NHLFA.com - The 1999 Fan Report Results


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	30,554

The 1999 Fan Report Results

Current Membership (June 17, 1999)	7728

Members from the USA	4738	(61%)
Members from Canada	2736	(35%)
Members from other countries	254	(3%)

Members invited to complete poll:	7728
Members who completed poll:	2881	(37%)
Disqualified poll results:	103
Acceptable poll results:	2778

The Game

How many "live" NHL games have you attended in the last 12 months?

none	717	26%
1-5	1054	38
6-11	395	14
12-15	178	6
16-24	136	5
25 or more	298	11

If you have not attended games in the last year, why not?

I live too far away	481	17%
it is too expensive	475	17
tickets not available	118	4
not worth the money	47	2
other	1657	60

How many NHL games have you watched on TV in the last 12 months?

none	22	1%
1-20	295	11
21-40	649	23
41-60	548	20
more than 60	1264	46

Do you feel the number of NHL games televised in your area, on free TV, is:

too few	1688	61%
too many	24	1
about right	983	35
don't know	13	0
no opinion	70	3

What do you think of games played and televised on Saturday and Sunday afternoons?

I like afternoon games	1428	51%
I dislike afternoon games	991	36
don't know	56	2
no opinion	303	11

Which of the following is your greatest concern related to NHL hockey today?

the quality of the game	237	9%
the quality of the players	65	2
escalating salaries	543	20
cost of attending games	754	27
it's more business than sport	270	10
all of the above	733	26
none of the above	45	2
no concerns - like the game as it is	103	4
no opinion	28	1

Should the NHL season start in early September (as opposed to October) thus ensuring the season finishes before June?

yes	1685	61%
no	680	24
don't know	91	3
no opinion	322	12

Do you think there are too many teams (27, soon to be 30) in the NHL?

yes	1464	53%
no	1102	40
don't know	62	2
no opinion	150	5

Should the NHL go to smaller rosters (currently 24) and use the savings to lower ticket prices?

yes	808	29%
no	1453	52
don't know	261	9
no opinion	256	9

10.

I think the number of teams (16) that qualify for the playoffs is

too high	484	17%
too low	66	2
just right	2148	77
no opinion	80	3

11.

Do you think the NHL should return to a playoff format where the top team over the regular season plays the bottom team, the 2nd best team plays the 15th, and so on?

yes	983	35%
no	1461	53
don't know	152	5
no opinion	182	7

12.

Would you like to see a full interlocking schedule where all teams play each other an equal number of times during the regular season?

yes	1078	39%
no	1463	53
don't know	100	4
no opinion	137	5

13.

Would you like to see more goals scored in the NHL?

yes	1557	56%
no	740	27
don't know	114	4
no opinion	367	13

14.

What is your prime source of information about NHL hockey?

newspaper	429	15%
Internet	1071	39
television	745	27
magazines	11	0
radio	49	2
The Hockey News	432	16
other hockey publicationn	4	0
other	37	1

15.

In general, do today's NHL players have a strong sense of loyalty to the fans in the cities they play in?

yes	924	33%
no	1391	50
don't know	348	13
no opinion	115	4

16.

Overall, and we understand it's difficult to generalize, do you feel the NHL game has improved over the last 15 years?

yes	1369	49%
no	812	29
don't know	409	15
no opinion	188	7

17.

Do you feel the NHL game has improved over the last five years?

yes	974	35%
no	1407	51
don't know	236	8
no opinion	161	6

18.

Have you ever visited the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto?

yes	841	30%
no	1937	70

19.

Do you have any plans to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame in the next three years?

yes	1358	49%
no	662	24
don't know	758	27

20.

Is it important to you that the Penguins remain in Pittsburgh?

yes	1716	62%
no	462	17
don't care	446	16
don't know	32	1
no opinion	122	4

21.

If the Penguins do re-locate, where should they go?

somewhere else in the U.S.	623	22%
somewhere in Canada	1053	38
don't know	366	13
no opinion	736	26

22.

Which of the following do you think best describes the reason why a number of NHL teams have adopted a third sweater or jersey?

-it provides fans with a better choice of their favorite teams' merchandise	381	14%
-gives teams with poor designs/logos another option	135	5
-there is no point to it	172	6
-it's a cash grab by the NHL and NHLPA	1884	68
-don't know	106	4
-no opinion	100	4

23.

In your opinion which team has the worst name in the NHL today?

Mighty Ducks	1182	42%
Predators	199	7
Hurricanes	122	4
Canucks	121	4
Lightning	115	4
all other teams (Thrashers not included)	1039	37

24.

Should the NHL participate in the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympics?

yes	1839	66%
no	807	29
don't know	42	2
no opinion	90	3

25.

Should the NHL host another World Cup in 2000?

yes	2237	81%
no	293	11
don't know	103
no opinion	145	5

26.

What is your opinion of the Heroes of Hockey game which was part of the NHL All-Star Weekend this season?

very good	634	23%
good	727	26
average	396	14
poor	91	3
very poor	61	2
no opinion	158	6
didn't see it	711	26

27.

What is your opinion of the NHL Skills Competition held as part of the NHL All-Star Weekend this season?

very good	1157	42%
good	936	34
average	304	11
poor	52	2
very poor	14	0
no opinion	74	3
didn't see it	241	9

28.

The NHL is providing much more in the way of statistics than it ever used to (i.e. take aways/give aways, time on ice, hits, etc.). In general, do you like this trend?

yes	2174	78%
no	302	11
don't know	89	3
no opinion	213	8

29.

Which new statistic do you think is most informative?

take aways/give aways	589	21%
time on ice	1154	42
hits	510	18
none of the above	216	8
no opinion	101	4
don't know	208	7

Rules & Regulations

30.

Generally speaking, do you think the NHL on-ice officials do a good job?

yes	1823	67%
no	768	28
don't know	49	2
no opinion	98	4

31.

Generally speaking, do you think the NHL gives adequate direction as to how on-ice officials should call games?

yes	1131	41%
no	1086	39
don't know	429	15
no opinion	132	5

32.

Do the referees call enough of the clutching, grabbing and stick infractions in NHL games?

yes	875	31%
no	1728	62
don't know	75	3
no opinion	100	4

33.

Have the new rules adopted by the NHL this season calling for stricter suspensions for deliberate stick and elbow fouls been successful?

yes	1068	38%
no	1136	41
don't know	434	16
no opinion	140	5

34.

Should the referees call the game the same way in the first minute of play as in the last minute of play or overtime?

yes	1925	69%
no	755	27
don't know	32	1
no opinion	66	2

35.

Has the two referee system used for part of this season been good for the game?

yes	1833	66%
no	569	20
don't know	218	8
no opinion	158	6

36.

Do you think referees make too many icing calls when a player on the defensive team has a reasonable opportunity to touch the puck and avoid the icing call?

yes	1507	54%
no	845	30
don't know	233	8
no opinion	193	7

37.

Should the NHL eliminate the rule whereby the penalized team can ice the puck at will during a penalty?

yes	313	11%
no - keep the rule	2307	83
don't know	61	2
no opinion	97	3

38.

Do you think the NHL should change the touch up rule on icings to allow the call to be made as soon as the puck crosses the goal line?

yes	1117	40%
no	1326	48
don't know	154	6
no opinion	181	7

39.

I think the rule to allow NHL video officials to alert on-ice officials to cases of crease infringement is

a good thing for the game	1252	45%
a bad thing for the game	1253	45
don't know	114	4
no opinion	159	6

40.

Should a goal be allowed to stand when a player has his skate in the crease but has not interfered with the goaltender?

yes	2232	80%
no	450	16
don't know	38	1
no opinion	58	2

41.

With respect to the crease violations, should control of this issue be returned to the on-ice officials?

yes	1527	55%
no	893	32
don't know	213	8
no opinion	145	5

42.

Do you think moving the goal line out two feet from the end boards has improved the game?

yes	1189	43%
no	881	32
don't know	427	15
no opinion	281	10

43.

Do you think limiting the size of goaltenders' equipment has improved the offensive aspect of the game this season?

yes	1078	39%
no	1144	41
don't know	348	13
no opinion	208	7

44.

If a goaltender leaves his crease to play the puck behind the goal line, should opposing players be able to check him as they would any other player on the ice?

yes	1991	72%
no	700	25
don't know	22	1
no opinion	65	2

45.

Would you like to see more penalty shots in the NHL?

yes	1449	52%
no	952	34
don't know	134	5
no opinion	243	9

46.

Should a penalty shot be awarded to the opposing team if a player is assessed a high-stick or elbow to the head infraction?

yes	652	23%
no	1907	69
don't know	120	4
no opinion	99	4

47.

Do you think the fines meted out to players for serious infractions are hefty enough?

yes	712	26%
no	1772	64
don't know	160	6
no opinion	134	5

48.

Do you think the suspensions meted out to players for serious infractions are long enough?

yes	999	36%
no	1532	55
don't know	114	4
no opinion	133	5

49.

Should the penalty fit the crime: should minor penalties, for example, be of one, two, or three-minute duration, depending on the violation?

yes	1076	39%
no	1482	53
don't know	79	3
no opinion	141	5

50.

Should face shields, minimum half shield, be mandatory?

yes	679	24%
no	1873	67
don't know	91	3
no opinion	135	5

51.

To help fans identify the players, should all players be allowed to paint original designs on their helmets as goalies are allowed to do?

yes	394	14%
no	2198	79
don't know	57	2
no opinion	129	5

52.

The NHL has standards and rules for most aspects of the game. Should there be stricter standards/guidelines for ice quality in NHL arenas?

yes	2386	86%
no	175	6
don't know	100	4
no opinion	117	4

53.

Do you think the NHL should increase the size of the ice surface?

yes	913	33%
no	1625	58
don't know	118	4
no opinion	122	4

54.

Should the size of the net be increased?

yes	236	8%
no	2398	86
don't know	57	2
no opinion	87	3

55.

Do you think a lack of flexibility of the rink-board glass in many arenas is an increasing cause of player injuries?

yes	1860	67%
no	504	18
don't know	295	11
no opinion	119	4

56.

Should fighting be banned from the NHL?

yes	201	7%
no	2467	89
don't know	29	1
no opinion	81	3

57.

Have you noticed a decline in the number of fights in the NHL this year?

yes	1788	64%
no	573	21
don't know	287	10
no opinion	130	5

58.

What (if anything) should be done regarding the instigator rule as it relates to fighting in the NHL?

nothing – it makes sense and should be retained	1495	54%
get rid of it	942	34
don't know	154	6
no opinion	187	7

59.

Should the NHL just stop tinkering with the rules of the game?

yes	1417	51%
no	1008	36
don't know	181	7
no opinion	172	6

Decision Makers

60.

Do you think Gary Bettman is doing a good job as NHL commissioner in support of the game?

yes	1158	42%
no	934	34
don't know	364	13
no opinion	322	12

61.

Do you think Gary Bettman is doing a good job as NHL commissioner on behalf of the owners?

yes	1515	55%
no	364	13
don't know	548	20
no opinion	351	13

62.

Do you feel Gary Bettman is doing a good job as NHL commissioner on behalf of the fans?

yes	563	20%
no	1594	57
don't know	337	12
no opinion	284	10

63.

Do you feel the NHL is responsive to the concerns of fans when making changes to the game?

yes	551	20%
no	1788	64
don't know	254	9
no opinion	185	7

64.

Do you think Bob Goodenow (Exec. Director of the NHL Players' Association) is doing a good job in support of the game?

yes	571	21%
no	959	35
don't know	857	31
no opinion	391	14

65.

Do you think Bob Goodenow is doing a good job on behalf of the players?

yes	1511	54%
no	167	6
don't know	709	26
no opinion	391	14

66.

Colin Campbell is the VP of NHL Hockey Operations and also the NHL's disciplinarian. In your opinion, what kind of job has he done this season?

an excellent job	329	12%
a good job	1110	40
a passable job	705	25
a lousy job	202	7
don't know	221	8
no opinion	211	8

Money Matters

67.

Should there be some form of team/player salary cap in the NHL?

yes	2172	78%
no	374	13
don't know	115	4
no opinion	117	4

68.

Should the rookie salary cap have a no bonuses clause to help slow the escalation of entry player salaries?

yes	1600	58%
no	817	29
don't know	191	7
no opinion	170	6

69.

Do you think players and management should be bound by the duration and financial conditions of signed contracts?

yes	2270	82%
no	199	7
don't know	133	5
no opinion	176	6

70.

Ticket prices for NHL games are

too high	2433	88%
too low	2	0
about right	212	8
don't know	131	5

71.

In most cities, ticket prices for exhibition games are the same price as regular season games, while playoff game tickets cost significantly more than regular season game tickets. Do you think this is fair and reasonable?

yes, it's fair	344	12%
no, it's not fair	2286	82
don't know	34	1
no opinion	114	4

72.

The NHL currently contributes $2.5 million to any eligible small market Canadian team to compensate for the difference in the value of the Canadian and U.S. dollars. Should this currency relief program continue?

yes	2315	83%
no	195	7
don't know	132	5
no opinion	136	5

73.

Should the NHL adopt a broad revenue sharing program to encompass all teams?

yes	1884	68%
no	380	14
don't know	296	11
no opinion	218	8

NHLFA Corner

74.

Should the NHLFA continue to pursue a high-profile spokesperson for the Association?

yes	2269	82%
no	125	4
don't know	190	7
no opinion	194	7

75.

The NHL has told us it will allow the NHLFA to sell NHL-branded merchandise. Would you support the NHLFA by purchasing your NHL merchandise (sweaters, souvenirs, T-shirts etc.) through our Web site?

yes	1734	62%
no	220	8
don't know	660	24
no opinion	164	6

76.

How much do you spend on NHL merchandise in an average year?

nothing	241	9%
up to $25	359	13
up to $50	469	17
up to $100	622	22
$100-250	583	21
more than $250	326	12
don't know	178	6

77.

Where do you most often purchase NHL merchandise?

at the arena	464	17%
at a retail store	1303	47
from a catalogue or other publication	367	13
Internet	196	7
I don't purchase merchandise	273	10
I receive it as gifts	108	4
other	67	2

78.

Are you interested in purchasing NHLFA-branded merchandise to support the Association?

yes	1439	52%
no	339	12
don't know	1000	36

79.

If you have not purchased NHLFA merchandise, why not?

can't afford it	277	10%
no e-commerce on Web site	127	5
not enough selection	363	13
didn't know about it	1082	39
I'm not ready to support the NHLFA at this time	97	3
other	832	30

80.

Would you be willing to pay a small annual membership fee to assist in the operation of the NHLFA until we are large enough to secure a corporate sponsor? (i.e. $10 or $20)

yes $10	845	30%
yes $20	250	9
no	857	31
don't know	606	22
no opinion	220	8

81.

Have you any plans to attend the All-Star game in Toronto next year?

yes	333	12%
no	1964	71
don't know	481	17

82.

How many times have you visited the NHLFA Web site since you joined?

never	600	22%
1-5	1246	45
6-10	486	17
11-19	133	5
20 or more	123	4
don't known	190	7

83.

Would you like to receive NHLFA e-mail updates?

no	175	6%
yes, daily e-mail updates	288	10
yes, weekly e-mail updates	1108	40
yes, monthly e-mail updates	1054	38
don't known	153	6

84.

How many members do you think we need to be taken seriously by the NHL, the NHLPA, the media and everybody else?

10,000+	169	6%
25,000+	363	13
50,000+	863	31
75,000+	640	23
more than 100,000	475	17
don't know	268	10

85.

Gary Bettman has issued a challenge to the NHLFA to expand our membership to 75,000 members by January 2000 to be allowed a presence at the NHL Fan Exhibition at the 2000 All Star Game. How many people do you realistically think you can get to sign up before September 1999 to help us achieve that objective?

0	107	4%
1 to 3	1085	39
4 to 6	690	25
7 to 10	288	10
11-20	104	4
more than 20	128	5
don't know	376	14




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