That is true, however the NHL could easily put together marketing campaigns for other players in the league. They just choose not to do that for anybody but Sidney.

They don't even have to push American players. Do things with your stars. Just choose two or three folks instead of throwing all your eggs in Sindey's picnic basket.

Yeah, I wonder how you fix that. You could have NHL.com be more fair in who they display, but only NHL fans go there anyways. You'd need espn to be a bit broader in the highlights they show I think, plus marketing commercials, but if you can only get them on vs. and NBC, who is going to see them?

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

In the past week I've had 5 friends who have no interest in hockey come ask me about Ryan Miller. A couple even watched the Washington game with me. So IMO these olympics did have a positive impact on America's view of hockey and the NHL marketing their American players would a really smart idea.

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"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." ~ Han Solo


We truly are not worthy of Miller!

Market Kane?

I thought his career was going to be ruined by the 20 Cent episode?

I guess the fans at HSBC Arena didn't get the memo that Kane was supposed to be booed for life in Buffalo as he got a really nice ovation when they did the Olympics tribute.

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Sabres Hockey: Commitment to Mediocrity

I'll still cheer Kane. I'll just never share a cab with him. :p

Why not, you get the ride for cheap haha.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

I think that they could definetly do a better job promoting hockey in America whether they focus on US players or not. I don't think the nationalities of the players is what needs to be the focus in order to get more fans. It's more about educating people on the game and making it more available to people. I watch the NHL network quite a bit and see a lot of good hockey commercials. I can't remember seeing a hockey commercial on any other channel (except MSG and Vs during games.) If you look at the number of viewiers in markets such as Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Detroit and a few others, you would think some big companies would look into endorsing some of these players? No, our guys get commercials working with people like Dr Frankenstein in 'Veins, Veins, Veins' commercials or with the crooks from Celino and Barnes.
I was watching 'On the Fly' yesterday and they were talking about promoting hockey as well. One thing I did find amusing was that the NHL isn't even allowed to show highlights from the Olympics. Why not? It's promoting hockey, the NHL and the Olympics. At this time when NHL players in the Olympics is in limbo, wouldn't they see the impact of these Olympics and want to have the NHLers continue to participate?
Either way, I am not worried. Buffalo proves to be one of the best markets for hockey viewers and pure fans of the game, and I don't think we will ever be in question of losing the team again. If it doesn't work in some of these southern cities it won't bother me. It's their loss if they lose a team to Canada or to a northern city like Hartford or Portland. Give hockey to people who want it, don't force it on people who prefer to watch cars drive around an oval for 3 hours or sit and watch a 3 hour baseball game which actually has about 20 minutes of 'action'.

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We were biting this morning. We were biting this morning.

After writing my above response I went to Kukla's Korner where I found this link regarding hockey coverage in LA.

http://www.mydesert.com/article/2010030 ... r+more+NHL

The part if found most amusing is this:

"That's why we have made every effort to continue running the daily box scores from every NHL game. This is one feature that many sports sections across the country have eliminated as newspapers are faced with fewer pages in each section."

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We were biting this morning. We were biting this morning.

Here's another link from Kukla's Korner.

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_spo ... IdQfehXQTJ

NHL looking to promote hockey in the US and Crosby declines invites to go on David Letterman after winning the Gold and going on the Today Show after winning th Cup. What a douche. I know he's busy now, especially after all the Olympic hooplah and getting back to the Penguins, but after winning the Cup when the season is over, why can you not find time to do the Today Show? It shows that Crosby cares about himself and no one else. Not the NHL, not the fans, not the city of Pittsburgh.

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We were biting this morning. We were biting this morning.

WHY HAVE A PLAYER WHO JUST WON THE GOLD FOR CANADA GO ON LETTERMAN TO PROMOTE THE GAME IN THE US

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Billy! You can convert those back-woods yokels into Sabres fans with this newfound interest in Ryan Miller that they have! It truly is a miracle!

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mechaphil

Why not have Miller on Letterman and Leno? I know Miller went on the Ryan Seacrest show, but did the late night talk shows even ask him on?

oh boy.. ryan seacrest. he sucks.

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Bettman is a fuck up. Plain and simple.

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Wheelhouse

blame the NHL marketing division, not bettmen.

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What Mike said

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mechaphil

mike: the voice of reason.

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Frightening, I know

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mechaphil

The earthquake in Chile was Bettman's fault.

Everything falls on his shoulders. Everything.

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Wheelhouse

or the owners, because all gary is is a collective voice of the 30 owners. he doesnt make decisions on his own.

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