NHLFA.com - 2002 NHLFA Fan Report


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2002 NHLFA Fan Report - Results

Here are the 2002 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	684	26%
1-5	1062	40%
6-11	320	12%
12-15	145	5%
16-24	120	4%
25 or more	297	11%

Do you plan to attend more games this year compared to last year?

yes	862	32%
no	993	37%
don't know	773	29%

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

none	3	0%
1-20	284	11%
21-40	534	20%
41-60	534	20%
more than 60	1239	47%
don't know	34	1%

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	65	2%
good	591	22%
average	525	20%
poor	372	14%
Not a resident of the U.S.	1074	40%

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	598	23%
good	520	20%
average	97	3%
poor	18	0%
Not a resident of Canada	1444	55%

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

impending lockout/walkout	425	16%
the quality of the game/players	89	3%
escalating salaries	387	15%
cost of attending games	546	21%
all of the above	1093	41%
no concerns - like the game as it is	88	3%

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

yes	1289	49%
no	907	34%
don't know	123	4%
no opinion	309	12%

Do you think NHL teams should discontinue the tradition of singing national anthems prior to games?

yes	321	12%
no	2180	83%
no opinion	127	5%

What is your prime source of information about NHL hockey?

newspaper	324	12%
Internet	1334	51%
television	610	23%
magazines	5	0%
radio	74	3%
The Hockey News	265	10%
other hockey publication	3	0%
other	13	0%

Rules & Regulations

10.

Are you pleased with the recently adopted overtime format? (five minutes of four-on-four hockey with each team receiving at least one point and the winner receiving two points)

yes	1966	75%
no	569	22%
no opinion	93	3%

11.

If a game remains tied after overtime during the regular season, would you like to see the NHL adopt a shootout to determine a victor?

yes	788	30%
no	1787	68%
no opinion	53	2%

12.

Are you pleased that the NHL has adopted a new rule that requires each team to install safety netting behind the goals to protect fans from wayward pucks?

yes	1114	42%
no	1081	41%
no opinion	433	16%

13.

Are you pleased with the NHL's decision to crack down on stick infractions (i.e. hooking and holding) and interference this season?

yes	2313	88%
no	171	6%
don't know	103	4%
no opinion	41	2%

14.

Do you believe that the NHL and the referees will consistently enforce the rules, throughout the entire GAME, to crack down on stick infractions and interference?

yes	597	23%
no	1711	65%
don't know	291	11%
no opinion	29	1%

15.

Do you believe that the NHL and the referees will consistently enforce the rules throughout the entire SEASON?

yes	319	12%
no	1975	75%
don't know	312	12%
no opinion	22	1%

16.

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

yes	1844	70%
no	623	24%
don't know	70	3%
no opinion	91	3%

17.

Do you believe that the NHL should discipline referees more often and more consistently in an attempt to more strictly enforce the rulebook?

yes	1824	69%
no	487	18%
don't know	218	8%
no opinion	99	4%

18.

Do you think smaller, more skilled players will have a better chance of playing in the NHL if the League and the referees consistently enforce their decision to crack down on stick infractions and interference?

yes	2146	82%
no	237	9%
don't know	194	7%
no opinion	51	2%

19.

Would you like to see more scoring in the NHL?

yes	1507	57%
no	639	24%
don't know	191	7%
no opinion	290	11%

20.

The NHL has discontinued gathering and disseminating the player statistic "hits" this season. Will you miss this statistic?

yes	1293	49%
no	1178	45%
don't know	81	3%
no opinion	76	3%

21.

The NHL has discontinued gathering and disseminating the player statistics "give-aways" and "take-aways". Will you miss these statistics?

yes	1008	38%
no	1440	55%
don't know	91	3%
no opinion	89	3%

22.

Some have suggested that the NHL has discontinued gathering the aforementioned statistics as a way to remove some bargaining power of average players during contract negotiations. Do you believe the NHL has stopped gathering and disseminating these statistics to reduce players' bargaining power?

yes	797	30%
no	881	33%
don't know	812	31%
no opinion	138	5%

23.

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

yes	1148	44%
no	800	30%
don't know	606	23%
no opinion	74	3%

24.

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

yes	1513	57%
no	856	33%
don't know	208	8%
no opinion	51	2%

25.

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	1785	68%
no	788	30%
don't know	37	1%
no opinion	18	1%

26.

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	1494	57%
no	1024	39%
don't know	65	2%
no opinion	42	2%

27.

Do you think the fines meted out to players during the 2001-02 season for serious infractions were appropriate?

yes, appropriate	910	35%
no, not harsh enough	1115	42%
too harsh	59	2%
don't know	386	15%
no opinion	16	1%

28.

The NHL has attempted to improve the standards for ice quality in NHL arenas. Do you feel ice quality has improved during the last year?

yes	544	21%
no	668	25%
don't know	1288	49%
no opinion	128	5%

29.

Do you feel the NHL should do more to increase the standard of ice quality?

yes	2043	78%
no	85	3%
don't know	345	13%
no opinion	155	6%

30.

The NHL has attempted to improve the standard for flexibility of rink board glass in NHL arenas. Do you feel the NHL's efforts have improved the quality of rink board glass flexibility during the last year?

yes	1233	47%
no	344	13%
don't know	945	36%
no opinion	106	4%

31.

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

yes	1123	43%
no	1325	50%
don't know	115	4%
no opinion	65	2%

32.

This season, the NHL has adopted a new policy of 'hurry-up' face-offs to reduce the length of games. Are you in favor of hurry-up face-offs?

yes	2242	85%
no	285	11%
don't know	52	2%
no opinion	49	2%

33.

Would you like to see a further reduction in the length of NHL games.

yes	495	19%
no	1890	72%
don't know	125	5%
no opinion	118	4%

34.

Should fighting be banned from the NHL?

yes	198	7%
no	2345	89%
don't know	45	2%
no opinion	40	1%

35.

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

too high	431	16%
too low	123	5%
just right	2028	77%
no opinion	46	2%

36.

How many men's Olympic hockey tournament games did you watch last season?

none	61	2%
one to three games	297	11%
four to six games	746	28%
seven to 10 games	773	29%
more than 10 games	726	27%
don't know	25	1%

37.

Which International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) rule, seen at the Olympics, do you think the NHL should adopt?

Larger ice surface	515	20%
Neutral zone two line passes permitted	452	17%
Automatic icings (no touch-up)	577	22%
All of the above	494	19%
The NHL is fine without these rules	536	20%
don't know	54	2%

Decision Makers

38.

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

yes	1035	39%
no	1088	41%
don't know	337	13%
no opinion	168	6%

39.

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

yes	1436	55%
no	421	16%
don't know	576	22%
no opinion	195	7%

40.

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

yes	590	22%
no	1586	60%
don't know	305	12%
no opinion	147	6%

41.

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	84	3%
B	789	30%
C	868	33%
D	494	19%
F	196	7%
don't know	197	7%

42.

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

yes	755	29%
no	1525	58%
don't know	231	9%
no opinion	117	4%

43.

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?

an excellent job	114	4%
a good job	1074	41%
a passable job	926	35%
a lousy job	249	9%
don't know	159	6%
no opinion	106	4%

44.

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

yes	359	14%
no	1348	51%
don't know	706	27%
no opinion	215	8%

45.

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

yes	1504	57%
no	275	10%
don't know	628	24%
no opinion	221	8%

Money Matters

46.

Ticket prices for NHL games are...

too high	2331	89%
too low	4	0%
about right	221	8%
don't know	32	1%
no opinion	40	1%

47.

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

yes	2130	81%
no	287	11%
don't know	155	6%
no opinion	56	2%

48.

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

yes	1894	72%
no	372	14%
don't know	268	10%
no opinion	94	4%

49.

Do you think the NHL Players' Association and the NHL should be actively negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) prior to the current CBA's expiry date of September 2004?

yes	2408	92%
no	51	2%
don't know	97	4%
no opinion	72	3%

50.

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

yes, it will be a long work stoppage	1113	42%
yes, but it will be a short work stoppage	574	22%
no, the games will go on	441	17%
don't know	446	17%
no opinion	54	2%

51.

Do you believe that an impending players' strike or lock out in 2004 is currently hurting attendance for League games?

yes	437	17%
no	1792	68%
don't know	337	13%
no opinion	62	2%

52.

Who do you feel ultimately pays the players' salaries?

the NHL	5	0%
the team owners	80	3%
the fans	1664	63%
a combination of the above	848	32%
don't know	31	1%

53.

The average player salary in the NHL is approximately $1.6 million (USD). Compared to other professional sports, I think the NHL salary average is...

too high	836	32%
too low	319	12%
about right	1209	46%
no opinion	264	10%

54.

Do you support the Vancouver Canucks, Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins' decision to charge more money for game day tickets for popular teams versus regular rates for less popular teams?

yes, it's fair	504	19%
no, it's not fair	1036	39%
it's fair as long as we get a price break when weaker teams play	938	36%
don't know	80	3%
no opinion	70	3%

NHLFA Corner

55.

The NHLFA has met with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. The NHL Players' Association Executive Director, Bob Goodenow, refuses to meet with NHL Fans' Association representatives. What should the NHLFA do in regards to communicating with the NHL Players' Association?

make all efforts to meet Mr. Goodenow and discuss NHLFA issues	1523	58%
simply communicate the NHLFA's position on issues to the NHLPA via letters	603	23%
don't waste any time persuing the NHLPA brass	261	10%
don't know	143	5%
no opinion	98	4%

56.

Should the NHLFA attempt to sell the naming rights of its individual player awards to corporate sponsors?

yes	1053	40%
no	995	38%
don't know	320	12%
no opinion	260	10%

57.

Which makes more sense?

The NHLFA should send out mini-polls on a regular basis.	1515	58%
The NHLFA should only send out minipolls as issues arise.	913	35%
don't know	62	2%
no opinion	138	5%

58.

Will you attend the NHL's 2003 All Star weekend in Florida in early February?

yes	58	2%
no	2412	92%
don't know	128	5%
no opinion	30	1%

59.

Do you think the NHLFA should allow sports media to directly (using a Web tool) survey its Members?

yes	1403	53%
no	754	29%
don't know	280	11%
no opinion	191	7%

60.

To help lure corporate sponsors to the NHLFA, do you think the NHLFA should expand its scope to include other professional sports fan advocacy groups (i.e. NFLFA, NBAFA, MLBFA)?

yes	194	7%
no	1056	40%
as long as it didn't diminish the NHLFA	1058	40%
don't know	195	7%
no opinion	125	5%

61.

If there was a local NHLFA Chapter in your community, would you support this Chapter by attending meetings and/or events?

yes - annually	210	8%
yes - quarterly	457	17%
yes - monthly	337	13%
it depends on the activity	1187	45%
sorry, no time	284	11%
don't know	153	6%

62.

What is your opinion of the NHLFA's progress as it attempts to grow into a professional organization representing the fans' best interests?

I am not pleased with the NHLFA's progession	90	3%
I am generally pleased with the NHLFA's progession	1240	47%
I am very pleased with the NHLFA's progession	464	18%
I'm not in a position to judge yet	736	28%
no opinion	98	4%




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