Major League Baseball players are stretching in the Florida and Arizona sun.
The National Football League is hungover from the Super Bowl.
The National Basketball Association is heading to their All-Star Break.
Of the four main national professional men’s sports, three of them were off the court or the field. There were no games being played. So it would be an ideal time for the National Hockey League to showcase their talent. Maybe a little Conner Bedard. Or the Lightning could have taken on the Avalanche tonight. Heck Crosby vs. Ovechkin for the 1023rd time would have been acceptable over what they had on Friday.
Carolina vs. Arizona
On the NHL Network, a channel you can’t get at most hotels.
Not to denigrate the Hurricanes, who are an entertaining team to watch, or Logan Cooley, an exciting prospect stuck in Arizona, but c’mon NHL. Be better.
This league constantly manages to bungle just about every possible opportunity to market itself to fans outside of it’s own fan base, so why should we be surprised that they didn’t plan for this chance to be the only major men’s sport playing games.
If a reporter was to pose this question to Commissioner (and Hall of Famer) Gary Bettman, he would likely dismiss it in a condescending manner while assuring the questioner that the game has never been better despite the fact that one of it’s team can’t sell out a college arena. After all, the Jonas Brothers are performing at the Stadium Series this weekend!
There are two Stadium Series games this weekend, they couldn’t have had one of them tonight? How much fun would it have been to watch a Friday night hockey game under the bright lights in East Rutherford, New Jersey? After all, people pay to watch Jack Hughes play hockey, wouldn’t they also want to see him on TV?
It would be nice if, next year, when this all happens again, the NHL has something planned for when they’re the only sport on TV. It’s sad that we already know that they won’t.
More Hockey News
Canucks look to Tampa for inspiration [Canucks Army]
Mired in an 0-for-15 slump on the power play, the Vancouver Canucks have fired up the video of the Lightning’s power play. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. “Look at Tampa. They shoot and after they shoot, it’s attack mode. And we did watch some video of Tampa today. And I think it energized the guys,” is how head coach Rick Tocchet put it.
Dave Andreychuk and Brad Richards talk to the press [Tampa Bay Lightning]
Speaking of power plays, two guys who were pretty good with the man-advantage talk to the media about their upcoming induction into the Lightning Hall of Fame.
NHL Power Rankings [ESPN]
The Bolts are hanging out at the 13th spot per the World Wide Leader and Nikita Kucherov is their player to watch the rest of the season. Yes, that is a solid pick.
Matt Cooke, once one of the most-hated players, is charting a new path [The Athletic]
Look, I’ll never forgive him for messing up Vinny Lecacalier’s shoulder, but if he’s helping the next generation to not be illegal-hit-throwing asshats on the ice, then more power to him.
Blake Wheeler out for remainder of the season [Blue Shirt Banter]
Wheeler, who was playing on an $800,000 contract, was one of the best free agent signings of the off-season. Now, he’s out for the rest of the regular season and the Rangers may be scrambling for some depth at the trade deadline. Sorry, Tyler Motte is not available this year.
The ten best and ten worst outdoor uniforms of all time [The Athletic]
The Lightning didn’t show up on either list which is okay. Their Stadium Series sweaters were nice, but going with a retro theme might have been better. The decision makers on this list definitely have a thing for outdoor jerseys inspired by classic designs.
NHL’s ‘Big City Greens Classic’ returning in March [Awful Announcing]
Honestly, I would rather see the Lightning in one of these games than another outdoor game.
Five external names to fill the Columbus Blue Jackets’ gm role [Columbus Dispatch]
There it is. The first mention of Mathieu Darche as a potential hire for the the vacant position. The Lightning’s Assistant GM does have ties to the organization as he began his playing career there.
