NHL changes could be loser’s lucky break
October 31, 2005
Kelcey Brade
When the National Hockey League (NHL) returned on October 5th after a lengthy 18-month lockout, its fans were treated to a whole new game. What the league and its fans did not anticipate were the negative aspects of the “new NHL.”
The new salary cap system has already damaged the NHL’s most profitable organization—the Toronto Maple Leafs. Mats Sundin was injured in his third shift and is now out for 4-6 weeks with a fractured orbital bone.
Under the old system, Toronto would be able to trade a high prospect for an immediate impact player. However, under the new cap, the Leafs are near the $39 million salary cap and have no room to bring in another player. Now, their hands are tied and they could easily slip out of playoff contention well before Christmas.
Another dramatic change was the implementation of a shootout to decide tied games. This rule changes hockey and dishonours the game. No team deserves to have only a few of its players determine their fate.
The elimination of the two-line pass will work for about half of the season and then the Wild’s coach, Jacques Lemaire, and his counterparts will find a new way to trap teams defensively. This may be the only way awful teams like the Minnesota Wild, or the Columbus Blue Jackets are able to win—trap, then hope they get lucky in the shootout. So much for exciting hockey.
The NHL has made the correct changes in reducing and streamlining all goaltender equipment. This will allow shooters to see more of the net. Increasing the size of the offensive zone and cracking down on holding and hooking will definitely give the league’s skilled players a larger area to work with. However, the choice to have shootouts will be a quick fad that will die in two years, and the removal of the two-line pass will only lead to a different checking system which hampered the old NHL.
I am happy about one thing and that is, “Hockey’s Back,” which means no more baseball playoffs or Texas hold ‘em.
Now you go...
Got something to say?