Stars' President hits out at Predators franchise

[DarkStar50 679]

For the record, this lack of recognition by the visiting team player has been done in the NHL before by no less than the Devils on a night when Mario passed an NHL record. I cannot give specifics except to say I know the Devils acted as if nothing happened right in their building and failed to mention Mario's milestone when it occurred.

[dietzie27 0]

I remember when mullen either got 500 or set the record, it was in colorado, he got a nice ovation from the crowd.

[chippa13 1844]

Yay for the US, but he's a visitor and I wouldn't expect anyone breaking some other country's record to get anything. Would some city in Canada do anything for this? I'd doubt it, but I'm sure everyone will say they would have. Get the puck, sit down and have a water on the bench.

Some folks just don't get it. It was a historic goal scored in an American city and deserved the little blurb on the scoreboard and a simple little announcement.

Acknowledging a historic moment in the game is just the right thing to do. Heck, when Bobby Hull scored his 50th one season in the old Boston Garden, an announcement was made and he received a standing ovation. It is just the way it goes.

[technophile 0]

No, it's not a good attitude. But Dallas could have taken the high road and not said anything about it. By complaining they've merely lowered themselves to Nashville's level.

No, they've indicated that what Nashville did was not acceptable. If they don't say anything, then anyone watching who's not an old-time hockey fan will believe that that is the expected, accepted attitude.

Hockey is better than other US sports precisely because it tries to maintain a higher level of professionalism and respect. If people don't speak up when teams and players violate that, you lose it pretty quick, and soon you're no better than the NBA.

[GSHL99 0]

No, they've indicated that what Nashville did was not acceptable. If they don't say anything, then anyone watching who's not an old-time hockey fan will believe that that is the expected, accepted attitude.

All they've demonstrated is that they respond to petty behavior by engaging in equally petty behavior. They could have assumed it was an oversight and said nothing, they could have contacted Nashville's front office privately. Instead they chose to go right to the media and make it a public whine feast.

Hockey is better than other US sports precisely because it tries to maintain a higher level of professionalism and respect. If people don't speak up when teams and players violate that, you lose it pretty quick, and soon you're no better than the NBA.

Character is behaving correctly even when others around you are not. What Nashville did was not good sportsmanship, what Dallas did in going to the media to whine about it is equally poor sportsmanship. The attempt to repay evil with evil only leaves you on the same moral ground as the person that wronged you. If Dallas had ignored it they'd have looked like they were taking the higher road which would have made Nashville look all the worse. All Dallas did was demonstrate that they've got no more character as a club than the Preds.

[warrior37 0]

anyone who knows the game of hockey knows dallas has more charecter than nashville, pretty sure in two years there wont be a nashville in the nhl anyways

[Eazy_b97 1]

I'm almost 100% certain Nashville will have a team in 2 years.

[DarkStar50 679]

And in 1995 during the Devils Cup Run, Nashville was all over the Devils owner McMullen to move the Devils to Nashville. So, they get a franchise and now the talk is the Preds are sinking? Meanwhile, they have an awesome team now and no one goes to the games. Another "great" NHL market gone bad. Too bad we couldn't switch the Columbus franchise for Nashville. At least the CBJ fans are hanging in there.

[DamnLocust 0]

I wouldnt be surprised to see nashville in the cup finals within the next 2 years, let alone them losing the franchise.

[Chadd 916]

A long playoff run should help the franchise remain in Nashville. If it doesn't result in better attendance next season, they should move.

[zingbergeur 0]

Nashville has an average attendance higher than:

Phoenix, Boston, New Jersey, Washington, Chicago, New York Islanders, and St. Louis.

Also, the attendance problem has much more to do with selling out what are traditionally considered corporate seats. The Preds get far less corporate support than an NHL franchise should be getting, and it is a recognized problem in Nashville. It isn't necessarily correct or fair to play the "Nashville fans are a bunch of country rednecks who only like Nascar" card that so many of you do.

If you really consider yourself a fan of the sport, you should want the sport to grow in nontraditional markets. The NHL would certainly benefit by thriving in southern/western cities with high populations...or any major city for that matter.

[Chadd 916]

Nashville has an average attendance higher than:

Phoenix, Boston, New Jersey, Washington, Chicago, New York Islanders, and St. Louis.

Also, the attendance problem has much more to do with selling out what are traditionally considered corporate seats. The Preds get far less corporate support than an NHL franchise should be getting, and it is a recognized problem in Nashville. It isn't necessarily correct or fair to play the "Nashville fans are a bunch of country rednecks who only like Nascar" card that so many of you do.

If you really consider yourself a fan of the sport, you should want the sport to grow in nontraditional markets. The NHL would certainly benefit by thriving in southern/western cities with high populations...or any major city for that matter.

While I don't live there, I actually have been in the building and I was disappointed by the organization and a significant minority of the fans.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Also, the attendance problem has much more to do with selling out what are traditionally considered corporate seats. The Preds get far less corporate support than an NHL franchise should be getting, and it is a recognized problem in Nashville. It isn't necessarily correct or fair to play the "Nashville fans are a bunch of country rednecks who only like Nascar" card that so many of you do.

Corporate seats are huge though. It's one of the main reasons Hamilton didn't get their team and a Canadian city of two had theirs taken away.

[GSHL99 0]

anyone who knows the game of hockey knows dallas has more charecter than nashville, pretty sure in two years there wont be a nashville in the nhl anyways

They sure have a funny way of demonstrating it.....

anyone who knows the game of hockey knows dallas has more charecter than nashville, pretty sure in two years there wont be a nashville in the nhl anyways

They sure have a funny way of demonstrating it.....

[mack 44]

Yay for the US, but he's a visitor and I wouldn't expect anyone breaking some other country's record to get anything. Would some city in Canada do anything for this? I'd doubt it, but I'm sure everyone will say they would have. Get the puck, sit down and have a water on the bench.

Some folks just don't get it. It was a historic goal scored in an American city and deserved the little blurb on the scoreboard and a simple little announcement.

Acknowledging a historic moment in the game is just the right thing to do. Heck, when Bobby Hull scored his 50th one season in the old Boston Garden, an announcement was made and he received a standing ovation. It is just the way it goes.

Historic? Okay, for now I can give you that but I think it's the city's right to acknowledge it or not. Sure it's a US city and Chadd will still hold some sort of grudge about them in general, but Modano did lash out about their team. I don't think NJ was ever graceful about acknowledging Gretzky after what he said about them but I forget that the 31 Devils fans don't know crap about hockey anyway.

[chippa13 1844]

Yay for the US, but he's a visitor and I wouldn't expect anyone breaking some other country's record to get anything. Would some city in Canada do anything for this? I'd doubt it, but I'm sure everyone will say they would have. Get the puck, sit down and have a water on the bench.

Some folks just don't get it. It was a historic goal scored in an American city and deserved the little blurb on the scoreboard and a simple little announcement.

Acknowledging a historic moment in the game is just the right thing to do. Heck, when Bobby Hull scored his 50th one season in the old Boston Garden, an announcement was made and he received a standing ovation. It is just the way it goes.

Historic? Okay, for now I can give you that but I think it's the city's right to acknowledge it or not. Sure it's a US city and Chadd will still hold some sort of grudge about them in general, but Modano did lash out about their team. I don't think NJ was ever graceful about acknowledging Gretzky after what he said about them but I forget that the 31 Devils fans don't know crap about hockey anyway.

When did NJ get 3 new fans?

[mack 44]

My 3 demon spawn.

[GSHL99 0]

Nashville has an average attendance higher than:

Phoenix, Boston, New Jersey, Washington, Chicago, New York Islanders, and St. Louis.

Also, the attendance problem has much more to do with selling out what are traditionally considered corporate seats. The Preds get far less corporate support than an NHL franchise should be getting, and it is a recognized problem in Nashville. It isn't necessarily correct or fair to play the "Nashville fans are a bunch of country rednecks who only like Nascar" card that so many of you do.

If you really consider yourself a fan of the sport, you should want the sport to grow in nontraditional markets. The NHL would certainly benefit by thriving in southern/western cities with high populations...or any major city for that matter.

The problem is simply that Nashville is sitting near the bottom of the attendence charts with winning teams. Winning teams always attract more fans out to the games than losing teams do. So the question becomes what happens when Nashville has a losing season? The inability to get corporate support is just one more reason why Nashville was a poor choice for an NHL club.

As for Nashville fans being hicks, well if the shoe fits wear it. From what I've heard and read on the subject it's a very accurate way to protray a fairly significant minority (if not an equal split) of the Pred's fan base. I do want to see hockey grow in nontraditional markets, but that doesn't mean every market that could support a NHL team is right for the NHL.

[mack 44]

They've had more down years than up years with roughly the same attendance so it's not a new problem. Corporate sponsorship isn't really that big of a problem for them either, so it's not that. It's the owner realising that, like you said, he has a winning team but can't make money. He's a retard anyway and is the John Kerry of franchise owners as he's spending his sugar mama's money.

Regarding the "hick" fan base they have...where is it again they play? Can't speak for Carolina but Nashville's not as much of a non-typical Southern city like Atlanta, so you're still getting a shitload of bumpkins. Vince friggin' Gill gets cheers every time they pan down to his seat and all I want to do is toss my beer to him.