Post by gnarfflinger on Apr 27, 2007 23:36:26 GMT -5
ML: We're back with the panel. The Playoffs have had a few ugly incidents. Is Hockey becoming too violent?
DC: No, the thing is that playuers need to play smarter, don't admire a pass, but be ready fot the guy that's going to come in to check you. Keep your head up. Also, the shoulder pads are hard plastic, it's like weariong armour out there. That contribu8ted to guys getting hurt.
FD: And when you're near ther boards and a guy's coming in to check you, don't turn yout back hoping to draw a penalty, you could get seriously hurt.
PA: Some players just don't have the respect for each other. I think there are a few bad apples that spoil the news coverage for the rest of them. You look at the few minuted that a sportscast in the United States devotes to Hockey, they show more of a hit that hurts a guy and not as much as teh great goals. I think that the extra attention to guys getting hurt is more of a problem.
GtB: Grapes and Frank have it on the head. No matter what you do, you have to keep your head up and know what's going on around you at all times. I know too many guys that got hurt in my line of work because they ot their opponent didn't notice something wrong and made it worse.
DC: We got a great game here, but the markets we want to grow it in put more focus on the few knuckleheads, that the people that play it right don't get the recognition they deserve. That's realy the problem...
ML: Speakikng of markets where the game needs to grow, the Atlanta Thrashers and the Nashville Predators paid top prospects and high end Draft picks to get veteran leaders only to play 9 playoff games between them. Is this a problem?
DC: Absolutely. If you go into the trading deadline looking for a leader for your team, you might as well be golfing already. Look at the teams that advanced, they have their leaders established, and just looked for a little added scoring or defence, maybe some depth. If you don't have that core of your team, making the playoffs is a fluke, and if you aren't confident with that, there is no quick fix.
PA: Gnarf's right. I've seen TV shows try for that rebirth by bringing in a big star to boost ratings, but that doesn't change things, If the show has gotten old and stale, the people are sick of the cast, the show is doomed for cancelation anyway, and a big name can't ressurect the show.
FD: Every industry has to focus on it's core, what helped them get to where they are. For us, our bread and buttter is our beer. The arena that we built, the attempt to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins, anything else is just a periphery to the business. Without that foundation on our beer, we're nothing.
GtB: And sometimes you can see these leaders brought in might even create more problems than they solve. Sure, when they first arrive, the big superstar improves buzz, ratings, attendance and even merchandise sales, but you have to have guys for them to work with. Terry Funk and Mick Foley survived in ECW because they were eager to work with the young guys and develop them. Others didn't last so long because they were there to do their thing and get their money. Sure they make for a quick boost, but there's no staying power. If you're bringing a veteran into a core group, you have to know what the guy brings to the locker room, not just the sales...
ML: We're out of time. AS always a pleasure having you here. Gnarfflinger, will you stick around for Next Question?
GtB: Of course.
ML: And before we go to Commercial, we have a question for the Butcher. "How much of your match with Rurouni do you remember?" Dopn't answer yet, Next Question is coming up after this commercial break!
DC: No, the thing is that playuers need to play smarter, don't admire a pass, but be ready fot the guy that's going to come in to check you. Keep your head up. Also, the shoulder pads are hard plastic, it's like weariong armour out there. That contribu8ted to guys getting hurt.
FD: And when you're near ther boards and a guy's coming in to check you, don't turn yout back hoping to draw a penalty, you could get seriously hurt.
PA: Some players just don't have the respect for each other. I think there are a few bad apples that spoil the news coverage for the rest of them. You look at the few minuted that a sportscast in the United States devotes to Hockey, they show more of a hit that hurts a guy and not as much as teh great goals. I think that the extra attention to guys getting hurt is more of a problem.
GtB: Grapes and Frank have it on the head. No matter what you do, you have to keep your head up and know what's going on around you at all times. I know too many guys that got hurt in my line of work because they ot their opponent didn't notice something wrong and made it worse.
DC: We got a great game here, but the markets we want to grow it in put more focus on the few knuckleheads, that the people that play it right don't get the recognition they deserve. That's realy the problem...
ML: Speakikng of markets where the game needs to grow, the Atlanta Thrashers and the Nashville Predators paid top prospects and high end Draft picks to get veteran leaders only to play 9 playoff games between them. Is this a problem?
DC: Absolutely. If you go into the trading deadline looking for a leader for your team, you might as well be golfing already. Look at the teams that advanced, they have their leaders established, and just looked for a little added scoring or defence, maybe some depth. If you don't have that core of your team, making the playoffs is a fluke, and if you aren't confident with that, there is no quick fix.
PA: Gnarf's right. I've seen TV shows try for that rebirth by bringing in a big star to boost ratings, but that doesn't change things, If the show has gotten old and stale, the people are sick of the cast, the show is doomed for cancelation anyway, and a big name can't ressurect the show.
FD: Every industry has to focus on it's core, what helped them get to where they are. For us, our bread and buttter is our beer. The arena that we built, the attempt to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins, anything else is just a periphery to the business. Without that foundation on our beer, we're nothing.
GtB: And sometimes you can see these leaders brought in might even create more problems than they solve. Sure, when they first arrive, the big superstar improves buzz, ratings, attendance and even merchandise sales, but you have to have guys for them to work with. Terry Funk and Mick Foley survived in ECW because they were eager to work with the young guys and develop them. Others didn't last so long because they were there to do their thing and get their money. Sure they make for a quick boost, but there's no staying power. If you're bringing a veteran into a core group, you have to know what the guy brings to the locker room, not just the sales...
ML: We're out of time. AS always a pleasure having you here. Gnarfflinger, will you stick around for Next Question?
GtB: Of course.
ML: And before we go to Commercial, we have a question for the Butcher. "How much of your match with Rurouni do you remember?" Dopn't answer yet, Next Question is coming up after this commercial break!
