Good Frei column

[DarkShark*]

I don't have a problem with Nashville 'failing' to cheer Modano for passing Joe Mullen as the leading US-born player... because what the hell kind of stat is that? Do you think they'll salute a guy like Ovechkin or Malkin for eventually passing Fedorov as the all-time leading scorer for Russia? We don't say Gretzky leads all Canadian scorers. Hey, Dany Heatly will probably pass Walt Tkaczuk as the leading German-born scorer of all-time! When it happens in New Jersey, they damn well better have a parade planned for him!!

Well. the games ARE played in the United States, and the fans at least in those cities ARE American.

 

[Sotnos]

Would you like another helping of yourself or are you already full?

Lollers

What was it someone said about "class" being one of the most overused words on these boards?

 

[PecaFan]

I saw that article when it first came out, and it's bang on. Sell the *game*, not just your own team. Everyone wins that way.

 

[EatSleepJeep]

I saw that article when it first came out, and it's bang on. Sell the *game*, not just your own team. Everyone wins that way.

There's also a great article on ESPN about baseball and its milestones which fits nicely into this parallel.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/preview07/columns/story?columnist=kurkjian_tim&id=2813469
Basketball and football are referenced repeatedly, but not hockey.

Everybody in the world will know when Barry Bonds gets in range of Aaron. "How he did it" and "should he be recognized" will be the prevailing subjects, but people will still know every detail. They market their numeric achievements, something the NHL is sorely lacking at. The NHL has some unbelievable young stars that they could be marketing and it's not just Crosby and Ovechkin. It all comes down to branding, awareness, and marketing.