New professional hockey league is launching in North America

[Neil Patrick Harris]

Also, I can't wait to spend an hour getting to an arena to watch AHLers and washed up bottom-sixers play a 24 minute game.

 

[Ossific]

Also, I can't wait to spend an hour getting to an arena to watch AHLers and washed up bottom-sixers play a 24 minute game.

while making 5 x what they would make in the AHL.

 

[Gil Gunderson]

Saudis should revive the WHA.

 

[WhoAreYou99]

I love how there's been no reporting on behalf of some of the bigger news outlets on this. It could just be a case of certain journalists wanting to maintain relations with the NHL, but could speak to how little support it will be getting from the community as a whole.

If this is legitimate and they're going through with this, they could just be hoping that the people who follow Steve Dangle are those who would watch this kind of league.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Pro:

More hockey is better than less hockey

I’ve been saying for a long time that 5v5 hockey isn’t as permanent as a lot of people think. The game is moving toward having fewer players on the ice at every opportunity. This is another step in that evolution.

Con:

I can’t see how this could possibly make money, and it won’t last long if it’s just someone’s pet project money loser.

A league made up of burnout pros, mixed in with college players and women, is either going to be awesome or completely unwatchable. And that will likely change a lot from game to game.

 

[wetcoast]

3 on 3 makes me want to puke.

No thanks.

 

[Neil Patrick Harris]

I love how there's been no reporting on behalf of some of the bigger news outlets on this. It could just be a case of certain journalists wanting to maintain relations with the NHL, but could speak to how little support it will be getting from the community as a whole.

If this is legitimate and they're going through with this, they could just be hoping that the people who follow Steve Dangle are those who would watch this kind of league.

That no other major hockey reporter has touched this story absolutely screams that this is less Dangle breaking a story and more Dangle doing promotion.

Now, I don't out-and-out want to accuse Dangle of carrying water for a Saudi sportswashing venture, but... it's certainly a look.

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDo]

Why not 4v4? It’s a better product than 3v3 (assuming here that the goalie isn’t counted.)

 

[MrHeiskanen]

Sweet, let's watching AHL level talent 3 on 3 backed by Saudi money so they get paid 10x what they are worth. This is so amazing I'm so happy! /s

 

[These Are The Days]

Absolutely f***ing not. 3 on 3 is probably the worst thing to happen to the NHL in recent memory aside from the stagnant cap

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Rumour is they will use journalists for the red lines.
and the ice will be bone white.

 

[JoVel]

It's hard to imagine a lot of regular NHL players getting poached, but I think many guys who are currently playing in Europe would jump at this opportunity.

These guys are paying significantly more for a single soccer player's salary than what the entire NHL salary cap is for one team.

If they want to, they will get high end NHL players to say goodbye to their actual competitive careers to go for the easy money.

 

[RefalancheStillLose]

Absolutely f***ing not. 3 on 3 is probably the worst thing to happen to the NHL in recent memory aside from the stagnant cap

The shootout is

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Fans already hate 3 on 3 when the NHL does it,

That's OT 3 on 3.

Actual 3 on 3 is super action packed. It's quite fun.
Every minute the buzzer goes and you have to change lines.
Really exciting.

 

[MS]

Saudi money behind an actual 5-on-5 league would be interesting.

Saudi money behind 3-on-3 hockey, something that most fans actively hate as a small part of the current game, is going absolutely nowhere. There is literally zero demand for this.

 

[Devilsfan118]

Wonder why he deleted the tweet?

 

[JoVel]

Saudi money behind an actual 5-on-5 league would be interesting.

Until they set up the league in Saudi Arabia and NHL players will go there to play in front of 37 fans to get double the salary.

 

[MS]

Until they set up the league in Saudi Arabia and NHL players will go there to play in front of 37 fans to get double the salary.

I didn't say it would be 'good' interesting.

 

[Golden_Jet]

FYI, your thread in OP, only has “not found “

 

[red devil]

Wonder why he deleted the tweet?

I can't remember what tweet was used but this is still pinned on tweet.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

HV (first post twitter link, now gone was this ..)
[MEDIA=twitter]1788751235085996514[/MEDIA]
Red Devil's
[MEDIA=twitter]1788747092862590982[/MEDIA]

Steve Dangle, Twitter or the Saudi's changed it.

 

[BraveCanadian]

3 on 3 zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[Devilsfan118]

I can't remember what tweet was used but this is still pinned on tweet.

Ah great, thanks

 

[Jyrki]

I don't think people realize how big of a deal this is. LIV golf was way way more successful than all the naysayers thought it'd be and 3 on 3 hockey is very entertaining. People enjoy it way more than you think. I bet the average fan will like it more than 5 on 5. NHL playoffs are still undefeated, but 3-on-3 could very well take off

There aren't many similarities other than the fact Saudi money is involved. Bankrolling a competitive circuit for an individual sport is not in the same planet as sustaining payrolls and facilities year-round for a team sport.

This alleged league would also play in a format that's only deployed as a pretty vilified gimmick, so... good luck getting people interested over just about any other competitive ice hockey league? Not even a fun and popular variation of soccer (futsal) has ever gained traction as an audience driver over the real thing.

It all sounds like an oil money sink, and we're all glad for it because at least it's resources that don't go towards murdering dissidents or residents in the way of pet projects.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Hockey fans: I want to grow the game!

*Monkeypaw curls

Grow the game at 5 on 5 !! hope this fails miserably