Post Lockout Image of the NHL, from fans

[MassHavoc]

I didn't know where to put this because it doesn't really fit in directly anywhere, and I didn't want it to get lost in the shuffle either so I'll just drop my question here.



So my wife sent me an email forward from one of those shopping site type things and they had an offer from NHL Shop for 25% off any order with the code "Hockeyisback" (if anyone wants to use it) but I immediate didn't care. I felt like I didn't need to by anything and almost felt like it would be wrong to just run back to them with my wallet open. At the same time I feel like this could be and improper gut reaction and what exactly am I trying to stand up against. I wanted to throw it out there for folks to see how you all feel now that Hockey is back. All is forgiven? Still holding a grudge, somewhere in between?



Most of us were very strong with how we felt about everything during the lockout, has all that changed now?





Me personally, i've seen a lot of people talk about canceling their season tickets. And I'm assuming they did, but now that it's back has anything changed, do you wish you hadn't? When I see things in the newspapers coming out of the owners mouth, especially McD when he says it won't be hard to get the fans back because they added 250 to the wait list. It is kind of infuriating to me, like we aren't fans anymore. We are just a number on a wait list and a person to give them money. How fucking egotistical can he be. It's like the hawks don't even plan to try because they know that they will still sell out. Part of me does wish that they people would boycott going, if for no other reason than to stick it to all the brokers who are probably the same 250 that jumped on the wait list.



So, how do you guys feel about the NHL, giving them your money, and just accepting both sides like it never happen? discuss.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

I love hockey so even if two seasons were cancelled I'd still be back.



However, I will not spend one dollar on anything NHL related until after one year from the start of the lockout.



The NHL lost the casual fans and only hurt us, the ones who really care.

 

[MassHavoc]

Interesting that you say that they only lost the causal fans, because in my head those are the ones not invested much and so while they may have lost them they will be easier to get back, so did they really lose them? Or do we think that since they were only casual, they won't be roped in a second time to come back? If we want to run with the NHL conspiracies, we can expect the largest tv markets to make the playoffs this year in order to drive the casual fans back.... mark it... haha

 

[CLWolf81]

I love the game.



Frankly, I saw the lockout as an extra vacation. I didn't have to worry about things hockey-related because of what happened and the reasons behind it.



I know that in my heart they would get a deal done and wouldn't forget us.



Now that the hockey vacation is over, I can get back to business and travel to St Louis for something other than sightseeing or a business trip for a change.

 

[roshinaya]

The one post lockout image the fans would appreciate is one of Bettman's pink slip.

 

[MassHavoc]

I love the game.



Frankly, I saw the lockout as an extra vacation. I didn't have to worry about things hockey-related because of what happened and the reasons behind it.



I know that in my heart they would get a deal done and wouldn't forget us.



Now that the hockey vacation is over, I can get back to business and travel to St Louis for something other than sightseeing or a business trip for a change.

Yeah, but haven't they? I don't really feel like they have made up for anything. I mean the hassle that people had to go through regarding tickets alone and fees they had already paid for season tickets... They fought like school children and now say sowwy and let's drop the puck all is forgiven. But I'm torn because at the same time. I'm just a fan, what in actuality do they owe us? Why should they have to apologize. If McDonald's took a beloved menu item off the menu for a while to settle a dispute with their employes over how it is made, why should they have to apologize when it's back on the menu... I really don't know the answer. I find myself hating the league because I've become so emotionally invested in it, but then I also see myself as not being rational for hating it.

 

[chasman]

hawks giving $100 to season ticket holders, i started a new topic on it

 

[MassHavoc]

hawks giving $100 to season ticket holders, i started a new topic on it

Are they giving them $100... or giving them $100 in merchandise...

 

[CLWolf81]

a $100 gift certificate to the Hawks store Downtown, the kiosk at Woodfield or the store at the UC apparently....



Talk about a crock of shit. I feel so bad for you guys.

 

[Ton]

LA Kings: "Here's $1 million"



Chicago Blackhawks: "Here's $100 that you must spend in our store... go buy a new authentic jersey, you'll only need about $200 more!"

 

[CLWolf81]

Sounds about right... -.-

 

[puckjim]

Very few people cancelled their season tickets.



The effect of the lockout on fan goodwill will be negligible.

 

[the canadian dream]

I took a stance that I wouldn't purchase any NHL merchandise this shortened season. However if the NHL actually gave a real discount on merchandise as a show of respect then I would double think my stance. Would have to be a significant discount though...50% off would be a good starting point.



The flip side is I still like to support the small sporting good stores in this city. Im sure they have been taking big hits since the lockout started. If I were to buy merchandise I would be buying it from these small stores to help them out. I wouldn't be buying directly from any NHL websites.