[CryWolf]

Please refrain from replying to any of the letters in the NHL letter thread. You can post your feedback to letters in this thread instead.

[Mach_9]

CryWolf, on Oct 25 2006, 05:35 PM, said:

Please refrain from replying to any of the letters in the NHL letter thread. You can post your feedback to letters in this thread instead.

Wolf, this is one of the best things this forum has provided, in my mind so far. I have a couple of letters that I have written in the past, from an informal point of view, and many other thoughts and opinions floating around, that I wish to polish and compound into one well planned missive. I'll be working on this for a couple of days in my free time, coming back to it to make sure that I've said everything I wish to say in a manner that I feel will effectively make the greatest impact on it's readers.

I've linked up your original post on the Sabres message boards for the fans to come and check out themselves. Hopefully some of them will have something to say as well.

To be clear, before I write about it, some of the letters I've written in the past were very much focused on the design of the Sabres new jerseys. Should any of this discussion be included, or should I avoid specific discussion and try to address the NHL jersey as a whole? Should I bother expressing any feelings about the new logo, or is this the wrong audience? Do we mention specific changes we'd like to see on specific uniforms, or are we focusing more on the future shape and design of the jerseys overall? Can we mention the information you provided in the Future of the NHL Jersey Thread, or is that information off limits because of the fact that it is not public information in Reeboks eyes? I want to make sure that my letter is as relevant as possible. Any guidelines you think should be followed would be helpful in making the my response as pointed and intelligent as possible.

[CryWolf]

Mach_9, on Oct 25 2006, 05:50 PM, said:

I've linked up your original post on the Sabres message boards for the fans to come and check out themselves. Hopefully some of them will have something to say as well.

Thanks - it appears that some already have joined and contributed

Mach_9, on Oct 25 2006, 05:50 PM, said:

To be clear, before I write about it, some of the letters I've written in the past were very much focused on the design of the Sabres new jerseys. Should any of this discussion be included, or should I avoid specific discussion and try to address the NHL jersey as a whole?

Should I bother expressing any feelings about the new logo, or is this the wrong audience? Do we mention specific changes we'd like to see on specific uniforms, or are we focusing more on the future shape and design of the jerseys overall? Can we mention the information you provided in the Future of the NHL Jersey Thread, or is that information off limits because of the fact that it is not public information in Reeboks eyes? I want to make sure that my letter is as relevant as possible. Any guidelines you think should be followed would be helpful in making the my response as pointed and intelligent as possible.

I would recommend focusing on general issues and processes over specific complaints, although you should write what you feel comfortable with. I just don't want the letters to be only one big rant about the Sabres logo and jerseys... I hope we can take this to a bit of a higher level about the relationship between the league and the fans from a merchandising and marketing point of view. The goal is to hopefully help motivate some changes or develop some processes that will help get NHL product that meets the fans interests and needs, and make it more accessible, to more consumers, in a more timely manner. If your letter is focused on the big picture, while using a few specific examples to illustrate, I would think that would be the best strategy. Mach, I will PM you some additional info.

[Mach_9]

CryWolf, on Oct 26 2006, 12:56 AM, said:

Thanks - it appears that some already have joined and contributed
I would recommend focusing on general issues and processes over specific complaints, although you should write what you feel comfortable with. I just don't want the letters to be only one big rant about the Sabres logo and jerseys... I hope we can take this to a bit of a higher level about the relationship between the league and the fans from a merchandising and marketing point of view. The goal is to hopefully help motivate some changes or develop some processes that will help get NHL product that meets the fans interests and needs, and make it more accessible, to more consumers, in a more timely manner. If your letter is focused on the big picture, while using a few specific examples to illustrate, I would think that would be the best strategy. Mach, I will PM you some additional info.

Thanks for getting back to me Wolf. I just wanted to clear some stuff up so that I could provide the best feedback possible when writing my letter.

[lafountain]

Mach_9, on Oct 25 2006, 11:16 PM, said:

Thanks for getting back to me Wolf. I just wanted to clear some stuff up so that I could provide the best feedback possible when writing my letter.

I am pretty sure that directing all the concerns about the Sabres new logo at the NHL itself might be somewhat of a waste of time. The team itself approved the design and implemented it. The league may have had to approve it, but I doubt that any team approved logo would ever be shot down by the league.

[Mach_9]

lafountain, on Oct 26 2006, 02:54 AM, said:

I am pretty sure that directing all the concerns about the Sabres new logo at the NHL itself might be somewhat of a waste of time. The team itself approved the design and implemented it. The league may have had to approve it, but I doubt that any team approved logo would ever be shot down by the league.

That's what I figured as well, but I wanted to be sure. If Wolf had said, no we're actually meeting with someone directly responsible for the new designs... I'd have had to let them have it.

[lafountain]

Nice letter Mach.

[Mach_9]

lafountain, on Oct 26 2006, 04:06 AM, said:

Nice letter Mach.

Thanks - Just made a handful of revisions. I'm going to look at it again tomorrow and make sure I'm happy with it. Let me know how it sounds with the changes (they're small, but I think they help).

[SabreFaninNYC]

Its amazing to see Buffalo fans so passionate about their team and the state of the NHl generally. It is truly a great time to be a fan of this team!

[CryWolf]

lafountain, on Oct 26 2006, 02:54 AM, said:

I am pretty sure that directing all the concerns about the Sabres new logo at the NHL itself might be somewhat of a waste of time. The team itself approved the design and implemented it. The league may have had to approve it, but I doubt that any team approved logo would ever be shot down by the league.

You are correct there lafountain. It comes from the team, and just needs the league's rubberstamp. However, the league is ultimately responsible for it's franchises in certain areas, and should make sure that they meet the requirements that they put forth. So they do have the ability to oversee and regulate as much as they see fit I would imagine.

[Mach_9]

Wondering if these were ever put through to the reps and if there was any response or feedback or the like.

[CryWolf]

Mach_9, on Nov 27 2006, 01:55 AM, said:

Wondering if these were ever put through to the reps and if there was any response or feedback or the like.

I personally handed them to the Executive VP of Consumer Products for the NHL. I gave him a bit of background about the letters, and encouraged him to read them and let him know that a reply would be truly appreciated. Never heard back from him though . I would guess he did read them, but won't reply.

[Mach_9]

CryWolf, on Nov 27 2006, 02:36 PM, said:

I personally handed them to the Executive VP of Consumer Products for the NHL. I gave him a bit of background about the letters, and encouraged him to read them and let him know that a reply would be truly appreciated. Never heard back from him though . I would guess he did read them, but won't reply.

At least he got them. A reply would have been nice. Just a general one that could have been posted on the forums. It's funny, when what the league needs most is fan support and to let the fans in, so that they can be a part of the sport and really feel like they have access to their teams and they don't take the time to do simple things like this, even when prompted by a market partner. Oh well. In the end the NHL's shortcomings hurt all of us fans, but for now it's just their loss.