ESPN and the NHL

[ELIASISDGOD 0]

Dose anybody know if ESPN is still gonna air non NHL playoff games? I thought I remebered hearing somewhere that they werent but i couldn't find anything about it on espn's site or here.

[Chadd 916]

If they aren't going to show NHL hockey, why would they show lower level hockey? I assume they will continue to show the frozen four on ESPNU though.

[Sniper15 0]

If you can barely get them to show the highest most skilled league in the world you sure aren't going to get them to show a lesser calibar league.

[Hooah4 12]

ESPN's coverage was fine if you liked the Red Wings, Avalanche, Flyers, or the Devils and Rangers.

[Chadd 916]

ESPN's coverage was fine if you liked the Red Wings, Avalanche, Flyers, or the Devils and Rangers.

They had the most stars and they got the most coverage. Look at the NBA coverage over the last few years. When the Lakers were good, it was always LA and whoever they played. Same thing when Jordan was with the Bulls. In the NFL, the Cowboys were on every week during their heyday and it always seemed like the 49ers were on every week with Montana, Rice, Craig, Lott, etc... when I was younger. Most of the time in sports, you show the stars because casual fans want to see them.

The problem is most hockey fans are only fans of their team and not of the sport in general. Around here people would watch the Flyers play a squirt team before they would watch Colorado play Detroit or Montreal play Toronto.

[Hooah4 12]

ESPN's coverage was fine if you liked the Red Wings, Avalanche, Flyers, or the Devils and Rangers.

They had the most stars and they got the most coverage. Look at the NBA coverage over the last few years. When the Lakers were good, it was always LA and whoever they played. Same thing when Jordan was with the Bulls. In the NFL, the Cowboys were on every week during their heyday and it always seemed like the 49ers were on every week with Montana, Rice, Craig, Lott, etc... when I was younger. Most of the time in sports, you show the stars because casual fans want to see them.

The problem is most hockey fans are only fans of their team and not of the sport in general. Around here people would watch the Flyers play a squirt team before they would watch Colorado play Detroit or Montreal play Toronto.

Good point. I just feel the sport in general was never promoted correctly. They tried to promote it as the "oldest" extreme sport. Look at the sposors back then too. "Suuuuurrrrrggggge!!!" ESPN jumped on the horse and rode it into the ground. Now they're ready to shoot the horse. Not that I'm bitter or anything.

[malcb33 99]

Does anybody know anything more about Espn and there hockey coverage or lack of? I would be really pissed if they don't sign a new contract with the NHL, cause that means the only hockey i'll get to see will be on the net( I live in Nee Zealand and Espn is the only channel that plays hockey)!

[Edge 0]

NHL Centre Ice. Worth every penny. ;)

[Eazy_b97 1]

NHL Centre Ice. Worth every penny. ;)

Whats the deal with Center ice? Is it 1 channel and they pick a game nightly? Or is it a combination of channels and you pick the game. I am considering buying it, but wouldn't mind some more info. I am having trouble finding info from my cable company, but know its offered. I have LeafsTV, Canadian Classics and the NHL Network already (From a sports package), but the don't cover full games which is sucks.

[Rustybender 0]

Center Ice is a package of channels actually. You can typically watch any game that is being played on any given night. I had it for part of the last season and will be getting it again. Not only did I enjoy the choice of games, but I really enjoyed seeing how other broadcasters cover the games. I particular enjoyed the CBC coverage, top notch camera work.

ESPN was fine when that's all I had, but once I got Center Ice, I found myself avoid ESPN games.

"Suuuuurrrrrggggge!!!" LMAO

[Chadd 916]

NHL Centre Ice. Worth every penny. ;)

Whats the deal with Center ice? Is it 1 channel and they pick a game nightly? Or is it a combination of channels and you pick the game. I am considering buying it, but wouldn't mind some more info. I am having trouble finding info from my cable company, but know its offered. I have LeafsTV, Canadian Classics and the NHL Network already (From a sports package), but the don't cover full games which is sucks.

On my digital cable package, up to 10 games could be shown at once and they often put a 10PM game on after a 7PM game. I think it's channel 770-779 or something like that around here.

[wickedwrister 0]

Does anybody know anything more about Espn and there hockey coverage or lack of? I would be really pissed if they don't sign a new contract with the NHL, cause that means the only hockey i'll get to see will be on the net( I live in Nee Zealand and Espn is the only channel that plays hockey)!

I would not be suprised if ESPN got a cheap deal done with the NHL for broadcasts on the Duce.