[CityofBrotherlyShove]

Referees: C-

Promises of cleaner, more consistent games were broken a few months into the season, just like in the past. Some things never change.

New Rules: A

Tag up offsides, disappearance of the red line and addition of the two-line pass, smaller goalie pads, small neutral zone, etc. It's all combined to make for exciting third periods in which no lead is safe. Call it the first good thing Gary Bettman has ever done for the sport.

Salary Cap: B

I still would like to see the cap a bit higher, but I love how it has distributed talent throughout the league. The emergence of competitive small market/non-traditional teams like Atlanta and Carolina have certainly helped the success of the NHL in those cities. As for teams like St Louis and Chicago - their management has only themselves to blame.

TV Coverage: F

I realize the NHL had no other choice, but no matter what Bettman says about how OLN is a "major network," their TV coverage is nearly non-existant. As for the quality of the OLN coverage - it's not that big of an improvement from my college TV station.

What am I forgetting?

[EmpireWF]

TV coverage in all the major sports (safe for NFL, but it's different with the 1-2 games per week) has gone horribly wrong in the past 5-6 years. Once the NBA moved to ABC/ESPN/TNT, you can hardly find them and when you do, it has no special feeling to it.

The NHL barely had any viewership on Fox back in the day and ABC just told them to go away once the strike/lockout occured. Still, I can see the NHL and NBC relationship growing. I like that NBC is getting back into pro sports ever so slightly. NFL is going to Sunday nights on the peacock network in 2006, there should be more NHL games and with the MLB contract up for grabs shortly...you never know .

[blueandwhite]

The only thing I'd argue with is the new rules. I am so tired of seeing lame calls, hooking charges on guys that barely felt the tip of the stick against their arm. Too many whistles slows it down for me. I say, if you bring the guy down with your hook, or disrupt the play, then it's a hook. Otherwise, lean off the whistle and let them play it out.

[ThePundit]

They've got to lay off the whistle just a little. There are some periods that are not played at even strength at all. While there's nothing wrong with getting rid of the obvious obstruction and holding, it's gotten ridiculous.

The shootout has been great and added a lot of excitement.

[blueandwhite]

the shootout is definitely exciting-too bad the Leafs are consistently bad at it at both ends. Belfour becomes a sieve and there's no speed or punch to the Leafs' shooters.

[xdavidwattsx]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

the shootout is definitely exciting-too bad the Leafs are consistently bad at it at both ends. Belfour becomes a sieve and there's no speed or punch to the Leafs' shooters.

Two words:

Jussi Jokinen.

Ok four words..

Bad mofo!

[blueandwhite]

you just gave me an education. Now I know who Jussi Jokinen is.
up here in the eastern part of play, it's ough to keep up on western teams.

[xdavidwattsx]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

you just gave me an education. Now I know who Jussi Jokinen is.
up here in the eastern part of play, it's ough to keep up on western teams.

He's the most exciting part of the shootout this season and has had more success than Mr. Ovechkin at it.

His move to fake the goalie and then reach the stick entirely around the goalie is pure sickness.

The shootout is electric.

[anrobins]

Cut the NHL referees some slack. They have to adjust to the new rules just like everyone else did. Many people unrealistically think that there was going to be instant bliss in hockey land. Plus, they are still calling obstruction. It is easier to move through the zone than before the lockout. Hitting is getting better now as refs and players are making the adjustments.

The TV deal could have been better. The natural fit would be USA, which is owned by NBC, and has broadcast Olympic hockey games, a number of which have been commercial free. I can live with more commercials during the break than studio pieces. It helps give the game flow like a college game.

[CityofBrotherlyShove]

Cut the NHL referees some slack. They have to adjust to the new rules just like everyone else did. Many people unrealistically think that there was going to be instant bliss in hockey land. Plus, they are still calling obstruction. It is easier to move through the zone than before the lockout. Hitting is getting better now as refs and players are making the adjustments.

I think the issue is the same as it has been in previous years. The season starts out with refs calling most violations, and as the season goes on, their calls become more and more arbitrary, and it's harder and harder to predict what will be called and what won't. All people want is a little bit of consistency. There hasn't been any in past seasons, and there isn't any this season.

[xdavidwattsx]

Originally Posted by CityofBrotherlyShove

I think the issue is the same as it has been in previous years. The season starts out with refs calling most violations, and as the season goes on, their calls become more and more arbitrary, and it's harder and harder to predict what will be called and what won't. All people want is a little bit of consistency. There hasn't been any in past seasons, and there isn't any this season.

It could be worse. It could be the NBA.

[davetex]

Originally Posted by CityofBrotherlyShove

What am I forgetting?

Rookie Class= A+

This year's rookie class, combined with the new changes, has really refreshed the NHL. I mean, who doesn't want to watch Crosby, Ovechkin, Svatos, Richards, Lehtonen, etc.?

Fan Support= (I don't really know)

I imagine this directly correlates with TV Coverage, but I wonder if general attendance has gone up this season?
Input?

[CityofBrotherlyShove]

Rookie Class= A+

That's an excellent point...one I wish I'd thought of. Having two rookie classes in one, due to the lockout, has completely revived the NHL, and will continue next year as these young players get better and better. Plus, guys who were rookies in 2003-2004 had an entire year off to improve in other leagues, so they're having big years as well.

Great point!