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May 06, 2014

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Kyle

When it comes to Canadian teams being a draw in the US, the Leafs and Habs are pretty much teams that can bring in good ratings simply because they are original 6 teams so they've been around a long time.

NBC the past couple of years has been really pushing rivalry matchups during their broadcasts. Montreal and Toronto have long standing rivalries with other O6 teams, the Habs with Boston, the Leafs with Detroit.

I've always believed that if you have the national TV rights to a sports league, you should go out of your way to do at least 1 home game for every team in the league, so every team has some national exposure.

To go back to NBC promoting rivalries, they still can't remove themselves from the usual group of teams that they focus on (Rangers, Flyers, Pens, Bruins, Hawks, etc.). I'll admit that the Flames aren't the greatest team on the planet, but even most casual hockey fans know about the rivalries they have with the Oilers and Canucks. Guys like Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau are going to be stars in this league, too bad most hockey fans won't know about them.

Tyler

I would go even further on the topic of Canadian teams being a draw in the U.S. I suspect there is an element of American viewers cheering *against* the Canadian based team. Hockey being considered "Canada's game" and such. Think of the big numbers for Canucks-Blackhawks and Canucks-Bruins in recent playoffs.

Tyler

On the topic of Pierre McGuire screaming about too many men for the Canadiens earlier this season... well, those of us who watched him all the time on TSN know that it's one of his things being down at ice level. He always screams when there are too many men out there. Doesn't matter if the play-by-play guy is talking or not.

And Boston attempting bully tactics is simple. They do it because they can. Sure worked well in the 2011 SCF...

Chad

NHL Network never did carry a Calgary Flames game this year. And they won't show either Alberta team at home. Wonder if the Rogers deal will change this. Flames were an interesting team to watch, even if "Americans" have no idea.

NBC has horrible biases against Western teams (outside of Chicago and Detroit, when in the West). Canada is one of those biases.

Chad

I appreciate Pierre McGuire yelling when necessary. My concern is that it's one-sided.

I realize the anti-Canadian sentiment is up. Crowds in Tampa and Boston with USA chants. I could see more of that anti-Canadian sentiment if the Stanley Cup was consistently won by Canadian teams. A 21-year gap should make anti-Canadians sentiment milder, not heavier.

If that draws better TV numbers, then U.S. outlets should schedule more Canadian teams.

Tyler

Do you think Canada defeating the U.S. in the last two Olympics has anything to do with that?

Chad

I don't think most in the U.S. can remember who won the Olympics 2 weeks after the Olympics. 2010 was a bit different since Canada beat the U.S. in OT in the gold medal game. You saw how badly the U.S. played against Finland in the bronze medal game. The U.S. hasn't won gold since the Miracle on Ice in 1980.

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