The Most Hyped NHL Event In Years...

...turned out to be one of the biggest let downs of recent memory. The 6 - 2 beatdown that the Penguins put on the Caps was like the blowout in this years national championship game. If only that national championship game featured the two best players in recent memory (which it did not). This was the game that was going to save hockey. Ovie v Sid. Game 7. Loser goes home. The Caps may have lost the game but the real losers are us as fans.

So what does this mean for the NHL? Nothing really. While they could have gained greater ratings if game 7 lived up to the hype of the other six games but the fact that it did go seven games is good enough. This series boosted America's awareness of Canada's sport. It possibly even turned me into a NHL fan (for the post season anyway). Now that I think about it, I've watched more minutes of this years playoff then all other playoff seasons combined. It has been a good run for the NHL. After the Washington/Pittsburgh game 7 letdown, hockey rebounded with two great game 7's the next night.

What NHL needs to do, and everyone knows it, is to be on ESPN. Versus was smart in getting the TV contract for the NHL because what other programming to they have? Is bull riding really that much of a draw where as the CEO of Versus you can turn down the NHL?

This is how the conversation probably went...

NHL - "Hey Versus..."

Versus - (looking puzzled) "Are you talking to me?"

NHL - "Yeah. Heeeey man how is it goin?"

Versus - "I'm good..." (still puzzled)

NHL - "So I was thinking, we need a TV deal after our little lockout. It was no big deal just a little misunderstanding, that's all. But hey, about that TV deal...do you think you could help us out a bit?"

Versus - "Well I will have to check our programing but I think we have bull riding and Indy car time trials on a lot."

NHL - "C'mon. We go way back remember? Help me out?"

Versus - "You've never talked to me until today..."

NHL - "Please? We still are a professional sport."

Versus - "Alright, we will help you out. If you promise to be more exciting..."

NHL - "We can't promise that, but we will try. Thank you so much Versus. We owe you."

Once hockey returns to ESPN it will become a national sport again. Instead of having Poker:Europe on, how about you have a hockey playoff game? What do you think would have better ratings? ESPN needs to answer the call and save hockey while it still can be saved. We Want It!