So it only took away about 3 1/2 months of the normal hockey season, but finally all the t's are crossed and i's are dotted and the NHL is only 5 days away from starting. The schedule just came out and let's just say it is a bit compacted. Not one single hockey fan can ever say "there is nothing on TV tonight" with this schedule. 48 games are squeezed into just under 3 1/2 months. The schedule generally ends the first week of April, but this season the regular season will run until the end of April.
One downside, being a Washington Capitals fan, is that moving Winnipeg to the western conference never happened. This makes life rough on all the teams that are truly in the "southeast" division. The Capitals have a stretch of March 19-24 where they are at Pittsburgh, at Winnipeg, at Winnipeg, at New York Rangers. Yes back to back away games on back to back nights in Winnipeg. The NHL did at atleast help the Caps out in whenever they are in Winnipeg, with the exception of the back to back games, that they don't play back to back nights. I also don't agree with the fact that with a 48 game schedule, the league didn't concentrate more on division play. The Caps play the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers only 4 times. They play Winnipeg and Carolina 5 times. In my opinion, 6 games versus each division opponent leaving 24 games to go against the other 10 teams in the conference. Leading to playing each team twice with the Caps getting teams like Boston, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and New Jersey 3 times. This would help boost TV ratings on a sport that needs to bring the fans back.
I had season tickets for 3 seasons with the Caps, the last three seasons to be exact. I gave up my tickets after the regular season ended in April. I grew frustrated as Ted Leonsis continually raised the ticket prices. I understand its a business, but to raise season tickets more than $1200 (total) from season one to season three was unexplainable. When I bought the tickets the Caps were essentially unbeatable. Last season I couldn't go to the game and expect a win. Once I heard of another ticket price increase for 2012-13 and the onset of a possible strike I got out. I received an email from the Caps for a 3 and 6 game ticket plan for $144 and $288 respectively. I just popped onto the Tampa Bay Lightning's website and they offer a free home jersey, a 25% discount off food and beverages, a 35% discount on merchandise, the opportunity to purchase concert and event tickets in those seats. I would get a card for about a 10% discount off to Kettler Capitals Iceplex and a free lanyard to hold my ticket in every year but that's about it. Also as per Chris Botta (twitter handle chrisbottanhl) the Florida Panthers are selling season tickets at $7 a seat. This would be $336 for a pair of tickets for 24 games. They are also throwing in free parking, which at the Verizon Center (if driving) averages about $25 a game and a free jersey. Not to mention the Panthers are not making anyone commit to buying these tickets for next season. This is a time where all the teams in the NHL need to give to the fans, they already took half a season away from us.
I understand things are being thrown together with the NHL and how the season is going, but the NHL teams and owners need to be more respectful and giving to the people that put money in their pockets. This season every team will end up in the red on their ledgers, but should be building to get back in the black for next season. Plain and simple, give now to get later or else you won't be able to get fans back that were once interested in a great sport.
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