What is your interest level right now?

[Rcknrollkillnmachine]

Once the Bruins were out I haven't watched apart from highlights.

I like the Islanders and Tampa so whoever advances will be worthy but not even watching that (apart from highlights) rather I'll watch the SCF games although the 8pm games I can't stay up for a whole game due to work the next day and I live in Boston (unless it's the deciding match).

Apart from the Finnish contingent at Dallas going to the final, right now I'm more excited about the upcoming Liiga season and HIFK.

 

[FerrisRox]

Not interested at all in the covid cup. Lots of players/teams clearly didnt wanna be there so for me and for lots of other people it just doesnt feel at all like the real playoffs. Hopefully theres an astericks on the winning team. Im also pretty sure the tv ratings for the finals will be at an all time low or close too.

What teams do you think clearly didn't want to be there? That's a serious claim.

 

[King 88]

Just like any other playoffs. Dont give a f*** if its bubble hockey or not.

 

[Merrrlin]

Colorado/Tampa would have been one hell of a series.

 

[1dreamof1cup]

What teams do you think clearly didn't want to be there? That's a serious claim.

Washington is pretty obv

 

[Mobiandi]

Pretty low unless the Isles pull this out

 

[metalan2]

Hockey without fans is not the same. Im glad it's on, but it's just not the same.

 

[aufheben]

Probably 90% of what it would be during normal playoffs.

 

[OldCraig71]

My interest is very low but I would like to see Dallas win the covid cup because I really like Radulov and it would be cool to see so many of the vets on that team win a cup, I love their two young D and Khudobin has stepped in and is making a name for himself in this league. Go Stars!

 

[Summer Rose]

In a normal year it would be a 5 and this year it’s even higher. I’d have voted 6 if it were an option.

 

[GordonGraham]

I havent watched a single game since they boycotted play for 2 days

 

[Varan]

At this point I’m just checking to see who won. Haven’t watched a game since the Caps went out. Same issue as last year, all the top teams and star players went out early, so the excitement/interest level isn’t there for me. I feel like as a hockey fan I’m obliged to at least find out the score, how the series is going, and who won the cup.

NBA playoffs are very entertaining this year, so that’s primarily keeping me from watching hockey

 

[robertocarlos]

Money grab? You understand with no fans in the crowd, there is no revenue stream right?

The league is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to host these playoffs and create these bubbles.

The NHL is collecting millions from TV just for the playoffs. I think the revenue to the NHL exceeds the expenses but you are right this bubble playoffs is a huge expense for the NHL. If they lost money they would never do this again.

 

[robertocarlos]

I havent watched a single game since they boycotted play for 2 days

Understandable.

 

[JTmillerForA1stLOL]

Absolutely zero since the Canucks were eliminated.

 

[robertocarlos]

Absolutely zero since the Canucks were eliminated.

Who the hell are they selling Ram trucks to if nobody is watching?

 

[Monsieur Miz]

I said 3/5, it'd be the same with fans because I don't really care about the remaining teams.

 

[Balance]

Interest is at 10/10

Nice to see some new teams instead of the boring Penguins, Blackhawks, and Kings circle jerk that occurred for a few years.

 

[FerrisRox]

The NHL is collecting millions from TV just for the playoffs. I think the revenue to the NHL exceeds the expenses but you are right this bubble playoffs is a huge expense for the NHL. If they lost money they would never do this again.

They are collecting millions but losing many many millions more.

Return to play was about trying to reduce the losses and keep some continuity for the fans, but make no mistake, the NHL is hosting the playoffs at considerable expense.

Calling it a "money grab" is beyond clueless. If the NHL had cancelled the playoffs, they would owe a considerable amount of money to both Sportsnet and NBC so they are spending a tremendous amount of money so that they don't have to do that and they don't sully the relationships they have with those broadcasters for the future. And it's not just the league that would be on the hook for the money... the players are fifty percent partners.

 

[jcs0218]

Money grab? You understand with no fans in the crowd, there is no revenue stream right?

The league is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to host these playoffs and create these bubbles.

I wonder what the revenue is from sources other than ticket sales?

Or even the revenue they are hoping to save for the future by having this bubble Playoffs?

Because I don't think the NHL would be bothering to stage a bubble Playoffs if they are experiencing a total loss, in both the present and the future.

They had every excuse in the world to simply cancel the Playoffs. So they must either be making revenue from somewhere, or limiting their losses somehow.

 

[Ryuji Yamazaki]

I'll watch it because its hockey, but it's definitely not the same.

Not having the fans there makes a huge difference.

 

[HarryLime]

I kinda tuned out after round 2 when the Avs and Nucks lost

Final 4 was boring

 

[Avelanche]

Start of fantasy football has squashed my interest a bit but I’ll still watch the cup. No fans is starting to make it less exciting.

 

[canuckster19]

Dallas vs TB, meh.

 

[FerrisRox]

I wonder what the revenue is from sources other than ticket sales?

Or even the revenue they are hoping to save for the future by having this bubble Playoffs?

Because I don't think the NHL would be bothering to stage a bubble Playoffs if they are experiencing a total loss, in both the present and the future.

They had every excuse in the world to simply cancel the Playoffs. So they must either be making revenue from somewhere, or limiting their losses somehow.

If they didn't stage the playoffs they would owe their broadcasters, Sportsnet and NBC hundreds of millions of dollars.