What 3 Changes Would you Make to the NHL?

[DrJones]

Re: What 3 Changes Would you Make to the NHL?

Alas, the NHL is run by clowns, so we probably won't get to test it.

You are correct. My system will never see the light of day because team point totals will drop. Last year's Capitals, for example, would've finished with 110 points instead of 121. The Coyotes would've gone from 107 to 87. Under-educated fans and media would become more critical of GM's, who would no longer be able to hide behind inflated point totals and "plus-.500" records that the loser point has wrought.

[tyler289]

Re: What 3 Changes Would you Make to the NHL?

I agree with most of what's already been said....so I'm gonna go a little out of the box here.

1. Spend a bunch of money to get youth hockey bigger in inner-cities, DC itself has one rink in its borders, and the youth team is pretty active even though it's in a poor area, also in the Sunbelt, really push Florida and Phoenix. The key to getting a bigger fanbase is to go after the kids, make hockey really accessible, have the local pro team give out lessons and stuff, make it fun!

2. Get hockey back on ESPN, but keep Versus in the loop as well, because I like what they do. Essentially, ABC is hockey on Sundays after football season, ESPN has Tuesday and Thursday night games, VS has Wednesday night.

3. Clean house in the executive staff of the league, get rid of Campbell, get some new-thinkers in there, some youth, some excitement. With this I'd re-work the points system and change the divisions like they are supposed to be, 2 divisions, 2 conferences.

[Money99]

Re: What 3 Changes Would you Make to the NHL?

I dunno. It's that kind of thinking that forced me to endure eight Canucks/Wild games per season a couple years ago. I want the schedule to be more balanced, not less. I want to see all Eastern teams every year. I'd even seriously consider a crossover playoffs (1E vs 8W, etc.) to alleviate the HUGE travel disadvantage Western teams receive. As a Wings fan, I think you'd welcome the possibility of multiple playoff series within the Eastern Time Zone. Plus, I like the idea of any Stanley Cup Final match-up being possible.

I'd still like to see a balanced schedule during the regular season. But I'd like to go back to inter-division playoff games in the first 2 rounds.

But I'd also love to see a playoff format similar to what they had in the 70's where #1 vs #16, #2 vs #15, etc.
That'd be great and it would eliminate the Easts huge advantage of always playing in the same time zone.

The only reason why the NHL would never want to do this, is because you'd have a chance of getting two non EST playing in the finals - which could be ratings death.

[Money99]

Re: What 3 Changes Would you Make to the NHL?

You guys all want to change the points system. I say get rid of it entirely so the standings are based on win/loss percentage.

Also, didn't they already reduce the size of goalie equipment and/or increase the size of nets a few years back?

I'd also like to see the loser get no points and only 1 point for a SO win.

As far as equipment, yes they did shrink the goalie gear. But it was marginal at best. Goalies are still allowed to wear pants that are 3x bigger than a normal fit, the chest protectors are still outrageous as are the shoulder pads and trappers.
The only thing they really did was make sure the leg pad length was capped by how long the goalies legs are. So 5'6" goalies can't use 38" pads.
But that's not the biggest problem. The pants, chest, arms, shoulders and trappers all need to be shrunk drastically.

And no, the NHL has never tampered with the dimensions of the net. They used some prototypes in summer development camps, but never in an exhibition or regular season game.

[Hawkeye57]

Re: What 3 Changes Would you Make to the NHL?

For me,

1.) Remove the Instigator penalty and "Bettman Package"
-When you really look at it, players are more and more timid to play physical or to enforce what happens on the ice. When players were able to enforce things themselves, less injuries occurred. When someone nailed your guy, they would expect to be hearing from someone on the other team. Now, when you run somebody over, you might get a powerplay should someone jump you. Plus, the automatic misconduct is ridiculous.

2.) Remove the Goaltender Trapezoid, and loosen up the Goalie Interference penalty
-I know people might not like the idea of dropping the ref protection of goalies, but think about it. Getting rid of the trapezoid will allow the game to flow a bit more, and allow goalies who are natural at playing the puck to do so. Also, it is my considered opinion that if the goaltender leaves his crease, he is fair game to be hit. He is only safe inside of his crease, otherwise, he can be hit. Unless it is blatant that the hit was for Interference purposes or malicious intent

3.) Implement the no-touch icing
-This is what they did in the Olympics and it seemed to work very well. This will reduce the number of injuries sustained by players chasing and will speed up the flow of the game, however minuscule a margin.

[DrJones]

Re: What 3 Changes Would you Make to the NHL?

The only reason why the NHL would never want to do this, is because you'd have a chance of getting two non EST playing in the finals - which could be ratings death.

"Ratings death" is always a possibility under the existing system (see 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 SCF), but yeah, you have a point. However, the real reason this won't fly is the influence wielded by prominent owners of Eastern teams (Devils, Rangers, Bruins, Flyers) who have no intention of giving up the competitive (and financial) advantages they currently enjoy.

[DrJones]

Re: What 3 Changes Would you Make to the NHL?

1.) Remove the Instigator penalty and "Bettman Package"
-When you really look at it, players are more and more timid to play physical or to enforce what happens on the ice. When players were able to enforce things themselves, less injuries occurred. When someone nailed your guy, they would expect to be hearing from someone on the other team. Now, when you run somebody over, you might get a powerplay should someone jump you. Plus, the automatic misconduct is ridiculous.

I'm not sure how much of an issue this is right now. I see players all-too-willing to throw down these days over legal hits, never mind cheap shots. Fewer injuries occurred in the old days primarily because players were smaller and slower, plus arena glass and player equipment had more "give".

[Money99]

Re: What 3 Changes Would you Make to the NHL?

"Ratings death" is always a possibility under the existing system (see 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 SCF), but yeah, you have a point. However, the real reason this won't fly is the influence wielded by prominent owners of Eastern teams (Devils, Rangers, Bruins, Flyers) who have no intention of giving up the competitive (and financial) advantages they currently enjoy.

Another great point. There's a reason Toronto was adamant that they be placed in the East.
I still despise that move. I loved the Det-Tor rivalry.

[actionhank]

Re: What 3 Changes Would you Make to the NHL?

I'm not sure how much of an issue this is right now. I see players all-too-willing to throw down these days over legal hits, never mind cheap shots. Fewer injuries occurred in the old days primarily because players were smaller and slower, plus arena glass and player equipment had more "give".

I think at times players are almost too willing to fight.
You've got guys stopping play for clean hits, just because a guy get laid out.

[GrandMaster B]

Re: What 3 Changes Would you Make to the NHL?

I would get rid of all Canadian teams since they haven't won a Cup since 93'. Tired of some of you talking **** on here about the Coyotes.

[BunnyHardaway]

Re: What 3 Changes Would you Make to the NHL?

I would get rid of all Canadian teams since they haven't won a Cup since 93'. Tired of some of you talking **** on here about the Coyotes.

Well if you guys would muster up an attendance figure better than an average of 10,265 (58.7% full) for a team that's currently 5th in the West and made the playoffs last year, that would give us at least one reason to sort of support the Coyotes.

Winnipeg's AHL team is only averaging about 1,700 less on average than the Coyotes.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: What 3 Changes Would you Make to the NHL?

I would get rid of all Canadian teams since they haven't won a Cup since 93'. Tired of some of you talking **** on here about the Coyotes.

No.

[Blueshockey6]

Re: What 3 Changes Would you Make to the NHL?

Get rid of the ticky tack penalties.. You guys know the ones that I'm talking about..

Goalie trapezoid go bye bye.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: What 3 Changes Would you Make to the NHL?

Get rid of the loser point. 3 points for a win in regulation or 4-4, 1 point for SO, 0 for loss.

No touch icing being employed. It's not worth it to get players hurt just because they need to touch the puck.

Get hockey on ESPN and FOX so it is more readily available to everyone. VS is now a cable+ option rather than basic cable and NBC shows the same damn teams every week. I love hockey and want there to be more hockey on TV. Do not get rid of VS and NBC, but more contracts are needed.

[gamer9678]

Re: What 3 Changes Would you Make to the NHL?

1) make it illegal to intentionally dive to avoid a check, I've seen more then 1 injury to the hitter because of this.

2) something needs to be done about turning into the glass to draw a hitting from behind penalty

3) get rid of bettman and the wheel of justice

4) do not get rid of over the glass delay of games, thats just stupid and none of you are thinking it through