Changing the NHL

[EBondo 233]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=cnns...cnnsi&type=lgns

I agree with every single one of these topics, except maybe the one about the illegal stick (number 8)

What do you guys think?

[Fury of One 6]

I agree with everything also, but I do like the idea of a hot ass girl dressing me up before every game.

[Fire0nIce228 1]

I agree with a lot of the points. I'm not so sure Canada needs another team, or needs a team moved there. Not just because I'm from Pittsburgh, but I think the Pens have too long of a history in the city. I don't think Kansas or another state in a REALLY non-hockey area needs to get a team moved there either. Put a team somewhere where hockey is big, ie. Canada. Personally though I think this should be held off for a few years. I think the teams that are having problems with attendance and stuff (pens) should get a couple years chance with the new players and (possible) new arena to see if attendance, revenue, profit grows. If it fails after they make all these improvments, then I'd agree to moving them.

[willc7786 0]

I remember reading that article a while ago, unless a few things got changed and they reposted it.

Anyways, while I think it might be cool, I don't think they need the All-Star game in europe every once in a while. It's not like the game is losing popularity over seas. The All-Star game draws a huge crowd, and I think it is needed to remain in NA.

[pantherfan 0]

I remember reading that article a while ago, unless a few things got changed and they reposted it.

Anyways, while I think it might be cool, I don't think they need the All-Star game in europe every once in a while. It's not like the game is losing popularity over seas. The All-Star game draws a huge crowd, and I think it is needed to remain in NA.

Updated on Tuesday, Sep 12, 2006 6:34 pm EDT

Yeh it was updated.

[willc7786 0]

Thanks, I was looking for that but I couldn't find it.

[Storm 0]

I agree with everything except all star game in Europe.

I doubt the players would go for that.

It takes a few days to get use to a new time zone and once you're ok you come back home and have to deal with it all over again.

[Chadd 916]

1. No benefit to the league to add more canadian teams and nobody has addressed the economics of making either of the two failed cities work.

2. I like the idea, but it will be a problem if the NHL continues to participate in the Olympics. They shouldn't skip the all star game for the olympics and go to Europe two out of every four years.

3. I've been saying that. Hire the guys who do the Nike ad work or the original ESPN promos if you can't find anyone else.

4. I couldn't agree more and evidently the GMs agree too.

5. Or how about "actual attnedance"? Don't count the season ticket holders who didn't bother to show up, just tell us how many cheeks are in the seats.

6. ESPN treated the NHL as a punchline way too often in their sportscenter highlights. OLN/versus are increasing the number of homes that have access to the channel but the NHL can not allow them to create the problems like last year. Production is getting better but some personnel changes still need to be made.

7. Who cares? If putting names on the back will make people happy, do it. They just need to remember that they aren't the show, teh players are. Do you hear me Mick McGough?

8. Every piece of gear should be measured before every game and only the gear that is measured and found to be legal should permitted to be used. You would have to hire two people in each town to do it and the cost wouldn't be too bad.

9. All junior or college players are used to wearing something, grandfather it and just get it done already. There is no decent reason not to do this.

10. I've been saying this all along. More original 6 and second 6 matchups, throw in some former cup matchups or team moving matchups (Calgary - Atlanta, Minnesota - Dallas or NJ - Colorado) and make it interesting.

[TCsnipes9 0]

#4 is a must. "Iconic" is a good way to put it. actually, i think if i had to pick just ONE of those, #4 might be it.

[gtoddh 0]

I agree with most of those.

While the idea of an All-Star game in Europe is cool, like someone else said, the timezone difference would suck. Does anyone know if there already is an All-Star game for their own leagues or Europe-wide?

I don't think the NHL should expand right now. I'd let things settle first after the lockout-missed season. Yeah attendance and revenue were up last year, but I think we need a few years under the new CBA to see how things are really going to work out.

I think OLN did a pretty good job with broadcasting. I'd like to see more of the on-ice audio, more of the goalie-view camera work, and more in-game interviews. Along with the holding off on expansion (USA or Canada), the NHL needs a good TV contract first. Last year saw unprecedented access to teams/players, and I think it needs to continue.

I don't know about the safety issue regarding stick curves. Let the players use a jai-alai curved stick, who cares. Grandfather in the visors and this becomes less of an issue. Players are covered head to toe with PE protection. Goalies have plenty of protection. I think stick curve is a non-issue.

Referee names? All it would do is allow fans to yell "McGoo, you suck!" rather than "ref, you suck!" I don't think it's necessary. The players all know who the refs are, and the very hardcore fans know too. People don't watch the game to be able to identify and cheer for their favorite refs.

[Chadd 916]

Referee names? All it would do is allow fans to yell "McGoo, you suck!" rather than "ref, you suck!" I don't think it's necessary. The players all know who the refs are, and the very hardcore fans know too. People don't watch the game to be able to identify and cheer for their favorite refs.

Any time a suggestion doesn't make any real difference and can make a group of employees happier, you do it. ;)