The HD Corner: NHL Arena Rankings

Ahh, the smell of fresh popcorn!  Or is that the smell of a flooded trough in the men’s washroom?  Regardless, each NHL arena has something unique.  Below I have ranked all 30 arenas based on biased critera such as overall atmosphere this season, building amenities, and concessions.

Here we go!

(1) Bell Centre – Montreal.  Largest capacity in NHL and is filled every night.  Best overall atmosphere.

(2) Rexall Place – Edmonton.  Small, but cozy confines.  Goosebumps when the crowd belts out the National Anthem.

(3) Pengrowth Saddledome – Calgary.  The rushed seating in the “Playoff Zone” upper deck is what being fan friendly is all about.

(4) Xcel Energy Center – Minnesota.  Can see all the action from the concession stands.  Filled to the brim every night despite a team that traps the entire game.

(5) Madison Square Garden – New York Rangers.  How can you not love “The Mecca”?

(6) General Motors Place – Vancouver.  Notorious bandwagon fans are back on the wagon this year.  Or is it off the wagon?

(7) United Center – Chicago.  Huge capacity arena finally selling out.  I guess televising home games wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

(8) Joe Louis Arena – Detroit.  The “oldest newest rink” has no actual upper deck.  Having just two bowls make the sightlines great throughout.

(9) Wachovia Center – Philadelphia.  Tough as nails fans.  Beautiful rink a stone’s throw away from where the Phillies and Eagles play.

(10) TD Banknorth Garden – Boston.  Situated in the heart of Beantown, the fans are finally back!

(11) American Airlines Center – Dallas. Fans always standing during OT is cool.

(12) Verizon Center – Washington.  Rockin’ the Red all season.

(13) Staples Center – Los Angeles. Any rink with Alan Thicke in attendance has got to be good.

(14) HP Pavilion – San Jose.  The Tank is always full.

(15) Nationwide Arena – Columbus.  Non-traditional hockey market finally showing that fans care about this team.

(16) Honda Center – Anaheim.  Marble flooring throughout is classy.

(17) Air Canada Centre – Toronto. Always sold out, but too corporoate.

(18) Scotiabank Place – Ottawa.  Fans didn’t show up consistently when this team was in the running for a President’s Trophy, so why start now?

(19) HSBC Arena – Buffalo.  Nice rink, but in the middle of nowhere.  At least they’re not bankrupt.

(20) Mellon Arena – Pittsburgh.  Outdated facility.

(21) Prudential Center – New Jersey.  New rink, but still not enough fans attend despite team success.

(22) RBC Center – Carolina.  At least they have the Caniac Cheerleaders.

(23) St. Pete Times Forum – Tampa Bay.  Is this newspaper still in circulation?

(24) Pepsi Center – Colorado.  Sellout streak since the team moved from Quebec finally ended.

(25) Scottrade Center – St. Louis.  According to Illegal Curve’s sources, the $10 hot dogs are a must.

(26) Sommet Center – Nashville.  The only thing they’ve got going on is their mascot “Gnash”.

(27) BankAtlantic Center – Florida.  The only fans that go are ex-Montreals who live in Del Boca Vista.  Bring back those rats.  Let’s see if people show up for the playoffs.

(28) Philips Arena – Atlanta.  Nice facility, but no one goes/cares.

(29) Jobing.com Arena – Phoenix.  Where?

(30) Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum – NY Islanders.  This place is a dump.