Charter Communications is set to drop the VS. channel from its lineup just prior to the start of the 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This will deprive approx. 6.8 million subscribers from tuning-in to Cup action. That must equate to several thousands of hockey fans LOST! Just a few short weeks ago our not-so-bright Commissioner extolled the value of the NHL on VS. with quips such as VS. is “headed in the right direction” and cited an increase in THEIR viewership. Well, its looks like hockey viewership is headed the other way with Charter’s axing of Bettman’s beloved channel. Given the poorly-staged (see previous post “NBC Hullcrap”) 3 games-a-year NBC contract, the loss of Charter’s VS. fans, and the decrease in game attendance, the commish must be smoking crack to think that his moves are improving hockey. (He reminds me of another leader with his head in the sand.) Apparently the owners are waiting for year-end receipts to be counted before they ask “What has Gary done for our TV ratings?” Any other sports commissioner that had had such a poor performance would have been long gone by now.