FanNation - The Republic of Sport

I hope the NHL realizes that changing the size of the net is something you can't do. I do not want to watch players shoot pucks in a soccer net.

"hockey's version of cutting taxes - eye catching, but ineffective." What does that mean? You may want to choose a different analogy, because anyone who understands the American political and business model knows that cutting taxes has proven effective time and time again. Here is my suggestion for your final sentence;
"hockey's version of universal health care - socialism seems like a good idea, but then you realize it's stupid."

There are so many other little tweaks that should be done first before doing something this drastic. Bret Hull had a good comment (I actually feel strange saying that) a while back. Drop the limit on curved sticks. Goalies are protected well enoght these days, and adding a few more MPH to shots might get a few extra goals here or there without changing the game, or the look of the game in a big way. If you're worried about some players putting some crazy huge curve on their stick, don't, that would make passing very difficult, and shots less accurate, so there's a built in limit to whtat players can do. Personally, I don't need six or seven goals a game to be entertained, but if the league is going to make changes, I'd rather see 6-8 small ones than one big mistake in enlarging the nets.

Are u kidding me???? Do you reallly need to make it harder on poor goalies?

How about an open net with no goalie? Then you'll get all the scoring they're looking for! It's rediculous to think that tinkering with the game is the answer to the unpopularity of the game. Start with getting back on ESPN and replacing Bettman with a copetent replacement!!!

This is the NHL's solution to the fact that the quality of hockey has substantially decreased over the past decade, just isn't as entertaining as it used to be, and the league is unable to land a TV contract worth more than minimal money. Here's some suggestions:

1. Allow bench clearing brawls again. Fighting is part of the game and most people go to and watch hockey games so they can see fighting. Santizing the sport has dwindled the fan base significantly.

2. Shut down the operations of 6-10 teams. There just aren't enough quality hockey players out there to field a league of 30 teams. Expansion has diluted the quality the game.

3. Eliminate the first round of the playoffs. There's no point to the regular season when 16 of 30 teams make the playoffs. Limit it to the top 8 teams.

4. Shorten the regular season. 82 regular season games is way too many. Combined, the regular season and playoffs should never last into May or June.

How do I apply for the job of Commissioner?

OK, but WHICH 6-10 teams?? Columbus is a start...
Next, TV: I get Versus, but the ONLY time I'll watch it is when the Caps play (which means the 26th against Buffalo). Either put the damn thing on NBC the whole season, or SOME part of the ESPN family...
I'm done.

If these changes to the nets are so small, why bother at all? I have an idea, lets go back to one referee to open up more ice for the players. The second ref just makes marginal penalty calls from fifty feet away which have nothing to do with the play in the first place.

Here's 8 to shut down: Columbus, Ottawa, Nashville, and Edmonton (markets are too small), Atlanta (horrible sports city, could care less about hockey), Florida and Tampa Bay (hockey doesn't belong in Florida), and Anaheim (market oversaturation -- too close to LA).

Are they still on that kick? I thought they were done trying to reinvent the wheel. But then, this is the NHL! I forgot. (DC)

I hate Ottawa, but can you imagine the repercussions of trying to close a franchise like that? I'd replace it with San Jose...I know they earned their right to be in the league, but San Jose isn't really "Hockey Town".

How 'bout trying to implement some sort of "illegal defence" penalties? Other sports do it with a certain degree of success. Might be able to eliminate the trap. Although that means educating the officials in defensive schemes and how to play the game. These guys have enough to learn with the rule book and even then they don't quite know it. Why modify anything? Soccer is the most popular sport in the world and the fans riot ecstatically over a nil-nil draw. I truly think that if the referees do not alter their consistency of calls from game to game then their would be more power plays and, in turn, more goals.
There has also got to be some of the onus put on the coaches and players to teach and learn effective strategies to break down these "traps". Coaches are too quick to throw up their hands and say, "They are a trap team, I don't know what to do!" Or the players saying, "THEY ARE TRAPPING US! PLEASE MAKE THEM STOP!" Individual/team skill has to be enhanced before even strength goals increase, period.
League dilution? DEFINITELY. But how do you tell a city that already has a franchise, "Sorry your city is too small, your team is going to be disbanded. Kind of like 'you are the weakest link, goodbye!'" There would be anarchy/chaos/Rodney King type suff everywhere!
Cheers! 4fORREVER!

not going to happen.

The average Saturday night lineup of games produces scores like 5-2, 4-1, 6-5, 4-3 and maybe a couple of 2-1 finals, what's wrong with that? Higher scoring games will NOT make the game more popular in the U.S. Arena Football averages scores of 65-42 and nobody likes that garbage! Just keep the nets the way they are and find a better way to market the game. (maybe don't go on strike for a full season again, that might help).

This is a stupid idea that only a stupid commissioner will implement.

Consider it a lock.

Leave the nets alone...crack down on cheap shots(hitting from behind,high sticking infractions),allow them to fight,reduce the size of goaltender equipment...for starters.While we are at it,unload this clown we have as a Commish and get someone who really knows about the game and what the fans really want.This league is run by a bunch of bean counters who cannot see the forest beyond the trees!

TouchdownVrabel- get your head out of your ****. Tampa Bay has one of the better attendance rates in the league and hundreds of loyal fans. The Panthers don't get a lot of people because their arena is in a bad location (they should either move to Orlando or Miami, or to Canada). If not move, then yea, maybe they should fold. Nashville, Atlanta, are not hockey towns, and should either fold or move somewhere else.

Games being on NBC and Versus aren't too bad, but I miss the days of Gary Thorne calling games on ESPN and ABC.

Making the nets bigger is an incredibly stupid idea if thats what they're considering. The league needs to let defensemen play tough and physical again and lighten up on these retarded new rules on hooking and breaking other player's sticks, etc. Sooner or later, forwards will be whining like soccer players when they are touched the wrong way. I understand it's important to protect the high profile players that teams spend millions on, but this is hockey. Players are supposed to be tough, able to take hits, and know how to play the body. If they can't take a hit, then tough **** luck for those ****.

Bettman, stop trying to turn this into the NBA (even that league isn't what it used to be) and vacate your position as commissioner.

Goalie equipment has gotten larger, while the nets have stayed the same size. Players back in the day had a much better advantage. I would rather see them scale back the goalie equipment than increase the net size.

Horrible idea!!! I'm sorry but I'd rather see a goaltending dual then a scoring dual anytime.

Make goalie pads smaller, then we'll see...

BAD AND STUPID IDEA...... make the pads smaller, guys in today nhl take up the whole net, so it makes you wonder, if making the nets bigger is a solution, but i dont like it, some things about the game you should not change. make the pads smalller, get rid of the no touch zone behind the net for the goalies, also the point for each team for going to OT is stupid, win should be a win. I would like them to go to Olympic size icering, guys in today NHL are way bigger then 10-20 years ego, defenses, are thousand times better, faster and more skilled also, it would open up lot of room, Gretzky and comp. sure had lot more ice to skate, then you can also loosen all the penalty calling, it would give the skilled guys more room to beat the defense.
i do know it will never(or not anytime soon) happend here, not many people would be big fans of it, i dont think, plus today stadiums would have to give up the first 2rows of seats, but i think it would be great for the game