NHL Gamecenter Live info for Leafs fans in the states

[ZBBM]

For any Leafs fans out there living in the US, I just got off the phone with the NHL Gamecenter tech support line and wanted to share a bit of info in case, like me, you are trying to decide whether to order it. 

After being on hold for about 10 minutes a knowledgeable guy got on the line and confirmed that any Leafs game that is not being broadcast in your local area would be available for streaming on Gamecenter Live.  So it depends on where you live; for me, the only games that would appear to be blacked out are those that are being broadcast nationally on either Versus or NBC and the Detroit game on Jan 7 (I live in Michigan).

The guy recommended I check the schedule at nhl.com to get the only for-sure complete rundown of networks carrying the Leafs' games.  I did this, filtering for the Leafs schedule:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/schedulebyseason.htm?season=20112012&gameType=2&team=TOR&network=&venue=

If I am reading this right, it looks like only 2 Leafs regular season games would be broadcast nationally on US networks, and thus blacked out nationally here: Colorado on Oct 17, and Pittsburgh on Mar 7.  (Both of these are listed as being shown on Versus; I don't see any Leafs games being shown on NBC.)

That all sounds pretty good.  But....

... the catch is the playoffs.  According to the guy ALL playoff games will be on national TV networks in the US, because of the new TV deal.  That means that no playoff games would be available through Gamecenter.

I am trying to decide whether that's a dealbreaker.  My other option would be to order satellite TV, which would give me access to CBC but not all the other regular season games.

Anyway, I hope this may be useful to some fans out there.

 

[AvroArrow]

Here's a little gotcha that screwed me before.  I subscribed to this for the playoffs last year, as I don't have TV service.  I went for the monthly subscription service as I figured if I didn't watch enough, I would just cancel.  However, that's not how they work.  You have to pay for the ENTIRE season whether you want to or not (lucky me it was just the playoffs I purchased).  You can only cancel within the first week, otherwise, you're paying for it completely whether you like it or not.

The subscription options are actually just payment options.  You can pay all in one, monthly, or whatever other options they have.

 

[princedpw]

I get NHL center ice on the Dish Network to watch the Leafs.  Dish Network itself is approx $27/month for the minimum subscription possible (I actually asked them if I could get zero regular channels -- they said no, you have to at least get the minimum standard package).  The NHL package is $175.  That typically gives me all games not broadcast in my area.  (There are actually quite a few in my area in Princeton -- it is the nexus of NY and Philly, eliminating games with 4 local teams: Devils, Philly, Rangers, Isles.)

The total is then approx $175 + 325 = $500/year.  For me, that's pretty awesome value for my entertainment dollar.

Be careful with Verizon Fios, which is what I had -- they claimed they would give me NHL center ice but then oddly backed out.  I may be in 1 of 2 counties in the entire US for which there is some bizarre legal fight over NHL broadcasting rights.... I haven't checked this year to see if that fight has gone away.

 

[jonlleafs]

I go with NHL Center Ice with DirecTV and have been for years.  I have a DVR with DirecTV as well and don't miss games.  Not sure about streaming, but I can record the game and play it whenever I am home.  I'm on the west coast so games start at 4pm for me which is still work time.  Streaming wouldn't work in this situation if I had to watch it live.  Plus, it's pretty good quality in HD.