New York Islanders owner Charles Wang proposed holding a pre-playoff tournament for the final few postseason spots, giving even the last-placed teams a chance to qualify. Extra revenue, TV exposure, etc. The proposal was summarily shot down by the league. But based on the first five days of this year's postseason, it's clear that - with the exception of maybe three or four teams - even the clubs finishing 12th or 13th would not be out of place in the playoffs this year.
Dallas Stars broadcaster Daryl Reaugh - now working for Versus on its U.S. telecasts - says welcome to the Parity Party. "It's [NHL commissioner]Gary Bettman's dream," Reaugh told the Columbus Dispatch. "[He]wants everyone to get a chance, and here we are. You think the biggest mismatches are probably in the East, but then Montreal goes in and nips the Caps."
So a record all eights were tied after two games through Sunday. No upper seed looks remotely convincing, no underdog looks out of its class. Why? Because the salary cap has flattened the competitive edge to the width of a silicon chip. As often as not, games are decided by a referee's call, a goalie's gaffe or an injury - not a superior roster.
The rationale for the salary cap is that NHL is in the business of selling franchises. It exists to create new markets and media platforms, not hockey dynasties. Salary caps keep the greatest number of franchisees thinking they can win at any one time. And that entices buyers into the league by pumping franchise equity. (Except when that involves Research In Motion co-CEO Jim Balsillie.)
The media appear to be loving the topsy-turvy aspect. "No matter the outcome of this [Colorado-San Jose]NHL playoff series," writes Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post, "the sport has passed by San Jose, which is desperately, futilely trying to win a championship with your father's brand of hockey. The future of this game is the way Colorado plays it. The Avs move with the speed of the Internet."
But if every series is an upset then there are no upsets. Down is officially up. So, has the salary cap forever doomed elite teams? Is random selection the best way to determine a Stanley Cup winner? TV ratings, particularly in Canada, indicate that fans are not particularly bothered at the moment by the loss of the legendary teams such as the Montreal Canadiens of the 1970s or New York Islanders of the '80s. CBC and TSN are posting boffo numbers in these playoffs - without Toronto in the hunt. In the U.S., numbers are about where they've always been.
So if you like what you're seeing, stay tuned. The salary cap guarantees that there will be lots more parity where this came from.
How's That?
Speaking of the NHL's U.S. TV product, the numbers are contradictory. While its cable network Versus saw a 25-per-cent boost in ratings after the Olympics, the NBC Sunday package limped home post-Games. Reports the Sports Business Journal: "Prior to the Olympics, four of the five NHL telecasts on NBC drew at least a 1.0 rating, including the Winter Classic (2.1). However, four of the five games after the Olympics drew ratings lower than a 0.9." Will be interesting to see if yesterday's games reverse the NBC slide in the face of the two sides renegotiating their deal soon.
Hoops Haul
For perspective on the relative value of the NHL's current shared-revenue, no-rights-fee deal with NBC, consider the TV deal the NCAA reportedly is being offered by CBS/Turner Broadcasting for the March Madness basketball tournament. CBS/Turner is offering $840-million (U.S.) a year for 14 years to keep the annual month-long hoops phenomenon. And remember that the players don't see a penny of that money directly. Now that's a salary cap.
Bill Payment
Finally, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is the latest jocko to learn that cellphones are armed and dangerous - especially when you may have had a pop or two. Jones's slurring diss of Miami Dolphins president Bill Parcells (Jones called him a "piece of shit"), former University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow and others was captured via cellphone camera. It was sent into orbit by the Internet.
Thursday, Jones tried to - how do you say? - clarify his remarks about Parcells. "The actual way I express myself is commonly known by my associates as a familiar, caring term of endearment, as you will," Jones explained at a Dallas fundraiser. "If I say to somebody that you're not worth a flip, then that means I think you're pretty good, certainly if I follow up with, 'I love you.'"
Oh, when you explain it that way, Jerry. You're not worth a flip. And we love you.