DuklaNation
Registered User
- Aug 26, 2004
- 5,726
- 1,576
I believe that the NHL can fix about 50% of their problems by maintaining a better balance of the demand/supply of players.
During the expansion decade of the 90's it was thought that the Euros would add the extra talent needed to fill out rosters. Although the # of Euros has increased, the quality of players has dropped.
Aside from a handful of players, there has been no big offensive player from Finland, Sweden or US since '97 (I'm talking offense only). Most of the impact players have come from the other hockey nations. Currently, only the elite offensive players can excel in today's game.
That being said, supply has dropped versus the demand partially creating the salary explosion we have today.
The NHL has to implement the following:
1) Expand the width of the ice by about 10 feet. Why? This will enable lesser skilled players to excel, thereby ^supply and improving the game while they're at it. The loss of revenue will be recovered via lower salaries from greater supply.
2) Reduce roster size from 20 to 18. Why? More fatigued players become worse defensively thereby improving offense, thereby ^supply. Saves money too.
3) Improve safety with flexible boards&glass, and leather elbow&shoulder pads. Why? Reduces injuries, thereby ^supply. Saves money too on insurance. Bigger ice will also reduce injuries.
4) Strict limits on goalie equipment. Why? Goalies cover too much of the net these days and its improbable any slapshot that they can see will go in. Will allow lesser talented players to score, thereby ^supply.
5) No forward passes by goalie. Why? Improves offense via forecheck and again allows lesser players to thrive, thereby ^supply.
If these are implemented offense will increase, lesser talented players can thrive. This will increase the supply of offensive players which should in time be a drag on salaries as the demand drops.
There are many other improvements that can be made to improve profits such as the TV broadcasting. Certain US broadcasts are too dark, cameras are too high, and cameras have poor positioning. I'd recommend that all of them copy the Hockey night in Canada format.
I still see that need for a cap of some kind but at least this will solve some of the problems with minimal union resistance. The NHL needs to fix the league in baby steps as the union has zero interest in improving the game for all 30 franchises.
JMHO.
During the expansion decade of the 90's it was thought that the Euros would add the extra talent needed to fill out rosters. Although the # of Euros has increased, the quality of players has dropped.
Aside from a handful of players, there has been no big offensive player from Finland, Sweden or US since '97 (I'm talking offense only). Most of the impact players have come from the other hockey nations. Currently, only the elite offensive players can excel in today's game.
That being said, supply has dropped versus the demand partially creating the salary explosion we have today.
The NHL has to implement the following:
1) Expand the width of the ice by about 10 feet. Why? This will enable lesser skilled players to excel, thereby ^supply and improving the game while they're at it. The loss of revenue will be recovered via lower salaries from greater supply.
2) Reduce roster size from 20 to 18. Why? More fatigued players become worse defensively thereby improving offense, thereby ^supply. Saves money too.
3) Improve safety with flexible boards&glass, and leather elbow&shoulder pads. Why? Reduces injuries, thereby ^supply. Saves money too on insurance. Bigger ice will also reduce injuries.
4) Strict limits on goalie equipment. Why? Goalies cover too much of the net these days and its improbable any slapshot that they can see will go in. Will allow lesser talented players to score, thereby ^supply.
5) No forward passes by goalie. Why? Improves offense via forecheck and again allows lesser players to thrive, thereby ^supply.
If these are implemented offense will increase, lesser talented players can thrive. This will increase the supply of offensive players which should in time be a drag on salaries as the demand drops.
There are many other improvements that can be made to improve profits such as the TV broadcasting. Certain US broadcasts are too dark, cameras are too high, and cameras have poor positioning. I'd recommend that all of them copy the Hockey night in Canada format.
I still see that need for a cap of some kind but at least this will solve some of the problems with minimal union resistance. The NHL needs to fix the league in baby steps as the union has zero interest in improving the game for all 30 franchises.
JMHO.