NHL Penalty Revised

Can you imagine if soccer or basketball, or other similar sports removing a player from the playing area for committing a foul?

Imagine if they gave both teams a 50/50 chance at the ball everytime the ball goes out of play?

Some of the rules of hockey just don't make sense. Currently, there is only one way to restart play after a stoppage - face-off. Doesn't matter who causes a stoppage, both teams have an equal opportunity to regain possession.

So, what is an alternative? Well, face-offs are a part of the games history, so let's work with that framework.

Free Face-off - teams line up for the face-off, but only one team is able to play the puck. Teams can create set plays for an instant scoring chance.

A Free Face-off would follow any stoppage caused by one team, in the zone where a regular face-off would occur. Examples: Icing, puck over glass, offside, contact with high stick, hand pass, etc.

It would also replace most minor penalties (tripping, hooking, interference, etc). Instead of a powerplay, offending player still spends time in the box, have a Free Face-off in the offensive zone. Instant scoring chance, and then play on 5 v 5.

Similar to basketball, after a certain number of fouls, or for serious fouls, powerplays could be awarded.

Hopefully, this lesser penalty will encourage referees to call the rule book more closely.

NHL Season Modified

With the addition of the Seattle Kraken, the NHL now has 32 teams. Currently, the plan is to have 4 divisions of 8 teams, followed by Stanley Cup divisional playoffs and reseeded final 4.

Instead, it would be very interesting to see the following:

62 games regular season. Everyone plays each other home and away.

League Champions (President Trophy) rewarded financially. Maybe even bonus cap room.

In Season Regional 3 v 3 Tournament. 4 groups of 8 teams. Home and Away for 14 games. Followed by a 16 team single game knock-out playoff.

3 v 3 Rules - 2 × 20 minute periods. 12 skater limit + 2 midgame substitutions (injury or strategy). No powerplay. Free face-off (see related post on penalties) or Penalty Shot for scoring chances.

Stanley Cup Playoffs - 1 to 32 or 1 to 16, with room to modify matchups based on location (e.g. a team should not travel more than one timezone in the first round). Straight bracket, no reseeding.

NHL All Star Weekend Reimagined

I think we are going to change the purpose of this page to ideas on how to improve the way the NHL runs. First idea...I've been to the All-Star weekend and it couldn't have been more disappointing and boring to watch the game.

I think it is time to change things up. Drastically.

The next All Star weekend needs to be a World Stars Challenge. 6 teams (12 skaters and 2 goalies): USA, Canada, Russia, Scandinavia, Czech Republic (+/- Slovakia), World Stars.

Two pools of 3 teams. Round Robin Games 2 x 10 minute halves. Tiebreaker: 3 on 3 then shootout.

Friday: Pool A (with Canada)
Saturday: Pool B (with USA)
Sunday: Crossover Semi Finals and Final

Fun for everyone!

Canadian Championships without the NHL

It's been a couple years since this page has been updated, and with stalemate between the NHL and NHLPA continuing indefinitely, I thought it was worth another look.

I believe it is time for Hockey Canada to seriously consider a professional hockey league for Canada. It is ridiculous to think that Canada has only a handful of pro teams while producing the most professional players.

The current Canadian NHL teams need to weigh the benefits provided by the rest of the NHL clubs against the cost of supporting them. I think they would be better off leaving and joining a Canadian League.

A league run by Hockey Canada can follow the framework established by the IIHF for leagues and clubs, as well as transfers and contracts, in Europe and elsewhere. Why is it that there hasn't been a strike/lockout in other parts of the hockey world?

A Canadian League can also look closely at the way the game is played:

- do players need to play 82 games a season? Should hockey be played in June? Perhaps giving players more rest between games will improve the quality of play.

- do we still need fighting in the sport? Are there other rules that should be implemented at the pro level?

- can we play more international hockey, World Cup, Olympics, World Championships, with our best players?

A Canadian League will bring hockey to more people, who have been craving the opportunity to watch top level hockey for decades.

The key is to put more teams in larger markets to break them down so that the smaller centers across the country can compete economically. Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal could support more than 1 team. Other markets include Victoria, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, London, Hamilton, Quebec, Halifax, and others.

Canada already has 3 major networks capable of broadcasting games, as well as sponsors ready to get involved.

As the NHL-NHLPA dispute continues, it is time to look at alternatives. The great hockey fans of Canada deserve better.

Calgary Off to Hot Start in '09-10 National Championships

Calgary Flames have started the 2009-2010 NHL Canadian Championships with three straight wins. The Flames defeated western rivals Vancouver and Edmonton to open the season, then got by Montreal.

The Montreal Canadiens began their season with 5 game road trip, including three games in Western Canada. Unfortunately, for the Habs they returned to Montreal without a single point. Their next match-up is versus the Toronto Maple Leafs on Halloween Night.

The Leafs head out to Vancouver for their first game of the Championships. The Ottawa Senators will begin in November, when Edmonton visits.

NHL Canadian Championships Wraps Up with Leafs Win

Toronto - Coach Mike Keenan said he shouldn't have started Miikka Kiprusoff in net. Defenseman Robyn Regehr said he could have provided more leadership. And captain Jarome Iginla said he might have had one more goal in him to force overtime.

It all added up to an 8-6 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.

Mikhail Grabovski scored two goals, and Jeff Finger, Nikolai Kulemin, Jason Blake, Jeff Hamilton, John Mitchell and Jamal Mayers also scored for Toronto in the Maple Leafs' highest-scoring game of the season.

The Maple Leafs had wrapped up 2nd place in the competition last week, shortly after the Calgary Flames had clinched their first Canadian Championships. The competition will resume next year, as each of the Canadian teams will continue a home and away series.

Calgary Flames are Canadian Champions

OTTAWA - Fresh from scoring his 400th goal, Jarome Iginla got to witness new milestones by a pair of his Calgary Flames teammates.

David Moss got his first career hat trick and Warren Peters added his first NHL goal in Calgary's 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night.

The victory clinched the NHL Canadian Championship for the Calgary Flames. The Flames have lost only once in 9 games, and move 5 points ahead of second place Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs have only two games left, and can only finish with a maximum of 15 points. The Edmonton Oilers, who visit Toronto on Saturday, can still catch the Leafs for second place.