Caps SCF TV ratings setting records

[VaCaps Fan]

Carolina was a mistake (even for cheap caps games)

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Meh. The Quebec versus Montreal rivalry was legendary. Would like to see that being a thing again.

Sure, until Quebec gave up on their team. Someday I hope they get one if they’ll support it.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

This. I’d rather see hockey teams end up in places where there’s lots of people who love hockey.

I really don’t care. New or old hockey fans. I’d just like to see the sport prosper. I don’t care where it happens, just that it does.

I have a sense of nostalgia from years as a kid watching the Nordique, but that’s all it is for me.

 

[razor ray]

Game 4:

 

[razor ray]

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

This. I’d rather see hockey teams end up in places where there’s lots of people who love hockey.

That policy would be the death knell for the league though.

Quebec City metro population: ~800,000
Seattle metro population: ~3,700,000
Las Vegas metro population: ~2,200,000

The viability of the NHL as a major sports league is all about the value of its broadcast rights. Adding a market of 800,000 people that are already watching hockey anyway does nothing the enhance the NHL's brand.

 

[Calicaps]

That policy would be the death knell for the league though.

Quebec City metro population: ~800,000
Seattle metro population: ~3,700,000
Las Vegas metro population: ~2,200,000

The viability of the NHL as a major sports league is all about the value of its broadcast rights. Adding a market of 800,000 people that are already watching hockey anyway does nothing the enhance the NHL's brand.

Sigh. Yeah. At least Seattle has enough fans to support an AHL team. Vegas’ fanbase is entirely faux.

 

[Wayland]

Carolina was a mistake (even for cheap caps games)

The Hurricanes mistake is sucking for the last decade. That is going to affect your box office. If the Hurricanes could have any kind of sustained success the fanbase is there.

I was a Caps season tix holder in the early 2000s (pre-Ovie) and had full season lower level tickets for $25-$35 a game. This was a couple years after a cup run. There were plenty of empty seats then. A decade plus of Ovechkin and crew (and making the playoffs year in and year out) has helped build the hockey culture there in DC. I would love to be in and around DC now that hockey has taken a tighter grip on the city, but let's not pretend it was always like this.

 

[HandsomeTom43]

I know Washington is still referred to as a non-traditional market, but a Cup, and as Wayland eluded to, the culture the past 13 years has established it, in my opinion as a top 10-12 market for hockey.

 

[txpd]

Game 4:

It is amazing how strong a hockey market Nashville has become

 

[Calicaps]

It is amazing how strong a hockey market Nashville has become

I know a few Preds fans. Very knowledgeable and passionate. It's impressive.

 

[txpd]

I know a few Preds fans. Very knowledgeable and passionate. It's impressive.

My sister lives there and was totally converted last season. Now she doesn't miss a game

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

People follow winners. No American market is immune to attendance lulls for losing teams. Shoot, some Canadian markets aren't immune. Vancouver and Ottawa were both in the bottom third of the league in attendance as a percentage of capacity this season.

 

[maacoshark]

Indeed. They are hockey mad in Quebec.

There is some knowledge of hockey in Seattle with the WHL junior teams in the area but it is nowhere near the same.

I am not a Canadian hockey snob by any means but Quebec would be the logical choice for expansion. Plus, you know the ice would be of great quality. Hockey + June + desert is not good.

I'd rather not see the league expand past 32 teams. A team relocating to Quebec would be better.

 

[maacoshark]

Hopefully Quebec will get a team via relocation and Seattle will be the final expansion franchise.

Any chance they can bring back the Whalers?

I'd like to see the Whalers back. They were my 2nd favorite team behind the Caps. Mostly because of Ron Francis and Mike Liut.

 

[ALLCAPSALLTHETIME]

I'd rather not see the league expand past 32 teams. A team relocating to Quebec would be better.

Oh, for sure. 32 teams is enough. 8 per division and 16 per conference.

If Quebec was going to get a team, I figure it would be by relocation.

 

[kicksavedave]

Pittsburgh loves hockey or Pittsburgh is tuning in to hopefully watch the Caps lose?

The best part of these three wins is not just the Caps winning making our fans happy, but making TWO entirely deserving fan bases sad at the same time!

 

[razor ray]

Game 5:

 

[razor ray]

 

[HunterSThompson]

A 45 share is quite impressive.

 

[Calicaps]

That’s awesome!