How Will CapFriendly's Sale Impact NHL Fans? Last week, news broke that the Washington Capitals would be purchasing the beloved NHL website CapFriendly [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/takes/washington-capitals-report-capfriendly-purchase-explanation], which offered a uniquely detailed and accessible display of all things related to league contracts and the salary cap. Jun 8, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Gary Bettman Commissioner of the NHL during a press conference prior to the game against the Florida Panters and Edmonton Oilers in game one of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA3MjE4MzM4MjEwNzg1MDI4/usatsi_23503913.jpg] Jun 8, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Gary Bettman Commissioner of the NHL during a press conference prior to the game against the Florida Panters and Edmonton Oilers in game one of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena CapFriendly excelled at presenting esoteric but significant information to fans in an accessible manner. Its "Be a GM Tool" allowed fans to manage every aspect of their favorite teams roster. It was reported to be the go-to source for cap-related nuances even by several NHL teams, a report the site's sale to one such team would seem to validate. On the most recent episode of The Silky Mitten State [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/scoring-targets-bye-bye-capfriendly-and-stanley-cup-round-up-the-silky-mitten-state-episode-30], my co-host Connor Earegood and I discussed the sale and its impact, which drew big reactions from fans, many of whom expressed resentment at taking an excellent free resource off the marketplace. We dug into those reactions and specifically explored the role of a site like CapFriendly (or a replacement) and its role for attracting fans, with me arguing that selling new people on hockey should involve the game on the ice rather than a laundry list of the players' salaries. For a sample of our conversation, check out the featured video above. For the full episode, go to either Spotify or Apple Podcasts: ALSO FROM THN DETROIT The Best Red Wings Picks in Each Round of the NHL Draft: First Round [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/game-day/the-best-red-wings-picks-in-each-round-of-the-nhl-draft-first-round] Why Laine is a Good Bet for Somebody, but Probably not the Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/why-laine-is-a-good-bet-for-somebody-but-probably-not-the-red-wings] How Should the Red Wings Manage their Blue Line Depth? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/how-should-the-red-wings-manage-their-blue-line-depth] The Case for Jonathan Marchessault in Detroit [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/the-case-for-jonathan-marchessault-in-detroit] Red Wings Defenseman Named to AHL Top Prospect Team [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/players/red-wings-defenseman-named-to-ahl-top-prospect-team] Report: Red Wings Closely Following Trade for Martin Necas [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/players/report-red-wings-closely-following-trade-for-martin-necas] Scoring Targets, Bye Bye CapFriendly, and Stanley Cup Round Up: The Silky Mitten State Episode 30 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/scoring-targets-bye-bye-capfriendly-and-stanley-cup-round-up-the-silky-mitten-state-episode-30]
