How to fix the NHL

by AP

The lockout is behind us and ratings are still down. What are the problems and how can the NHL and hockey in general fix them? Lots of suggestions but very few genuine answers or solutions have ever been proposed. Here’s a pitch for how to save the NHL.

Let’s start with problem number one; Gary Bettman, he has outlived his usefulness. The NHL needs to replace Gary with a hockey guy not a David Stern sidekick. They need a hockey guy, someone that knows the fans ie Brian Burke.

Second problem – How how about taking a cue from the NFL. Have the NHL explain what they are doing when reviewing calls and or what they are looking for. This is quick and simple

3^rd problem – No American Super Star, the most marketable players are Crosby, Ovechkin, and Jagr but the problem is they are all foreigners. American kids need players they can look up too and want to be like; it’s hard for someone from Alabama or Texas to root for someone from Moscow or Moose Jaw. The solution is coming in the form of Pat Kane. He is an America kid from all-American blue collar town of Buffalo, NY. Pat is projected to be the first pick in this year’s draft and has an opportunity to make a bad teams’ roster in ’07. The NHL needs to market Pat Kane – because they need Kane to succeed.

4^th problem – The availability of the NHL on TV or the lack of availability. If it wasn’t for MSG, I would end up watching maybe two games a week while I’ll be able to watch several poker tournaments and NBA games weekly. The solutions come in the form of ESPN. ESPN is the pinnacle of sports television. Without Sportscenter most Americans wouldn’t know what is going on in the world err sports world. The 1 minute total of NHL coverage doesn’t cut it. The NHL needs to workout a deal similar to their deal with NBC. Versus had a lot of potent ional with their willingness to bid on MLB but the network ranks up there with PAX. Now, I don’t know too many people that go over to their buddies’ house and say “turn on the TV, what’s on PAX?” The NHL has their own network but what makes people think they will pay to see NHL Network when only 1.1 million viewers turn in weekly to watch the NHL on NBC for FREE. NHL needs to cut a deal with all the major cable providers and give them a cheap deal to have their network plugged in a sports package with Versus, MSG, and ESPN. Once this is accomplished, the number of games in one week will triple.

5^th problem – Marketing. For some reason the NHL only runs hockey commercials and ads during their own games when no one is watching? The NHL needs to start advertising during the Super Bowl, American Idol, etc. Let the world know, the NHL is out there! Having Crosby mentioned in the same breath as Lebron, A-rod, and Brady should be their number one priority.

6^th problem – Officials. Call the rule book, plain and simple. Hockey is about skating; faster players should flourish and let them flourish by calling the rule book. Other solutions – Have the referee explain calls just like the NFL. Explain why they are reviewing the call, just don’t leave it to fans to guess and wonder why a legit goal is being reviewed. When reviewing the call, have a television in the score keepers box so he can see if the goal is a goal. A time limit being put on that wouldn’t hurt either.

7^th problem – Mike Everyone and NHL Films. Ok, well not everyone but the two officials not the linesman. Mike the coaches, stars, and backup goalies perhaps with a 5 sec delay. Take us where the XFL went, everywhere. I want to hear teammates yelling at each other and I want to hear trash talking. Put cameras on referees’ helmets, fans will get a chance to see what they see. What is great about the NFL is NFL Films. The ‘year in review’ with miked players, coaches, and officials are spectacular. Background stories on the players and coaches, it’s all great and hardcore fans will eat that up.

8^th problem – Abolish the instigator rule and protect the Stars. The league wants to control the level of violence in the game, but its concerns about public perception are having an adverse affect. The rule, which gives a player a minor penalty for starting a fight then suspends him for each subsequent instigator penalty, is too hard on players who play the role of enforcer. As a result, skilled players are continually clutched, grabbed and hacked at partly because officials can't catch every offense and partly because the offenders don't fear physical retribution from opponents. The year before the instigator rule was introduced; there were 6.96 goals and 1.75 fighting majors per game according to hockeydb.com. Removing the Instigator rule could see the NHL return to its roots of bench clearing brawls and line brawls. Fighting sells, much like sex; UFC is gaining popularity by the day for a reason. We want to see the unofficial “Gretzky Rule” – protect our superstars much like the NFL with its QB’s. All head shots should result in heavy fines and suspensions. No need to give a player a concussion and jeopardize his hockey career ala Eric Lindros. Who knows what could have happened to Lindros’ career if he didn’t take so many shots to his head because he had his head down. (Why he had his head down in the first place is another debate, I blame his PeeWee coach)

9^th problem – Schedule. It blows! The solution – play everyone in your conference four times, your division additional two more times, and 10 teams in other conference twice for a total of 84 games. Yes, additional two more regular season games.

10^th problem – Eliminate the limit on curves on sticks. Back in the late 60’s the NHL went from 1 1/2 inches to 1 inch to the current 1/2 inch. The reduction was set in place to control the unpredictable and dangerous shots. Things have changed, high glass, safety nets, and goalies are all wearing masks. Let the players have banana curves; it may or may not give a player an extra goal.

11^th problem – The system. No true minor league system exist, NCAA Division 1 has only 59 teams, and hockey rinks are few and far to come by in Texas, Alabama, and Wyoming, etc. AHL “AAA” has 29 teams, the NHL has 30 teams, and few teams have AA teams. Anyone see the problem? The NHL needs to mimic Major League Baseball with their system. Every team should have AAA, AA, and A team. It would be great to see players playing in Jamestown, Batavia and other rural areas to finally work their way up to NHL through the system. Do you know how many Yankee hats I see in Tampa or how many Indian hats I see in Buffalo almost as many Yankee and Red Sox hats. Fans will follow their hometown team; follow those players, and their parent club once those players graduate. NCAA has 59 teams in Division 1 hockey with teams in mostly the North with an Alabama-Huntsville thrown in. It wasn’t too long ago when Northern Arizona and US International (San Diego) had D1 teams but travel cost among other things killed the program. The NHL needs to have colleges such as USC, Penn St, Tennessee, UCLA, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, heck all of the Big 12, SEC, and PAC 10 add serious D1 hockey. Kids will follow their schools’ athletic teams and eventual follow where their fellow classmates end up in the Pros. How does the NHL expect kids to become hockey fans when their parents never played or watched the sport? NHL teams need to visit schools, YMCA’s, and offer free learn to skate programs to create new fans.