Ticket sales for the Vancouver Canucks have dropped off significantly, according to a local ticket broker.
"Right now there is no demand for Vancouver Canucks tickets,” Kingsley Bailey of Vancouver Ticket told local radio station News 1130.
Bailey said he has seen a drop of about 40 percent from this time last year. He said the team would be wise to lower ticket prices at this point.
If they want to drop prices, they can. But if they don’t feel they have to and the demand is there — that’s their call. But as far as what I know — and I’m on the front lines when it comes to dealing with Vancouver Canucks tickets — the demand is definitely lower and if they really want to get an increase in fans, even the average fan that wants to go to the odd game, they’re going to have to lower prices.”
The Canucks said earlier this week that ticket sales would not be reduced.
The team completely overhauled its front office after missing the playoffs last season, hiring a new general manager (Jim Benning), president (Trevor Linden) and head coach (Willie Desjardins) over the spring and summer.
Former franchise goaltender Roberto Luongo was traded to the Florida Panthers in March, and center Ryan Kesler was dealt to the Anaheim Ducks in June after 10 seasons in Vancouver.
Bailey said the tickets Canucks fans are buying are in the upper bowl, the cheapest available seats. He believes sales won't pick up until the team is finished rebuilding.
“For the last couple of years, we have been taking hits and we’ve adjusted accordingly. We definitely (won't) see demand for tickets for the Vancouver Canucks for two to three years — minimum.”