FanNation - The Republic of Sport

I agree on some points and disagree on some points. As far as Crosby being the "poster boy", I don't think there should be a poster boy but if there is one, I think he's a good choice. What is "exciting"? Is it shooting up strip clubs? Is it jumping around like a lunatic every time you score a meaningless goal? I think 14 goals and 14 assists in 17 playoff games is plenty exciting for me.

As far as Versus, I agree, that channel is awful. Everything about their hockey coverage stinks from the broadcasters, to the intermission report to the lack of a pregame show. Not to mention that there have been a few games during the playoffs that they haven't even shown. Basically everything about the marketing and scheduling in the NHL is awful. During the Conf. Finals there were two different occurences with multiple days between games yet if Detroit wins tonight the first two games of the Finals will be back to back on Saturday and Sunday.

As far as officiating, it is the same in every sport. Officials are human and will never be 100% consistent. It happens the same in football and baseball all the time. I don't watch basketball so can't speak for that but i'm sure that's the same also. Rules are constantly changing in other sports as well. Just in the past couple years the NFL has added numerous new calls that many don't agree with, such as the newest one saying that a defensive player can't tackle a QB below the knees if the D player is laying on the ground.

Basically, I think the games and officiating are as great as they've ever been but the way the league is run, marketed and televised stinks.

Thanks for the comments. I know everyone has different ideas and opinions. Its good to hear them. That is why I started this thread.

versus has like 3 good shows

sports soup and retared out door hunting

The problem with officiating is, in hockey, the power play will account for 1/3 to 1/2 of the scoring in a game. In football, holding calls don't have the same impact. In baseball, a bad call will at most account for a run(usually). The price of bad calls in hockey is what turns people off......me being one of them.

I think that the MVP of the playoffs from the previous year should get the spokes person spot, shared with the scoring leader. Also I think that the top goalie should get more plugs as they play (if they don't mess up) 60 minutes a game vs the 15 to 25 minutes others play.

He fits the perfect bill of a poster boy -

1) Canadian - check
2) No criminal record - check
3) Gracious and humble - check
4) Winning games - check
5) Approval from most major media personalities - check
6) Was a "superstar" even in younger leagues - check
7) Was taken under the wind of a former great -check

I could go on for days, but basically he is a poster boy. The poster boy isnt always the best player in the league, but garners attention for skill, and fits the every day man kind of image.

Granted a lot of it could be forced upon him too... I mean with all the cash he makes, why did he live with Mario for so long? He could have build a city block and named it Crosby Town Center...

Agreed that Crosby is not the best player, and is the poster boy. My problem with him is that he is a crybaby, and Malkin is overshadowed and is lot better player.

Versus Hockey is THE WORST! the commentating sux, the view they give is so far away, and the HD channel is such a poor picture. I am a Ranger fan and love watching them on MSG, The picture is perfect and the zoom is perfect. I HATE when the rangers play on versus.

As far as the officiating, yea I agree that its sooo inconsistant, and I ask a lot of Football fans why they dont watch hockey and that seems to be the consensus. They just dont understand the rules. I would like to see HOCKEY, not a watered down version of it. Let the guys play. Stop with the baby calls. If there is a player commiting the same penalty a few times then nail him, not in the first 3 mins of the game....i understand the rules are there so the guys dont get hurt, but it is Hockey

Also, why does the NHL need a poster boy? Do other sports have poster boys? I know not all do!

As long as bettman is here they will never do a good job.I seen the best sport in the world got changed so much over the past couple years. some changes not that bad. but there are some changes that are retarted. dont get me wrong but bettman is trying to amaricanize hockey like football basketball baseball. I love amarica we are brothers and sister. but who told bettman i need to be amaricanized

QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 11:42 AM ET  10.22 by C A P T A I N C A N A D A

As long as bettman is here they will never do a good job.I seen the best sport in the world got changed so much over the past couple years. some changes not that bad. but there are some changes that are retarted. dont get me wrong but bettman is trying to amaricanize hockey like football basketball baseball. I love amarica we are brothers and sister. but who told bettman i need to be amaricanized

"American" please and thank you. (capitol A)