Hockey for the Fans

I'm frustrated - very frustrated.

I'm frustrated because I don't have a say.

The NHL, now with their "partner" the NHLPA, have a monopoly on the style of hockey that we are forced to watch if we watch the NHL.  With some exceptions*, the NHL has been making rule changes that they state are "in the best interests of the game", but in reality have been "in the best interests of the NHL owners".

We have had to sit through the NHL's support of Expansion teams by easing rules to allow less skilled teams to compete with highly skilled teams.  Evidence is that prior to the lockout when asked about the NHL becoming boring, Gary Bettman would repeatly say that he thought the NHL was very exciting and that the scores of the average game were closer than ever.  Closer scores?  That adds drama, but the hockey was bad.

One of the primary purposes for this blog is to provide guidance to allow the NHL to return to "Hockey for the Fans".  What is "Hockey for the Fans"?  Its hockey that is exciting.  Its hockey that we like to watch.  Its hockey that we deserve.

But how do we make today's NHL more entertaining?  We need changes to the game made to show the skill of today's players, add speed to the game, force goalies to be acrobatic and others that will make the game fun to watch again.

Remember how exciting the Tampa Bay Lightning were when they won their Stanley Cup?  Remember how out-of-place they were?

Stay tuned...

* Recent Exceptions:
Removal of Red Line, first faceoff of a power play is always in the penalized team's end, no player change allowed after icing, 2 minute penalty for clearing puck over glass in the defensive end, and improved refereeing for holding and hooking.  Not enough.  Not near enough.

Commitments

We're about to embark on a new NHL season - the 2009-10 season.  As with NHL teams who starts its season with dreams of playoff success, the NHL Perspective blog is re-starting itself with a new identity and commitments.

Teams ask their players every year for several commitments: to perform their best, to be hungry and to win.  I expect nothing less of this blog, and here are the commitments that I'll make to ensure that happens:

My Commitments

• I'll be committing to blogging on a regular basis - at least weekly during the season with the possibility of more if the mood strikes and I have the time.
• I commit to resisting the urge to regurgitate what is already 'out there', unless its right.  I do not like 'normal' hockey coverage.  I am not a fan of "soap-opera" reporting.  I like to think for myself and value original contributions.  You'll not hear catch-words like "secondary scoring" on this blog.
• I commit that I will present ideas that are my own, or are the result of discussion I have with others.
• I commit that this blog will be thought-provoking.  
• I will not commit to being funny.  I enjoy a lot of hockey blogs that are actually both very funny and insightful, but if this blog is funny it will be an accident.
• I will not commit to allowing Anonymous comments.  If you have something to say, put your name on it.

 Warren