All is quiet on the Avalanche front.<\/p>\n
With Joe Sakic out of town and not addressing media until Thursday, there\u2019s not much happening in Colorado. Outside of a brief statement it released last week in regard to Chris MacFarland leaving for Nashville, the franchise has been silent since its season came to an abrupt end two weeks ago.<\/p>\n
However, the end of the season for Colorado did not mean the NHL shut down for the summer \u2014 although Avalanche fans may be protesting this Stanley Cup final given the Vegas Golden Knights are close to another title. <\/p>\n
The NHL has carried on. <\/p>\n
Vegas and Carolina have played three fantastic hockey games filled with drama and action. There have been 85 MPH shots to the face, leads gained and leads blown and two overtime finishes. Each game has been decided by just one goal with the series only getting better the longer it goes.<\/p>\n
Fans, new and old, are eating it up.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26158189744407.jpg\")
Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jordan Martinook (48) reacts after Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore scored during the the second overtime in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series , Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo\/Candice Ward)<\/p>\n
Game 1 was the most-viewed Game 1 since 2019 with 4.8 million viewers, according to ESPN. Game 2 maintained that momentum with 4.7 million viewers, and it would be a surprise if the numbers for Game 3 Sunday were all that different. It certainly helps that the games have been on ABC, a channel accessible in most homes, as opposed to TNT. But that was also the case two years ago when Florida and Edmonton played. The ratings numbers this year are up dramatically from the first two games in 2024. It doesn\u2019t came anywhere close to the NBA\u2019s absurd 16.93 million viewers for their Game 1, so it\u2019s important to keep that in perspective, but it\u2019s progress.<\/p>\n
Two good teams playing tight games plays a role in those big numbers, but it can\u2019t be the only reason. These aren\u2019t two large market teams going at it.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s undeniable at this point: The NHL allowing its players to return to the Olympics for the first time in 12 years has given the league momentum. It makes the league avoiding the Olympics over the last decade look worse, but at least they righted a wrong and attended in February. <\/p>\n
Now they must keep that momentum going.<\/p>\n
If the NHL has one bad habit, it\u2019s stepping on avoidable rakes. Due to its broadcasting agreement, the NHL\u2019s Stanley Cup final next year returns to TNT, which means the ratings will inevitably take another hit as fewer people will have access to watching it. That\u2019s one rake they preemptively stepped on years ago, but they can avoid future ones if they try.<\/p>\n
The NHL already announced a change to the All-Star game format for next season. It will look to make it more of an international competition as opposed to the four teams comprised of players from each division going at it. The initial response to the changes are mixed, but at least the league is trying. They know the 4 Nations Face-off and Olympics brought the juice, so anything they can do to keep that going is the right move.<\/p>\n
Other forms of media have also highlighted hockey to people who typically would not have watched. Streaming shows like \u201cHeated Rivalry\u201d and \u201cOff Campus,\u201d both based off books, have become immensely popular over the last 12 months and brought in a new wave of fans. Commissioner Gary Bettman has admitted to binge watching both shows over the last few months, but the NHL hasn\u2019t acknowledged either show on a grander scale. While old-school fans might not have much interest in those shows, there\u2019s no denying they\u2019ve introduced the game to a different crowd. If you want to get more eyeballs on your game, you need that.<\/p>\n
The league has the momentum. Now it\u2019s up to the league to maintain it. The on-ice product is fantastic, league revenues are higher than ever, and the game is gaining in popularity. All the conditions are in place for this growth to continue. Can they figure out how to promote their players a bit more? That\u2019s a two-way street because the players must show a bit more personality on camera for it to work. But you have got an Olympics hero in Jack Hughes dating pop star Tate McRae. It shouldn\u2019t be that difficult to pull off.<\/p>\n
Promote the players and promote this fantastic game. <\/p>\n
You have the momentum, NHL. Don\u2019t blow it.<\/p>\n
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