As the season begins, there is a focus on the part of fans and media to see just what teams are offering up as part of their mea culpa. The league kicked things off with print ads and discounts on GameCenterLive and Centre Ice. ESPN put together a list of the plans that teams had for their season openers and there were some gems:
Buffalo Sabres
Merchandise: From now until the end of the home opener, all merchandise in the team store is 50 percent off.
What a nice gesture! They'll sell you wildly overpriced merchandise at a less outrageous price.
Calgary Flames
Concessions: All food at the Scotiabank Saddledome including concessions, Avison Young Club, Saddleroom Grill, Dutton's and club seats for the first two games will be 50 percent off.
Merchandise: All Flames merchandise at all FanAttic locations will be 50 percent off from the beginning of training camp through the end of the first home game.
Again, not really a present for fans so much as a way to limit the damage.
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks did not respond to requests for information.
I wish Dollar Bill Wirtz was still alive and had taken this call.
Edmonton Oilers
A spokesman for the team says there are surprises being planned for the home opener but declined to provide details.
The surprise is that Steve Tambellini is still GM but that the team may not be atrocious.
Los Angeles Kings
A team spokesman says there are no plans for discounted tickets, concessions or merchandise for the home opener.
Of course not, why would a team that has been riding their success and goodwill taint that by giving their fans something for the lockout that they singlehandedly caused when they bought Wayne Gretzky from the Edmonton Oilers. Fuckers.
Minnesota Wild
A team spokesman says there are no plans for discounted tickets, concessions or merchandise for the home opener.
Why would they when those rubes will show up for anything?
New York Rangers
A team spokesman says there are no plans for discounted tickets, concessions or merchandise for the home opener.
Can't have one of the league's rare profitable teams cutting into those margins can we?
Ottawa Senators
Tickets: Children 14 and younger will receive a free ticket to the home opener with the purchase of an adult ticket. Parking in Lots 5, 6 and 9 will be free for the home opener.
Concessions: Popcorn will be $1 for the home opener.
Merchandise: The team store will take 50 percent off all merchandise during the home opener.
Free parking is a good deal considering everyone has to drive to the middle of nowhere to watch that team.
Philadelphia Flyers
A team spokesman says there are no plans for discounted tickets, concessions or merchandise for the home opener.
Ed Snider almost smiled for the first time in his life at the thought that one of the masterminds of the lockout would ever apologize for how he goes about achieving his goals.
Phoenix Coyotes
A team spokesman says there are no plans for discounted tickets, concessions or merchandise for the home opener.
They don't even have an owner! How could they offer anything? If they did give any discounts Glendale would probably have to lay off some teachers.
St. Louis Blues
Concessions: For the home opener, fans can receive a free Pepsi product, and hot dogs are buy one, get one free.
Leave it to an owner that crafted this horseshit apology to come up with a horseshit giveaway.
Washington Capitals
A team spokesman says there are no plans for discounted tickets, concessions or merchandise for the home opener.
The Capitals can't offer any concessions because Leonsis hasn't made a penny on hockey since he bought the team. Apparently Leonsis was unable to turn the Rock the Red phenomenon into a single penny. I would kill to see his books because I think that's unbelievable.
Winnipeg Jets
Merchandise: All merchandise not already discounted in Jets Gear Stores is 25 percent off.
Read this fanpost from Arctic Ice Hockey with the Pollyanna-ish view of Jets' ownership and then re-read that concession and laugh and laugh as you think about the rude awakening in store for the author.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs did not respond to requests for information.
"Of course, I bet those greedy bastards have no plans whatsoever!" - an idiot. Turns out, aside from having training camp practices open to the public and today's open practice at the ACC that was catered, that the Leafs have quite an extensive schedule of events including giving away 1000 free tickets. First up, the important part, how can you win free tickets:
- Be a season ticket holder - you'll get a refund or some shit you lucky bastards
- Track them down in person while wearing Leafs gear
The plan of attack is here:
Over the next four days, the Maple Leafs’ ‘Blue and White Crew’ will be on the search for fans showing Leafs pride and wearing team apparel. The Blue and White Crew will visit various locations throughout the Greater Toronto Area randomly awarding tickets for the Home Opener to proud members of Leafs Nation. Maple Leafs fans are encouraged to follow the team online at mapleleafs.com, on Twitter @mapleleafs, Facebook and the Leafs Last Minute Club for additional chances to win tickets to the Home Opener.
You'll also want to be around Nathan Phillips Square next Monday
January 21 - Nathan Phillips Square rink activation - free skate rentals, ticket giveaways, Leafs alumni and Marlies appearances and a special Leafs treatment for the rink
The full slate of events can be found here but that should be enough to help you get free tickets to the home opener.