By Pierre LeBrun | December 26, 2012 10:00:21 AM PST
Let’s look ahead to the moment when this abominable, revolting and shameful NHL lockout finally ends.
Whether that’s this season or next, who knows at this point?
But either way, the road to win back the hearts of fans will be a long one.
With that in mind, here are my 10 recommendations for the NHL for when it ever opens shop again -- moves that I believe would help the league make itself more appealing to fans and regain some form of relevancy in the marketplace:
1. Give away the NHL Center Ice package for the entire season after you return, as well as the Game Center package online. If you’re going to beg fans to return, might as well make it easy on them.
2. Ensure that realignment happens for the 2013-14 season. The buzz that surrounded the realignment conversation last season during the NHL’s failed attempt at switching up its conferences and divisions was surreal. Fans loved debating the future look of the league. The NHLPA, which blocked realignment last year, must work with the NHL to make realignment happen for next season. It’s what the fans want.
3. Add a "play-in" round to the playoffs. Depending on realignment, this could take on different forms. But the essence of it in my book is that you have four teams play a preliminary playoff round, two concurrent best-of-three series (perhaps two teams playing each other in the East and two in the West), to determine the final 16 spots in the playoff dance.
Last edited by spiny norman: 12-27-2012 at 10:14 AM.
Reason: please do not post entire articles
4. Bring back the World Cup of Hockey, but make it permanent. More importantly, have the tournament played in February every four years, right smack in the middle of the NHL season -- just like the Olympics. And yes, send your NHL players to the Olympics. So in February 2014, you’ve got NHL players in Sochi, Russia, followed by a new World Cup of Hockey in Toronto/Montreal/New York/Philadelphia/Boston in February 2016, etc. So every two years you either have the best in the world playing in the Olympics or the World Cup. Playing it in February instead of September, like the old Canada Cups/World Cup, would bring more legitimacy to the event. As for the All-Star Game, all of you know I’d like to see it canned. But for the kids out there who still get a kick out of it, I can live with having All-Star Games in the years we don’t have a World Cup or an Olympics.
Yes, please. I know I wouldn't cry foul if the All-Star Game was cancelled in favour of the World Cup of Hockey.
Someone on ESPN radio today said Gary Bettman should step down and that David Stern should step up and run the show. Was good for a laugh.
I think Gary has done a great job, contrary to what some say. The lockout isn't his fault & something has to be done to fix a broken business system. The NHLPA blocked the realignment & then put themselves in the position to be locked out. It's sad to see how long it's gone, but this lockout might b what the league needs to fix itself and weed out the crap, lose some bulge.
9. Strongly study the merits of having NHL teams in Europe. I'd move my six weakest NHL markets to Europe and create a European division. I know people will laugh when reading this, but I’m dead serious. Unlike some southern U.S. markets, you don’t have to explain the icing rule to folks in Helsinki, Stockholm, Prague, Zurich, Berlin and Moscow. They love and know the game there. I know there are travel issues that make this less than perfectly ideal, but it’s worth it.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't there a whole lot of NHL rules (such as the draft, UFA/RFA, etc) which are completely illegal under EU labor laws?
3. Add a "play-in" round to the playoffs. Depending on realignment, this could take on different forms. But the essence of it in my book is that you have four teams play a preliminary playoff round, two concurrent best-of-three series (perhaps two teams playing each other in the East and two in the West), to determine the final 16 spots in the playoff dance.
I would love to see this. Kind of like what the NFL has with wildcards. Would be pretty exciting with the 4 conference realignment. That along with divisional playoffs would be soooo sweet
Was he serious about #10? A 20-year CBA? Is he out of his mind?
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"Trust me I'm an expert, I watched 13 rangers games on NHL center Ice this year through streaming." -Starburst
"I don't even understand what the point of all this arguing is. Are you guys hoping that the other side is going to have an epiphany and go 'Oh, OH! You're right, we ARE going to lose this series!'" -Crease
I'm surprised that everybody isn't jumping on #3 as an awful idea....
I really love the idea. Based off of last year's standings, I think it should go something like this.
#8 (LA) vs #9 (CGY) best of 3
#7 (SJ) vs #10 (DAL) best of 3
Winners play #1 and #2 West, the games take place during the week long break between the season and post season. Extra revenue for the league and extra rest for the #3-6 seeds. #1/2 seeds play a "tired" team as a present for finishing high.
No more argument of "if the Flames were in the East they would've made it". Wildcard race is a lot more exciting than the race to #8.
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