New Storm?

The new Carolina Hurricanes home and away jerseys | Photo: Carolina Hurricanes

I've prided myself on sticking to my boycott of the Carolina Hurricanes and NHL Hockey since the ridiculous lockout happened, which caused the season to be very short. 

I wasn't going to support these greedy, selfish players and owners after they showed no regard to the fans by locking out for the second time in just seven years. So I decided to conduct my own lockout - along with many other disgruntled fans I might add. I didn't watch a game, didn't buy any merchandise. Heck I didn't even play my NHL Hockey video game or buy the latest version, like I've done every year before.

I'm still in boycott mode and will probably never go back to the game of hockey. Despite that, I had to get out of boycott mode to talk about this...

The Carolina Hurricanes, fresh off yet another lackluster season, decided to "impress" its fans - who'll also see a hike in ticket prices this coming season - with the unveiling of new jerseys (pictured above).

It apparently took two whole years of creative brainiacs putting their heads together to arrive at this concept; unfortunately with the finished product looking like it was created in two minutes rather than two years.

The jerseys scream "we're a bland, ordinary team" everywhere you look. Luke DeCock of News & Observer wrote that the jerseys "sever a link" the team had with the Stanley Cup which it won in 2006.

The biggest change?

The classic, storm warning logo has been completely erased from the front of the jersey and is now stuffed inside the neckline where no one can see it. Other than that, there's just a lot of red, white and stripes. That's about it.

In fact, take away the colors and the fundamental jersey designs are completely different. The home jersey (pictured above, left) has two thick stripes arms and legs with that stupid tie thing on the neck from the Dark Ages of hockey. It looks like someone is trying to lace up a shoe without really tying it. 

The away jersey (above, right) has a series of two thin stripes and one thick stripe in the middle on the arms and legs with no tie thingy on the neck. The team said its current black, alternate jersey - which looks nothing like the two new ones - will remain in rotation but will rarely be worn. 

All I have to say is wow. I honestly didn't think the 'Canes could get any lower but they have. The new jerseys are horrible and, quite honestly, a disgrace to this so called "team" I used to love.

Most of my opinions as of late have been in the minority but not this time. From looking at Twitter and Facebook throughout the day of the unveil, the vast majority of people have voiced their displeasure with the change - but, of course, the 'Canes organization is completely oblivious to it. Just take a look at this conversation I found on Twitter last night:
  

@splattergrits Trending nationally and lots of debate is a great reaction. There will always be differing opinions!
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) June 4, 2013

@nhlcanes this isn't difference in opinion. Between twitter and fb it seems 70% are disappointed in the direction you chose.
— Chase Baldwin (@ChaseBaldw1n) June 4, 2013

This organization, with its fans clearly making their voices heard, has turned a deaf ear to it all. As far as I'm concerned these sucky jerseys match a sucky team! This relatively young franchise should have created two or three designs and let its fans choose which was best suited. Or, at the very least, let fans provide feedback before the "grand" unveil. 

The 'Canes encouraged fans to use the Twitter hashtag #NewStorm to voice reaction during the unveil. 

#NewStorm? I'd say more like #TropicalDepression - at best.

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Re: The Lockout

A day after my last post, the NHL and NHLPA have agreed to a TENTAIVE deal that will end the lockout. That doesn't change my stance on the whole thing, though.

I've been very vocal with my displeasure throughout. Almost everytime the Hurricanes have posted something on Facebook or Twitter, I've always had a cynical comment to hand back to them.

As I alluded to in that earlier post, some other fans have really been rude to me and others who want to express thoughts and opinions on the subject. Many have said we're not really fans and we won't be missed. There have even been a couple guys who commented on a FB post I sent to the Hurricanes basically telling me to get off the page unless I have something good to say.

Here is what I think...

I'm not really a fan? How about the fact that I've been to numerous Hurricanes games over the past several years and bought merchandise and concessions while there? How about all the times I've watched the Hurricanes games on TV when they played away or I could not make it to the games? How about begging my family to buy tickets to a Durham Bulls game just to see and touch the Stanley Cup in person? And how about the fact I exceeded my tweet limit (over 2,000 tweets) everyday just to win a contest for tickets to the All-Star Game when it came to Raleigh (which I did win)?

Yep, you're right. I'm really not a fan. No this lockout has forced me into this state of mind. The players and owners together turned their backs on the fans so why should we support them? It's mind boggling how everyone has picked on me when others have been doing the exact same thing. Let me tell you, I'm sick and tired of being the target for criticism. Why are these people so concerned with how I feel?

I mean, I had everything set. I even wanted to intern with the Hurricanes organization. Well, that is all a distant memory now.

The Hurricanes and other franchises across the country better be aware of the many disgruntled fans out there, like myself. There are fans that will switch to other sports if they are available. 

Mike Maniscalco of 99.9 The Fan brought up a great point. Take the Triangle area, for instance. You have UNC, N.C. State and Duke athletics, specifically football and basketball. Then you have other college sports, the Panthers, Bulls, Mudcats and so on.

If enough disgruntled fans in markets such as Carolina, Nashville, Columbus, L.A. and others switch to other sports, that will greatly hurt those hockey markets, maybe even wipe out the NHL teams in those markets altogether.

It may seem like a dumb thought but it could really happen. I, for one, am sticking to what I've preached: not giving the NHL the time of day. Oh, and to all those who have criticized me for my comments: do you really think I give a crap about what you think? I will not miss fans like you!

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NHL Lockoutpalooza Update

You were expecting some big news, weren't you? Well, I hate to burst your bubble but nothing has been done by either side regarding the lockout and I'm certainly not going to bore you to death with the details.

What I'm going to talk about is my stance on the whole issue. I've been very cynical about the whole thing. And rightly so. This is the third lockout under commissioner, Gary Bettman, and the second since 2005.

As many of you know, I like to voice my opinions whether it be through this blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or a combination of these platforms. Like anyone else, I'm entitled to my opinions and I respect the opinions of others.

However, I expect the same from other people and that doesn't happen as often as I would like. 

Here's a great example of what I'm talking about.

The Carolina Hurricanes posted a picture of the PNC Arena ready to go for the 'Canes minor league affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers', game there this Sunday. The game was supposedly scheduled way before the lockout but it is quite funny how I did not even know about the game until about a week after the lockout began (and I get event emails and regularly check Ticketmaster and other sites).

Anyway, per my cynical self, I posted a comment everywhere the picture appeared: FB, Twitter and Instagram. I don't remember my exact words but I said something to the effect of: "I'm a disgruntled hockey fan and I am not paying major league prices to see minor league hockey."

Not too bad, right? Well, my comments apparently ruffled some feathers amongst some outspoken fans.

It all started on Instagram. One person responded, calling me a "fair weather fan" and so on. I reported their comment and blocked them. Another person responded and dismissed my "major league price" claim by saying they paid just $10 to go to a game in Charlotte.

Apparently they haven't checked Ticketmaster because the cheapest tickets left are around $35 for the back of the lower level. In other words, if you want to get really close to the action, you will still have to pay around the regular ticket price for a lower level 'Canes seat.

Not to mention, a mere $15, $20 or $35 can add up quick for some, especially if you have a big family. Add in the cost of gas to get there, parking (which is normally $10), concessions and gear and you can expect to shell out a lot of green for one game.

But the comments didn't stop there.

On Facebook, a lady (who is a huge 'Canes fan given her profile picture) responded to my comment saying "We don't need you (at the game) anyway." That comment really made me angry. I mean, here this person is, supposedly a big "fan" talking to another fan like that. Her comment turned me away from the game even more.

I don't mean to babble on and on about it but I want to get the point across that my opinions are my opinions. Fine if you disagree but, if you must respond, do so in a civil manner!

It will be a miracle if I ever attend a hockey game of any kind again!

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Business As Usual

Carolina Hurricanes' Jordan Staal leaves the locker room after the team's informal workout on Friday. Staal was taking his gear, which is normally stored in the lockers, with him as players will not be allowed to use the facility during the lockout. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Ethan Hyman)

At midnight, the NHL officially went into lockout mode. This marks the third work stoppage of Gary Bettman's tenure as commissioner. Fans saw the entire 2004-2005 season go down the toilet because of a lockout and it's not looking good for this season either. Bettman is steadfast on getting what he and his comrades want out of a $3.3 billion pot. The players are fighting as well, claiming they deserve more money than the multi-millions they are making now.

Owners are asking players to take a 10 percent decrease in pay, from 57 percent under the just expired CBA to 47 percent, double that of the cut NFL players took during their labor disputes a few months back. The players, just as stubborn as Bettman, are not willing to take that steep a pay cut. The league and the NHL Players' Association have not even had formal negotiation talks since Wednesday of last week.

"We spoke [Saturday] and determined that there was no point in convening a formal bargaining session in light of the fact that neither side is in a position to move off of its last proposal," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. "I'm sure we will keep in touch in the coming days and schedule meetings to the extent they might be useful or appropriate. We are sorry for where we are. Not what we hoped or expected."

You can argue for or against either side. But, in all actuality, both are at fault. What really is concerning is how both sides had a lackluster attitude toward coming up with an agreement of some sort when they knew all along they were on the heels of the start to the preseason. To be honest, it's quite ridiculous how a couple of five-year-olds could agree on something quicker than a bunch of grown, "professional" men. 

Even before the lockout became official, many fans decided to lockout the NHL themselves by boycotting everything that had to do with the league: watching NHL networks, buying merchandise and so on. This in hopes to show the league they are tired of its selfish ways. It probably won't do any good as the league turns a deaf ear to the very people it depends on.

As an example, the typical NHL team relied on ticket receipts for half its revenues. That compared to a mere 33 percent for the NBA and 25 percent for the NFL and MLB, according to Mike Ozanian of Forbes.

It will be interesting to see what happens with this latest drama on the ice. But for many fans (including myself) it's seems like it's just "business as usual" for the league, which is not a good sign for its survival.

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Trouble In Carolina

With the Carolina Hurricanes in the middle of a two game skid and having won only 3 out of their last 10, I have to pose the question: is it time for Paul Maurice to go? I personally think he should and, quite frankly, I've been arguing this since the end of last season. In fact, I never really understood the reasoning behind his rehiring after Peter Laviolette was let go (the coach who got us our first Stanley Cup). Now, Laviolette is doing very well in Philadelphia, who has been a playoff contender for the past few seasons under him. Even getting to the Stanley Cup Finals a couple years ago.

Maurice did okay the first time he was in Carolina, leading the 'Canes to the Stanley Cup Finals during the 2001-2002 season. He was later fired as the 'Canes started off the first twenty games of the 2003 season with an 8-12 record. "Mo" was brought back after Laviolette's departure and, once again, he hasn't really done anything to show for it. The 'Canes made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2009 but were swept by the Pittsburgh Penguins who went on to win the Stanley Cup that year. Since then, the team has been metiocre. Last year, Carolina was in contention for a playoff spot right down to the last game of the regular season. A win would've gotten them into the playoffs but they lost 6-2 to Tampa Bay. This season, the Hurricanes started off okay but have been in a slump ever since; now tied for 14th in the Eastern Conference.

According to an ESPN article, the Hurricanes are pretty active on the phones to see "what is out there" but the writer thinks a player trade will come before a coaching change. I think they may need both to happen in order to improve. However, I think it really falls on the coach's shoulders. We have talented players but the coach as to do his job to build the team.

What do you think should happen? Vote on the poll to the right.

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All-Star Weekend

All-Star weekend is coming soon to Raleigh, but with that I am very disappointed. I know, I know, it seems like I take a good thing and always have some problem with it. I knew tickets would be very hard to come by, so I thought that maybe I could be a volunteer either at the game itself or at least in some capacity during this huge weekend in the NHL.

I had a chance to ask about it during a Q&A session with a Hurricanes rep at the NCRPA conference I went to back in November. He told me that they had a meeting for volunteering before the conference. I had no idea that there was a meeting. He said that I could try and put my name on the list but they already had more people who attended than they had spots for. In other words, my chances of being able to volunteer were slim, very slim. I was so disappointed about this because I knew that was probably the only way I could be involved with the game.

The second thing is availability of tickets. The NHL has promised all season ticket holders tickets to the All-Star game. I know they want to honor those who are faithful and get season tickets but, come on! What about the people who can't get season tix for whatever reason? I think, for something this huge, the NHL should let the tix go on sale, first come first serve. If you don't get the tix before everyone else, too bad! I've always believed this should happen. Those who buy season tickets are no bigger fans than those who don't! Oh well, I know no matter how much I cry about it, it'll never change. At least I'll be home for the weekend so I can watch it.

Like I said, I know I always take a good thing and complain about something, but I really want to go and experience this once-in-a-lifetime event (especially since its literally in my backyard) but I guess I won't. Hope all you la di da season ticket holders enjoy the 2011 NHL All-Star Game.

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'Canes Slump

Remember this?

Yea, that was just 4 years ago, and look where the 'Canes are now: losing their home opener to the Capitals tonight 3-0. Now, I know the Caps are normally a great team, but the 'Canes really should protect home ice. Hopefully they can turn things around.

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