At first glance it did not look like.... steak....
What ESPN should have aired
What ESPN should have aired
I'm fine with this event not being geared toward hardcore fans; I didn't even watch, figuring I, too, could use a break.I didn't watch so no comment on the quality of the product - but I did want to raise this point: all the skills comps and the other stuff they do these days are primarily aimed at kids. That's the target audience. Did it entertain the youngsters? If the answer is 'yes' then the NHL really won't care much about anything else.
Blades was definitely the MVP, and probably the only one, other than the San Jose Shark, and Toronto Polar Bear that wouldn't have given me nightmares as a kid.Almost two minutes in, Blades with the backcheck lol
Bergy would be so proud
NOPE... although Ullmark got more interviews from ESPN THAN Sophia/Raycroft did combined on NESNAll i care about...
Did any Bruin get hurt?
I don't know how most of those guys skate in those outfits. The vision must be terrible. And they probably lose ten pounds just from sweatingBlades was definitely the MVP, and probably the only one, other than the San Jose Shark, and Toronto Polar Bear that wouldn't have given me nightmares as a kid.
So ratings are down for the NHL and this is how they counter it? If the league doesn't wake up they are going to be looking up in the ratings at Slapfight pretty soon. The very little I saw when i was out for dinner last night was embarrassing
I'm fine with this event not being geared toward hardcore fans; I didn't even watch, figuring I, too, could use a break.
The reactions online seemed hyperbolic, so I checked a few highlights.
They were appalling. I love David Pastrnak but was embarrassed for him. Are kids really going to get a joke based on a nearly thirty year old movie, or the even older (and almost as dumb) Miami Vice reference with Mitch Marner?
I think this was geared more toward creating as many TikTok/YouTube Shorts clips in hopes a few go viral.
But it begs the question - is the league pandering to the younger crowd worthwhile? I heard pundits raving that the Zegras/Milano goal got 50 million views.
Great - but anyone that might've been interested in the NHL because of that quickly realized that almost never happens. The new television numbers suggest this is not growing the game.
I know the owners are obsessed with growth, but the better strategy is to play the long game. Realize the league will never be the NFL or NBA, and play to their strengths.
At a girl-friend's suggestion, I dabbled with YouTube Shorts (YT's answer to TikTok). I did manage to get some traction with a couple of videos, one with jump rope and one with guitar. And as a hockey fan, NHL videos routinely popped up in my feed.
But it taught me the 15-second clips for the attention-span-challenged are ultimately futile. I can't see a fan whose interest is sparked by a brief TikTok clip appreciating the grind of three periods of hockey. (And no I'm not just bashing TikTok because they sponsor the Leafs. )
Wait! You took off your hat? I missed it!I am putting on my grumpy old man hat. I did not watch one second of it. ( I did watch most of a six-minute highlight.) I can't stand it. It is somewhere between a parody and a mockery of the game. For goodness sake, either change it back to more normal formats or do away with it!
Couldn’t follow the game . They all looked like they were on the same teamAgreed, some here have said that they want to buy those God-awful jerseys. SMH.
I didn't watch so no comment on the quality of the product - but I did want to raise this point: all the skills comps and the other stuff they do these days are primarily aimed at kids. That's the target audience. Did it entertain the youngsters? If the answer is 'yes' then the NHL really won't care much about anything else.
Complaining about the quality of something you didn't watch is peak New England February mindsetI am putting on my grumpy old man hat. I did not watch one second of it. ( I did watch most of a six-minute highlight.) I can't stand it. It is somewhere between a parody and a mockery of the game. For goodness sake, either change it back to more normal formats or do away with it!
No way gritty was center stage that mascot Is out of this world.Blades was definitely the MVP, and probably the only one, other than the San Jose Shark, and Toronto Polar Bear that wouldn't have given me nightmares as a kid.