The Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild squared off for the first time this preseason, and you weren’t able to watch it. The Avs lost to the Wild 4-2 in a game where the rosters were as lopsided as the Eiffel Tower. But the real issue here is why couldn’t anyone watch it? We discuss these ongoing issues the league has in reaching its audience.
We get it though. In the end, it’s just a preseason game. And for everyone except the coaching staff, if a pretty meaningless game. So should the preseason be shorter than the 6 games it is now?
Finally, our player preview for today focuses on the one and only Mikko Rantanen. Will his numbers this year rise above last year’s? With a healthy team, there’s no reason to think they can’t.
Tune in, subscribe and enjoy!
Subscribe to our Subtext to talk to us directly!
https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonavalanche
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOAvalanche?sid=YouTube
Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL
Follow on Twitter:
Chris: https://twitter.com/c_ma_celly
Kyle: https://twitter.com/ShaggyVonDoom
Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LOPN_Avalanche
_______________________________________________
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
DoorDash
Get fifty percent off your first DoorDash order up to a twenty-dollar value when you use code locked at checkout. Limited time offer, terms apply.
Jase Medical
Save more than $360 by getting these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical plus an additional $20 off by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com.
FanDuel
Make Every Moment More. Right now, NEW customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get TWO HUNDRED in BONUS BETS – GUARANTEED. Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
10 Comments
Well couldnt watch this game but saw jt compher score a shootout goal
Do games have to be "sold out"
The NHL is by far the stupidest pro sports league when it comes to access. You can't even watch regular season games with the NHL Network if you live in Colorado. Doesn't matter if I was in Dallas, TX or Norfolk, VA when I was driving a truck otr. If your home address is in Colorado you are blacked out. Never have understood simultaneously trying to grow the game, AND locking people out of watching those games. I had no idea about the AHL streaming service, thanks Micieli, I am going to buy an Eagles sub and watch them.
it wasn't but a few seasons ago that we would be lucky if Altitude broadcast a single pre season game. now they're at least broadcasting all three home games and TBS is picking up the last game in Vegas. Think it's mostly a budget issue for the RSNs to broadcast those games because they're all struggling financially right now.
I think 6 games is the right amount for teams. the development timeline for hockey players to make it to NHL level is so much different than the NBA or NFL that it is a good opportunity for everyone to get to see all those guys play and how they're developing. and not just for their own teams, there are loads of scouts at all these games as teams are always evaluating and looking at potential waiver pickups or even trade targets. one other thing that is never mentioned this time of year is that it's also preseason for the refs as well. this is when they get a look at young refs/linesmen coming up through the ranks and maybe pair them with NHL guys for a game or two and see how close they are to getting called up.
As for Mikko, it will all depend on his mindset this year. He's always been a pass first guy and deferred way too much to MacK and other guys when he probably has the best shot on the team. If he can keep that shoot more mentality and the team stays relatively healthy there is no reason another 55 goal season isn't possible and maybe more. if he goes back to the pass first mind set i still see him getting about 40-45. either way, i would not be surprised if he gets in the neighborhood of 120 points given a relatively healthy roster during the season.
The preseason is just college kids showing off their potential talent. The games don’t matter so not watching them isn’t a big deal. 6 games is good enough l
Can’t watch the nugget or avs without dish or an overpriced streaming service… what’s new
NHL Center Ice used to a) exist in the US, and b) you could subscribe to just one team… I miss those days.
(1) it's great to see you guys every morning again
(2) hah! i don't have my phone in my pocket, Shaggy!
(3) the answer to all those "whys" is always "money"
Correct me if I'm wrong, but is there any other pro league that only has 3 days of training camp? It should be three weeks.
Great episode, loved the talk with Geo on Monday. The NHL really need to do more to grow the audience. I got into hockey by playing NHL 95 from a demo CD on PCgamer magazine (showing my age now) but if it were not for that I’d never have known about hockey. The NHL really needs to tap into YouTube and the algorithms, social media and gaming to bring in newcomers. From a Brit 🇬🇧 perspective there isn’t that much visibility of the game here which is a shame because it could be massive. Just look at the crowds in Aus and I remember when Anaheim and LA played in London it was a sell out. So the demand is there even if people don’t know it yet. Also, blackouts!! Weird we don’t have those here but in 2023 that should not be a thing