What can be done to improve the NHL

[Roger's Pancreas*]

Anyone and everyone who has a serious idea about how to improve the NHL in any way shape or form should post it.
For starters...because the Flyers and other northern countries are consistently in frigid weather more open stadium games, like the heritage classic, should be played. When you consider that Gillette Stadium has a capacity of 68,756 and the Wachovia center has a capacity of some 19,000; it's no wonder why hockey game ticket prices are so high.

http://gillettestadium.com/stadium_i...uick_facts.asp

[swflyers8*]

For starters...because the Flyers and other northern countries are consistently in frigid weather more open stadium games, like the heritage classic, should be played.

It's a nice idea and all, but we aren't that cold around here. It's been a while since we've had a really cold winter. There is no place around that could really hold a Heritage Classic-type event around here. I don't know if that many people would come either.

We have a pretty good hockey following here but 50,000+ may be pushing it a little.

One thing I would like is continuous OT in the regular season. Get rid of the 5 minute deal and no shootouts. You play until someone scores. Watching OT games is exciting for me, every play could be the play where your team wins or loses. Also, take out the instigator. It might eliminate the petty crap that some players do out on the ice. And make the goalies fair game, they want to wander out from their net, you should be treated like any other player.

[dafranchz]

Originally Posted by Panasonic Youth

Anyone and everyone who has a serious idea about how to improve the NHL in any way shape or form should post it.

Quick fix....end the lockout, fire Bettman, and start playing. Pretty simple if you ask me.

[pelts35.com]

PY,

There is no way that you would be able to fill a 60,000 seat stadium for 40 regular season games. I might even go so far to say that the Flyers couldn't fill a 60,000 seat stadium for one game. I mean, the highest level of hockey right now is the Phantoms, who, in the midst of a 10-game winning streak, are averaging under 7,000 per night. What exactly does that say about the hockey following in the area?

Hungry, although I like the concept of continous OT, it will never happen. With 82 regular season games, the players could not handle multiple OT games over the course of the season. Unlike most, I have no problem with games ending in a tie. I would either, eliminate OT altogether or, if you want OT, I would award 0 points for a tie (certainly get rid of garbage 1 point for an OTL). That would make teams actually continue to play in the OT instead of just skating it out.

I do agree with the concept of getting rid of the instigator rule and the goalies being fair game. I would also get rid of the red line, reduce the schedule to 70 games or so and reduce the number of teams to 20. One of the major problems is that the league is watered down and guys who never would have played their careers in the minors prior to expansion, are now NHLers. If you don't want to eliminate teams, then reduce the rosters to dress only 3 forward lines and 2 defensive lines.

[flyersrock1]

Take some of the teams not making money who are in non hockey areas and put them in Hockey markets. I.E. Canada and expand overseas. Be like baseball and you would only play (for the most part) teams in your Conference so there would be not extra travel involved. There is no money in T.V. in the States so why worry what the guy down south watching his high school football games thinks. Also think goalies who come 20 feet out of the net should be allowed to be checked. Not runned but fairly played. Also get rid of the redline for 2 line passes. As for overtime, I can live with a tie in the reg season. That makes overtime in the playoffs that much better. Lastly get rid of Gary and Bob. Let Gretzky talk for the owners and Orr for the players. Bring back the NHL.