Dead Puck Era has Returned- New NHL Exposed As BS.

[MotorCityMadness 388]

I'll look it up later, but I'm sure the amount of penalties called (hence the amount of powerplays) has gone down since the first season after the lockout too. Maybe I'm wrong.

If your Detroit yes, but then again if its Pittsburgh, Chicago, Washington, (insert up and coming team) then no

[Drake_Marcus 890]

....and here come the Bettman Era fans in droves. This will be interesting. Oh please, more penalties, more goals, that's interference ref!, and while you're at it get rid of that nasty fighting!!!

Tell us the truth-- you love posting on 4chan, don't you?

[cjm502 165]

I say we get together and assassinate Gary Bettman and all the monkeys that make this garbage possible. Than we somehow rewrite the rulebook centering the NHL around violence. Yeah, there we go.

[egroen 384]

I disagree regarding rink size. Lets make the ball bigger in baseball too so there's higher batting averages. I'm old school, I realize, but lets not alter the sets of rules/ expectations from generation to generation.

Then they need to go back to wooden sticks and old skates... not only are the players bigger, faster and stronger, but they are using equipment that allows them to skate faster and shoot harder. It's gotten to be too much and there's not enough room out there for us fans to me 'wowed' as often as we used to be... I am also convinced it's a large reason for all the injuries. Pads have already been touched upon in this thread - I agree.

Ultimately, I do believe they need to do something... I just think the rink size should be increased to accommodate the huge difference in speed and size we see now, versus 50 years ago.

Rule changes are a huge part of hockey, nothing wrong with trying to make the game better -- or do you wish the forward pass was still illegal?

Edited January 8, 2010 by egroen

[Guest E_S_A_D]

When anyone points to Bettman, and how profits and revenues have increased over his tenure, they are missing the point. The NHL was exploding in popularity at the time he took over, and has failed to keep that pace nor match with the growth of numerous other major sports -- I think of all the profits and revenues 'missed' and the growth not realized with Bettman at the helm.

Please tell me you are joking. You must be reading the Bettman Guide to Foolery.

The NHL Went from a top tier sport in USA to being dropped by ESPN, hardly mentioned my sports associated press groups (outside of hockey), and now Versus was dropped by the 2nd largest carrier of television- DirectTV. The NHL has taken the worst nosedive in popularity in its sport history.

If you are referring to Bettman putting the games overseas to start the season, then that's a joke. You're a hockey fan; outside the hockey realm, the NHL has become a joke. It saddens me to even type that, but it's true. Look up Nielsen ratings if you'd like... if not, I'll do it for you.

[up2here 41]

I would love for them to seriously take a look at expanding the rink size.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Devallano in favor of the same thing in a recent issue of the Hockey News -- players are bigger and faster than they were 50 years ago, give them some more space. I also think we would see less injuries out there. Tough to see increased goal scoring when half the NHL's stars are out with an injury.

NHL rinks are 85' wide and Olympic rinks are 100' feet wide.... somewhere right in the middle would be perfect, IMO.

Once again we seem to agree (Kinda terrifying actually). Players are so much faster, bigger and stronger now, they need more space. The NFL is a good example of a league that has evolved its rules over the years to compensate for things (eg. kick-off lines).

As far as calling this Bettmans league I always take exception to that. Not because I love Bettman (he actually acts and looks like a weasel to me) but because he is employed by the owners and does what the owners tell him to do. This is the owners league.

[kook_10 1,705]

Then they need to go back to wooden sticks and old skates... not only are the players bigger, faster and stronger, but they are using equipment that allows them to skate faster and shoot harder. It's gotten to be too much and there's not enough room out there for us fans to me 'wowed' as often as we used to be... I am also convinced it's a large reason for all the injuries. Pads have already been touched upon in this thread - I agree.

Ultimately, I do believe they need to do something... I just think the rink size should be increased to accommodate the huge difference in speed and size we see now, versus 50 years ago.

Rule changes are a huge part of hockey, nothing wrong with trying to make the game better -- or do you wish the forward pass was still illegal?

changing the rink size would have huge implications for youth leagues and community rinks. would we really want the game of hockey to be physically different for pros than for amateurs? its bad enough kids have to buy $100 sticks that frequently break.

[Guest E_S_A_D]

Please tell me you are joking. You must be reading the Bettman Guide to Foolery.

The NHL Went from a top tier sport in USA to being dropped by ESPN, hardly mentioned my sports associated press groups (outside of hockey), and now Versus was dropped by the 2nd largest carrier of television- DirectTV. The NHL has taken the worst nosedive in popularity in its sport history.

If you are referring to Bettman putting the games overseas to start the season, then that's a joke. You're a hockey fan; outside the hockey realm, the NHL has become a joke. It saddens me to even type that, but it's true. Look up Nielsen ratings if you'd like... if not, I'll do it for you.

And this is in Canada!

By: CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Sat. Aug. 15 2009 6:57 PM ET

It may seem as unlikely as Canadians suddenly giving up their Double Double habit, but a new study says hockey's popularity is waning in the Great White North.

Reginald Bibby, a prominent sociologist at the University of Lethbridge and author of "The Emerging Millennials," says hockey is losing popularity in all age groups.

"Contrary to the beliefs of Canadian observers . . . interest in the National Hockey League has actually dropped," he told Canada AM. "It's just not a matter that there is a drop off with teens, we're seeing the same thing with adults."

In his new book, Bibby argues that the nation's DNA is being rewired as immigration and an explosion of new entertainment options for youth is eroding hockey's mass popularity.

"The most important thing for (NHL commissioner) Gary Bettman and everyone else to realize is that this is no shocker . . . we simply have so many options when it comes to how we are going to spend our entertainment time."

The percentage of adults who "very" or "fairly" closely watched the NHL dropped to 30 per cent from 36 per cent over the last two decades, the study found.

Among teens, the NHL's popularity dropped a full 10 points between 1992 to 2008 -- from 45 per cent to 35 per cent.

Hockey's drop in popularity among teens was particularly noticeable in Toronto, where only 20 per cent of youths follow hockey. This compares to 34 per cent in Edmonton, 41 per cent in Ottawa, 44 per cent in Vancouver, 45 per cent in Montreal and 48 per cent in Calgary.

While cynics might point to the Maple Leafs' lack of success as a reason, Bibby's book suggests that Toronto large immigration population is a significant factor. He says the NHL needs to reach out, and not just assume new Canadians are going to fall in love with hockey.

"If the NHL is going to competitive in any market . . . it's really going to have to sell the game," he said.

Bibby also suggested the NHL could do a better job of getting teenagers to games, especially a problem in Toronto where Leafs tickets seem as rare and as expensive as diamonds.

Bibby's findings are published in his book and draw on a nationally representative sample of more than 5,500 teens. The results are accurate within three percentage points, 19 times out of 20.http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090815/hockey_popularity_090815/20090815

[b-random 0]

This may be a little off topic but I wish they would just eliminate 4 teams, there would be more talent to go around, more favorable matchups (i.e. we would get to play more games against EC teams). I say Florida, Atlanta, Pheonix and Nashville should all be folded, this league has too many s***ty markets.

Edited January 8, 2010 by b-random

[Carman 387]

NHL is fine, Sidney Crosby is just beginning his great career. Haters gonna hate.

If you don't like hockey don't watch it.

[Guest E_S_A_D]

Goodbye all, off to a hockey game. It's hockey night in Canaaaaada!

[cjm502 165]

changing the rink size would have huge implications for youth leagues and community rinks. would we really want the game of hockey to be physically different for pros than for amateurs? its bad enough kids have to buy $100 sticks that frequently break.

If kids need a $100 stick to excel at hockey than there is something wrong. Its all mental, personally I couldn't care less about my stick. As long as my blade is not a piece of crap.

Edited January 8, 2010 by cjm502

[egroen 384]

Please tell me you are joking. You must be reading the Bettman Guide to Foolery.

The NHL Went from a top tier sport in USA to being dropped by ESPN, hardly mentioned my sports associated press groups (outside of hockey), and now Versus was dropped by the 2nd largest carrier of television- DirectTV. The NHL has taken the worst nosedive in popularity in its sport history.

If you are referring to Bettman putting the games overseas to start the season, then that's a joke. You're a hockey fan; outside the hockey realm, the NHL has become a joke. It saddens me to even type that, but it's true. Look up Nielsen ratings if you'd like... if not, I'll do it for you.

Did you think Bettman took over in 2002 or something?

[egroen 384]

changing the rink size would have huge implications for youth leagues and community rinks. would we really want the game of hockey to be physically different for pros than for amateurs? its bad enough kids have to buy $100 sticks that frequently break.

Of course I want it different - or I would save all my money and watch high school games.

I don't pretend to have a blueprint to go about making it happen, but adding 7 ft to the width of NHL arenas does not seem like an impossible feat to me.

[kook_10 1,705]

Of course I want it different - or I would save all my money and watch high school games.

I don't pretend to have a blueprint to go about making it happen, but adding 7 ft to the width of NHL arenas does not seem like an impossible feat to me.

uhhhh.... they're on the same size rinks now. do you only go to high school games? i meant specifically that amateur rinks shouldn't be materially different than NHL rinks. of course NHL rinks could expand, but hometown ones likely could not.

[up2here 41]

uhhhh.... they're on the same size rinks now. do you only go to high school games? i meant specifically that amateur rinks shouldn't be materially different than NHL rinks. of course NHL rinks could expand, but hometown ones likely could not.

To me thats a very minor problem. There will be some rinks that cant expand to the larger surface but most will. When the NHL adopted the 200' X 85' rule there were actual NHL rinks that were smaller than the new size but it didnt stop them. I know the Boston Garden ice was noticeably smaller but I'm too lazy to look up the actual dimensions.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

And this is in Canada! <big ol' story>

I'm no expert, but I feel like this story is kind of skewed. In relative terms, perhaps there is some less interest in hockey -- as he says there are more entertainment options now from then -- but in absolute terms there are far more people alive today than there were two decades ago; the population of Canada has grown 20% in the last 20 years and will certainly not be stopping anytime soon. As long as more people in raw numbers fill the arena and buy the merchandise there's no trouble on that front.

[egroen 384]

uhhhh.... they're on the same size rinks now. do you only go to high school games? i meant specifically that amateur rinks shouldn't be materially different than NHL rinks. of course NHL rinks could expand, but hometown ones likely could not.

Amateur games are completely different than pro games - I really would not have a problem if NHL rinks were slightly larger to reflect that difference in speed, skill and size. That's what I pay the big bucks to watch.

New amateur rinks built could have the larger rinks, existing ones could be expanded or they could keep them the same size... I don't see a huge problem. The benefit to the NHL game would be worth it, at the very least.

[Carman 387]

The NHL just needs to stop the obstruction on Sidney Crosby. It's ridiculous the amount of goals that are taken away because of teams cheating trying to contain Crosby.

[mjlegend 155]

The NHL just needs to stop the obstruction on Sidney Crosby. It's ridiculous the amount of goals that are taken away because of teams cheating trying to contain Crosby.

^^^

This. Crosby and the success of the Penguins is the only thing saving the NHL from being a fifth-tier sport like cockfighting, staring contests and Dungeons & Dragons. I heartily congratulate Gary Bettman for recognizing this a few years ago.

[cjm502 165]

The NHL just needs to stop the obstruction on Sidney Crosby. It's ridiculous the amount of goals that are taken away because of teams cheating trying to contain Crosby.

Its not even funny how much you confuse me. Maybe I don't pick up the sarcasm often enough or something...

[kook_10 1,705]

Amateur games are completely different than pro games - I really would not have a problem if NHL rinks were slightly larger to reflect that difference in speed, skill and size. That's what I pay the big bucks to watch.

New amateur rinks built could have the larger rinks, existing ones could be expanded or they could keep them the same size... I don't see a huge problem. The benefit to the NHL game would be worth it, at the very least.

I can see your point, but I would just be concerned that it would be a move aimed more at current NHL fans rather than prospective ones. New players may be turned off by playing with a different set of rules. Who knows though. It would be a relatively big change.

The NHL just needs to stop the obstruction on Sidney Crosby. It's ridiculous the amount of goals that are taken away because of teams cheating trying to contain Crosby.

Having moved to LA in the mid 80s, I saw how the arrival of Gretzky really made amateur hockey explode in a place where the NHL had already been for 20 years. The superstar factor got kids out to actually play hockey. When kids play hockey the whole family watches games on TV and go to games. That's why Crosby should be traded to Phoenix.

Edited January 8, 2010 by kook_10

[zettie85 106]

MORE? I respect the defensive battles, the gameplans, and strategy that lead to a game that's 1-0. That's fun stuff! Call me crazy (or extremely knowledgeable - sarcasm guys, easy), but I enjoy a right wing forward dropping back in the zone on D to cover his Defenseman on a rush just as much as I do a powerplay goal.

I agree with you that our game was turned into a side show with the rule changes and the attempt to increase scoring but 100% of this can't fall on Bettmans shoulders. I'm not a Bettman fan by any means but he had a basic idea(if it was even his). All of the rules were made by former and current NHL players. Unfortunately Shanny was one of them and I cringe when I think of it.

Taking clutching and grabbing out makes the game faster. I for one don't give a s*** if it's faster. I loved the defencive aspects of it, pre-lockout. More injuries occur now because of it. It's not about players being careless. It's just too fast at times for some players. So what now don't allow players to hit because it's to fast?

Touch icing while still dangerous is multiplied by 10 because guys can't hold someone up anymore. Two guys going full out for the puck towards a wall. Earlier a guy could put his stick on the forechecker to slow him up but now you either let the guy beat out the icing, take a penalty for slowing him up or prepare yourself for a giant collision.

Clutching and grabbing made the game safer. If it is making a comeback, and not being called, I welcome it.

[Pucks 66]

Defensive systems will always find new ways to keep games close. That will not change unless you want to start penalizing trapping teams for illegal defense or some such thing.

As for the clutch and grab. Remember when Florida mad it to the finals that one year. Well that was the most embarrassing thing to happen in our sport in some time. To me, a team that reaches the final should actually have players with at least a sliver of talent.

Edited January 8, 2010 by Pucks

[Konnan511 1,736]

Profits may be up, but does that have anything to do with the Salary Cap? I mean, the Wings payroll is half of what it used to be and ticket prices and merchandise sales have probably stayed consistent. Hence more revenue which in turn is now shared across the league. I'd be interested to see where popularity and attendance is nowadays versus profit. The league is now broadcast on a third tier network and has had many sports surpass it in terms of popularity versus where it was in the 90's when it was arguably a top 4 or 5 sport and now it is top 7 or 8.

If the league keeps on having record revenue and profit, the Salary Cap will stay the same or raise slightly. The big concern for this year was that revenues and profits would "come back down to Earth", which is why everyone was dreading an even more massive overhaul for the Wings. But in a recent (month or two ago) article i read is that the league is expected to make substantially more money this seaosn than last year (thank you PHX and LA for doing awesome!!!!). So you could probably expect the cap to go up again this season.

Even though the broadcasting isn't good. The NHL had a higher attendence than the NBA last season, so take solace in that