Looks like there will be an NHL season.

[Orioles1966]

Originally Posted by dmacgreg37

My guess is, and what I've heard bandied about on twitter, is that it's much more likely NHL game centre live (the online version of centre ice) will be free. It would be far too hard to do the tv version free, as there are so many service providers in North America. Online would be easy for them to give away.

I'd be shocked if either was free, instead they'll offer discounts, but I can much easier envision the online version being free.

Why would it be hard to let everyone have NHL Center Ice (tv version ) for free? Everyone gets a week for free at the beginning of the season and usually a week for free after the all-star game. Just give it for free for the whole season. I think they are very worried about the impact the lockout will have with fan interest because it was just proven that everyone can live without the NHL w/o a problem(unless you are employed by them or a team). NBA League Pass makes a great substitute for Center Ice. If I had my choice I would take hockey over basketball but since the owners and players like playing games(besides the one on the ice) ,fans like me might be slow to rejoice about the upcoming shortened season.

[dmacgreg37]

Originally Posted by Orioles1966

Why would it be hard to let everyone have NHL Center Ice (tv version ) for free? Everyone gets a week for free at the beginning of the season and usually a week for free after the all-star game. Just give it for free for the whole season. I think they are very worried about the impact the lockout will have with fan interest because it was just proven that everyone can live without the NHL w/o a problem(unless you are employed by them or a team). NBA League Pass makes a great substitute for Center Ice. If I had my choice I would take hockey over basketball but since the owners and players like playing games(besides the one on the ice) ,fans like me might be slow to rejoice about the upcoming shortened season.

The providers (cable and satallite) are happy about free trials cuz it helps their sales. They're still gonna want a cut of the service, and I don't think NHL will be willing to give it away.

I could be wrong, but I will be amazed if it's more than the online product that will be free. That I could see.

[Orioles1966]

Originally Posted by dmacgreg37

The providers (cable and satallite) are happy about free trials cuz it helps their sales. They're still gonna want a cut of the service, and I don't think NHL will be willing to give it away.

I could be wrong, but I will be amazed if it's more than the online product that will be free. That I could see.

I don't expect anything for free, Those days are long gone. If I can get it for well below 100 bucks-I'd be happy.

[Stinson]

Originally Posted by Orioles1966

Why would it be hard to let everyone have NHL Center Ice (tv version ) for free? Everyone gets a week for free at the beginning of the season and usually a week for free after the all-star game. Just give it for free for the whole season. I think they are very worried about the impact the lockout will have with fan interest because it was just proven that everyone can live without the NHL w/o a problem(unless you are employed by them or a team). NBA League Pass makes a great substitute for Center Ice. If I had my choice I would take hockey over basketball but since the owners and players like playing games(besides the one on the ice) ,fans like me might be slow to rejoice about the upcoming shortened season.

The problem is that we're talking about a league where the fans are secondary. Just look at the following quote from today's news:

"...but our focus now is to give the fans whatever it is - 48 games, 50 games..."

Of course. Work everything out for yourselves, secure your multi-million-dollar salaries... then turn your focus to the fans

[OpusTheFowl]

All I can say is GREAT!!! Drop the puck!

So happy there is a season!

[Orioles1966]

Originally Posted by dmacgreg37

The providers (cable and satallite) are happy about free trials cuz it helps their sales. They're still gonna want a cut of the service, and I don't think NHL will be willing to give it away.

I could be wrong, but I will be amazed if it's more than the online product that will be free. That I could see.

Watching Dennis & Callahan on NESN and Bruins defensemen Andrew Ference just said that NHL Center Ice should be for free.

[dmacgreg37]

Originally Posted by Orioles1966

Watching Dennis & Callahan on NESN and Bruins defensemen Andrew Ference just said that NHL Center Ice should be for free.

Of course a player will say that, he has no say in it. They're still playing the public opinion game.

[EJ]

Originally Posted by dmacgreg37

Of course a player will say that, he has no say in it. They're still playing the public opinion game.

You don't think that they could actually feel this way, without it being a public relations ploy?

[dmacgreg37]

Originally Posted by EJ

You don't think that they could actually feel this way, without it being a public relations ploy?

Of course he could. But this is an easy statement to make for him, as he has nothing in it to lose. That's all I'm saying. I'm sure the NHL and the PA want to do things to help ease the transition back in, doesn't mean they're willing to actually give anything up on either side to make it happen.

[Orioles1966]

Originally Posted by dmacgreg37

Of course he could. But this is an easy statement to make for him, as he has nothing in it to lose. That's all I'm saying. I'm sure the NHL and the PA want to do things to help ease the transition back in, doesn't mean they're willing to actually give anything up on either side to make it happen.

I wonder how many people have gotten NFL Sunday Ticket for free over the last 7-8 yrs? Plus their price is all over the map,so the bottomline ,Directv probably wouldn't lose a dime if they gave it away for free because they weren't expecting a season anyways.

[Le Grande Orange]

Originally Posted by Stinson

The problem is that we're talking about a league where the fans are secondary.

What does that even mean, "fans are secondary"? Professional sports is a business first and foremost. It's been a business ever since athletes were first paid to play a given sport. To think professional sports has ever been about anything other than the money is to have a hopelessly romanticized notion.

The only vote you get as a fan is the vote of where to spend your money. Don't like the product for whatever reason, then don't spend your money on it.