If you were the Commish

[Spinner 6]

I was wondering what people here on LGW would change to make the game of hockey better. Most of you amaze me with your hockey smarts. I love hockey but am not as knowledgeable in it. Doesn't mean I don't love the game.

A couple things that I would like to change tho are as follows...

1)I would keep the trapezoid but only as a hands off the goalie type of thing. The goalie should be able to play the anywhere on the ice and if he strays from the goal area, he can be fair game, after all he has more padding than anyone else.

2) If you are in a fight and the guy you're fighting takes off his helmet, you must do the same or face an extra minute wussy penalty. Same would go for the gloves.

3) I would allow each coach 1 red flag to use for a review. I would also change the rule where somethings are reviewable and others aren't. If it's questionable, it's reviewable...period. I know some of you will say it will slow down the game but I don't think it has too much in football. I don't think it will in hockey either. At least I hope.

Finally...for now...I think the refs should be subject to 10 random game reviews of which they are tested to see consistancy in calling the game. If they fail, they get sent back to the minors until they prove themselves again. Granted it's hard to call a game of this pace without missing a few calls, but over a period of games you can tell if someone is consistant or not. I think for the most part they try to be fair, but if they knew they were being tested, I'm pretty sure they would try to be more consistant.

K I'm done...your thoughts?

[Guest Crymson]

If I were Bettman and I wanted to make hockey better, I'd abdicate my position immediately and allow someone more qualified to step in.

[Spinner 6]

If I were Bettman and I wanted to make hockey better, I'd abdicate my position immediately and allow someone more qualified to step in.

We can only dream lol

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

Take out the instigator.. and if the opposing person doesn't fight back the Instigator would only get a 2 minute roughing.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Commit suicide on live television.

Just like in the movie "Network". That would draw some great ratings for the league.

[Opie 308]

Take out the instigator.. and if the opposing person doesn't fight back the Instigator would only get a 2 minute roughing.

1st change: Get rid of Instigator rule!

2nd Change: Goalie equipment, shrink it.

3rd Change: Instant Replay, all goals are reviewed in Toronto already right, why not have hot button and if the guys in the war room think it is close, stop the game and get it right.

4th Change: Non-public Referee critique/ranking, weed out the refs who just can't get it right!

[skippy_kenn 0]

this is an evil proposition let me get my evil laugh going muh muh muh muh.

Ok let's make it happen Captain.

1.) rules

a.) all plays at the net are reviewable waved off or not. (name it the Ohalaran rule)

b.) allow the goalie to play the puck in the trapezoid area just not let him enter it.

c.) remove the Avery rule it was clever thinking and all Brokeback I mean Brodeur had to do is slash him and that would have ended it

d.) intent to injury ie knee to knee 10 game suspension 1st offense and so on...

e.) keep current change above 2 including rules addressed or added this off season already.

2.) Conferences and Divisions (bringing history back to the game f'ing lawyers)

a.) 2 Conferences named Wales and Campbell

b.) 3 divisions in each Norris, Smyth, Patrick, Adams, Richard, and Howe

c.) Top 2 teams from each division makes playoffs with 2 wild cards or current format (let owners vote which is best)

3.) TV Contract and Broadcast and Media press conference

a.) Bye Bye VS. hello a year round contract with Fox Sports including playoffs (it is on Basic easier for the fans)

b.) attempt to be able to broadcast HNC on the NHL network (brings me to why the hell do they have an NHL network if they only show f'ing reply games.

c.) Try a game of the week on NHL network

d.) We may not put baby in the corner but we will not longer be putting Mcguire between the benches no more talking to the coaches during stoppage of play.

e.) Press conferences injuries will not be released to the public period

f.) request for players at news conferences will be requested prior to the game with subs in case of injuries during the game.

g.) (toss up on this one) let the kids! play NHL players will no longer participate in the Olympics.

I could go on but your either bored by now or trying to knock the soapbox out from under me so I will just step down from the box.

[McCartyFanForLife 17]

Along the lines of improving the quality of refereeing:

I think the refs should be available to the media after games so they can give an answer for the calls they made.

[hallelujahlogic 1]

If I were Bettman and I wanted to make hockey better, I'd abdicate my position immediately and allow someone more qualified to step in.

you took the words right out of my mouth.

[redwings1914 18]

If I were the commish I would make sure my name wasn't Gary Bettman

[Reilly 24]

1. Eliminate fighting.

2. Smaller goalie equipment.

3. 4 on 4 the whole game.

4. Unlimited stick curve

[Spinner 6]

this is an evil proposition let me get my evil laugh going muh muh muh muh.

Ok let's make it happen Captain.

1.) rules

a.) all plays at the net are reviewable waved off or not. (name it the Ohalaran rule)

b.) allow the goalie to play the puck in the trapezoid area just not let him enter it.

c.) remove the Avery rule it was clever thinking and all Brokeback I mean Brodeur had to do is slash him and that would have ended it

d.) intent to injury ie knee to knee 10 game suspension 1st offense and so on...

e.) keep current change above 2 including rules addressed or added this off season already.

2.) Conferences and Divisions (bringing history back to the game f'ing lawyers)

a.) 2 Conferences named Wales and Campbell

b.) 3 divisions in each Norris, Smyth, Patrick, Adams, Richard, and Howe

c.) Top 2 teams from each division makes playoffs with 2 wild cards or current format (let owners vote which is best)

3.) TV Contract and Broadcast and Media press conference

a.) Bye Bye VS. hello a year round contract with Fox Sports including playoffs (it is on Basic easier for the fans)

b.) attempt to be able to broadcast HNC on the NHL network (brings me to why the hell do they have an NHL network if they only show f'ing reply games.

c.) Try a game of the week on NHL network

d.) We may not put baby in the corner but we will not longer be putting Mcguire between the benches no more talking to the coaches during stoppage of play.

e.) Press conferences injuries will not be released to the public period

f.) request for players at news conferences will be requested prior to the game with subs in case of injuries during the game.

g.) (toss up on this one) let the kids! play NHL players will no longer participate in the Olympics.

I could go on but your either bored by now or trying to knock the soapbox out from under me so I will just step down from the box.

I agree all goals should be reviewable. I'm torn on the Avery rule, but yes on the intent to injure 10 game automatic suspension.

2) I have no comment of conference and divisions. I do like the playoffs the way they are set up now...it seems to make the season longer.

I really like the idea of airing games on the Fox network, and yes, dont' renew McGuires contract. I think he could play by play some poker games tho.

edit: pushing soap box back

Edited June 24, 2008 by Spinner

[lfd250 1]

Problem about Fox Sports is, it's not national, everyone has there own so it wouldn't be the market they are looking for.

I like fighting

If you're going to keep the no change after icing, then no tv timeout either, or let them change lines.

I like reviewing every goal, however it would slow the game down becuase if I was a ref, every goal counts and let Toronto figure it out.

Linesman can call major pentalties, when they seem them.

The guy must be off the ice before the other guy comes on. No more cheating in one door and out the other.

Call dives as dives, no more equal. It can't be a trip and a dive.

Net behind the goal is in play.

Goalies are playable beind the net. I'm tired of them playing the puck and just standing there making the other guy do a jump to get by him.

[Inultus 12]

1. Eliminate fighting.

I'll beat your ass for saying that.

Anyway, I would:

get rid of the instigator

have teams play more teams in other divisions/conferences

review all goals, waved off or not

revamp the wording on the interference rule (not just goalie interference, but the supposed clutching/grabbing as well)

get a lot harsher with intent to injure plays

kick tampa out of the league for hiring melrose

be making a lot more money that i am now and buy all lgw members tickets to the season opener, then hit on the hottest girl

[zata40 3]

1. Eliminate fighting.

2. Smaller goalie equipment.

3. 4 on 4 the whole game.

4. Unlimited stick curve

oooooo......your asking for it!

[Glubki 17]

In addition to some of what has already been mentioned...

1. Start the season in early September so that the teams aren't skating on soft ice in the playoffs...

2. Require teams to install appropriate cooling systems if needed...

3. Require that contract sheets for RFA's be arbitrated before the current team has to match the offer...

4. Require each team to install 7-8 permanent state-of-the-art cameras in each arena that are accessibe/interactive to whatever network broadcasts the game. I feel that one of the reasons more people don't watch hockey is because of the poor camera angles and difficulty new people have trying to follow the puck. Improving the viewing experience should probably be number 1 on the list...

The last 2 are more league related than game related but since the 2 are related I thought I'd toss them in...

Edited June 24, 2008 by Glubki

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

1. Eliminate fighting.

2. Smaller goalie equipment.

3. 4 on 4 the whole game.

4. Unlimited stick curve

He already has, genius.

[DEVILSWATERBOY 10]

If I were Bettman, I would punch myself in the face for screwing up such a great game, or I would shoot myself

( BETTMAN BLOWS)

[DEVILSWATERBOY 10]

1. Eliminate fighting.

2. Smaller goalie equipment.

3. 4 on 4 the whole game.

4. Unlimited stick curve

Why do you think the game is so screwed up, its because of thinking like this

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

1. Eliminate fighting.

2. Smaller goalie equipment.

3. 4 on 4 the whole game.

4. Unlimited stick curve

sarcasm i hope.

[toby91_ca 620]

If I were the commish, I would really have no control over the rules of the game.

[uk_redwing 495]

Id set up a situation where I would be dead in 10 seconds...then Id become myself again.

Job done.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Get rid of the instigator rule and let players be accountable for their actions, fighting, responding to opposing team's enforcers, etc.

[octopusonice 0]

One of the things I would do is promote youth leagues in regions where such leagues are scarce or non-existant. I love the game of hockey, but never have played a lick of it in my life. If I had played it while I was younger, the NHL would have had me as a fan about 20 years sooner.

I second the motion on the idea of getting a better television package for hockey. No sports can thrive without a good television package. As long as hockey is on VS and the occasional game on NBC, hockey will always be viewed by those living in the Sun Belt as a sport played only in Canada and the northern U.S.

[sjradio 0]

1. Icing the puck should be from the defensive blue line not th center red line.

2. No touch icing, watching Kurtis Foster being hit into the boards in San Jose is reason enough.

3. Everything should be reviewable. Goals, penalties (IE a missed high sticking call, a bulls*** no goal call of a rear end in the crease.)

4. A system that would automatically detect a puck going over the line, one that could confirm a puck going over the line without any video link. Here's an example. In the Dallas/San Jose OT game there was a shot that Evgeni Nabokov saved that looked like from a certain angle that part of the glove was in the net, the problem is that you couldn't see the puck, but there was a chance that the puck could have been across the line. Video couldn't see the puck but the puck could have been across the line.

Another case was the Wings vs. Nashville in game 6. Dats was driving to the net and was taken out, the puck looked like it was in as he crashed into the net, The puck wasn't visable until after the net came off the moorings, but if you think about it logically the puck was across the line and should have been a goal.

5. Moving the Red Wings to the Eastern Conference.

6. At media press conferences, coaches shall not "Plant the seed" , IE... Michel Therrien's bulls*** about the Wings alleged obstruction.

7. Diving calls, if the player "helps out the ref" the diving player should be the only penalty called. It's either or... Not both.

8. The Referee up high shall not call penalties below the circles.

9. Define what is and what is NOT a hook. Having your stick parallel to the ice does not automatically mean there is a hook.

10. Tripping down a player who has an empty net in front of him, IS a penalty.

11. Let local TV broadcast all playoff games in addition to the national feed. (wouldn't you rather listen to Ken and Mick rather than the VS or NBC morons).

12. Teams cannot ristrict sales of tickets to certain locations.

13. all team bench area's should be large enough to have all personel on the bench. Example, the visiting team back up goalie's having to sit in the team tunnel.

14. Expansion teams in Kansas City and Houston. Moving the Wings and Columbus to the east.

15. Stop revenue sharing. teams like Detroit and NYR don't need to be funding teams like Nashville and Edmonton.

16. Drop the instigator rule.

That's enough for now.