Spring Break
Improved NHL Delivers
Pat Parker
Issue date: 4/28/06 Section: Sports
The NHL also saw some improvements in the divisional races this year, especially in the Atlantic Division. The Flyers, Devils and the surprising Rangers fighting it out for the title on the last game of the season made for some exciting puck action.
However, this wasn't the case in the Central Division as three out of the five teams finished with records below .500. Columbus, Chicago and St. Louis must either leave their respected cities, or find a way to build around pitiful franchises. The attendance figures for these teams are awful and this dismal fan support for all the teams is equal to the poor play out on the ice.
With all the ups and downs the NHL has gone through, I think they deserve a C+ for the entire season, but a note - they must improve the fan base and viewing availability or this "new and improved" or the NHL will fall to the pits of such marketing ideas like "New Coke." Anyone remember that idea? Only because it was awful. NHL, get your act together and bring the fans back to the sport everyone loved.
However, this wasn't the case in the Central Division as three out of the five teams finished with records below .500. Columbus, Chicago and St. Louis must either leave their respected cities, or find a way to build around pitiful franchises. The attendance figures for these teams are awful and this dismal fan support for all the teams is equal to the poor play out on the ice.
With all the ups and downs the NHL has gone through, I think they deserve a C+ for the entire season, but a note - they must improve the fan base and viewing availability or this "new and improved" or the NHL will fall to the pits of such marketing ideas like "New Coke." Anyone remember that idea? Only because it was awful. NHL, get your act together and bring the fans back to the sport everyone loved.
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