The NBC/NBCSN NHL National Schedule Doesn't Help Grow The Game 4
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 25: John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders celebrates his first period goal against the Boston Bruins at the Barclays Center on March 25, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The NHL and NBC Sports needs to stop showing the same teams and diversify their hockey schedule to help further grow the game.

The NHL and NBC Sports announced their upcoming television schedule for the 2017-18 season. The only problem is it appears that the NHL and NBC forgot that Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid and Toronto Maple Leafs phenom Auston Mathews play in the NHL. That’s right: The two players who represent the future of NHL hockey will barely be seen on national television.

McDavid, the league reigning NHL MVP, will only be seen on NBC/NBCSN three times. Mathews and his Original Six squad will also only be seen three times.

Here are some other players/teams that get very little or no national television coverage:

  • The New Jersey Devils have one national game
  • John Tavares and the New York Islanders have one national game
  • Johnny Gaudreau and the Calgary Flames have zero national games
  • Patrik Laine and the Winnipeg Jets have zero national games

How does the NHL intend to expand viewership in America when the best American player in Mathews is on national TV three times and Gaudreau, a fellow American, has no national TV games.

In case you’re wondering who we will see on the National telecast, it appears to be the same teams over and over:

  • Chicago Blackhawks: 17 games
  • Pittsburgh Penguins: 16 games
  • Philadelphia Flyers: 16 games
  • Boston Bruins: 15 games
  • Detroit Red Wings: 15 games
  • Washington Capitals: 15 games

The Las Vegas Golden Knights, the newest NHL franchise, will appear five times on NBC/NBCSN.

CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 23: Erik Brannstrom poses for photos after being selected 15th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights during the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center on June 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Yahoo Sports reported that the NBC Sports is calling this year’s schedule the “most diverse NHL schedule ever” offered to the fans. I see it as a failure to capitalize on some great players and television.

The NHL and NBC sports seem to be more interested in wins and team history instead of televising the players and teams most markets do not get to see on a frequent basis. True hockey fans don’t care about the market, they want to see these players skating, scoring and dazzling around the ice. It appears the NHL and partners do not think that American TV market’s want to see smaller market hockey games, regardless of who plays on those teams.

I can tell you as a writer and a hockey fan I would much prefer to see the current and future stars of the league play this great game. The Crosby’s, Ovechkin’s and Kane’s of the league have had their time and it has been great.  I’m not saying these guys should go into obscurity, but they and the NHL need to share the air waves so the league can showcase these great new players to the fans in all markets.

A graduate of St. John's University class of '91. I have been a fan of the New York Rangers since the days of Peter Puck. Founder of Ranger Proud, the Facebook page that covers all news, notes, pre /post-game stats, and player quotes. I can be reached at [email protected]