In Toronto, Kevin McGran noted the Maple Leafs are "about 13 months into a rebuild that could take ... five years at least to reap benefits," and President Brendan Shanahan, GM Lou Lamoriello and coach Mike Babcock "will deserve praise only if they get to the hard part: winning." The Leafs are meant to be a "perennial playoff team," not just have "one or two winning seasons." McGran: "Before we all get carried away with adulation and praise for the 'great' job being done ... let's remember one thing: This is the easy part." Shanahan is going to "have to continually sell this plan" to owners, sponsors and TV execs (THESTAR.com, 2/24).
PLAYOFF PAYOFF: On Long Island, Neil Best wrote with the Rangers and Islanders currently in position for playoff spots, N.Y. "should be pleased to have its hockey house in order" as all area NBA teams are likely to miss the postseason for the first time since '10. The current NHL standings would have the Rangers face the Islanders in the first round "in the first postseason renewal of the New York area's best pro sports rivalry" since '94. The potential matchup would be a "huge boost in the Islanders' push for relevance in their first season in Brooklyn" (NEWSDAY, 2/24).
RESEARCH & RESET: In San Jose, Jody Meacham noted the Sharks are “implementing a plan” to win back their most loyal customers. Sharks Exec VP and Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Flavil Hampsten said that the Sharks now “believe their data, which says season ticket holders valued such things as seat location, playoff ticket priority, ticket affordability, communication with the organization, their ability to re-sell tickets, recognition of their tenure as ticket buyers and better payment options as much or more important to their satisfaction than the team’s on-ice performance.” Meacham noted the research is the "basis for the Sharks’ current marketing campaign -- Sharks 365 -- which includes social media to spin season ticket holders as members of a club with which the organization will interact year-round.” Hampsten, who joined the organization last June, said that the sales staff of six "has been increased to around 35 and will end up around 40” (BIZJOURNALS.com, 2/19).
RAISE YOUR CUPS: The Panthers for their March 12 home game against the Flyers will “hold a 20-year reunion” for the ’95-96 team that reached the Stanley Cup Final. Many former players, including John Vanbiesbrouck and Scott Mellanby, as well as then coach Doug MacLean and President Bill Torrey "plan to attend" (SUNSENTINEL.com, 2/23).
