New face of NHL

[hockechamp14 0]

With a ton of new faces and heroes in the NHL, it seems as if Iginla, who was touted as the new face of hockey will be passed over as the big superstar in the league. With so much media attention on Sydney Crosby and Ovechkin, does anyone else think there's more room for any kind of big player?

[Cheesehead 0]

With a ton of new faces and heroes in the NHL, it seems as if Iginla, who was touted as the new face of hockey will be passed over as the big superstar in the league. With so much media attention on Sydney Crosby and Ovechkin, does anyone else think there's more room for any kind of big player?

eric staal

but go Oilers!

[DarkStar50 679]

Too bad Staal is not in Toronto!! Raleigh, North Carolina is the other side of the hockey world for media exposure, unfortunately. The Caniacs do rock the RBC Center, though so you know they appreciate the new "E Train".

[mnitishin 0]

i think there will always be room, especially now for a goalie (ex. Roloson), even if they arent a rookie.

[akhockeyplaya 0]

I think the reason that Iggy appears to be "overlooked" lately is that some of the new players in the league are so dynamic at such a young age that it's really remarkable. I mean Iginla is an amazing player, but he just didn't have the freshman season that so many players had this year. Ovie, Sid, Lundqvist, Phaneuf, Svatos...these guys aren't "potential" players like Iggy was his first few years, they are legit players right now. Anybody who knows hockey still knows that Iggy is a superb player, there was just so much excitement with the *new* NHL this year that more of the *new* guys got the attention. Plus Ovie goes between the legs more than Genghis Khan did, and that's saying something.

[hamstercaster 2]

I think that Iginla may not be the best player to market the NHL after. The NHL tried marketing the "new NHL" with Crosby as he was First pick overall and there was so much hype around him. I think Ovechkin should be the new face of the NHL or at least one of the new faces. He's fast, he's agile, he's also a player who goes in the corners, delivers hits, has a great shot and is just all around spectacular. He's made some of the nicest plays and scored some of the nicest goals last season. Now the Caps only need to add a few players... ok, a full team around hime lol and watch him win the scoring title. If Washington can put a decent player on his line, watch him soar.. he'll be racking up points in bunches. He passed the 50 goal mark and 100 point mark in his first season playing with a bunch of plumbers so imagine what he could do playing alongside decent players

[Edge 0]

It's all about the youngins lately. And for good reason because this year's rookie class was just amazing to watch. Ovy, Crosby, Phaneuf, Lundqvist...the list goes on and on. Ovechkin fit's the new NHL's style perfectly imo. Iginla gets overlooked a lot because he didn't have as good of a season this year as a lot of people were expecting. I think he is the total package though. There are so many great players out there its impossible to choose one guy to promote the league.

[Chadd 916]

Iggy isn't flashy.

[Hockey_009 0]

Next Year......Malkin

[EBondo 233]

Am I the only one that thinks Malkin won't do that great in his first year? He's good, I'll give him that, but I don't think he will put up Ovechkin or Crosby numbers.

[McCabe24 0]

2006 was the year of the rookie, it isn't right to ignore the emergence of other stars such as Staal and Spezza but you have to give credit to the rookies as well. Something to consider is that with the lockout the league is basically starting over as far as marketing goes and it is smart to capitalize on who is performing the best in the present. Also, notice how the focus of the NBA has shifted off of Duncan, KG, AI, etc. and on to Lebron, Carmelo and D Wade.

[teamriot38 0]

It won't matter in the USA markets, no matter who they market..they're still on OLN. OLN is not cable tv like ESPN, ABC, or NBC. Therefore it will never get big again until it does. Until OLN goes basic cable or NHL signs a new contract with a major network, hockey will always be in the Sportcenter Express section. I'm lucky to get highlights half the time. In order for the NHL's new faces to matter, they're gonna have to be shown to someone besides hardcore hockey fans.

[Cheechoo 0]

Jarome who? Does that guy play in the NHL? I remember some guy with a name like was supposed to play in the Olympics, but he never showed up.

[kosydar 0]

It won't matter in the USA markets, no matter who they market..they're still on OLN. OLN is not cable tv like ESPN, ABC, or NBC. Therefore it will never get big again until it does. Until OLN goes basic cable or NHL signs a new contract with a major network, hockey will always be in the Sportcenter Express section. I'm lucky to get highlights half the time. In order for the NHL's new faces to matter, they're gonna have to be shown to someone besides hardcore hockey fans.

OLN is basic cable for me. Hell, its two channels away from ESPN.

[Chadd 916]

It won't matter in the USA markets, no matter who they market..they're still on OLN.  OLN is not cable tv like ESPN, ABC, or NBC.  Therefore it will never get big again until it does.  Until OLN goes basic cable or NHL signs a new contract with a major network, hockey will always be in the Sportcenter Express section.  I'm lucky to get highlights half the time.  In order for the NHL's new faces to matter, they're gonna have to be shown to someone besides hardcore hockey fans.

OLN is basic cable for me. Hell, its two channels away from ESPN.

NBC also added four more games for next season, that's more network (not cable) exposure.

[Sniper15 0]

i think there will always be room, especially now for a goalie (ex. Roloson), even if they arent a rookie.

Roloson the face of the NHL. LOL.