The pursuit of fans: How far is far enough for the NHL?

Some sports fans in the United States don't know who Sidney Crosby is. Terry Frei wonders if that's such a bad thing.

Attendance figures Want to know the attendance figures for every team so far this season? Sort through every arena's numbers for 2007-08. NHL attendance

Arguing over whether the NHL's Sun Belt expansion, which was in motion before Gary Bettman took over but still is considered part of the commissioner's manifesto, is fair as long as it's accompanied with the admission that mediocre hockey at high ticket prices scares away fans in Original Six cities and other "traditional" markets, as well.

Settle for making conversions, one at a time.

Terry Frei is a regular contributor to ESPN.com. He is the author of the just-released "'77" and "Third Down and a War to Go."



