TORONTO – Now that a 48-game NHL season is looking more and more likely, NHL teams are scrambling to get into game shape and woo bitter fans back to the arena.
Early Sunday morning, after a 16-hour marathon negotiation session, the NHL and NHLPA reached a tentative deal to end the 113-day lockout and save a shortened NHL season.
Although the deal has not been finalized, both sides have said they hope to move quickly through the paperwork to get teams back on the ice.
News of the deal was met with excitement by many – notably business owners who have seen a significant drop in revenue because of the hockey-less fall and winter. But many fans were not so quick to celebrate.
In an unofficial Global News poll asking your thoughts on the end of the lockout, over 60 per cent voted they had lost interest in the NHL and wouldn’t be watching this season.
Many believe the fans, bitter or not, will come back.
“Canadian hockey fans are sadomasochistic,” said Global BC’s sports director Squire Barnes.
“If you don’t believe me, just look at the fact that the Leafs still get sell-outs all the time. They will come back. Some of them won’t like it, the Canucks have actually lost a few season ticket holders… but there are always people waiting in the wings to buy hockey tickets.”
We take a look at the reaction to the tentative deal in Canada’s hockey cities.
TORONTO
Now that a 48-game season is more than likely, what can faithful Toronto Maple Leafs’ fan expect from their team?
Regardless of their playoff chances, the players were eager to get back on the ice following Sunday’s announcement.
Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf, along with Phil Kessel, James Reimer and Mike Komisarek hit the ice for a workout, signing autographs for fans and posed for pictures at the Toronto’s MasterCard Centre.
“The off-season was way too long. We’re excited to be back. It’s no fun not playing, we’re back where we belong,” said Phaneuf. “We’re ready to go, guys have been training hard. We’re expected to be ready and we are ready.”
“It’s been a long off-season that’s for sure, so it’s good to get back out here,” said Toronto goalie James Reimer.
Head coach Randy Carlyle addressed the media on Monday morning, saying when training camp gets underway, it will be business as usual.
“Obviously the time away has given us a lot of time to reflect on a lot of different things we’re going to try to put into place for this hockey club,” said Carlyle. “It’s time to get back to work.”
MONTREAL
Montreal Canadiens forward Lars Eller tweeted his excitement on Sunday, “Haven’t been this exited in a long time. Can’t wait to hit the ice in the Bell Center #NHLPA #NHL #HereWeGo”
In a city that not only loves, but depends on hockey to a large degree, hockey-starved business owners were also celebrating the end of the lockout.
“It’s catastrophic for a bar, but hockey affects the entire economy,” said Peter Sergakis, president of the Quebec bar owners union.
“I’d like to say that I’d hold a grudge, but I’m just so happy that they’re back. It’s good for the city, it’s good for the economy. We’re a one-sport town and we’re starving for hockey,” said Montreal resident Danny Gauthier.
OTTAWA
The Ottawa Senators, along with other NHL teams, are working quickly to regain the support of fans angry over the lengthy lockout.
On Sunday, the Senators’ president Cyril Leeder issued a letter to fans, assuring them they will receive information about tickets and a shortened schedule as soon as possible, and acknowledging their support.
“We will work hard to reward your patience and support in the months and years ahead, starting by putting a team on the ice that you can be proud of,” wrote Leeder.
WINNIPEG
When the Winnipeg Jets returned to the city last season, fans flooded Portage and Main in celebration. This year, the announcement of the lockout ending was met with everything from chants of “Go Jets Go!” to bitterness.
Regaining fan enthusiasm may be top priority when a shortened season gets underway.
“The players obviously would rather not have been here, but our focus now is to give the fans – whatever it is, 48 games, 50 games – the most exciting season we can,” said Jets defenseman Ron Hainsey.
Winnipeg’s Scott Nicol tweeted at Global News, “Still need to demonstrate our displeasure. Boycott 1st games. No one watch on TV. No one attend in person.#burstthefirst”
When the Jets returned to Winnipeg, season tickets sold out in just 17 minutes, with many fans committing to three to five seasons.
There has been no word from the team whether they will offer any discounts or incentives to fans after the four-month lockout.
Meanwhile, the MTS Centre is scrambling to get ready for a shortened hockey season. Rink work began on Sunday, just hours after news of the tentative deal broke.
CALGARY
There were mixed emotions in Calgary on the return of the NHL.
Many fans are angry about the lengthy negotiation process between the league and the players’ association. Others say they gave up long ago.
Speaking to Global News on Monday, Calgary Flames president and CEO Ken King reinforced an apology that he made earlier to the fans.
“At minimum, we apologize for taking away the sport that you love so much.”
EDMONTON
Local businesses in Edmonton are welcoming back the NHL season with open arms, counting down the days until the hockey crowds return to local bars, hotels and sports retailers.
“We’re pretty excited about it. Getting through this winter without hockey was always a little bit of a struggle,” said Ian
Wilson, from Edmonton’s Hudsons Canadian Tap House.
Similarly, Crystal Vea, general manager of Edmonton’s Coliseum Inn, said staff have had to work hard at finding new ways to bring guests into the hotel without hockey.
“(When) hockey’s there, you know your nights are coming. But when it’s not, you have to dig deep and get those people back into your hotel and that’s something we learned,” said Vea.
As far as the fans go, following the 2004-2005 NHL lockout, the Edmonton Oilers literally rolled out the red carpet to welcome the fans back to Rexall Place.
However, this time the focus will be on delivering a great hockey season, according to Oilers president and CEO Patrick LaForge. There has been no official word on how or if the team will make amends with the fans.
VANCOUVER
Now that the lockout is over, the focus in Vancouver has shifted to the future of goaltender Roberto Luongo.
During last spring’s Stanley Cup playoffs, Luongo was replaced as starting goalie by Cory Schneider. After the team’s exit from the playoffs Luongo said he would waive his no-trade clause if the team asked him to.
No trade deal was reached before the lockout began, so Luongo will be expected at the Canucks’ training camp.
However, the Canucks have already signed Schneider to a new three-year contract worth $12 million. Paired with Luongo’s contract, the two salaries will put the pinch on the team’s pocketbook, especially when a reduced salary cap takes effect in the 2013-2014 season.
The focus in Vancouver has also turned to making amends with the fans.
“I’m hoping that the fans here in Vancouver are going to continue with the great support they have given us and this team,” said Canucks president and GM Mike Gillis.
With files from The Canadian Press
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