The Vegas Knights

An expansion team of guys that nobody wanted, a coach that was fired and pushed to the curb and a GM who was given the keys to the kingdom....Vegas. What a ride it’s been. As much as I knew that this would be the reality (down multiple games in the cup final when I knew they’d be facing Ovie and the Caps), I don’t know if I’m more impressed with the big picture of how this team made it this far or if I’m more embarrassed by how this team is playing when there is no more free passes and pushes from the league. It’s a great story that this expansion team has done what is has this year but are we to really think that this year was legit? Imagine this: if Vegas were mediocre, would there be season ticket holders lining up, would there be a buzz all throughout the league in this allowing more opportunity for expansion teams out west, would there be a national following? How would the NHL look of Vegas stunk in this day in age? With the NHL desperate to join the NBA and NFL as big earners and ratings kings, are we to believe that in all places, Vegas, an expansion team, came together and did this all without any assistance? I know on this site we have a lot of purists..... I don’t want to downplay the year Vegas has had but I can’t go overboard like so many have in thinking this team is special. What is special nowadays? Being a runner up? Almost winning it all? Since when do we hand out participation trophies ? I mean lebron has made it to the finals 8 years in a row and has lost the majority of them and many don’t give him his respects so why give it out for ONE YEAR? Coincidence that the majority of the team had career years in Vegas? Look at Carlsons numbers this year.  Hmmmmm. Here is the deal: you either win it all or you don’t folks. I will eat my words if the knights are back in the final 8 teams next year. My guess is that they won’t be. No way. The league and the franchise has done their jobs. Vegas got their first team and it’s opebed doors for so much going forward. I think it’s great. My guess is that the Raiders will prolly have a good year too and do the same thing considering they’ll be on their way to Vegas soon. If they don’t, the momentum from the knights I’m sure will help. Look at the Rams going from last to first with LA around the corner. Keep an eye on the chargers this year too. Are these gonna be coincidences?! 

 

A cogent, intelligent post.  (Seriously, no sarcasm here!)  I've lived through the year with VGK here in Summerlin, so maybe a few thoughts on the above...

Thanks for the compliments.  All of us here know what an improbable season this was.  What truly bonded our city to the team was what they did long before they were winners - long before 1 October.  Bill Foley, owner of the Knights is a super successful, super-competitive guy.  Yet when he was awarded the franchise, he made it clear that he would rather have this team make a huge impact for good in our community than ever win a Stanley Cup.  Smart guy of course, because he knows what REAL success is.  The Knights have been everywhere in this city, reaching out to everyone.  They are a model for any community organization, not just for a professional sports franchise.  So they ARE special, always will be - just not in the way you're talking about.  As far as on the ice NEXT YEAR, let's play the games - though based on the past history of SC finalists, a return trip is more unlikely than likely.

If the Knights were at .500 this year with no playoffs, would there be season ticket renewals lining up for 18/19?  Don't know about other franchises...but here in Vegas, entertainment is a primary industry as you all know.  And the thirst for CONTENT is never ending.  So to your point, if the Knights were in Omaha and were mediocre, maybe you are right.  But in Vegas, there are commitments for VGK season tickets going years into the future, not only for 18/19.  (Another genius marketing device Foley's team used with knowledge of this unique market.)  That said, the majority of VGK season tickets are to individuals/families.  Residents here that don't go to the Strip very much - but LOVE going to T-Mobile.  Because of these reasons, I believe the Knights will continue to succeed at the box office.

The NHL knows they will never be "ratings kings" like the NHL and NBA.  They have teams everywhere like the other leagues.  But the fact is the sport itself won't ever get the same eyeball count.  For all the reasons you all know about.  (I mean, if the Kings (with Gretzky!!) couldn't do it, nothing will.  All Little Gary can do is try to increase revenue.  And yes, THIS is why Vegas is such a great model going forward.  Gary's ratings wet dream died with the last "National" TV contract......(To be continued)

 

Win it all or be forgotten.  You're absolutely right.  Unless it's a history of losing (or LeBron!), you are so right.  Nobody remembers who lost.  Should the Caps finish this off, Vegas' season will only be remembered outside of Vegas as the year an expansion team did well.  But they will not be remembered either as the team that got so helped out by the new draft rules, etc.  Nobody cares - except the super avid fans like yourself and many on this Forum that pay attention to this stuff.  Here in Vegas, we will ALWAYS remember for our reasons..., just as the fans in Nashville remember their run last year for their reasons.

Excuses?  None here - and they wouldn't matter anyway.  They have played so much better for most of the year, we know how good they are - over the season and playoffs.   But what matters IS the scoreboard.  And for 3 of 4 games, the Caps outplayed us, plain and simple.  Doesn't mean that all of a sudden - after 100 games of playing winning hockey - we are a "JV" team.  It just means that, like at times during the season - we're not playing up to our capabilities.  That it happened in the Finals just makes it look worse to others than have not watched the Knights all season long.

We are incredibly proud of our guys no matter what.  Thanks again for your good points.

 

leave it to achilles to come up with not just a jinx, but a jinx in long essay formatting

"Keep an eye on the chargers this year too. Are these gonna be coincidences?!"

And here's hoping, again, to you not jinxing this. 

Clown speaking 

Just tore VYWILLRETURN apart in Lipps thread. Good to see there are now doggies in here along with the bunnies. Hmmmmm. The only common denominator of IKID2POO and VYWILLRETURN? Nah. They are both covers children of summers eve. I’m flattered that these two follow my every move but at some point we’ll need to call their parents or get the hose out. The end.

VYWILLRETURN: Actually one more ya in case you don’t visit Lipps thread: you wanna troll, these are the consequences amigo.....

Capitals baby!!!!! 

Cheers....