Most fans agree that the game is not as exciting now as it was fifteen-to-twenty years ago (I would agree), that there are too many teams (I would agree), and that some of the teams are in poorly-chosen markets making weak franchises (as a Canadian, I obviously agree).
So, I was just wondering how all ye hockey fans would improve the NHL, if you had the power to do anything?
Here's what I suggest:
-- Reduce the number of teams from 30 down to 24.
-- Either cancel them, or move the franchises in Phoenix, Nashville, and the two in Florida to Connecticut, Quebec City, Hamilton, and Winnipeg. Add Raleigh to that pile (even though it's doing pretty well).
-- Ideally, there would two conferences: one in Canada, and one in the USA, thus ensuring a Canadian franchise vs. American franchise in EVERY Stanley Cup final. However, I don't think it's possible to have 12 franchises in Canada, so that might not work mathematically... still, why not have all the Canadian teams in one Conference? The players wouldn't mind in that they would avoid the hassle of extra international travel, and the fans would love it.
-- Reduce the sizes of the Goalies' pads to about 2/3 what they are now (back to what they were in the 80s). Further limit the size of the catching glove.
-- Increase penalties for stick infractions, cross-checking, holding, etc., esp. in front of the net (the NHL has actually done a good job of this since the lockout, but hockey is still the most inconsistently refereed major sport). You shouldn't have to take out a life insurance policy to be a goal scorer.
-- Reduce the # of playoff teams to 8 -- the top four from each Conference. Three rounds of playoffs, like in the 70s, is more than enough! It was okay in the 80s when you knew the first round was going to be easy for top teams, but nowadays the first round is like an attrition battle, leaving everyone exhausted before we even get to round two. By the time the whole thing is over, I'm almost sick of the game.
These are my thoughts... feel free to agree/disagree, or add on to my list!
So, I was just wondering how all ye hockey fans would improve the NHL, if you had the power to do anything?
Here's what I suggest:
-- Reduce the number of teams from 30 down to 24.
-- Either cancel them, or move the franchises in Phoenix, Nashville, and the two in Florida to Connecticut, Quebec City, Hamilton, and Winnipeg. Add Raleigh to that pile (even though it's doing pretty well).
-- Ideally, there would two conferences: one in Canada, and one in the USA, thus ensuring a Canadian franchise vs. American franchise in EVERY Stanley Cup final. However, I don't think it's possible to have 12 franchises in Canada, so that might not work mathematically... still, why not have all the Canadian teams in one Conference? The players wouldn't mind in that they would avoid the hassle of extra international travel, and the fans would love it.
-- Reduce the sizes of the Goalies' pads to about 2/3 what they are now (back to what they were in the 80s). Further limit the size of the catching glove.
-- Increase penalties for stick infractions, cross-checking, holding, etc., esp. in front of the net (the NHL has actually done a good job of this since the lockout, but hockey is still the most inconsistently refereed major sport). You shouldn't have to take out a life insurance policy to be a goal scorer.
-- Reduce the # of playoff teams to 8 -- the top four from each Conference. Three rounds of playoffs, like in the 70s, is more than enough! It was okay in the 80s when you knew the first round was going to be easy for top teams, but nowadays the first round is like an attrition battle, leaving everyone exhausted before we even get to round two. By the time the whole thing is over, I'm almost sick of the game.
These are my thoughts... feel free to agree/disagree, or add on to my list!
