To say that the ticket sales at The Rock have been disappointing may be a bit of an understatement. The lack of marketing has always been one of the very few negatives to a very successful organization...on the ice that is.
The blockbuster Kovachuk deals signals the end of an era for the New Jersey Devils. The shutdown defense of blueliners Stevens, Niedermayer, Daneyko, etc., are long gone. Marty is in the home stretch of his brilliant HOF career. The team concept still remains and it will as long as Lou is in command, but now the time has arrived to showcase the Devils talent so look for a heavy dose of Brodeur, Parise and Kovalchuk ads, commercials, etc., to market this franchise and build up ticket sales. You won't see the ridiculous over-hyped garbage that comes out of MSG year after year devoted to marginaly talented hockey and basketball teams but you will see a difference. The playmaking d-men (Niedermayer, Raphalski and now Martin) have left over the years and Lou understands he needs firepower to suceed.
Did Lou want Kovy? Absolutely. For that type of contract? Not a chance so in steps Vanderbeek who knows the Nets didn't acquire Lebron and they are going to relocate to Brooklyn, the heyday of big name bands is starting to wane so concert sales won't be as lucrative.....Jeff needs to fill the arena and he saw the need to have a marquee player beyond a goal tender who will bring out new fans to see live games. This is was a business decision, pure and simple, from ownership. Lou understands the economics but sees it as a team building transaction. Vanderbeeks sees it as the shot in the arm for revenue.
Hopefully they won't blow this golden opportunity to really market and showcase one of sports most successful organizations.