Let's Go Blues

dmiles2186 wrote: I get where you are coming from, definitely. I understand Parise/Suter aren't huge names outside of Minnesota (and NJ/Nashville). I get that the Wild aren't a nationally known 'brand.' I also understand that NBC would probably take a ratings hit centering a game around the Wild. I do understand that.

My request is that the NHL ignores all of that and rewards and entire state/region/city/fanbase for their dedication to THE SPORT. Not the NHL, the sport as a whole. How many NHLer's have come out of Minnesota? How many hockey fans, not just NHL fans, reside in that state? My point is that the NHL should do a bit of goodwill to that area in this regard. I mean, a Wild vs. Stars game outdoors in Minneapolis would be phenomenal to me as a hockey fan. Forget all the business and ratings.

Kerfuffle wrote:

cprice12 wrote:T.J. Oshie may not be a superstar in terms of points, but he is a superstar in terms of marketability...which is all the NHL cares about. I respectfully disagree with you. I know this is your player but outside of St. Louis I don't see Oshie as a superstar.

After the olympics Oshie was the biggest star on Team USA... and it wasn't even close. That is true - but he was a hero for his shootout skills. The NHL could market that no problem for the Winter Classic...and folks would tune in like mad to see it.

Aside from that...
The Blues have been one of the best teams in the NHL for the past few seasons now, and have some serious rivalries going with Chicago & LA. True

Washington has been in about 13 Winter Classics now...and quite honestly, nobody really cares about them outside of Washington because they aren't a great team, they just fired their head coach, and they have goaltending issues. Besides, Ovechkin is losing his luster. He got a lot of bad press last year for his lazy play in his own end...and I think people are tired of his one dimensional game. Anything Ovechkin or Crosby carries higher weight. Unfair but the league is predictable in that way.

Blues vs. Hawks would have been a much better game. I agree. The NHL marketed them as one of the top rivalries in the NHL last year, they are in the same division and have battled for the division title the past few years, they just had a pretty bad ass first round series that was brutal and memorable...and they have a long history of bad blood going back to the 70's, 80's & 90's.

The game could have been hosted here in St. Louis or in Chicago. It wouldn't have been in chicago as we already hosted. But a game in St. Louis would have been nice.

And before you say something about folks not tuning in to watch the Blues, the Blues draw very good ratings when on national tv. Folks would watch the Blues. But if it was a Blues/Minny game then no. It would need to be the Blues against either a big market or original 6 team.

There is absolutely no reason why the Blues shouldn't have gotten an outdoor game next season. I agree. It was the perfect time to have them play in one. It's certainly a much better choice than Washington vs. Chicago. I don't get that at all.Clearly it comes down to the money and the numbers which you and I aren't privvy to see. Advertisers will pay the most money to the NHL for the highest ratings and clearly the league felt an Ovechkin/Toews&Kane game would give them maximum dollar.

my comments in blue above

Kerfuffle wrote:

Toasted Oates wrote: Quit being such a snob.

That was uncalled for. If you can't participate in the discussion then don't post.

Toasted Oates wrote:

Kerfuffle wrote:

Toasted Oates wrote: Quit being such a snob.

That was uncalled for. If you can't participate in the discussion then don't post.

Oh geez. Sorry to hurt your feelings, bud. I participated, but you chose to ignore that, which is cool. Free country, etc., etc. Godspeed.

While I was talking ratings for argument's sake, I don't care about them either. No matter who plays, hockey fans will watch it, which I'd assume would be everyone here. It'd be nice to see some other teams get some exposure, though. There are so many great players in the NHL...get em out there so the average, novice fan (aka most hawk fans ) can get familiar. The Crosby/Ovie well is running dry, at least it seems with most of you and certainly me.

Kerfuffle wrote:

Toasted Oates wrote:

Kerfuffle wrote:

Toasted Oates wrote: Quit being such a snob.

That was uncalled for. If you can't participate in the discussion then don't post.

Oh geez. Sorry to hurt your feelings, bud. I participated, but you chose to ignore that, which is cool. Free country, etc., etc. Godspeed.

While I was talking ratings for argument's sake, I don't care about them either. No matter who plays, hockey fans will watch it, which I'd assume would be everyone here. It'd be nice to see some other teams get some exposure, though. There are so many great players in the NHL...get em out there so the average, novice fan (aka most hawk fans ) can get familiar. The Crosby/Ovie well is running dry, at least it seems with most of you and certainly me.

The thing is that when you trolled me above (which is what you did) by resorting to grade school name calling you lost any right you have to this converation as anything else you said prior or after I will now automatically dismiss because I know you have an agenda which is just to troll. So goodbye.

dmiles2186 wrote:

Kerfuffle wrote:

dmiles2186 wrote: I know LA hosted an outdoor game, but not a Winter Classic, it was a Stadium Series game. There is a difference.

Other than the name Winter Classic vs. Stadium Series there is no difference. Personally I think the league watered down the fun of the Winter Classic by adding the additional Stadium Series games. Just like there is only one Superbowl game a year I believe there should be only one Winter Classic per year.

And yes Parise and Suter are stars in Minnesota but they haven't won anything and are more known around the NHL for the ridiculous contracts they signed at 13 years a piece. The league knows that a Minnesota outdoor game will elicit a lot of yawns. Buffalo carries a NY market and given it was the first Winter Classic there was a lot of buzz for that so I don't think you can compare Minnesota with it.

I'm also not trying to say it's fair cause it isn't but this is one of those things where the league follows the money.

I get where you are coming from, definitely. I understand Parise/Suter aren't huge names outside of Minnesota (and NJ/Nashville). I get that the Wild aren't a nationally known 'brand.' I also understand that NBC would probably take a ratings hit centering a game around the Wild. I do understand that.

My request is that the NHL ignores all of that and rewards and entire state/region/city/fanbase for their dedication to THE SPORT. Not the NHL, the sport as a whole. How many NHLer's have come out of Minnesota? How many hockey fans, not just NHL fans, reside in that state? My point is that the NHL should do a bit of goodwill to that area in this regard. I mean, a Wild vs. Stars game outdoors in Minneapolis would be phenomenal to me as a hockey fan. Forget all the business and ratings.

cardsfan04 wrote: If being called a snob is enough to bother you, posting on a rival team's message board is an odd choice. That's pretty benign "trolling."

WaukeeBlues wrote: I would agree and the NHL could even make that not hurt as bad by having Minnesota play a team that WILL bring in the rankings. Didn't they JUST play Chicago in the playoffs? *shock face*

Kerfuffle wrote:

WaukeeBlues wrote: I would agree and the NHL could even make that not hurt as bad by having Minnesota play a team that WILL bring in the rankings. Didn't they JUST play Chicago in the playoffs? *shock face*

They did but it was a boring series to say the least. The old rivalry we had with Minnesota was when they were the North Stars. Once they moved to Dallas and Minnesota got another team (Wild) the rivalry was gone. Pretty much when we face Minnesota at home those are the games I sell - along with Columbus, Nashville, and Edmonton. If it's any consolation Blues games are one of my favorites to attend cause both teams are really good.

My wife and I are planning to bring the kids to the Sat 10/27 game - last road game I went to was in March 2008 in St. Louis. The place was nice and there was good food there. And it's fun to see another team's opening on the jumbotron and compare it with your own.

sseagle wrote:Can someone find Rutuu and get rid of Kerfluffle?



This class of clown-trolls this year is excruciating

STLADOGG wrote:

sseagle wrote:Can someone find Rutuu and get rid of Kerfluffle?



This class of clown-trolls this year is excruciating

Rutuu was awesome but this dude here isn't too bad.
Now the other guy.....