Gary Bettman believes Canadians will tune in for all-U.S. NHL playoffs

[mvcg66b3r]

It’s looking more and more like none of the NHL’s seven Canadian teams will make the playoffs this year; only the Vancouver Canucks are still somewhat in playoff contention, and they’re still a long ways out. This could produce only the second season in NHL history with no Canadian teams in the postseason (the other one was 1969-70), and many analysts think this “No, Canada” scenario could be potentially disastrous for Canadian broadcaster Rogers, which is already facing plenty of struggles and less-than-great ratings. However, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman doesn’t agree, telling Jonas Siegel of The Canadian Press he thinks the playoffs will do just fine in Canada regardless:

The NHL commissioner acknowledged in an interview that there is a sense of uncertainty regarding TV ratings in Canada, with no Canadian teams likely to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 1970.

Still, he was hopeful that fans north of the border would tune in regardless.

http://awfulannouncing.com/2016/gar...ns-will-tune-in-for-all-u-s-nhl-playoffs.html

 

[CTListener]

Sure, they'll tune in -- it's their national sport, after all, and nothing really comes close -- but the casuals and the home-team-onlies will sit the playoffs out until (maybe) the finals. A long run by the Raptors in the NBA playoffs and a hot start by the MLB Blue Jays would be the worst-case scenario, but I don't see a complete disaster for Rogers.

 

[TheBigA]

As long as the playoffs stay among teams like the Red Wings and Black Hawks, it'll be OK. The problem comes when you have a final with teams like the Sharks and the Lightning. But they're also problem teams in the US.

 

[landtuna]

I wish Americans had the class that Canadians do:

https://www.facebook.com/BestSt0ries/videos/1746032282292420/

 

[umfan]

I think they will.