What do you think could or should be done to improve the NHL?

Question

Any suggestions for rule or schedule changes? League structure (conferences and divisions)?

Things I'd like to see:

1. Drop the generic geographic names and return to the old division names (or similar names reflecting hockey history).

2. 4 divisions instead of six. Division winners make the playoffs, the remaining spots go to those with the best records.

3. A more schedule where fans get to the chance to see most or all of the other teams each season. The idea that current schedules will foster "rivalries" igonores the fact that most great rivalries in sports are born in the playoffs.

4. I'd also like to see the NHL dump the 4th line. just dress 10 forwards and 5 D. That move alone would greatly decrease goonery and get rid of a lot the marginal players. (of course, the NHLPA would never allow it).

Answer 1

Good question.

1) I am indifferent to the division names.  I see the pros and cons for both.  I think younger hockey fans and sports generalists probably have an easier time with geographic names, whereas longtime hockey fans and traditionalists probably prefer the method you mention.

2) The reason the NHL has 6 divisions instead of 4 is to retain as much fan interest late in the season as possible.  6 divisions allows for more division races which leads to more fan interest and ultimately more ticket sales late in the season.  As we both know the NHL needs as much revenue and fan retention as possible right now.

3) I completely agree regarding the schedule.  Each team should play one another at least twice, once home and once away.  There is no reason that should not occur.  Traditionalists/long time fans really lose out with the current schedule.  For example something just seems wrong with Detroit and Toronto not getting to play once in Detroit and once in Toronto in the same season.

4) I understand you rationale regarding the removal of the 4th line, but think of it this way:

Some teams actually have a productive 4th line that is used primarily to shut down the opposing team's top line (usually late in the game when holding a lead) or in the playoffs.  I believe removing the 4th line and removing a defenceman could lead to greater fatigue which could lead to more injuries (possibly).  Also, as you mentioned, the NHLPA would never allow that to happen.  

James

Answer 2

get rid of that cursed trapazoid!

bye-bye bettman

Answer 3

you can't drop the fourth line hockey can't be played with 15 skaters on nhl leval. just because they arn't goal scorers don't make them bad hockey players. get rid of the instagater rule. lessen the restricsions on how thin a players blade can be making shot go faster and more goals from that.

Answer 4

more tv stations that show the hockey games. like NBC does but 3 stations play football and basketball. what about us?? and us the referee thing thats funny!

Answer 5

Get rid of Bettman!

Answer 6

Bring back the red line. Take out the trapezoid.

As for your suggestions.

1. I could care less what teams are called.

2. I like the 6 divisions.

3. Love that idea. I'd love to see more of the teams from the West.

4. No. The 4th line is VERY important when it comes to momentum. "Goonery" is part of hockey wether you want to believe it or not, it is. I've seen a lot of 4th line players have a big effect on games, and series.

Answer 7

get rid of bettman

heres a question to you why would you take out the fourth line. you then would have to shorten the game to. you cant play hockey with 10 forwards and 5 D.

Answer 8

I think better marketing would help. I think the big problem is that they are trying to sell the league through its stars. most of its stars have foreign unpronounceable names. Crosby is its biggest star and he is largely unknown to the average person. Hockey isnt the type of sport that attracts the casual fan. They need to market the game and not the players. also get back on ESPN.

Answer 9

If Nashville folded it wouldn't do a d**n thing to the Southeast since Nashville doesn't play in the Southeast.

Answer 10

1. Get referee's that pass all vision tests.

Answer 11

get rid of bettman and the trapezoid

Answer 12

you sir, are dumb. Dump the fourth line. All fine and dandy, NHLPA would never go for it, you're right on that, but what pray tell, is 3 times 3? It's not 10. And what pray tell, is 3 times 2? It's not 5 either....

Oh, and The energy line is important.

Historic names I could go for, But the point of the current ones was to help people figure out what teams are in what division and where each was. I like that system, and so do the teams because it means less travel.

4 divisions. That does not work mathematically now. That's why they got rid of it. 4 team divisions may happen soon if the NHL expands- 4 divisions in each conference, like the NFL. Pretty good model actually.

3. Great idea, already confirmed next season. Every team will play every other team, and Teams from the other conference you play home and away will rotate through from year to year.

People have ideas, sure, but there's a d**n good reason things are like they are. You're not smarter then all 30 GMs and NHL management.

Edit: My ideas- Get rid of the trapezoid, Automatic icing ( the Type where it can be kept alive if the forward has a good chance of winning the race to the puck)

Another edit: NO team is going to fold. A team straight out folding has not happened since The St. Louis Eagles, If I recall correctly. The Last anything like that happened, Oakland merged with the Stars.

Teams these days would move If they had trouble. And yes, they would have to realign the divisions, but Edmonton would not wind up in the same division as Carolina.

Answer 13

Fire Gary Bettman and make the Commissioner someone who respects the game, instead of a lawyer committed to the owners' greed.  Any improvements after that will be gravy.

Answer 14

nice answers..

i would agree with dropping the trapezoid

and bringing wooden sticks back.

with or without bettman, the league will do just fine..

they should also get rid of the offer sheet signings.

People like Mr. Lowe in Edmonton really messed things up in terms of salaries for players.

and lastly...

the refs should be more alert on the ice...

Turco gets away with too many diving calls!

Answer 15

THEY NEED REF'S THAT WOULD CALL PENALTIES

Answer 16

I miss the ol' Patrick division and Norris division.Get rid of the Instigator penalty.

Answer 17

hire gary roberts as comissioner of *** kickings

Answer 18

Get rid of Bettman, and get rid of some of the cheesy logos that have Americanized our game. I'm American, but I do not like Americanization.

Answer 19

Interesting ideas, but I promise you that your #4 is a really, really bad idea. The players would be so tired, goonery would be replaced by slow, lazy players that clutched and grabbed because they couldn't skate anymore. There would also be much more injuries. I guarantee it. A better idea (that also would never be allowed, but should be) would be contraction. There are too many teams.

Otherwise, I am happy with the game the way it is, except for one thing: the goalie pads. They are way too big. The "safety" argument is b.s. The technology available today makes it so that they can EASILY make MUCH smaller pads that are perfectly safe. The size of the pads should ONLY be big enough to ensure safety, not big enough to actually make saves happen. Make the goalie pads signficantly smaller, and you will see more goals and more spectacular saves as the goalies are finally forced to resort to athleticism and talent, not just positioning and extra padding.

p.s. I completely and utterly disagree with everyone that says "take out the trapezoid." There is not enough offense as it stands without making it so the goalies can fling pucks up the ice at will. I will only agree to this idea under one condition: if goalies play the puck, they are fair game to be checked. Period. I love Marty Brodeur as a person and goalie, but his stick handling skills strongly contributed to the boring game of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Answer 20

Drop the Instigator

No game misconducts for fighting

No additional penalties for fighting in the closing minutes of the 3rd

Goalie interference is ONLY if the goalie is in the crease, and it isn't incidental contact

Answer 21

1.Drop the trapezoid

2.Wooden sticks

3.Force at least one game a week on ESPN....

4.Reduce size of goalie equipment

5.Get rid of delay-of-game penalty

6.Make visors mandatory

I had others but that's all I can recall off of the top of my head...

I'm not sure if those are the types of changes you meant, but I'd like to see those happen in the NHL.