Improve The NHL

[cupcrazy16 0]

I've been hearing a lot of talk about rule changes and stuff to improve NHL hockey, I'm more interested in what it would take to get the American population back to hockey (Canada will watch regardless). I wouldn't mind seeing a larger ice surface, but watching SEL hockey, the game turns into almost a fast-paced soccer, so maybe a compromise between the NHL and Olympic surfaces. I really don't think larger nets will do any good (though goalie equipment needs to get smaller), more goals doesn't necessarily mean more interest, I think more chances need to be created instead, but I am at a loss at how to create more chances. I think 2 line passes should be allowed and nets should be moved back to their original position in order to increase the north-south play of hockey. I'm a purist when it comes to hockey, but I understand changes have to be made in order for the game to survive, at least in this current era of hockey. What other suggestions do you think need to take place.

Furthermore, how do you think hockey will translate better onto the television? I wouldn't mind seeing some NFL-like camera angles where they have camera that moves along the cable in the middle of the field. I've also heard Mark Cuban (Dallas Maverick's Owner)on the radio talk about HDTV making hockey look way better on TV, how big a difference do you think it will make, I've personally never seen HDTV before. If hockey wants to make any progress in attracting more fans, it has to be able to make the game attractive on television, hell, right now it doesn't even have a real TV contract. Obviously the formula right now isn't working. For myself, I just don't understand how a game this good could screw itself up like it is right now.

[Chadd 916]

I think reducing goal pads to something reasonable would be a nice touch, not that I think it would make much difference. Removing the red line, no touch icing, tag up offsides will all make a difference.

As for TV, I honestly think Fox had it right by going to the glowing puck. I hated it and they really need to have a way to turn it off for people who have no problems following it.

[Dangles 0]

No two line passes, tag-up offsides, no-touch icing, remove instigator rule.

[Jim A 4]

have a season :D

hockey looks sick on HDTV..I had a gig working for JVC during the holidays and would spend the days watching NFL, NHL Replay, CSTV, etc..yeah.. it was hard work..and was amazed at the picture...

I hope the lack of a redline truly opens up the game, I feel for a guy like Mike Gartner who used to get hosed on that call all the time, and for sure lost his chance at 50 goals on a couple of occasions..

[bvapor2004 0]

makie it an olympic size ice surface so there is more room and take away 2 line passes it would really open the game up

[LetsGoWings13 0]

No two line passes, tag-up offsides, no-touch icing, remove instigator rule.

dead on but with smaller goalie pads and i think the playes should have a limit to the taper size i kno it doesnt do much but it could be the difference between a goal and a great glove save.

[gee2626 0]

No two line passes, tag-up offsides, no-touch icing, remove instigator rule.

dead on but with smaller goalie pads and i think the playes should have a limit to the taper size i kno it doesnt do much but it could be the difference between a goal and a great glove save.

i agree.... i also like the larger red/blue lines, i think they actually work in developing more space out there for the players

and definitely harsher obstruction rules, they gotta somehow figure that out

[MDE3 0]

Let them all play in the minors for two full seasons.... ..sorry it's past my bedtime. and I am grumpy...somone forgot to warm my milk too....

[Dangles 0]

Just another one here.. what if..the iron on the nets light up when a goal is scored. I'm pretty sure that they have it in the Q.

[Grinder 2]

Funny this topic should come up - CBC tv had a huge 'state of the game' show on yesterday, and for lack of anything better to do, I dialed in and got a chance to rant about refs on national TV!

My take, in no particular order:

1. Instigator rule - gone. Look at the increase in stick related injuries since it was brought in. I think ESPN has them stashed somewhere on their website.

2. Remove the red line. The BCJHL plays without it here on Vancouver Island, and it's entertaining hockey to watch. It makes for more of a wide open skating game, and the neutral zone trap is vulnerable without the center line.

3. No touch icing.

4. Tag-up offsides would improve the flow of the game and increase the offensive threat by sustaining pressure on the defending team.

5. Reffing: Stop controlling the flow of the game. It's always 'penalty on one team, call the next one on the other,' even if it's a top team playing a bottom-dweller. Call the penalties properly. If a dirty team chooses to take 20 penalties, let them.

[joshy207 15]

IMO, tag-up offsides will make the most difference. It'll force the team with the puck in their own zone to break out quickly and accurately under pressure, otherwise they'll give up scoring chances. Increased scoring chances will lead to more excitement and, hopefully, more goals.

I'm also in favor of reasonably sizing the goalie's equipment, eliminating or increasing stick curve limits, no-touch icing (reduces injuries if nothing else, also saves a couple seconds each time), widening the red and blue lines (why not try Bobby Smith's 6' idea?), getting rid of the instigator rule, and moving the nets closer to the end boards (5-8 feet). I'm not at all sold on removing the red line (long bomb passing plays don't increase the flow of the game), wider ice (who's going to tell the owners to remove their highest-priced seats), or limiting where the goalies can play the puck (but they shouldn't be off limits outside the crease)... and I can't stand the idea of deciding a game using a shootout.

[Chadd 916]

I'm against removing the instigator rule. I could see modifying it but removing it would only encourage teams to keep a goon on the roster that only serves one purpose. What happened to hockey players being tough and standing up for themselves?

[SB39 2]

How about no illegal curve rule

[Boycey 0]

Sign a contract promising never to lock out again :D

[DrMolotov 0]

makie it an olympic size ice surface so there is more room and take away 2 line passes it would really open the game up

That would open things up, but there is no way the owners will give up all those seats (most expensive seats) to make the necessary room.

Go back to the old rule... when a player gets a minor penalty, they have to spend the full two minutes in the box (would help cut back on interference)

No redline, and automatic offsides (not as exciting, but sooner or later someone will be seriously injured again or worse.)

Penalty shots to settle overtime.

The NHL could offer a money prize for player of the week.

Last but not least, put up a dunk tank during intermission and put Bettman in the chair

[WingsVK97 0]

Brett Hull had a good rant on this a while back, I believe in the Hockey News. If anyone has that list please post it cause I agreed with most of it, not everything but most.

I would want anything major but I think some of the most minor changes could do lots of good.

1. Serve the full 2 minutes on minor penalties. You'll stop grabbing if have to sit more.

2. Get rid of the instigator penalty.

3. No touch icing. It works everywhere else so just do it.

4. No stick curve limit!!

If you ever get to see a good picture of Bobby Hull's curve it was huge! With the majority of goalies playing the butterfly, let the players roof the life out of the puck. Gets you more scoring.

AND NO TIES!! Maybe a shootout, maybe they catch chickens, maybe the goalies fight in the cage of death, but no more ties! Who ever heard of a "12-13-5-6 " team record?

[RadioGaGa 162]

I don't agree with taking out the Red Line...but I love the idea of the "Bowman Blue-line"

For those who don't know what it is...Picture a line across the top of the Defensive circles. Once a player has crossed that line they can pass across 2 lines to the other Blue line. You can't make the pass from behind your net, which means you still need Defencemen that can start the rush, but the trap would be hard to play against it...

How can anything hokcey related that comes from the mind of Scottie Bowman be a bad thing????

I also like the Thicker Bluelines that the AHL is using. I've seen a few plays stay onside that would have been offside, and again, it adds 2-3 feet to the overall size of the neutral zone, making the trap harder to play.

Automatic Icing and touch Up offside are a given. Those should change...

How about all penalties being served for the full 2 minutes regardless of how many goals are scored???? I'm sure guys wouldn't want the wrath of a coach if they took 2-3 penalites, and it would increase scoring/excitment...which is what this is all about.

The Shootout is kinda cool...we've had a few good ones this year in Hamilton...mind you we've lost a few heartbreakers as well...but once you let it in, it's only a matter of time before they want it in the playoffs too...that is just wrong.

And finally, We always talk about the "4 point game"...what if the points earned for a win were affected by the points scored in that game. So, a 3-2 win would be worth 2 points...but maybe a 7-1 win is worth 4. (Obviously the scale/ratio would need to worked out). What if you knew that you could catch the team ahead of you, if you not only won that night...but really hammered the other team.

Just a thought(s).

[Chadd 916]

I don't agree with taking out the Red Line...but I love the idea of the "Bowman Blue-line"

For those who don't know what it is...Picture a line across the top of the Defensive circles. Once a player has crossed that line they can pass across 2 lines to the other Blue line. You can't make the pass from behind your net, which means you still need Defencemen that can start the rush, but the trap would be hard to play against it...

How can anything hokcey related that comes from the mind of Scottie Bowman be a bad thing????

I also like the Thicker Bluelines that the AHL is using. I've seen a few plays stay onside that would have been offside, and again, it adds 2-3 feet to the overall size of the neutral zone, making the trap harder to play.

Automatic Icing and touch Up offside are a given. Those should change...

How about all penalties being served for the full 2 minutes regardless of how many goals are scored???? I'm sure guys wouldn't want the wrath of a coach if they took 2-3 penalites, and it would increase scoring/excitment...which is what this is all about.

The Shoot out is kinda cool...but once you let it in, it's only a mter of time beofre they want it in the playoffs too...that is just wrong.

And finally, We always talk about the "4 point game"...what if the points earned for a win were affected by the points scored in that game. So, a 3-2 win would be worth 2 points...but maybe a 7-1 win is worth 4. (Obviously the scale/ratio would need to worked out). What if you knew that you could catch the team ahead of you, if you not only won that night...but really hammered the other team.

Just a thought(s).

Adding more lines to the ice and making the rules more difficult for new fans to understand is probably not a good idea. Making 2 line passes legal is much easier.

Adding the Bowman line or making two line passes legal, eliminates the need for the thicker blue line as well.

Directly encouraging teams to run up the score probably isn't a great idea for sportsmanship.

[Boycey 0]

I'd like to see the hooking call upheld a bit more. Players hook opponents guts away and don't get called. Jaromir Jagr got the right idea in the World Cup though, just pull the stick away and lob it to the other side of the ice :D