|
I think this new schedule will deal a serious blow to Canadian sportsfans and to Canadian culture.
This new schedule, though many like the idea, if put in effect will make the NHL like the NFL. The East will not play the west in regular season play. Now, this may work well in the USA. However it does not take the consideration of Canada's dynamic into play.
For instance, when the Toronto Maple Leafs come to Vancouver - it is a big deal, because so many Vancouverites come from Ontario..in Toronto it is the same thing. And in Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Montreal...all these cities look forward to ANY Canadian team coming to town. It bring sout great rivalries and fun. Now however, it is possible the Vancouver Canucks won't play the Montreal Canadians EVER again. The chances of a Montreal/Vancouver final are so slim it just won't happen. The Chances of an all Canadian final are slim. Which means basically, if this schedule is adopted, I will never again see the Canucks play Ottawa, Montreal,or Toronto. That is the shits, as these are HUGE games when they come to town.
Such a change can severely alter the state of hockey in Canada. I mean really, I couldn't care less about when the Canucks play half of the teams in their conference...Phoenix, Annahiem, LA, Dalls.... mena nothing to me... But when the knuckleheads play Ottawa, I get excited. My prediction is this entire thing will severly kill the passion many Canadians feel for the NHL.
It's just another example of US influence bastardizing (not meant to be an insult) Canadian culture...I'm never gonna see great Canadian Rivalries again because the NHL thinks people in Arizona wouold rather see the coyotes play dallas ten times instead of six.
Just a terrible turn of events.
|