What 3 Changes Would you Make to the NHL?

[DrJones]

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

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.

Give the man a break. After all, the Coyotes won their 7th straight in front of a whopping 9300 fans last night. Progress!

[gamer9678]

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

To tell the truth, I'd kinda like it if the NHL did use an actual wheel to dispense justice, like in the Thunderdome.

An actual wheel would probably be more consistent then whatever system, i use the term loosely, they are using now.

[patrickcree]

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

1) they should add teambuilder to create better teams
2) add relocate franchise to different cities and build a stadium
3) in beapro mode fire/hire agent and request trade.

[ImTellinTim]

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

1) they should add teambuilder to create better teams
2) add relocate franchise to different cities and build a stadium
3) in beapro mode fire/hire agent and request trade.

[Vince]

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

SMALLER GOALIE PADS

[Money99]

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

SMALLER GOALIE PADS

Amen brother.

[daflyboys]

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

1. No more extra 2 minutes for blood. If you're going to assess anything, assess intention. Make it "unintentional" vs. "flagrant".

2. It's either a trip or a dive, not both.

3. I'm highly doubting this would fly, but I thought of an idea, though don't know how original it is: if you as the leading team gave up the tying goal that forces overtime, you don't get the point if you then lose in the 4-4 session, you can only gain 2 points if you win. But, then if it goes to the shootout, it's back to as is points wise.

[DrJones]

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

2. It's either a trip or a dive, not both.

Yes.

3. I'm highly doubting this would fly, but I thought of an idea, though don't know how original it is: if you as the leading team gave up the tying goal that forces overtime, you don't get the point if you then lose in the 4-4 session, you can only gain 2 points if you win. But, then if it goes to the shootout, it's back to as is points wise.

What does this accomplish, other than leading to more shootouts? If you're the team who blew the lead, aren't you going to be extra-cautious in OT? Teams should be encouraged to go for it in OT, not sit back. The only way this is going to happen is if fewer points are available in a shootout as opposed to OT, not more.

[Cardot]

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

Well I am one of those "Casual" fans who could watch more Hockey if the NHL was smart about it. A few thoughts come to mind:

1. The Stanley Cup has to wrap up before June. I would say mid May. Winter is long where I live. When that warm summer weather finally roles around, going inside to watch tv isn't exaclty my first choice.

2. More TV exposure. I don't mind Versus coverage. Although it is pretty far up the cable dial. Frankly, I often forget about it. And why only 2 games a week? Do we really need that much bull fighting? If they had hockey 5 or 6 nights a week, I would be in the channel surfing habit of "hey, let's see if there is a good hockey game on".

Another issue in this category. I live in Buffalo Sabres country. Which means that even though I get MSG, all Rangers/Islanders/Devils games are blacked out....even if the Sabres aren't playing. It seems the NHL is going out of their way for me not to view thier product.

3. I also would like to see some of those southern teams head back up to Canada. I miss the Jets & Nordiques. Can't really get excited about teams in Florida, Carolina and Phoenix.

[Altke]

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.

This, plus making the ice larger, and shrinking the goalie pads, would make me want to watch the NHL so much more.

[nccomicfan]

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

1. ESPN

2. No more 5 minute fighting penalties..actual 2 minute penalties where it's 4 on 4 for that time

3. ESPN

4. no more regular season shootout's...unlimited sudden death OT...your target demographic doesn't believe in ties

5. ESPN

6. Play the All Star game Jan 1 every year as the Winter Classic..get your stars on the biggest stage

[Cardot]

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

1. ESPN

2. No more 5 minute fighting penalties..actual 2 minute penalties where it's 4 on 4 for that time

3. ESPN

4. no more regular season shootout's...unlimited sudden death OT...your target demographic doesn't believe in ties

5. ESPN

6. Play the All Star game Jan 1 every year as the Winter Classic..get your stars on the biggest stage

1,3,5 - During the strike a few years back, ESPN substituted hockey with college basketball....and the ratings were better. So not sure how anxious ESPN is for hockey?

6. Can't say I agree with this one. The NHL all-star game is a joke where they don't play defense.

[Money99]

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

6. Can't say I agree with this one. The NHL all-star game is a joke where they don't play defense.

Agreed. If anything, they should scrap the all-star game entirely and just make the Winter Classic the game to appease the sponsors.

They're trying different things to make the Allstar game more exciting but it'll never happen.
Unless you put something significant on the line, nobody wants to get hurt out there.

[KSUowls]

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

1.) No more points for losers. I like the idea of just one point SO wins.

2.) Bring back 2 line pass rule. Probably not a popular one, but I feel like there aren't as many open ice hits as there used to be.

3.) Get on more stations than VS. It's so hard to find a good hockey game on tv these days.

[pietasterp]

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

1. Shorten the season. 60 games or so is enough, wrap up the season by the end of May.

2. Smaller goalie pads.

3. No points for a loss; I think changing the overtime to 4-on-4 is enough to open up the ice and lead to more goals. My opinion is that between the 4-on-4 OT's and shootouts for decisive winners, there is enough of an incentive to go for a goal and not just hang back hoping to salvage a point.