Emily Kaplan, ESPNMay 23, 2024, 07:55 AM ET
CloseEmily Kaplan is ESPN’s national NHL reporter.
The Stanley Cup playoffs have been phenomenal, and we’re only halfway through. Breakout stars have emerged, controversies have broiled and the hockey itself has been as entertaining as ever.
After a month of traveling, here are some of the biggest stories I’ve seen developing behind the scenes.
FIRST OFF, BUSINESS is good. Four of the teams in the final eight — the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers, in that order — ranked in the top 10 in league revenue for the 2022-23 season. Television ratings have hit record highs, up 9% from last year, including a 12% jump in the second round.
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This season’s “hockey related revenue” figures haven’t been released by the NHL and NHL Players Association yet, but expect a big jump for Florida. The Panthers were a bottom-10 team but have experienced serious growth since their trip to the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. Winning, especially in the entertainment-rich South Florida market, helps immensely. The Panthers averaged 18,640 per game during the regular season, up 11.7% from 2022-23 — the best year-over-year percentage increase in the league. Florida also sold out every home game in the playoffs so far. It has had standing-room-only options, which it is exploring expanding.
This is great news for everyone, including the players, who have had 6% of their salaries withheld for escrow and should see a decent chunk returned. There will be a further uptick in revenues next year thanks to the move of the Arizona franchise to Utah.
Wyatt Johnston leads the Stars with seven goals in 13 playoff games. Cooper Neill/Getty Images
DURING THE PANDEMIC, we often wondered about the lasting effects of that strange and uncertain time. For two young stars on the Stars — Wyatt Johnston and Thomas Harley — the disruption came during peak development years. Both players are strong examples of making the…
Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/40196136/emily-kaplan-playoff-buzz-wyatt-johnston-matt-rempe-conference-finals
Author : Emily Kaplan
Publish date : 2024-05-23 13:08:40
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