[Rumor] Flames make massive offer for Oveckin

[rataylor22]

In the southeastern US, yes - I'm including DC... which isn't a real hockey base - the fans love their superstars.
If you've got a superstar, you'll get attendance.
I'd wager that 75%+ of hockey fans in southeastern markets (TB, FLA, ATL, CAR, NAS, WAS) couldn't accurately explain to you all conditions of icing.

I saw what happened to Atlanta when they let Kovalchuk go.
Better team without him? Absolutely.
Attendance & fan passion? Decrease.

Same would happen to WAS without Ovechkin, IMO.
His star power alone gives him an added value-boost in a non-hockey market. (but obv, not CGY)
You ride that kind of guy for income until the wheels fall off.
(And OV, even declining in ES energy, will score goals on the PP until he's 45.)

I do not think it's prudent to compare Atlanta (one playoff appearance, sweep) to Washington (perennial contender). I'd also dispute the point of them being a better team without Kovalchuk. What exactly has Atlanta/Winnipeg done since losing Kovalchuk? Erm, 1 playoff sweep. Washington is a contender next season with or without Ovechkin. If Atlanta could have figured out how to be a good team and create a fan experience, they'd still be in Atlanta.

Losing is what will change fan support in Washington, not trading Ovechkin. I also think you're underselling the base knowledge of that fan base.

[2014olympicgold]

Ovi has brought fans in, I think any new ones are brought in by either parents, or guys like Holtby, Backstrom, and Kuzy. If Kuzy steps up and does his goal cellies like he does (and Ovi did) he'll be the new "it, fun, exciting" guy that they can market. Not saying Ovi still can't be marketed, but if he's not producing and another is, I think the new cow will be milked.

But honestly, it's Ovi in Washington. It would likely take an INSTANT accept trade for him to be moved this yr.

[Rodgort]

Weird I do not see any other Capitals player on these lists, but sure the attendance would be fine if they got rid of him

http://shop.nhl.com/pages/Top_Selling_Jerseys
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/s...016-17-season/

Top 20 NHL jerseys
1. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
2. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
3. Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
4. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
5. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
6. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
7. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
8. Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues
9. Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers
10. Ryan McDonagh, New York Rangers
11. Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
12. Shayne Gostisbehere, Philadelphia Flyers
13. Zach Parise, Minnesota Wild
14. Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
15. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
16. John Tavares, New York Islanders
17. Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings
18. Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning
19. Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins
20. Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings

[PenguinHunter]

Weird I do not see any other Capitals player on these lists, but sure the attendance would be fine if they got rid of him

http://shop.nhl.com/pages/Top_Selling_Jerseys
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/s...016-17-season/

Dylan Larkin is also on the list ahead of Zetterberg.... does that mean that Larkin is more important to selling tickets than Zetterberg?

[agentzero]

Unless the conversation starts with an offer of a time machine , Joe Nieuwendyk and Theo Fleury, no trade for Ovechkin happens with Calgary.

I don't even think Treliving could get through the word "Sam" without hearing instant dial tone.

[Rodgort]

Dylan Larkin is also on the list ahead of Zetterberg.... does that mean that Larkin is more important to selling tickets than Zetterberg?

Considering Detroit is in a bad need of a rebuild I would say yes haha

[agentzero]

Considering Detroit is in a bad need of a rebuild I would say yes haha

Dylan Larkin is an awesome hockey player. I am sad I traded him for Mike Hoffman. Their point production at peak will probably be pretty similar, but Larkin is just so exciting to watch. Such a smart player and lightning fast. I still firmly believe in his 70 pt upside (and that he'll hit it). For all sorts of reasons, I don't think Hoffman will ever hit 70, even if he has the potential. Perhaps he is too one-dimensional.

[2014olympicgold]

Larkin is also from Michigan.