NHL – Muffy Lavens

Brands are Built on Promises

Posted on November 28, 2012November 28, 2012 by mlavens in PR Tips

“I don’t know how you come back from a prolonged stoppage a second time because it is unprecedented,” said Ed O’Hara, senior partner of New York-based SME Branding, “Brands are built on promises. In this case, the promised experiences of seeing the greatest athletes in the world. That’s all gone now.”

This quote really stuck out to me. I saw it today in an article in The Washington Post about the NHL lockout. Even though this quote is based off the NHL lockout, it doesn’t mean they are the only brand that need to keep their promises. All brands need to. Brands that don’t can run into issues with their fans and customers.

Since this quote comes from the NHL lockout (and I’m a hockey fan) I’m going to start by using it as an example. The last time the NHL had a lockout is cost the entire 2004-2005 season. The NHL promised fans a better experience following the cancellation of the season. Fans came back and all seemed well. The NHL was experiencing some of the highest revenue it’s ever had and games were packed. Then, another lockout came around.

The NHL has been confident that fans will return following this lockout, but I wouldn’t be so sure. My dad and I had a partial season ticket package to the Red Wings for the past few years. We had every intention of renewing this year even though I’d be living in New York and could only make it home for a few games. Now, I could care less if we get a season ticket package again. I love the Wings and will always support them, but I can do that from the comfort of my couch in New York City instead of spending the money to fly home and buy tickets. I’m not saying I will never go to another Wings game, because lets be honest, you’d never be able to keep my away from Joe Louis for forever, but I do have some serious reservations about spending so much time and money on these games.

I know I’m not the only fan that feels this way. From other blogs and articles I’ve read, a lot of fans are fed up with the NHL. No one wanted to see another lockout. This has pretty much ruined their reputation.

Any company that makes a promise to their fans something and doesn’t deliver is going to have a possible crisis on their hands and will need to recover from a lack of supporters.

The PR Tactic of the NHL

Posted on October 20, 2012October 22, 2012 by mlavens in Press Release

NEW YORK, NY – Earlier this week the NHL announced there was an “agreeable” proposal on the table and if the NHLPA agreed to it, a full 82 game season could start on November 2. This announcement was made shortly after the proposal was given to Donald Fahr, the union’s executive director. This gave fans hope and something to possible look forward to. Instead, they got more cancelled games.

Thursday, the players offered the NHL three counterproposals that were all shot down by the NHL. This also caused the NHL to cancel another weeks worth of game through November 1. This is not a total surprise seeing the season wouldn’t have started until November 2 had the proposal been signed.

What makes this situation in the lockout unique is what the NHL did from a PR standpoint. Commissioner Gary Bettman, basically told the public the season would start on November 2 and it would be possible to play all 82 games. A few days later, when the NHLPA didn’t agree, he cancels more games and makes it look like the players caused this. He tried to show that he was focused and concerned about the season getting back on track, by announcing the new proposal and that it could save the season. When the players rejected it, it causes fans to lose hope. Even the New York Times has stated that the fans are starting to blame the players for the continuation of the lockout. Many fans are extremely upset about the current situation have been voicing their opinions.

Buffalo Sabres fan, Dan Szudik stated, “At this point, you have to feel the NHL is playing the PR game to perfection. It really makes it look like the NHL is doing everything they can and this is all the players fault. What a difference a week makes in the world of public opinion.”

One Boston Bruins fan, Holly Post, has even taken her message to Facebook hoping to capture the leagues perspective from another viewpoint. She’s a 19-year-old college student working two jobs to pay for her season tickets. Not only is she missing the sport she loves, but the lockout is costing her more money as the local pub she works at is lacking business. Watch video here: NHL Fan Speaks Out

At this point, it’s hard to say when the NHL lockout will end. Fans, including myself, would love to see the season start on November 2 and it is still possible. If the NHL and NHLPA reach an agreement by October 25 games will begin. But, with the proposals shot down and no new negotiations scheduled, it could mean a longer and longer lockout.

Updated: October 22, 2012

NHL Lockout Continues

Posted on October 2, 2012October 2, 2012 by mlavens in Press Release

NEW YORK, NY – Meeting continued today between the NHL and the NHLPA regarding the current lockout situation. Despite meeting, no further progress has been made. According to an article in the LA Times, the cancellation of preseason cost the NHL $100million and most likely, are days away from canceling the start of regular season games, which were scheduled to begin October 11.

Some players including Dan Cleary (Detroit Red Wings) have stated that they think the lockout could potential last the entire season. Hockey fans and players hope this doesn’t happen, but in the mean time, many players have been going overseas to play on month-to-month contracts or have been training with the American Hockey League. Minor league teams have been offering ticket packages to fan still wishing to enjoy hockey while the NHL is locked out.

Some players are sick of the continuous lockouts since Gary Bettman has been commissioner of the NHL. Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) has claimed he may not return to the NHL if he does agree with the terms between the NHL and NHLPA. I’m sure he’s not the only player considering this.

For those of you that know me, you know I am an avid hockey fan. I was heartbroken when Nick Lidstrom (Detroit Red Wings) announced his retirement earlier this year and I was even more disappointed when the lockout officially happened. At the rate negotiations are going, I worried the Winter Classic will be cancelled. I was so excited when they made the announcement that the Winter Classic was going to be held in the University of Michigan’s Big House and that it would be an Original Six game. I was prepared to fly home from New York City for it. Now, my hopes a slowly fading. As more time passes without a deal between the NHL and NHLPA, the more I feel like I’m going to miss out on the game.

For now, it’s just a waiting game. No plans have been made to continue discussions meaning the start of regular season will most likely be delayed.

2012 NHL Free Agent Watch

Posted on July 3, 2012July 3, 2012 by mlavens in Press Release

Today is the third day for free agents in the NHL to make deals with the teams. There are still two big players that everyone is waiting on: NJ Devils Captain, Zach Parise, and Nashville Predators Defenseman, Ryan Suter.

The twitter-verse has been blowing up the past few days about where these player will end up. Parise made the decision to return home to Minnesota yesterday to further discuss his options with his family. Many people feel that this means he may be moving back to Minnesota for good. The Minnesota Wild are just one of many teams interested in signing with him.

What I find hard to believe is that Parise would want to leave the New Jersey Devils after this past year. The New Jersey Devils made it to the final round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and forced a Game Six on the Los Angeles Kings, who had not seen a Game Six until then. Also, goaltender Marty Bourder, resigned with the New Jersey Devils for another two years. It just seems to me, that with all the success he has had in Jersey, he’d feel stronger about staying there.

Of course, players change teams for all kinds of reasons. As people have been saying, maybe he wants to be back home in Minnesota, so the Wild is a better fit for him. There are so many ways this decision could go.

Does he want to come home to play in front of family and friends? Does he want to go to teams with strong franchise history and play with Sid and Geno, Toews and Hossa, Datsyuk and Zetterberg? Or does he want to return to the place he knows and is comfortable with in New Jersey? Hopefully today we’ll have an answer.

Ryan Suter is also taking his time in making a decision. The rumor mill has been flying around about him as well. Since Jordin Tootoo signed with the Detroit Red Wings, people have said there is a strong possibility that Suter would too. The Red Wings have a strong franchise and with a familiar face already here, he might be inclined to come to Hockeytown.

Sources also say the Suter is strongly considering the Minnisota Wild. Could Parise and Suter become the new dream team with the Wild?

If you want to keep track of what is happening within the NHL, check out the free agent tracker. And check back for more updates!

Kings Capture Royal Reward: Lord Stanley’s Cup

Posted on June 11, 2012 by mlavens in Press Release

LOS ANGELES, CA – It’s been 45 since the formation of the Los Angeles Kings, and tonight they made history by winning their first Stanley Cup. It took six games for the Kings to reach this milestone in the franchise’s history, but with a 6-1 final score against the New Jersey Devils, the Stanley Cup is calling Los Angeles it’s home for 2012.

The Kings have done a lot to get to this point. They defeated the Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, and Phoenix Coyotes, the 1-3 seeded teams in the Western Conference. Vancouver also had the best record overall this year. The Kings won each of those rounds in five games or less, with the Stanley Cup Final round being the first round that they played a sixth game. They are also the first team to win the Stanley Cup in their home arena since 1998 when the Detroit Red Wings did it. And on top of that, the first team to be up 3-0 in a series and win it in Game 6. The Kings were making history all post season.

The Kings started out strong in the first period by scoring three goals during a five minute penalty for boarding by Devils player, Steve Bernier, who also received a game misconduct. As the second period started, the Kings added to their lead with a goal by Jeff Carter. The Devils got on the board in the second period with 1:15 left in the period with a goal scored by Adam Henrique.

The Kings and Devils both played strong in the third period, and at 16:15 in the third period, Trevor Lewis scored an empty net goal. New Jersey goalie, Marty Brodeur, returned to the net right after Kings’ fifth goal only to allow another making the final score, 6-1 in favor of the LA Kings.

This is truly a Cinderella story. The Los Angeles Kings struggled to even gain a playoff position at the end of the 2011-2012 NHL season. They ended up with the 8th-seeded position meaning they were paired again the number one team, the Vancouver Canucks. Many expected the Kings to be out in the first round, based on the team they were facing. They took America by surprise when they went up 3-0 against the Canucks, finishing the series in five games.

As the Kings entered the second round, they face the St. Louis Blues, who were one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup this year. They were no match for the Los Angeles Kings though, as they were swept in four games.

That left only the Phoenix Coyotes in their way to the Stanley Cup Final. Like a repeat from the first round, Kings won the first three games and ended the series in five. For the first time in 11 years, they made it to the Stanley Cup Final, and this year they captured the cup.

All that was left was the New Jersey Devils. They were up 3-0 again in this series and all looked well for them to win it in four or five games again, but the Devils put on the pressure and stayed alive for a couple of game. LA’s win is huge because they broke so many records during the post season, and there is one more to add to it. They are the first number 8-seeded team to win the Stanley Cup. They fought long and hard to win the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and truly deserve the title.

*Note: This article is not affiliated with the Los Angeles Kings or the NHL. It is written by a private writer.

Devils Stay Alive

Posted on June 6, 2012 by mlavens in Press Release

LOS ANGELES, CA – With a 3-1 win at the Staples Center, the New Jersey Devils avoid being swept by the Los Angeles Kings in Game four of the Stanley Cup Final.

Both teams went scoreless in the first two periods of the game. The tie was broken in the third period by Patrick Elias of the New Jersey Devils. Sixty seconds later, the Kings answered the goal with a goal of thier own by Drew Doughty on the power play. At 15:29 in the third period, the Devils took the lead again with a goal by rookie, Adam Henrique. The Devils added to their lead with an empty net goal by Ilya Kovalchuk.

This win is huge for the New Jersey Devils who found themselves at risk of being swept by the Kings for the ultimate hockey trophy, the Stanley Cup. New Jersey goaltender, Marty Brodeur said after the game that they were glad to win tonight because the Devils wanted to give their fans at least one more game in the home arena because the fans support them so much.

Does this mean the Devils have a chance at winning the Stanley Cup? Well, sure. They’re not out yet. They are three games away from winning. But one must not overlook the Kings who have not lost a road game during the post-season this year. We’ll just have to wait and find out.

Game 5 will be in New Jersey at 8pm Eastern Standard time. The game with be broadcasted on NBC.

*Note: This article is not affiliated with the NHL, the New Jersey Devils or the Los Angeles Kings. It is written by a private writer.

Lidstrom Retires from NHL

Posted on May 31, 2012May 31, 2012 by mlavens in Press Release

DETROIT, MI – This morning Detroit Red Wings captain, Nicklas Lidstrom announced his retirement from hockey and the Detroit Red Wings during a press conference at Joe Louis Arena. Lidstrom has played with the Wings for twenty seasons and has served as the captain of the team for the last six years.

Lidstrom stated, “Retiring today allows me to walk away from the game with pride, rather than have the game walk away from me.”

Lidstrom had a “Hall of Fame” career. He has helped the Red Wings win four Stanley Cups. He has also been awarded the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman seven times. Lidstrom has played in 1,564 regular-season games in his NHL career putting him behind Gordie Howe on Detroit’s all-time list. Other statistic are 1,142 points (264 goals & 878 assists) which is the fourth most in franchise history.

Lidstrom’s Stanley Cup Playoffs numbers are just as impressive as his regular season statistics. During his career he never missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs, meaning he’s appeared in 263 post-season games. During the playoffs he’s score 54 goals, had 129 assists for a total of 183 career playoff points.

Hockeytown will surely miss Nicklas Lidstrom. Thanks for twenty year of great hockey.

*Note: This is not a published story from the Detroit Red Wings. Everything stated comes from a private writer.