The Future of the NHL...?

Were in the middle of the Stanley Cup Finals and I cannot help but think where is the sport going. I am an optimist when it comes to the future of anything. However I cannot help but think the thing I love more than anything is at a stalemate and not growing. I am able to face the facts and realize hockey has always been a niche sport and may never grow to be much more. It seems to me hockey will never be beaten in Canada, but it barely beats Soccer and Tennis in American television ratings.

The NHL has no “Look at me!” time of year this is the biggest problem. There are three big occasions in the NHL: opening day, The Winter Classic, and the Stanley Cup Finals. The first game takes place in the middle of football season and the MLB playoffs. The Winter Classic takes place on a day when everyone wakes up at 1:00 pm and is far too hung over to watch hockey. The Stanley Cup finals takes place at the same time as the NBA finals. Pittsburgh is probably the only city that cares about hockey more than basketball. So maybe a major overhaul of the schedule needs to take place. Either start it earlier or later, but it must change for growth.

I suggest later. Drop the puck on Thanksgiving. I realize the NFL owns that day, but I am not saying have two “football towns” play each other. Always use Canadian teams and non-football markets. This backs the season up by 1 ½ months and away from competition with the NBA and college football for your most celebrated events. The Winter Classic will need to be played earlier in the season, obviously. I vote for Christmas Day or Eve. The only thing to compete with on Christmas is bowl games that are not appealing. This also puts the Stanley Cup Finals into July. All that is going on in July is baseball. This allows the light to shine on the NHL rather than be pushed out of the spotlight.

The game itself needs to change. Yes, I realize those words make hockey purists lose their lunch. If you are content with low television ratings and being bullied by the other 3 major sports then you really do not care about the game. Fighting needs to be penalized harder. If you get into a fight you should be out for the rest of the game and if you get an instigator penalty you get a one game suspension. Yes I know “fighting is part of the game”, but it truly does push fans away. I like the fighting but if I am in a bloodlust mood I just watch the UFC. This will make the game more television friendly and add more skill. Instead of roster spots going to Donald Brashear, fans will get to see a guy that scores between 10 and 20 goals a year. This increases goal scoring around the league and increases ratings.

The trap must die! The New Jersey Devils sent the league into the cellar in the late 90’s using it. Ever since inadequate teams have used it to be competitive. Something must be done to free up the neutral zone. I am not exactly sure how to do so. My suggestion is too lengthen the neutral zone, by at least 2 feet on each end. This will create more space to pass in for the break out. Also allowing players to gain more speed entering the zone. Maybe 4 feet does not make a ton of difference, but it will help smart teams.

There are many possibilities to improve the game. I believe these make the most improvement. I love hockey but hate the way the NHL is managed. Every fan that watched Gordie Howe will hate any changes. Any fan of Sidney Crosby deserves an improved game. There is no way to make hockey purists and prospective fans happy at the same time. I say let the baby boomers die off and take old time hockey with them. This is a great time to gain young fans. The NHL will never have another opportunity to market a superstar rivalry like Crosby and Ovechkin. The NBA made sure not to miss the boat on Bird vs. Magic and it saved that sport. The NHL is in a similar situation, lets hope their not left on the dock.