Welcome to the blogosphere The NHL Is Back first and foremost, as this is the source where I derive this post from.

Phil P. over at the site cites Media Week as he comments about the four network broadcast companies in play with the NHL’s cable broadcasts.

For me, Spike, ESPN and TNT all would be fine choices. ESPN is the safe bet, that will probably end up in mediocre ratings. Spike is riskier but could do great things for the NHL. And TNT is a solid choice, as long as the playoff situation is cleared up. One thing is for sure, it cannot go to Comcast. That would be a disaster.

First off, for the record, the players in play are Disney (ESPN), Viacom (Spike TV), Time Warner (TNT) and Comcast (OLN)…. Just wanted to make that clear (and to correct Phil on who owns TNT).

Secondly, I have to voice my major objections to ESPN and the discrediting of Outdoor Living Network. ESPN and Disney have both mistreated the NHL over the years and as of right now, ESPN is grossly oversaturated with sports that they air. It might be the Outdoor Games, it might be the X Games, the NBA, the NFL, MLB, Poker, Westminster Kennel club, College Football, College Basketball, etc, etc, etc… The NHL is trying to win back the fans and having the fans lost in teh glut of other sports on ESPN does not aid the league whatsoever. It’s like an girl going back to an abusive boyfriend just because she’s lonely. Sure, he treats her mean, might beat her up verbally or physically… But it’s better than being alone, right?

Wrong.

Spike TV — a Viacom network — offers probably the best bet for the league with the fact that not only are it’s sister networks tied indirectly to it (Viacom owns MTV, Nickelodeon and plenty of other stations around the cable dial) and that might help promote the league being played on their network… It’d also give the league exposure to a younger demographic.

TNT — I can’t dis the idea or support it. TNT gives me the willies because of it’s NBA ties and NASCAR ties. It routinely airs repeats and movies (much like Spike for that matter or NBC Universals USA Network) so there is space for original NHL broadcasts (games, news shows, etc)…

OLN is the Dark Horse of the four networks in play. It’s national broadcast reach is not as broad as any of the other players and OLN’s marquee program right now is the Tour De France each year. Comcast owns a great deal of regional cable providers though in major markets and can force OLN’s way into the regions to solidify the deal…

This story is almost as interesting as the hot stove talk that is already heating up elsewhere in teh league.

Brant James at the St. Pete Times continues the trend of hockey related posts by the local papers post-CBA-Resolution by talking a bit about marketing and how some teams are happy for the new opportunity while others dread it.

I had to chuckle at this one:

The Panthers have taken to the streets with their efforts to re-energize South Florida’s fickle populous. Office Depot Center and team employees have been supplied with election-style yard signs, cling decals and sunscreen packs with the slogan “Florida Panthers: There’s a Cold Front Moving In” as the first wave of an aggressive marketing campaign.

Yard signs? I suppose it’s an idea seeing the South Florida populace is suburban and the Office Depot center is only visited by those willing to drive (read: suburbanites)… But it still feels like a desperation reach more than a marketing reach.

That’s not to say that the Panthers aren’t going to be trying to put a face on things, as the article goes on to say… but still… Yard signs?!

And further more for a Lightning angle on this story:

The Lightning will sell 3,000 upper bowl seats per game at $19, the cheapest for those seats in the St. Pete Times Forum’s history.

According to Campbell, the Lightning has sold more than $2-million worth of season-ticket packages since reports on July 7 indicating a settlement was near. The team sold more than $500,000 worth Friday, Campbell said.

Well, at least this year the nay-sayers can’t spin the $19 deal as a sign hockey in Florida just doesn’t work. Remember the playoffs hub-bub about having 200 seats sold for 8 bucks each?

Mike Chen talks two aspects of the draft that have come to light - the lack of the Draft Lottery being televised and the fact the Draft may not be the bland spectacle of old for at least this off season:

Do you think they want Gary Bettman announcing “The first pick goes to…” while several thousand die-hard (and possibly drunk) fans scream obscenities at him? Remember Chris Chelios’ assertion that a crazy fan might try to do bodily harm to Bettman during the 94 lockout? Putting Bettman in such a visible public spot so soon after the end of the lockout might motivate alcohol-fueled morons to try and do something harmful, or at the very least, humiliating.

Now, I agree with the fact having a grand spectacle with a reviled man announcing in front of a public crowd would be a bad PR move… I do want to voice my opinion that Chris Chelios is a party line assclown who has been Anti-Bettman and pro Union for the life of him… So while I disagree with the Chelios reference, I agree with the ill-tact of a public draft.

The non-televising of the NHL draft lottery just adds fuel to the fire who will secure the Number 1 draft pick and where Mr. S. Crosby will be headed.

EDIT: Looks like the NHL is having a change of heart - so sayeth TSN.ca. Friday at 4 P.M (what, no primetime?) is the allotted hour.