NHL Franchise Notes: Blackhawks Not Hurt By Slumping Economy

Blackhawks Season Tickets This Season Have Jumped More Than 300% From '07-08

TO ATTEND OR NOT TO ATTEND: In Philadelphia, Ed Moran wrote something worth watching with the Flyers is the "number of empty seats in the Wachovia Center for almost every game, and the number of tickets available for single games." Flyers President & COO Peter Luukko said that "no-shows and single-game sales are down," but noted that of the "available tickets per game, they are being sold as game-time walk-ups." Luukko: "We're making it known that they are out there and they are getting sold. The economy is definitely having an impact" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 12/15)....Stars President Jeff Cogen said he expects the economy's impact on the Stars "to be relatively immaterial." Cogen added that the team will "employ 'careful' spending," and he "forecasts single-digit percentage growth" (DALLAS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 12/12 issue)....The Blue Jackets have unveiled its $10 Super Value Plan, which allows fans to purchase two tickets to three weekend home games at Nationwide Arena for just $10 per week. Blue Jackets Senior VP/Business Operations Larry Hoepfner: "We appreciate today's economic situation and want to make sure our fans have an affordable way to see our games" (BUSINESS FIRST OF COLUMBUS, 12/12 issue).

Balsillie Still Hopeful He  Can Acquire NHL Team

STUDY ABROAD: In Detroit, Ted Kulfan reports the Red Wings have been approached by the NHL to start the 2009-10 regular season in Sweden. The team would "prefer to play as many exhibition games as possible in Detroit -- primarily for the gate receipts -- and then fly to Sweden and play one or two regular-season games." But since the NHL has been "sending teams to Europe to open the regular season, those teams also have played some exhibitions there" (DETROIT NEWS, 12/16).

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