Canadiens1958
Registered User
Would like to take a serious look at the period in NHL history known as "The Dead Puck Era" or TDPE.
For the purposes of this thread we will view TDPE as the period between the two work stoppages that have marked the history of the NHL.
In an effort to salvage a season and playoffs in 1995 various compromises were made in terms of player development, team structure, strategies, rules etc. Likewise in 2005 various compromises, similar to the aforementionned, and rule changes were made to generate renewed interest.
The following factors are open to consideration - other contributions are more than welcome.
Defensive Systems
Coaches turned to defensive systems because of the time constraints of the short season of the following the end of the work stoppage in 1995. Granted defensive systems were around for ages but the success of teams in 1995 accentuated there use.
Blending of Hockey Philosophies
The end of the Soviet era in Europe allowed for a mass influx of the leading European hockey players into the NHL. These players brought their skills but they also brought different backgrounds, styles and hockey philosophies. Combined with the changes in North American Hockey - especially the influence of the American and US university game, hockey entered a transition period during which these various factors blended.
Knowledge and Technology
Catchall from the increased use of video, growing number of specialty coaches, sports medicine and training, equipment improvements.
The Imitators
The previous twenty years featured significant changes in the way the game was played. Significant contributions were made by Bobby Hull - curved stick slapshot, Bobby Orr - generating offense from the defense. Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux - generating offense from parts of the rink that were previously considered to be "useless ice". Example would be Wayne Gretzky generating offense from behind the net. Many coaches and aspiring hockey players tried imitating Wayne Gretzky by trying to generate offense from behind the net but very few had the skills or understanding to do so.
Did these failed efforts reduce offence.
Hockey Expansion
Not the NHL but hockey in general grew rapidly, too rapidly in some instances.The three CHL leagues lacked players and coaches turned to defensive hockey in an effort to compete and survive with the result that the NHL entry drafts from this era had very few high end offensive talents.
Rule Changes
How did the various rule changes impact offense? Theory and result issues.
Comments appreciated.
For the purposes of this thread we will view TDPE as the period between the two work stoppages that have marked the history of the NHL.
In an effort to salvage a season and playoffs in 1995 various compromises were made in terms of player development, team structure, strategies, rules etc. Likewise in 2005 various compromises, similar to the aforementionned, and rule changes were made to generate renewed interest.
The following factors are open to consideration - other contributions are more than welcome.
Defensive Systems
Coaches turned to defensive systems because of the time constraints of the short season of the following the end of the work stoppage in 1995. Granted defensive systems were around for ages but the success of teams in 1995 accentuated there use.
Blending of Hockey Philosophies
The end of the Soviet era in Europe allowed for a mass influx of the leading European hockey players into the NHL. These players brought their skills but they also brought different backgrounds, styles and hockey philosophies. Combined with the changes in North American Hockey - especially the influence of the American and US university game, hockey entered a transition period during which these various factors blended.
Knowledge and Technology
Catchall from the increased use of video, growing number of specialty coaches, sports medicine and training, equipment improvements.
The Imitators
The previous twenty years featured significant changes in the way the game was played. Significant contributions were made by Bobby Hull - curved stick slapshot, Bobby Orr - generating offense from the defense. Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux - generating offense from parts of the rink that were previously considered to be "useless ice". Example would be Wayne Gretzky generating offense from behind the net. Many coaches and aspiring hockey players tried imitating Wayne Gretzky by trying to generate offense from behind the net but very few had the skills or understanding to do so.
Did these failed efforts reduce offence.
Hockey Expansion
Not the NHL but hockey in general grew rapidly, too rapidly in some instances.The three CHL leagues lacked players and coaches turned to defensive hockey in an effort to compete and survive with the result that the NHL entry drafts from this era had very few high end offensive talents.
Rule Changes
How did the various rule changes impact offense? Theory and result issues.
Comments appreciated.