Polemic Hockey

It wasn't a coincidence that the early 90s, the peak of hockey's popularity in the US, coincided with the era when these teams were all in the finals, along with the Northstars. It's also no coincidence that the low point corresponded to the ascendance of Detroit, Colorado, Philadelphia, and Dallas, who were relentlessly pimped by ESPN.  While those may (or may not) be good hockey markets, none of them are great markets in general.  

Trends aren't set in Dallas or Detroit or Denver.  

It's nothing against those places, but it's just the truth.  They are made by tastemakers in LA, NY, and to some extent Chicago.  How many LA/Gretzky jerseys did you see in movies? How many Ranger jerseys have you seen (even as recent as Pushing Tin) or even the Devils? (Seinfeld)  All of these are major, taste-making markets.

If it's enough for the NHL to be big in a few towns that like hockey, then the ESPN/Dallas/Detroit/Colorado approach is fine.  If the NHL wants to be big nationwide, it needs to have good teams in the biggest markets.  That means we need the Ducks to be good (check) the Kings to be good (coming soon), the Rangers to be good (mostly there), the Devils to be good (dynasty, check), the Islanders to be good (coming along), and the Blackhawks to be good (looks promising), and also Boston (coming along).

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Also, as much as I loved to hate him, anyone who thinks Eric Lindros doesn't belong in the hall of fame isn't being honest with themselves.  For a good 5 year period, things were all about him, and deservedly so.