Last years I watched 2-3 games per week on NHL Network in addition to their pre-game and round-up shows from time-to-time. As much as I love hockey, I don't have much interesting in watching all the hundreds of hours of recycled games they keep broadcasting. I would much rather see them cover the AHL. In fact, the Hershey Bears play in an Outdoor Classic on 20 January that I would rather see covered on NHL Network instead of some 2009 Playoff Game.
I agree. It would be nice if the big league channels that would normally broadcast the NHL games would broadcast that team's AHL affiliate in the NHL's absence.