NHL defends lottery decision

[swflyers25]

By TIM WHARNSBY

Tuesday, July 19, 2005 Updated at 4:23 AM EDT

From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

There has been a lot of carping recently that the National Hockey League is missing an opportunity to give something back to its fans by not allowing the drama of this week's draft lottery to unfold live on television.

After all, the pundits and analysts say, is this any way to treat the fans after they were forced to endure a 301-day lockout and the cancellation of the 2004-05 season?

The National Basketball Association televises its draft lottery live every spring, usually during the halftime of one of its playoff games. And wouldn't this be a grand opportunity for the NHL to get its new U.S. television partner, NBC, involved? Maybe have Sidney Crosby appear alongside Katie Couric and Matt Lauer on the popular Today show, and then have the first ball drawn from the bin?

NHL executive vice-president Bill Daly, however, said yesterday that, despite the concerns expressed, the draft lottery will still be held behind closed doors.

"That continues to be the plan, yes," he said.

There is a method to the NHL's madness.

First of all, its draft lottery process is going to take longer than the 20 minutes the NBA uses to dole out the order of its 14 selections. The NHL lottery, this time around, will be a time-consuming procedure because each of 30 clubs has to be slotted in the slightly weighted lottery.

Also, when the draft lottery will be played out behind closed doors and in front of the league's board of governors on Friday, the draw is only part of what will be an extremely hectic "relaunch" day for the NHL.

The new collective agreement, tentatively agreed upon last Wednesday, needs to be ratified in New York by the board of governors and the players, who will gather in Toronto.

Next on the agenda would either be the draft lottery or debate over proposed rules changes.

By the time the process is completed, it could be late in the afternoon before NHL commissioner Gary Bettman emerges to announce the lottery winner, the rule changes and the ratification of the new six-year collective agreement.

After which, Crosby, the Rimouski Oc?anic star and consensus No. 1 pick in this year's draft, will address his thoughts on the NHL city that will become his new home via a satellite video conference from Cole Harbour, N.S., his agent, Pat Brisson, confirmed yesterday.

The NHL began using a draft lottery system a decade ago, with the hopes of dissuading teams from trying to finish a regular season in last place and ensuring themselves the No. 1 pick.

When the NHL held its first draft lottery in 1995, the general managers of each club attended the affair. But last time the lottery was held in June of 2004, no GM was present when the Washington Capitals' ball was pulled first.

The Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers have the best shot at grabbing the No. 1 spot -- and Crosby -- because these teams will have three balls each in the draft lottery bin on Thursday.

The Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Atlanta Thrashers, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators and Phoenix Coyotes will have two balls each.

The remaining 16 clubs, including the Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks, will have one each.


Toronto Globe & Mail (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050719.wnhlcrosby19/BNStory/Sports/)

[leaferfan87]

Heard interesting discussion that the reason it's behind closed doors is because they want Crosby to go to New York. It was on the FAN yesterday.

[Newfie John]

Heard interesting discussion that the reason it's behind closed doors is because they want Crosby to go to New York. It was on the FAN yesterday.

That's been widely speculated. With all this speculation, I can't see the NHL doing it because it would just look horrible, the last thing the NHL needs right now is a blackmark. Then again, any publicity is good publicity right?

[Mel]

Heard interesting discussion that the reason it's behind closed doors is because they want Crosby to go to New York. It was on the FAN yesterday.

Who exactly is "they"?

The drawing will take place during the board of governors meeting, with all 30 teams present. Does everything have to be on TV these days to be reality?

NHL Refuses to Televise Draft Lottery Bingo Game

A handful of prickly media types are huffing and puffing over the NHL's plans for its upcoming Draft Lottery, aka the Sidney Crosby sweepstakes.

The decision to hold the lottery behind closed doors - probably on Friday - is taken as a sign that the league cannot shake its PR-stunted, media-unfriendly ways. Do these guys want to win the fans back or not?

Granted, Crosby is the most (over?) hyped prospect since Eric Lindros, and everyone wants to know where his NHL career begins. Granted, there's a certain squeamish glee in the image of Gary Bettman playing TV bingo caller, cranking the big drum and digging deep for the winning ball, accompanied by his lovely assistant Bill.

But must-see TV? Sounds more like no-life TV.

The NBA has been known to televise its draft lottery, complete with hilariously solemn "analysis" from the usual army of experts. ("The Lakers' ball is looking great... The Bobcats' ball struggling with that pulled hamstring...") But in a sane world, pro sports leagues would not even televise their tedious drafts, let alone the lotteries that set the selection order.

There's no point blaming televison. A network's job is to capture eyeballs, and if enough folks want to see grumpy sports execs and gangly teenagers kissing up to each other, somebody will have a camera there. But let's at least give the NHL credit for challenging one of the assumptions of the sports media complex: Is there any good reason why everything must be televised, just because there are too many sports networks with too many hours to fill?

http://proicehockey.about.com/b/a/186862.htm

Somehow I doubt ALL the teams would agree to fake the drawing and send Crosby to New York. To me it sounds more like they have a ton of work to do Friday besides choosing the ping pong ball that wins Crosby.

But that won't stop the conspiracy theorists and talking radio fools, if he lands on Broadway... for that reason I do not want the Rangers to get the #1 pick. It's just one more thing to be hassled over for years to come. Who needs the aggravation.

Besides the Rangers already have a marketable superstar in Jagr. If the fix was in for a major U.S. market... it would be Chicago or L.A.

[Max Power]

Yah I think I agree with Mel... If all 30 teams have representation in place then this thing should be a fair draw. I'd be a little suspicious if the NHL governing body were the only attendees

[Mel]

Another reason they might not want to televise the drawing is that it might be anti-climactic. And in that case the NHL would wind up looking stupid for televising it in the first place.

Idiot American announcer whispering:

* silence in the room as Mr. Bettman reaches into the drum of balls.

* He's reaching around....

* Searching for the winning ball...

* The winner of this lottery will most certainly choose Teenage phenomenon Sidney Crosby

* For those of you who don't know Sidney Crosby, he has been likened to Wayne Gretzky in some hockey circles.

* That's Wayne "the great one" Gretzky, for those of you at home.

* If you're just joining us, we're live at the NHL board of governer's meeting where the NHL owners have just ratified the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

* The draft lottery is now taking place.

* Wait! Mr. Bettman has pulled out a ball!!!

* He's about to announce the winner of the NHL's 2005 entry draft!!!

* He's opening his mouth to speak now---



Bettman:

And the number one pick for this year's draft will go to...............

the Carolina Hurricanes.

:snore:

[leaferfan87]

I think much of this theory about the lottery going to be rigged is fueled by the fact that it is going to happen behind closed doors. It makes sense, want to refuel the game in America just stick Crosby in the biggest market in America.

[bluemeanie]

Well, they do it every year - anti climatic or not. It's just being suggested as 'unusual' this year, because they have the highest profile draft pick that they've had in some time coupled with the fact that it's a lottery method. I personally don't think that it would be a :conspire: if Crosby went to NY... but if he goes to Phoenix... that's another story.=] Look, no matter where he goes, there will be those who will think it was rigged, just more so if he goes to NY... and even more so if he goes to Toronto.

But you?re right, the draft is about much more then just S.C... its about getting fans excited about the future of their teams development... and the game. Busy schedule or not, they still have stand there draw the names and teams?so why not televise it?

[Mel]

I think much of this theory about the lottery going to be rigged is fueled by the fact that it is going to happen behind closed doors. It makes sense, want to refuel the game in America just stick Crosby in the biggest market in America.

Still wondering who "they" are that are supposedly rigging the lottery. All 30 teams will be represented... They have to be there to ratify the CBA, so you (or whoever is pushing the conspiracy theory) must believe that every owner in the NHL would prefer Crosby go to the Rangers than their own team. Sure they want to rejuvenate the game... but they also want to sell out their own arenas. They are all drooling over the thought of getting Crosby.

The Rangers will sell out with or without Crosby. It is entirely incomprehensible to me that the other 29 teams are united to fix a Crosby to Rangers scenario, for the reasons I just stated. I think the conspiracy thing can be thrown out the window. The radio mouths just don't have much else to talk about right now, and it shows.

But you?re right, the draft is about much more then just S.C... its about getting fans excited about the future of their teams development... and the game. Busy schedule or not, they still have stand there draw the names and teams?so why not televise it?

As for the lottery, all anybody cares about is the first ball. Yeah I think it would be cool if they televised it, but they're not bothering. I don't draw conclusions because of that.

As for the draft itself, they are scaling it down this year... it's almost as if it's a pain - because there is so much else these teams, agents and players have to deal with between now and training camp. It's going to be nuts.

We're starved for some kind of action... thus we want to see the lottery and the draft... study who our team picks etc.

By contrast, the guys on the business end of this league, have a million other things on their plate. I dare say the draft is a low priority for most team offices right now. There are bigger challenges in the months ahead. I think the fact that they are not bothering to make a big deal of the lottery or the draft, simply shows the magnitude of the jobs that lie ahead which are more pressing than the draft. Like signing a roster for October.

[leaferfan87]

The radio host that suggested this said that it could very well be that only the top NHL honchos would know about this and that the team owners would have no idea.

[Mel]

The radio host that suggested this said that it could very well be that only the top NHL honchos would know about this and that the team owners would have no idea.

I don't buy it. I don't see how they could pull it off. If there was only going to be a few individuals present when they pick the ball... then I'd say sure it could be rigged... and every team who didn't bother to eye-witness the lottery pick would deserve to lose out on Crosby for being so stupid. But as far as I understand it, all 30 teams will be represented at the lottery drawing. "Behind closed doors" in this case means no TV cameras... it doesn't mean back room shennanigans.

I mean what does this guy suggest... that Bettman is going to announce the New York Rangers no matter which ball he pulls out? Think this through logically.

And if they actually have a plan to fool the unwitting team reps inside the room with some slight of hand or magic or whatever.... then obviously they could fool a TV audience along with them. In fact, if they are already certain Crosby will be sent to a big market American team, it would be more logical to let the draw be televised so people would not say it was rigged.

It's a tall tale, don't buy into it. It is your radio source's imagination running wild and giving his audience something to keep them occupied. Only if it comes to light that all teams were not represented live at the drawing... I might start humming that same tune. Otherwise it's malarky. :thumb:

To reiterate... I think the downplaying of both the lottery and the draft is more indicative of more pressing business for the league... not a draft fix. We're reading too much into it because we can focus on it. We don't have to deal with the other 999 issues facing teams to be solved in the next few months.

[Newfie John]

BREAKING NEWS! The draft lottery will be held live on TSN at 4 PM ET, Friday!

www.tsn.ca

[Mel]

BREAKING NEWS! The draft lottery will be held live on TSN at 4 PM ET, Friday!

www.tsn.ca

I rest my case.....

I mean I stand corrected.....

I mean I told Ya so.....

I mean I guess it is rigged after all......

I mean this most likely proves that it is probably not not unrigged.....

I mean :conspire: :conspire: :conspire: :conspire: :conspire:

[scorpionn]

BREAKING NEWS! The draft lottery will be held live on TSN at 4 PM ET, Friday!

www.tsn.ca

And I have to work Friday :mad:

Well... at least we'll know for sure it won't be rigged by Bettman :conspire:

[Iced Tea]

Someone from the UN's election observers team should be present to make sure that the NHL lottery is legitimate. I, for one, want to see every ball inspected and weighed before the draw to make sure they are all the same.

Bettman is probably busy painting the Rangers logo onto every ball as I type this.

[PDO]

I won't know who got the first overall pick until 5pm.. stupid work :mad:

[The Insider]

Prime time would've been the best time to do this, but if the League wants to make the nightly 6:00 news then this is probably the best time. Although we get to look forward to the sporting networks making mock lines for the team that wins Crosby, and we know how much fun they'll have with that. :thumb:

[KB in Kelowna]

Again it is only the RESULTS of the lottery being televised not the actual draw.
http://www.hockeystation.com/showthread.php?t=811

[a4l]

I would rather read about it than watch it. I'm afraid it would put me to sleep.

[leaferfan87]

I'll be at work when the lottery happens. I expect to have my MP3 player handy and it has FM radio so I can figure out who won the lottery then.

I wonder if its going to be as lavish as the Jim Lang version?