team were to be put in Las Vegas or Kansas City? We aren’t huge fans of the idea, but just want to point out that it is definitely a possibility… even though Gary Bettman always seems to avoid bringing up the possibility when questioned about expansion.

The NHL has announced it will open next season with two games in Europe. Oh boy; Jagr and Lecavalier to Prague and Sid and Alfredsson to Stockholm. Yeah, it’s not the teams that are important; Gary’s just pushin’ a few stars to get more exposure. “We’re all pretty excited about that” were uttered from the hole in his face. Typical Bettman; all cliche and no brain. (His “all” must have been in reference to lackies Bill or Colin.) Wonder how many Europeans get VS.? Yo Bettman, wake up! Starting the season in Winnipeg, Quebec City, Portland (OR), or even (heaven forbid) Hamilton would give you the greater exposure you are seeking in the market you are sadly neglecting; North America! (Don’t forget the “North” part, ay?) Paying –that’s right– paying ESPN to televise a game a week would also aid in this effort. You just have to start focusing on the game… not the “stars” who few people see. Sid ain’t the equivalent to the NBA’s Michael. Remember the NBA was accessible on television when Jordan played. I don’t believe Stern sent you to Europe, but many wish he would have sent you to the moon. Certainly, the sure fire way to create more fan excitement and to actually “grow” the game of hockey would be for you to submit your resignation. Do it dude!!!

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