NHL Master Thread

[springles]

Many of the players had outstanding years. I don't see that happening again next year but I could be wrong. Many teams get their shot then don't see another one for many years.

I agree that they overachieved this year, but they are set up nicely to improve the team significantly. Whether they are successful or not over the next 5 years will come down to the use of the cap space and draft picks that they have. I think they probably take a step or two back next year but then return in 2 or 3 years as a top contender

[ChaimMoskowitz]

I agree that they overachieved this year, but they are set up nicely to improve the team significantly. Whether they are successful or not over the next 5 years will come down to the use of the cap space and draft picks that they have. I think they probably take a step or two back next year but then return in 2 or 3 years as a top contender

Also there is the issue if LAS will support a major sports team?

[mercaz1]

I think the Knights will be supported till the Raiders come and then football will take over but its also easier to fill a hockey arena than a football stadium

[ChaimMoskowitz]

I think the Knights will be supported till the Raiders come and then football will take over but its also easier to fill a hockey arena than a football stadium

They did a pour job last night. Way to many CAP fans there.

[mercaz1]

They did a pour job last night. Way to many CAP fans there.

there will always be a strong visiting crowd in LAS due to the cheap flights and hotels-makes it easy to travel there plus yesterday was historic for any Cap fan

[yuneeq]

They did a pour job last night. Way to many CAP fans there.

Possible once in a lifetime chance for Caps fan to see them lift the cup?
Worth flying to Vegas for it. Plus Vegas has lots of transplants and visitors who would obviously be willing to pay more for tix.

[ChaimMoskowitz]

there will always be a strong visiting crowd in LAS due to the cheap flights and hotels-makes it easy to travel there plus yesterday was historic for any Cap fan

Possible once in a lifetime chance for Caps fan to see them lift the cup?
Worth flying to Vegas for it. Plus Vegas has lots of transplants and visitors who would obviously be willing to pay more for tix.

I agree but you are talking 20-30%.

[yuneeq]

Also there is the issue if LAS will support a major sports team?

From what I’ve read, Vegas is all in on the knights and has become a hockey town nearly overnight.
Local TV ratings were extremely high even compared to traditional markets.

Another thing- Foley turned a hockey game into a hockey show. Fans will always have fun as long as they continue the Vegas fun factor.

Additionally, football doesn’t overlap like basketball.

[ChaimMoskowitz]

Another thing- Foley turned a hockey game into a hockey show. Fans will always have fun as long as they continue the Vegas fun factor.

If they are filling the seats for the fun factor they are in big trouble. Remember a few years back they tried to make LAS a family place? That didn't last long.

Series hockey fans will fill the seats through think and thin. I have been going to LAS my whole life and I don't see it. Time will tell.

[yuneeq]

I agree but you are talking 20-30%.

Game 6 had the most expensive hockey ticket ever sold.
So the ticket prices were likely at historic levels in Washington. Or they can go to game 5, pay for flights, hotels, and go to VEGAS! and still come out ahead.

Knowing all that, 4-5k between visitors and transplants isn’t that high.

[ChaimMoskowitz]

Game 6 had the most expensive hockey ticket ever sold.
So the ticket prices were likely at historic levels in Washington. Or they can go to game 5, pay for flights, hotels, and go to VEGAS! and still come out ahead.

Knowing all that, 4-5k between visitors and transplants isn’t that high.

Have you checked LAS ticket prices? For regular season against the Hawks it was 200+ for nose bleed.

[yuneeq]

If they are filling the seats for the fun factor they are in big trouble. Remember a few years back they tried to make LAS a family place? That didn't last long.

Series hockey fans will fill the seats through think and thin. I have been going to LAS my whole life and I don't see it. Time will tell.

Fun factor is just the cherry on top.
Old time hockey fans living in Vegas are saying the fans are legit.
Im sure you’ll remember Chicago had empty seats, and the winning culture and great new ownership made it the biggest show in town.

[mercaz1]

winning always brings the fans
if Vegas stinks the next few years then there will nights when its empty in the arena
can't be any worse than the Islanders

[yuneeq]

winning always brings the fans
if Vegas stinks the next few years then there will nights when its empty in the arena
can't be any worse than the Islanders

The Islanders:

-play in an arena that has obstructed views of the game
-play in an arena that's far away from their fans
-play in an arena that doesn't want them, and they have no long term option
-have employed some of the worst GMs in the league for the past couple decades...Seriously, Milbury???
-have had no winning culture and no playoff success in more than 2 decades
-have terrible ownership

Vegas:
-good GM
-great Coach
-great owner
-great arena
-have at worst a solid team
-lots of cap space
-have cost controlled prospects
-have lots of draft picks

I'd say Vegas is in a lot better shape than the Islanders, and many other teams.
If they play solid-to-great for the next 5 years (and there's no reason they shouldn't), they will have enough time to solidify their fanbase for the future.

[ChaimMoskowitz]

Early 2019 odds

Tampa Bay Lightning 8/1
Vegas Golden Knights  8/1
Boston Bruins  10/1
Nashville Predators  10/1
Pittsburgh Penguins 10/1
Toronto Maple Leafs 10/1
Winnipeg Jets  10/1
Washington Capitals  14/1
Edmonton Oilers  20/1
San Jose Sharks  20/1
Anaheim Ducks  25/1
Columbus Blue Jackets  25/1
Dallas Stars  25/1
Philadelphia Flyers  25/1

Odds Shark

Tampa Bay Lightning +1000
Nashville Predators +1100
Boston Bruins +1200
Pittsburgh Penguins +1200
Toronto Maple Leafs +1200
Vegas Golden Knights +1200
Washington Capitals +1200
Winnipeg Jets +1200
Edmonton Oilers +1800
Anaheim Ducks +2200
Chicago Blackhawks +2200
San Jose Sharks +2200
Calgary Flames +2500
Columbus Blue Jackets +2500
Dallas Stars +2500
Los Angeles Kings +2500
Minnesota Wild +2500

[yuneeq]

Early 2019 odds

Tampa Bay Lightning 8/1
Vegas Golden Knights  8/1
Boston Bruins  10/1
Nashville Predators  10/1
Pittsburgh Penguins 10/1
Toronto Maple Leafs 10/1
Winnipeg Jets  10/1
Washington Capitals  14/1
Edmonton Oilers  20/1
San Jose Sharks  20/1
Anaheim Ducks  25/1
Columbus Blue Jackets  25/1
Dallas Stars  25/1
Philadelphia Flyers  25/1

Odds Shark

Tampa Bay Lightning +1000
Nashville Predators +1100
Boston Bruins +1200
Pittsburgh Penguins +1200
Toronto Maple Leafs +1200
Vegas Golden Knights +1200
Washington Capitals +1200
Winnipeg Jets +1200
Edmonton Oilers +1800
Anaheim Ducks +2200
Chicago Blackhawks +2200
San Jose Sharks +2200
Calgary Flames +2500
Columbus Blue Jackets +2500
Dallas Stars +2500
Los Angeles Kings +2500
Minnesota Wild +2500

So Vegas is also optimistic about Vegas

[ChaimMoskowitz]

So Vegas is also optimistic about Vegas

Vegas believes the betters are optimistic. 

[ChaimMoskowitz]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nhl/stan-mikita-who-led-blackhawks-to-1961-title-dies-at-78/ar-BBLD0KK?ocid=spartandhp 

[ChaimMoskowitz]

Any predictions now that a real sport is under way? 

[jackofall]

Any predictions now that a real sport is under way? 

The leafs will go all the way.