NHL Playoff Schedule Makers are Morons

So it occurs to me that the NHL continues to show it has no idea how to market its game not only to its core and dedicated fan base, but also to the casual fan. The New York City metro area has 3 professional hockey franchises which have made the playoffs this year for the first time since 1994. So here is an excellent opportunity to expand your game to your fan base in the largest market in the country. With the Rangers, the Islanders and the the Devils in the big show, there is a potential 15 million folks living in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.


So why am I upset, and what do I think the NHL are morons? Well because all three teams open up against the playoffs on the same day, at exactly the same time, Thursday night at 8:05. So rather than having one team open on Wednesday, a second on Thursday and a third on Friday in order to showcase all three teams a true hockey fan is going to be stuck either watching one game only, or by flipping between MSG, FSNY and probably Channel 55, which I think is the default for the Islanders when the Devils have FSNY.

So to add insult to injury, NBC is not even carrying those games, they are working with the NHL to promote Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, who play the only Canadian team in the playoffs; the Ottawa Senators. So you have 7 teams in the eastern conference from the US, and 3 of which are from the media capital of the world, so there will be national telecast of the teams that might have the strongest following nationally.


How dumb is that?