Partly just do to running out of time and partly due to wanting to give the NC State/UNC game and local hockey top billing coming out of the All-Star break on Monday, I did not post a Monday Coffee Shop article. But do not worry…The Coffee Shop which is my favorite aspect of the site will continue to be a regular entry on Mondays and Thursdays.
Today’s Coffee Shop looks at two completely different items. First, off the ice, there are a couple polls related to the recent ticket promotions. Those ticket promotions are the topic of today’s Daily Cup of Joe, and a discussion has already started there, so I am just going to include polls here. On the ice, the polls and discussion will bandy around optimal player combinations since the team is back to healthy and actually has some decisions to make in terms of who plays with whom.
Carolina Hurricanes polls
Please remember to click ‘vote’ after each individual poll response.
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Discussion questions
1) If you could suggest only one change or new promotion to boost attendance/the fan base, what would it be?
2) In the same vein as the last poll question, how would you build the forward lines now that the team is healthy again and up to 14 players?
3) If you could keep only two things from Tuesday’s win, what would they be? If you could add one thing as the team aims to keep improving what would it be?
Go Canes!
Ooopps! I accidently clicked bought the ‘Canes Pass’ for February. You can take that out. I am a STH and did buy a couple of February games I did not have.
1. Really don’t know–the upcoming winning streak should do the trick.
2. I agree that McGinn works well with Williams. And Stempniak has seemed to help Skinner (though Skinner might have just been do to have games where he is causing havoc).
So. TSA, McGinn/Lindholm/Williams, Skinner/Rask/Stempniak, Nordstrom/Kruger/Ryan. I agree with others who think Lindholm at C makes sense–playing with McGinn and Williams would create a physical line. All the lines should be strong at forechecking.
3. First–Health. Having Aho and Stempniak improves offense and makes the top 3 lines dangerous. Second–All six D playing solid in three zones. Ward didn’t face any high danger shots due to oopses in front of him and all the D-men were active in the offensive zone. Third–Skinner finding the net. As I mentioned earlier, if Skinner is a point-per-game player in February, then it will be the month we all hope to see.
I am a 11-game mini-plan STM (lower level) and have been attending 30+ games the past 3-5 seasons. My STM seats are actually my most expensive seats, but they give me access to other things from discounted concessions and merchandise to STM appreciation seats, which lower my average cost per ticket. I bought tickets during the Fall’s Black Friday sale and added 5 games to my February schedule (including my voucher for that sale). So as a mini-plan STM I can appreciate some of the pricing. I think occasional promotions like those we have had are beneficial – the OTT upper-to-lower move helped filled the lower level on what was a low attendance game. The $10 deal helped put college students in the stands (and on Tuesday the lower level). I am concerned that full-season STMs aren’t getting the same benefits and if these promotions become expected you can expect STM sales to go down next season.
Other fan appreciation improvements are cool – there will be fan tunnel experiences every home game (find Dundon’s whiteboard posting to the team on Twitter for a chuckle) – this is all about increasing interaction between fans and team (per Cuban). In a similar vein, gameday customers in The Eye are given the chance to meet players after each game. Dundon accelerating the new scoreboard (which will stretch from blue line to blue line) in a meeting with the Centennial Authority today. On Tuesday Canes staff were “upgrading” other seats – my daughter and her boyfriend ended sitting in the “Social VIP” section in the NW corner, two rows back from glass. I expect those impromptu promotions will continue – and that is cool.
And that answers (1) – I don’t see any one change; I see a number and they generall creating good will and recognition for the team.
(2) Generally I don’t like to play armchair coach or armchair GM. I really think Turbo and Aho are extremely good on the same line, and I think Staal is the right center for the two of them. I would still like to see a Charlotte – I think there is a role for Foegele on the right wing (I think he represents a possible improvement over a few players currently on the roster) and I think there is a way to see what Zykov can do – although I don’t know who moves out. I am increasingly pleased with how McGinn is playing.
(3) Keep the ability to control pace as well as to be successful when the checking is tight (as it was in the first). I think we need to add more offensive potential (see my candidates in (2)).
1. Winning fixes everything. I think what Dundon is doing is shaking things up from a marketing standpoint and for the stretch drive. I’m sure next year will present interesting options for both season ticket holders and walk-ups. I’m not local so games in Raleigh are sporadic. This year my game money (aka road support) was in Montreal and will be again in Ottawa next month. If I were Dundon I would also be attending road games to get a better glimpse of what works for fans (and what doesn’t).
2. Lines will change as needed. I think the question is do we need all 14 current forwards and are they in our plans for the next 5-7 years? If not, listen to other clubs asking price and try to improve our forward corp via trade (doubtful, but possible).
3. Limit mistakes. Capitalize on opportunities. Better jump early.
Dundon has travelled with the team on several occasions and has had independent conversations with other hockey teams. Just recently he took staff to Dallas to talk with Mark Cuban. He is definitely open to ideas on fan experience from all sources.
1.Trade for Tavares
2.Point and Tarasenko…would be nice
3.Keep Lindy on the 4th line, and keep Mcginn with Williams.