No players union, rules committees or red tape to go through to get your decrees enacted. You are hockey god. What changes would you implement to make the NHL better?
I hereby decree:
1) Contraction: Reduce the number of teams by at least 8. Too many teams have diluted to talent level of the League and has reduced the quality of play. Less is better. The number of players in the NHL with minor league talent is ridiculous.
2) Fewer Games: Reduce the regular season schedule to 62 games. Again, too many games being played have made them less meaningful, players just going through the motions and created more injuries. Less is better. Less is more, making games more meaningful and points earned precious commodities. Healthier teams with fresher legs going into the best playoffs in sports. FANtastic!
3) Eliminate the shootout. Play a 5 minute overtime period 4 on 4. If the game is still tied at the end of OT so be it. Points earned accordingly could present some very interesting scenarios with dramatic playoff ramifications.
4) Change the point system. A regulation win earns 3 pts. Overtime win earns 2 pts. Ties each team wins 1 pt. Losing team receive 0 pts.
5) Begin the regular season November 1st. Dropping the puck in early October and playing till next June makes the season too long. Most fans grow weary of the season by then. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Move the start of the playoffs up 1 month as well.
I'd like to do something with fighting but am not sure what. Don't want to eliminate it but would like to make it less frequent and stop the phoney staged fights. Would like to peruse the ideas of whatever hockey gods respond to this thread.
Your turn.