Could the NHL possibly be getting fans handed to them?

NFL won't help. It's once a week. Many NFL fans are watching hockey Monday-Saturday anyway. A football strike will have no effect on the NHL. Not only is once a week, but it's over before the playoff race, where hockey is at it's peak. I myself watch football over hockey on Sunday, and hockey is number 1 every other day. I don't understand the notion that an NFL strike does anything. The only thing it might help is sales, but then again all the people who attend football games are the same 75K every week. It's all season tickets, so it's not like we're talking millions of people here.

An NBA strike on the other hand, would be huge. I think if the NBA does strike, the NHL should actually lower prices on tickets and merch. It's a way of saying "hey the NBA doesn't care about the fan, but we're here for you".

Lol @ Quizzard. He says hockey is too fast for NASCAR people, and yet they're moving upwards of 200 MPH in NASCAR...

And the biggest thing is, no matter who strikes or doesn't strike, we gotta market more. Every other billboard had Dwight Howard or Tom Brady on it. Why isn't a giant Stamkos head plastered to the overpass?

I don't necessarily think that the NFL fans will switch over to the NHL but I do think that this is a great chance for the NHL to get exposure. Let the fans decide for themselves whether or not to get involved. Hockey is not a sport (in America) that gets a lot of exposure on television. In leagues like the NFL and NBA where games are nationally televised and hockey is normally relegated to regional coverage. Which is another reason there is such a large disconnect between the two divisions. If SportsCenter doesn't have football to talk about 24/7 they will have to cover something else. I think the television contract for the NHL is also coming to an end and a new deal will need to get done. Will ESPN bid to fill in for missing football or basketball time? Again, real fans won't switch over because of the lock-out but it will give a chance for casual fans to see more hockey which could create more fans.

In the US Hockey will receive a HUGE boost if the NBA goes on strike because the NBA season and NHL season are at the same time. In the US the popularity of sports goes 1. NFL 2.MLB 3.NBA and 4. NHL. Especially with the NBA being only 5 or 6 competitve teams lately hockey is getting big. Im excited!! I expect the NHL to pass the NBA in popularity in about 5 years IF the NBA goes on strike in a couple years.

I don't really see it. During the NHL lockout I didn't start watching other sports which I was never interested in.

I don't buy the whole NFL fans will tune in. Doesn't football season end around february(don't watch it)? Football fans with nothing to do could already be tuning in for the last month and a half of the regular season and the playoffs.

I don't believe that NFL fans will switch over. Maybe NBA fans but NCAA football will dominate hockey. If both these lockouts happen then ESPN will be broadcasting almost every NCAAF game. The previous answerer is incorrect. You cannot change dates of game this late. You can, however, change dates for the 2011-12 season now but not this coming season.

@Q:I love the NFL and hate NASCAR...you are just stereotyping.

Anyway I am going to say no...

NCAA is still around and the PAC10 is discussing about playing on Sunday's and I am sure NFL fans will watch that over the NHL.

I also feel that NBA fans tend to be on the opposite side of the spectrum when it comes to Hockey and Basketball I feel like most people love one and not the other. Again NCAA basketball will still be around.

Also most experts are saying that the MLS will gain popularity but I am calling BS on that.

The only thing that the NBA and NHL have in common are the 82 game seasons

I would be willing to sacrifice the NFL in order to make the NHL more popular. And I would sacrifice pretty much anything to have hockey popular here in Australia.

yes, i think so. i've got mixed feelings.

on the one hand, it's great that the NHL will have greater exposure. a lot of people think they hate hockey and have never watched it. when they actually watch, i'm sure a lot of people will fall in love with the sport.

on the other hand, i'm preparing myself for some ignorant "fans" who don't know squat about the sport suddenly thinking they're experts and trying to debate with me on things i know they're wrong about.

edit: i get what people are saying about football, but i feel like for people who think of sports as their lifestyle, they'll still periodically check sports on tv. if they see lots of hockey, they might become interested slowly but surely. as far as the NBA, i think basketball and hockey seasons are basically the same, so i could easily see that happening.

it is like asking us what female to fall in love with. basically get accessible and watch/circulate to video games, and you will hit upon a set you like. EDIT Oh and remember the Wild led the full Western convention at one element final year. basically sayin. till they have clinched a niche, they do no longer seem to be a lock