Polemic Hockey

ESPN Magic--or whatever today's latter-day media fellation of teams is called--fails because it latches on to teams not for merit and not even for overall popularity--but for local popularity. The Avs, Flyers, and Stars may sell out seats, but they are not tastemakers. Making those teams prosper will never help the league overall. (In the post-ESPN era we have to add the Penguins, who may be popular enough to meet my requirements.) Much as I love to bash them, the Rangers are probably appropriate ESPN Magic recipients.

But so are several teams that don't.