During the NHL lockout in 2004-2005, the National Hockey League made some changes to reverse the downward trend in the goal scoring department. It was goodbye to the clutching, grabbing and holding that had been part of the league since its existence, and say hello to a fast, dynamic game that would allow the league’s top snipers (and the NHL) to grab the spotlight. An increased demand for speed and skill had emerged.
The whole idea behind increased goal scoring was that it was supposed to make for an exciting brand of hockey that would reach out to the fans of smaller NHL markets (can you say Atlanta, for example?). However, fast-forward three years later and we are still asking the same question we were three years ago: how can the National Hockey League increase goal-scoring? Whether the ‘new’ game is more appealing to hockey fans will vary from fan to fan, but if the NHL’s mindset was “more goals = more fans”, then Gary Bettman and the National Hockey League have taken a step back. Going by the numbers, goal scoring is down for the second straight season.
Entering this week, the league was averaging 5.5 goals per game, down from 5.9 through the same number of games last season. Even worse, scoring is down 0.7 goals/game compared to the 6.2 coming out of the lockout when rule changes were first implemented. In other words, there have been 175 fewer goals from 2005-2006 and 100 fewer goals from last season at the same point in time. Although the numbers are up from the 5.1 goals/game in 2003-04, the trend is slowly reversing thus far.
So if all these rule changes were supposed to open up the game, what happened?
After the league came out of the lockout, it took some time before players adjusted to the rules. Even now we are still seeing penalties being called that we’d figure players would get used to by now. However, there are fewer penalties being called this season as compared to two seasons ago, suggesting that the players were just going through growing pains through the first two years of the post-lockout era. It has taken some time, but the NHL game is back to the same goals per game average as 2000-01…and that folks, is what Gary Bettman didn’t want.
The whole idea behind increased goal scoring was that it was supposed to make for an exciting brand of hockey that would reach out to the fans of smaller NHL markets (can you say Atlanta, for example?). However, fast-forward three years later and we are still asking the same question we were three years ago: how can the National Hockey League increase goal-scoring? Whether the ‘new’ game is more appealing to hockey fans will vary from fan to fan, but if the NHL’s mindset was “more goals = more fans”, then Gary Bettman and the National Hockey League have taken a step back. Going by the numbers, goal scoring is down for the second straight season.
Entering this week, the league was averaging 5.5 goals per game, down from 5.9 through the same number of games last season. Even worse, scoring is down 0.7 goals/game compared to the 6.2 coming out of the lockout when rule changes were first implemented. In other words, there have been 175 fewer goals from 2005-2006 and 100 fewer goals from last season at the same point in time. Although the numbers are up from the 5.1 goals/game in 2003-04, the trend is slowly reversing thus far.
So if all these rule changes were supposed to open up the game, what happened?
After the league came out of the lockout, it took some time before players adjusted to the rules. Even now we are still seeing penalties being called that we’d figure players would get used to by now. However, there are fewer penalties being called this season as compared to two seasons ago, suggesting that the players were just going through growing pains through the first two years of the post-lockout era. It has taken some time, but the NHL game is back to the same goals per game average as 2000-01…and that folks, is what Gary Bettman didn’t want.
However, don’t be quick to give players all the credit for adapting to the rule changes; the coaches have as well. The coaches are adapting exceptionally well to the new rule changes, teaching their players not to hook, grab and hold, reducing the number of penalties which ultimately results in fewer powerplays. Ultimately, the coaches are going back to old school hockey; stressing strong defensive systems instead of dynamic offensive systems.
So… now what? Is there any hope that Bettman’s ‘new’ NHL can survive as is? Many suggestions have been made to increase goal scoring such as bigger nets (a possibility), reduced goalie equipment (more likely) and even four-on-four play for sixty minutes (highly unlikely). The target could once again be the goaltenders, with leg pads possibly being reduced from 11 inches wide to 10 inches wide. However, no matter what new changes (if any) are made, it all comes down to players and coaches adapting. After all, it’s in our nature to be able to adapt to changes in the environment (would ya look at that, I’m actually using something I learned in school). In this case, the environment is the ‘new’ NHL, and players have adjusted quite well, weeding out the offensive systems (that Bettman thought would be more popular) in favor for more stable defensive systems. No matter how the rules are cut and diced, players will adapt with new ideas, tactics and systems to combat changes giving them the best chance to win. And if you’re still not convinced, call up an old buddy of mine by the name of Charles Darwin.
The bottom line is that the NHL has always been about defense, and it will stay that way forever. Bettman may have wanted to preach ‘the best defense is the best offense’, but it looks like the coaches and players will stick to the motto of ‘defense wins championships’ instead. Just ask Brian Burke and the Anaheim Ducks.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment