The NHL Pre-Season is Too Long
Posted by Mother Pucker on October 6th, 2008As excited I was to see some hockey a few weeks ago, I’m now starting to feel some pre-season pain and all I can think is get on with it already. I’ve never really been one to think that the pre-season takes too long, but this year it appears that its at least a week too long.
The reason I think that its dragging on so long is probably due to the regular season starting in Prague and Stockholm this weekend, and there still being pre-season games being played over here in North America. How does that work?
I understand that the teams that play over there will need adjustment time once they fly back home, but instead of starting them so much earlier than the rest of the teams, how about start them all at the same time, and then just give those 4 teams a few extra days off in between? It wouldn’t be that much of a stretch to have them play Saturday, and then be back in North America to play Thursday or Friday would it?
And can you imagine the hay-day that CBC would have with these European games if they started at the same as the North American games did? It could be a true Hockey Day in Canada (or America if you have the NHL Network / Center Ice) with coverage of both Euro games in the afternoon, and then their usual double header in the evening. THAT would be the way to kick off the NHL season, not teasing us, and then making us wait.
Yes its too long. And I fear it will get longer as long as ppl continue to pay for tickets to these events. Stop going to the pre-season games and the pre-season will appear to be less long. Oh and the European regular season games are stupid too.
That is definitely one way to look at it. The other is to look at it from the perspective of the AHL teams and their coaches. The longer the pre-season circus goes on, the less they get to know about their players, lines, etc…
I definitely agree – the preseason seemed to drag on FOREVER this year.
To me, when I watched the games on Saturday, I thought it was preseason for them too…because my team is still on preseason, and had a preseason game that evening. I had a hard time taking the Prague & Stockholm games as “real” games.
I like your idea of starting them the same time – and then giving those teams a break.
The only thing I’m not sure of, is when the European leagues start, and if that would cause a problem with rinks (and teams for exhibitions) being booked.
I say get rid of preseason all together.. I mean why do they need preseason anyway, we never had it in high school, what about college? Do they just like getting more $$ from the preseason attenders or what. If you are not in game shape, then, the teams that are win that many more regular season games which means more points… and I’m sure after a few losses at the first of the year they will figure out how to get the guys ready..
Adrienne,
There could be an issue with when the European leagues start, but if they could have prime time on both a Saturday and Sunday at the start of October, I’m sure they could get that slot again, and just start the NHL regular season on that weekend, instead of delaying it another week.
Basher,
Yeah they definitely make money from the pre-season in some markets. Others are giving away the tickets for free in hopes of attracting new fans who will become regular season paying customers one day.