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09:10 AM ET 03.03 | Slap Shots has learned the NHL recently informed the NHLPA the projected hockey-related revenue (HRR) for this truncated season will reach $2.4 billion, a staggering number with implications far beyond the obvious that the league essentially suffered no damage by locking out the players for more than three months. It appears clear, however, the projected $2.4 billion represents a case of less being -- or meaning -- more to the consumers. It seems obvious, as long suspected, the NHL generates a comparatively small amount of revenue over the course of the first six weeks of the season, when it's difficult to attract attention and sales in October. Attendance and percentage of capacity are up dramatically, essentially across the board. Television ratings, both locally and nationally, are healthier than ever on almost a case-by-case basis. Fewer games have created more importance, and thus more focused attention, on each one. The lesson here for the NHL (and NHLPA) is reducing the schedule to 70 games in a season that begins in the final week of October -- it would be important to get a jump on the NBA -- very well could and almost certainly would not only produce better hockey but generate more interest and thus more revenue.

Gary Bettman, Getty Images

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March 3, 2013 09:15 AM ET

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It's Tough To Be #5, Bros.

I Love LA

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March 3, 2013 09:29 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 09:15 AM ET 03.03 by I Love LA

Just helping the interns with a photo.

Canuck eh?

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March 3, 2013 09:49 AM ET

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So much for all that talk about killing the sport.

And please don't stop at a 12 game reduction, bring the season down to 60-65 games and reduce the playoff teams to 12. Eliminate the gimmicky OT bull have them play a 10 minute sudden death with the game being a tie if no one scores.

Rex Racer

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March 3, 2013 10:20 AM ET

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Maybe something a bit more interesting.....

Canuck eh?

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March 3, 2013 10:26 AM ET

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QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 10:20 AM ET 03.03 by Canuck eh?

Maybe something a bit more interesting.....

THe only thing I see wrong iwth that hit is he might have left his feet. If he doesn't leave his feet, that's a great hit. If he did leave his feet, it should cost him a few games.

Nard Dog

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March 3, 2013 10:40 AM ET

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This arguement is the same you will hear through out sports. There are a few seasons that are way to long, MLB, NHL and Nascar. The addage of more is better is overwhelming not true with regards to those 3. So with regards to the NHL, here are my ideas. 1. 65 game season. Start at the mid of Oct and end March. There is no reason to play hockey at the end of May much less June. 2. Make all playoffs except for the finals a best of 5 and finally lets either keep where we are at or drop to 12 teams for the playoffs and make the best teams, no more well team X won thier division so they go although 6 other teams in other divisions had better records, the poster child for this would be the 92' Whalers, anyone recall when they made the playoffs with a 26-41-13 record???? WOW

Strauzie

Woodbridge, VA

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March 3, 2013 11:05 AM ET

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What I am enjoying about the truncated season is how the games seem to pile up on one another. There's a great game every night and the season doesn't hit the brakes in February for a lame all star game. Start the season no earlier than 15 Nov. 1 Dec would be perfect for my tastes.

Hatrunner

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March 3, 2013 11:23 AM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 10:26 AM ET 03.03 by Nard Dog

THe only thing I see wrong iwth that hit is he might have left his feet. If he doesn't leave his feet, that's a great hit. If he did leave his feet, it should cost him a few games.

He did leave his feet...2-3 game ban coming up.

bostongm

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March 3, 2013 11:25 AM ET

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I call BS on this.......there's lots of barns that arent 100%.......what else are they gonna say ?? Lock-outs cause people NOT to show up to the arena's ??

bostongm

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March 3, 2013 01:05 PM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 09:15 AM ET 03.03 by I Love LA

It's Tough To Be #5, Bros.

Get serious. The Celtics can't beat reruns of cartoons around here. B's are setting records.

NickTheContrarian

Malden , MA

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March 3, 2013 01:08 PM ET

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QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 10:20 AM ET 03.03 by Canuck eh?

Maybe something a bit more interesting.....

Clean hockey hit. They should start issuing suspensions and fines for people who jump guys after clean hits.

NickTheContrarian

Malden , MA

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March 3, 2013 02:29 PM ET

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QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 01:08 PM ET 03.03 by NickTheContrarian

Clean hockey hit. They should start issuing suspensions and fines for people who jump guys after clean hits.

Ummm, no, that was not a clean hit.

I am tiring of guys jumping the hitter after he puts a legit hit on someone.

Golden Bay

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March 3, 2013 03:44 PM ET

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Like I've always said, regular season has little meaning till the end.

And for the most part, even then.

Hank Kingsley

Port Alberni, BC

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March 3, 2013 03:46 PM ET

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QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 02:29 PM ET 03.03 by Golden Bay

Ummm, no, that was not a clean hit.

Looked a lot like Torres hitting Hosebag last year.

Hank Kingsley

Port Alberni, BC

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March 3, 2013 05:22 PM ET

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QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 10:40 AM ET 03.03 by Strauzie

This arguement is the same you will hear through out sports. There are a few seasons that are way to long, MLB, NHL and Nascar. The addage of more is better is overwhelming not true with regards to those 3. So with regards to the NHL, here are my ideas. 1. 65 game season. Start at the mid of Oct and end March. There is no reason to play hockey at the end of May much less June. 2. Make all playoffs except for the finals a best of 5 and finally lets either keep where we are at or drop to 12 teams for the playoffs and make the best teams, no more well team X won thier division so they go although 6 other teams in other divisions had better records, the poster child for this would be the 92' Whalers, anyone recall when they made the playoffs with a 26-41-13 record???? WOW

I want to vomit any time I hear someone talking about changing the playoff formats. If it isn't to drop the stupid division winner automatic berth, then just leave it alone.

If you don't like it the problem is you, not hockey.

Regular season, ok, let's talk, plenty we could do there.

puttin on the foil

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March 3, 2013 05:28 PM ET

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every time you compress and spring into the hit and the other guy is off balance you're going to get the illusion of jumping into a hit.

This has NOTHING to do with Torres, or even Ovie jump-hits.

And when exactly did they make it illegal to keep your effing head up while playing hockey? The guy came straight at him and could be seen closing in on him from the redline. Wow. Learn how to play the effing game or get off the ice. This isn't ballet. The most obvious head on hit I have seen this season. Everybody in the stadium saw it 5 seconds before it happened except for Lundin.