My perfect NHL

[PDXChris]

I love the NHL, it was my first love of the 4 bigs(I still consider the NHL and major 4). I want to over 100 Blackhawks games beofre I was 8. My dad had season tickets for like 10 years and we moved from Chicago when I was 8. With that being said, I want to see 2 changes.

First is my new Offsides rule. Once you enter the Blue line, in order for the other team to clear the puck, it would have to go past the center line or the Red line. I like this becuase once you fight to get you team past the Blue line all while not going offsides, you then create a bigger zone and it would be harder for teams to clear it out and I think would increase scoring.

My second change it the picture below. On the left is the old system and on the right is the new system, the eaier to follow system. By the way, I am about to turn 30, so I have been following hockey for 25 years or so and have always hated the point system.

 

[azsouthendzone]

I somehwhat agree with the standings. They should either do away with points all together and just award wins and losses, including OT and shootouts, or they should do away with the shootout and just end in ties. No OT.

I couldn't disagree more about the offsides thing though. That would turn the game into ping pong.

 

[Scott MS]

I agree with the standings point. The problem is due to creating additional points due to an overtime game.

Two options:
1. The one presented above where the winner gets a win, the loser get a loss.

2. Award 3 points per game. If a game ends in regulation, the winner gets 3 points. If it goes into overtime, the winner gets 2 for an OT Win and the loser gets 1 for an OT loss. No extra points are generated. This would put a premium on winning in regulation.

 

[chickenhead]

The NHL used to be a lot simpler. There's been too much emphasis on winning over marginal fans, but the things the marginal fans complain about the most are the recent complications. Anecdotally I've found that the whole "overtime loss" concept has been a real turn-off.

I much preferred it when I was younger, and they were still using the division-based playoff system. I love the fact that divisional rivals were seeded 1-4 and you truly had to get out of your division to go to the conference finals. The first round was full of heated matchups all across the board--and if a heavy favorite went down, it was to a team that knew them well, and was much less likely to be a fluke.

I still love the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, but a matchup between a #1 and #8 seed that they've barely played is not as interesting. Meanwhile the #6 team often gets a great draw because they're playing the winner of a weak division at #3, while the #4 team often gets a worse draw for that same reason.

As for overtime, there was a good discussion of it in another thread. Basically the ideal situation would be the old system, but teams played for the win instead trying to at least conserve a point. Unfortunately, you can't mandate that.

And lastly, as far as I'm concerned hockey is still one of the majors, too. The Stanley Cup is the most coveted trophy in sports, and the NHL has generations of loyal fans.

 

[nash2crosby]

I like the NHL the way it is. In fact, I wish basketball adopted the NHL fighting rules. Shaq kicks Bowen's ass and has to sit down for 5 minutes. I don't even care if Bowen doesn't have to serve a penalty, because he'd be lying down somewhere for the next half hour.

 

[Compa]

Basically the ideal situation would be the old system, but teams played for the win instead trying to at least conserve a point. Unfortunately, you can't mandate that.

It's not the old system, but giving 3 points for a win and 1 for a tie would give teams the incentive to win and would penalize ties. Obviously each game would be worth 2 or 3 points, but that's the same that we have now.

The OTL point is my biggest problem with the NHL. When I turn on a game that's 4-4 with 5 minutes left in the 3rd, I just get frustrated because I know how likely it is that each team will just play it out until OT so that each has about a 50% chance to get 2 points and a 100% chance of getting 1 point. If I can't get excited to watch a game that's tied with 5 minutes left, why would I watch at all?

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Good Stuff.

What do you all think about shootouts ?

I like'em!

 

[Assface]

I love that they did away with the 2 line pass rule.

 

[azsouthendzone]

Good Stuff.

What do you all think about shootouts ?

I like'em!

Its like deciding a game with a free throw contest in the NBA.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Its like deciding a game with a free throw contest in the NBA.

In fairness, that is not exactly true.

It would be more like taking on the other team's center one on one.

But I see your point.

Still quite dramatic to watch.