With the business of hockey finally about to take a backseat to the pleasure, we humbly submit a few suggestions to the National Hockey League and the Players’ Association.
Yes, the diehard NHL fans will be coming back, but that doesn’t mean you boardroom types don’t deserve a little penance for the 113 days of sinning to them. Five Hail Marys, six bag skates and a dozen Good Ol’ Hockey Games won’t cut it.
Here are 13 things the league and the players can do for the 2013 season to help restore a little goodwill to the people who ultimately foot the bill and promote the game, one of which is certainly not painting “Thank you, NHL fans!” between the blue lines.
1. First home game is free for everyone.
Yes, a one-game absence of ticket sales would surely eat into your cherished HRR, but that loss would be tempered by a swift restoration of some goodwill and karma — not to mention killer domestic beer and hotdog sales and a massive merchandise jump. Imagine the frenzied lineups for free tickets to a home opener and how memories of a thrilling packed-house rivalry kickoff could inspire those lucky fans to buy more tickets as the season goes on. Bonus: What little threat of fans boycotting the first game would be squashed with a rainbow, not a hammer.
First game in every NHL city should be a freebie for the fans
— Chris Nilan (@KnucklesNilan30) January 6, 2013
2. NHL’s Center Ice television package is free for 2013 season to all preexisting subscribers, 57 per cent off for all new subscribers.
High-level hockey sells itself. You want fans watching, and fans — ecstatic that a deal has been reached, for the most part — want to watch, despite their resentment. Fans aren’t, however, eager to start sending significant sums of money the league’s way. Give the loyal diehards a big break, and poke a little self-effacing fun at your ridiculous initial 57 per cent offer to the players by giving that discount to new TV fans.
3. Have mediator Scot Beckenbaugh drop the very first puck.
The only winner to emerge out of this exhausting 113-day tug-o-war deserves to get a standing ovation from the people he helped out.
4. Have a fan drop the first puck at the other 29 home openers.
First fan under age 13 to get that free ticket to the home opener gets to drop the puck. Simple, easy P.R. move, but now is not the time to trot out Johnny Bower or the CEO of Molson.
5. Encourage all locked-out NHL players who played professionally overseas to donate their first paycheque to their temporary teams.
A little gesture from NHLPA members that says, “Hey, thanks for letting me take a roster spot (i.e., some poor guy’s job) for a few months. Here’s a little something to help grow the game in your market.”
6. Tone down the headshots and nonsense, for real.
After weeks of hearing #ThePlayers express their love for the brotherhood in this unified fight — could they be more galvanized? — how ugly would it be if we see blatant cheap shots right out of the gate? We’re not so naïve as to think we’ll be looking at a suspension-free regular season, but a noticeable decrease in headshots and stick-swinging would look good on everybody. “Concussions down” would be a great headline to read come May.
7. Hey, NHL teams, FedEx refunds to your season-ticket holders overnight.
As soon as the new schedule is released, those loyal ticket-holders who did not cancel their season-long commitment should awake to see a refund cheque for the 17 home games un-played in their mailbox, plus 5 per cent interest and a bobblehead of their home captain.
8. With every new pair of NHL tickets purchased comes a voucher for a pair of tickets to any AHL game.
The American Hockey League helped the NHL in its time of need, filling a void in several markets. The NHL can only benefit by giving its farm system a boost and some easy attendance. Make the vouchers e-mail-able, so fans can pay it forward if they so choose or if the nearest AHL home is too far to drive to.
9. Attach a bonus for ticket buyers for 2014’s Winter Classic.
Heard a story about how a mother bought her sons and her husband all tickets and made arrangements for them to attend the 2013 Winter Classic in Ann Arbour, Michigan. Was going to be a Christmas surprise. These fans need a little make-up gift. How about every ’14 Winter Classic ticket comes with a Red Wings or Maple Leafs toque of your choice? And no sponsor logos are permitted on the toques.
10. Make swift arrangements to give Columbus its All-Star Game in 2015.
When the ’13 All-Star Game was axed, the league suggested it would work on holding another one in Columbus soon. Since 2014 should hopefully see a break for the Winter Games in Sochi (allow NHLers to play!), commit to Columbus in 2015. It’s the right thing to do.
11. Hire fan Janne Makkonen to compile a series of TV ads.
The Helsinki-based NHL fanatic racked up more than a million YouTube views for his two-part “Together We Can” lockout videos, which rather than deriding the league, pointed out the passion, talent and thrills we were missing out on by artfully cobbling together highlights like a mash-up DJ with a hockey jones. Let’s see what Makkonen can do to pump up the NBC games.
12. NHLers are great with fans. Now is the time to be even greater.
One silver lining about the lockout was the terrific players-organized charity games and events. Now is the time for gratitude. No kid asking for an autograph should be waved away, and more fan-based community appearances are in order.
Lookin to give some HOME OPENER TICKETS away today if I get to 17k #wizwear #ControlledChaos
— James Wisniewski (@jameswisniewski) January 6, 2013
Would love to see players give away game tickets to general fans, not just friends and family. Or buy out a luxury box and treat some underprivileged kids. These things happen already, but they can be doubled. Word to Wisniewski.
13. A public apology.
It won’t wash away all the bad will, but it’s a place to start. Bettman and Fehr should take out full-page ads in every major NHL-city newspaper with big bold text that reads: “Sorry, NHL fans. We let you down and took you for granted. We will work hard to earn you back.” No excuses, no rhetoric.