ckg927

Good article. Nice to see you're not the only one who thinks the NHL needs a new cable home-and that USA can provide it. I've been advocating it for a few reasons: 1. The NHL already has a broadcast home on NBC,as miniscule as the ratings may be. 2. USA's owned by NBC Universal,which would give them excellent opportunities to cross-promote games over all of its cable and broadcast properties. 3. They know how to do sports,and have aired NHL games before. Re the Sabres/Pens "Ice Bowl" game: Objections noted. BUT...college football fans care most about the BCS bowls. Not the bowl games you mentioned. Back in the day,those games mattered more than they do now. Plus,with the game scheduled for 1pm,it'll be over with in time for the Rose Bowl. Agree,also,on the need to reignite rivalries. It's criminal that Toronto and Detroit don't meet as often as they did. We can blame the owners for this,as they went with an unbalanced schedule when the league returned to action 2 years ago. And,yes,no more expansion. But...sorry,the NHL ain't coming back to Quebec City. Not unless a new arena is built. Besides,Quebec is doing very well for themselves in junior hockey-being one of the top 10 teams in attendance in Canada's 3 major junior league Sam: Apparently,Buffalo fans didn't get the memo about crappy viewership. They still watched in droves. Seriously,though,here's the point: Besides a few US markets(Pittsburgh,NYC,Buffalo,Detroit),I don't think the NHL will ever get a true national foothold on the American sports fan's mind,ESPN or no ESPN.

Memo to AJ: Man,it must have hurt you down to the core when the announcement was made that the Pens were staying put. NOW what's going to go into your hockey puck-shaped arena? The Kansas City Brigade of Arena Football and the Big 12 tourney. That'll take up,what,15 dates max? Oh,BTW,if you're such a big hockey fan,why didn't you support the NHL the first time they came through?(Probably before your time.)Or the IHL's Blades? One more thing,AJ: It's Sidney,not Sydney. If you're such a hockey buff,you certainly can get stuff like that right. News flash: People will support a winner,or at the least,a team that busts its tail even if their record isn't great. When times are tough,you'll get the hardcore fans and not much more. On a personal note: I'm from Buffalo,and we can certainly emphasize with Pens fans. We went through the same emotions a few years ago when it seemed as if the Sabres were heading out of town. No one deserves that fate. NO ONE.