NHLFA.com - 2001 NHLFA Fan Report


	251


	30,003

2001 NHLFA Fan Report - Results

Here are the 2001 Fan Report results. Thanks to everyone who gave their opinions.

(Due to rounding, some totals may not be exactly 100%)

Grab Bag

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

none	654	27.4%
1-5	933	39.5%
6-11	305	12.8%
12-15	152	6.4%
16-24	120	5.0%
25 or more	220	9.2%

Do you plan to attend more games next year than you did this year?

yes	968	40.6%
no	676	28.3%
don't know	740	31.0%

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

none	6	.02%
1-20	248	10.4%
21-40	543	22.8%
41-60	487	20.4%
more than 60	1066	44.7%
don't know	34	1.4%

Do you think the NHL should try to increase television coverage of its games for European audiences?

yes	1461	61.3%
no	186	7.8%
don't know	171	7.2%
no opinion	566	23.7%

Generally, what do you think of the calibre of television coverage of the NHL in the United States? (please answer only if you are a resident of the U.S.)

excellent	91	3.8%
good	571	23.9%
average	488	20.5%
poor	266	11.2%
Not a resident of the U.S.	969	40.6%

Generally, what do you think of the calibre of television coverage of the NHL in Canada? (please answer only if you are a resident of Canada.)

excellent	411	17.2%
good	456	19.1%
average	130	5.5%
poor	44	1.8%
Not a resident of Canada	1343	56.3%

Should every NHL team play in every other NHL city at least once every season?

yes	1854	77.7%
no	383	16.1%
don't know	38	1.6%
no opinion	109	4.6%

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

impending lockout/walkout	198	8.3%
the quality of the game/players	130	5.5%
escalating salaries	491	20.6%
cost of attending games	557	23.4%
all of the above	940	39.4%
no concerns - like the game as it is	60	2.5%

Should the NHL season start in early September thus ensuring the season finishes before June?

yes	1266	53.1%
no	773	32.4%
don't know	89	3.7%
no opinion	256	10.7%

10.

Do you think there are too many teams in the NHL?

yes	1269	53.2%
no	983	41.2%
don't know	47	2.0%
no opinion	84	3.5%

11.

Do you feel NHL expansion in recent years has watered down the talent pool?

yes	1654	69.4%
no	603	25.3%
don't know	67	2.8%
no opinion	59	2.5%

12.

Do you think the team roster size should be reduced by two players?

yes	289	12.1%
no	1742	73.0%
don't know	158	6.6%
no opinion	194	8.1%

13.

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

too high	427	17.9%
too low	64	2.7%
just right	1836	77.0%
no opinion	56	2.3%

14.

Do you like the current playoff format?

yes	1817	76.2%
no	478	20.0%
don't know	23	1.0%
no opinion	65	2.7%

15.

Should the NHL revert to its former format of East versus West for the All Star Game? (not North America vs. Europe)

yes	1455	61.0%
no	644	27.0%
don't know	68	2.9%
no opinion	216	9.1%

16.

What is your prime source of information about NHL hockey?

newspaper	292	12.2%
internet	1211	50.8%
television	521	21.8%
magazines	4	.02%
radio	44	1.8%
The Hockey News	285	11.9%
other hockey publication	3	.02%
other	26	1.1%

17.

How do you feel about the noise levels at live NHL games? (and here we are not referring to fan noise but music, announcements, etc.)

too loud	676	26.2%
too quiet	159	6.7%
about right	1185	49.7%
don't know	129	5.4%
no opinion	284	11.9%

18.

Do you feel player equipment is becoming a weapon (i.e. elbow pads) as opposed to providing protection?

yes	1023	42.9%
no	1054	44.2%
don't know	162	6.8%
no opinion	144	6.0%

19.

Would you like NHL teams to start taking more chances and give some of the highly-skilled, smaller players a chance to play?

yes	1594	66.8%
no, the teams are using the best players now	465	19.5%
don't know	142	6.0%
no opinion	182	7.6%

20.

If an NHL team thinks that Brian Berard can still play in the league, should the league have the right to stop him?

yes	425	17.8%
no	1762	73.9%
don't know	129	5.4%
no opinion	67	2.8%

Rules & Regulations

21.

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

yes	1728	72.5%
no	555	23.3%
don't know	38	1.6%
no opinion	62	2.6%

22.

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

yes	996	41.8%
no	947	39.7%
don't know	361	15.1%
no opinion	79	3.3%

23.

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

yes	656	27.5%
no	1596	66.9%
don't know	68	2.9%
no opinion	63	2.6%

24.

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

yes	1750	73.4%
no	578	24.2%
don't know	23	1.0%
no opinion	32	1.3%

25.

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

yes	70	2.9%
no	2237	93.6%
don't know	33	1.4%
no opinion	47	2.0%

26.

Is the officiating the same in the regular season as in the playoffs?

yes	156	6.5%
no	2137	93.6%
don't know	90	3.4%

27.

Has the two referee system improved the overall calibre and consistency of officiating?

yes	1479	62.0%
no	624	26.2%
don't know	195	8.2%
no opinion	85	3.6%

28.

Is the ice surface getting too crowded now with 10 skaters plus four officials?

yes	850	35.6%
no	1340	56.2%
don't know	100	4.2%
no opinion	93	3.9%

29.

Should goaltender interference be called more frequently?

yes	1110	46.5%
no	1073	45.0%
don't know	100	4.2%
no opinion	100	4.2%

30.

Should goaltenders be required to serve their own penalties? (the back-up goalie would have to come in)

yes	861	36.1%
no	1429	59.9%
don't know	38	1.6%
no opinion	55	2.3%

31.

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	1698	71.2%
no	620	26.0%
don't know	35	1.5%
no opinion	30	1.3%

32.

Should goaltenders be penalized if they go behind the net?

yes	67	2.9%
no	2266	95.0%
no opinion	50	2.1%

33.

Should the NHL change the "touch up" rule on icings to allow the call to be made as soon as the puck crosses the goal line rather than waiting for a player to touch it?

yes	1201	50.4%
no	1031	43.2%
don't know	76	3.2%
no opinion	75	3.1%

34.

To speed-up games, should teams be required to change on the fly or during TV time outs only?

yes	419	17.6%
no	1650	69.2%
don't know	130	5.5%
no opinion	184	7.7%

35.

Do you think the fines meted out to players this season for serious infractions were generally appropriate?

yes, appropriate	1087	45.6%
no, not harsh enough	885	37.1%
too harsh	106	4.4%
don't know	178	7.5%
no opinion	127	5.3%

36.

Do you feel fines and suspensions are meted out in a consistent fashion, regardless of the stature of the player who commmitted the infraction?

yes	551	23.1%
no	1656	69.4%
don't know	94	3.9%
no opinion	82	3.4%

37.

Should face shields, minimum half shield, be "grandfathered" into the league? (that is, anyone coming into the NHL would be required to wear a half shield, but no current players would be forced to do so)

yes	1188	49.8%
no	1036	43.4%
don't know	77	3.2%
no opinion	82	3.4%

38.

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	2113	88.6%
no	124	5.2%
don't know	69	2.9%
no opinion	77	3.2%

39.

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

yes	1037	43.5%
no	1144	48.0%
don't know	113	4.7%
no opinion	89	3.7%

40.

Should the League remove the red line, thereby eliminating the two-line offside pass? (but still retaining it for icings)

yes	948	39.7%
no	1251	52.5%
don't know	111	4.7%
no opinion	73	3.1%

41.

Should the NHL implement a policy to ensure greater flexibility of the rink-board glass in many arenas, to help reduce injuries?

yes	2088	87.5%
no	136	5.7%
don't know	79	3.3%
no opinion	80	3.4%

42.

Do you feel today's NHL players have respect for one another on the ice?

yes	921	38.6%
no	1211	50.8%
don't know	185	7.8%
no opinion	66	2.8%

43.

Should fighting be banned from the NHL?

yes	176	7.4%
no	2141	90.0%
don't know	26	1.1%
no opinion	40	1.7%

44.

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	975	40.9%
get rid of it	1144	48.0%
don't know	144	6.0%
no opinion	121	5.1%

Decision Makers

45.

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

yes	1108	46.5%
no	836	35.1%
don't know	243	10.2%
no opinion	197	8.3%

46.

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

yes	1422	59.6%
no	356	14.9%
don't know	385	16.1%
no opinion	221	9.3%

47.

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

yes	623	26.1%
no	1369	57.4%
don't know	216	9.1%
no opinion	176	7.4%

48.

Now, if you had to give Gary Bettman a grade on his overall performance as NHL Commissioner, what would it be, A being the highest and F being a failure.

A	106	4.4%
B	834	35.0%
C	900	37.7%
D	382	16.0%
F	162	6.8%

49.

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

yes	463	19.4%
no	1565	65.6%
don't know	239	10.0%
no opinion	117	4.9%

50.

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	170	7.1%
a good job	1063	44.6%
a passable job	773	32.4%
a lousy job	152	6.4%
don't know	123	5.2%
no opinion	103	4.3%

51.

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

yes	447	18.7%
no	1148	48.1%
don't know	550	23.1%
no opinion	239	10.0%

52.

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

yes	1406	59.0%
no	225	9.4%
don't know	506	21.2%
no opinion	247	10.4%

53.

The NHLFA has met with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. Do you feel it is equally important for the National Hockey League Players' Association to meet with us?

yes	2116	88.7%
no	85	3.6%
don't know	85	3.6%
no opinion	98	4.1%

Money Matters

54.

Ticket prices for NHL games are:

too high	2053	86.1%
too low	2	.01%
about right	237	9.9%
don't know	42	1.8%
no opinion	50	2.1%

55.

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

yes	1940	81.3%
no	274	11.5%
don't know	103	4.3%
no opinion	67	2.8%

56.

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

yes	1767	74.1%
no	325	13.6%
don't know	193	8.1%
no opinion	99	4.2%

57.

Do you anticipate a players' strike or lock out when the current collective bargaining agreement expires in 2004?

yes	1507	63.2%
no	446	18.7%
don't know	352	14.8%
no opinion	79	3.3%

58.

Do you feel the NHL is becoming a two-tier league (player expenditure wise), much like Major League Baseball?

yes	1864	78.2%
no	234	9.8%
don't know	181	7.6%
no opinion	105	4.4%

59.

Who do you feel ultimately pays the players' salaries?

the NHL	0	0.0%
the team owners	89	3.7%
the fans	1371	57.5%
a combination of the above	880	36.9%
don't know	41	1.7%

60.

The average player salary in the NHL is approximately (USD) $1.5 million. Do you feel this is:

too high	1502	63.0%
too low	42	1.8%
about right	705	29.6%
no opinion	135	5.7%

61.

In most cities, ticket prices for exhibition games are the same price as for 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	238	10.0%
no, it's not fair	2055	86.2%
don't know	28	1.2%
no opinion	63	2.6%

62.

What do you think about letting teams put sponsorship/advertising crests and logos on their sweaters to raise additional revenues?

I think it's a good idea	602	25.2%
It's a bad idea	1582	66.3%
no opinion	200	8.4%

NHLFA Corner

63.

Should the NHLFA continue to present its own player awards, not necessarily the same as those currently awarded to players?

yes	2140	89.7%
no	78	3.3%
don't know	45	1.9%
no opinion	121	5.1%

64.

Should we have daily hockey news available on our web site?

yes	1808	75.8%
no	216	9.1%
don't know	126	5.3%
no opinion	234	9.8%




© 2008 NHL Fans' Association	NHLFA.com \| The Fan Report \| Member Services \| Newsroom \| Registration \| The Boards

	The NHLFA is not affiliated with the National Hockey League. The NHL initials are the property of the NHL, are used under license, and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. All rights reserved.