"Your" NHL

[The Insider]

With half the season complete now, we've all seen the "new" NHL and I'm sure we all have different opinions on how the game is now as compared to previous versions of the games from the first 5 years of the new millennium, to the nineties, the eighties and for some of us older ones(you know who you are:thumb: ) the 70s and 60s. So I figured maybe it's time to have your say as the greatest formation that the NHL can have in another edition of the Insider's Questionaire:

Section A - Basics:

1. How many teams should there be in the NHL?

2. How many divisions should there be?

3. How many teams per division?

4. How many teams should make the playoffs?

5. How should the playoffs be formatted?

6. Should there be a salary cap system and if so, what should it be set at?



Section B - Rules:

7. Should there be touch or no touch icings?

8. When an intentional icing occurs should the result be:

A. No line change
B. A penalty
C. Play On
D. No Consequence

9. Should there be limitations on the goaltender playing the puck?

10. Should the two line pass be permitted or called offside?

11. What should happen after regulation in the regular season:

A. 4 on 4 OT and then a shootout
B. 4 on 4 continuous OT
C. 5 on 5 Continuous OT
D. 4 on 4/5 on 5 OT and then game is called a tie

12. If there is a play where there is a clear/borderline dive should there be:

A. No Penalties
B. Penalties to both players
C. A Penalty to offender
D. A Penalty to diver

13. Should fighting be banned?

14. Should the instigator rule be in place?



Section C - Point Systems:

15. How many points should you get for a win?

16. How many points should you get for an OT win?

17. Should there be the bonus point awarded for an OT Loss?



Section D - Schedule:

18. How many games should each team play in the NHL regular season?

19. How many times should teams play against teams from their own division?

20. Should there be Interconference games?

21. Should there be more mini-series where teams play the same team consecutively for several nights?

[MadDevil]

Section A - Basics:

1. How many teams should there be in the NHL? 30

2. How many divisions should there be? 6

3. How many teams per division? 5

4. How many teams should make the playoffs? 16

5. How should the playoffs be formatted? Division winners get in automatically, but once playoff teams in each conference are decided, teams are reseeded 1-8 according to point totals.

6. Should there be a salary cap system and if so, what should it be set at? Yes, pretty much what they have now, tied to revenues.


Section B - Rules:

7. Should there be touch or no touch icings? No touch icing

8. When an intentional icing occurs should the result be: No line change

9. Should there be limitations on the goaltender playing the puck? No, but contact with goaltenders should be allowed outside of crease. Goalies play the puck at their own risk.

10. Should the two line pass be permitted or called offside? Permitted

11. What should happen after regulation in the regular season: 4 on 4/5 on 5 OT and then game is called a tie

12. If there is a play where there is a clear/borderline dive should there be: A penalty to diver, and an automatic fine/suspension on repeat offenders.

13. Should fighting be banned? No

14. Should the instigator rule be in place? No


Section C - Point Systems:

15. How many points should you get for a win? 2

16. How many points should you get for an OT win? 2

17. Should there be the bonus point awarded for an OT Loss? No


Section D - Schedule:

18. How many games should each team play in the NHL regular season? 80, 20 against division opponents, 30 against conference opponents, and 30 against the other conference.

19. How many times should teams play against teams from their own division? 5

20. Should there be Interconference games? Yes, play each team from the other conference once at home, once on the road.

21. Should there be more mini-series where teams play the same team consecutively for several nights? Home-and-Home series between divisional teams is enough, none of the playing the same team 2-3 times consecutively at home or on the road.

[PDO]

Alright.. *prepares to be mauled*

1. How many teams should there be in the NHL?

26. Bye-bye NJ (27th), Washington (30th), Anahiem (28th) and Nashville (26th). I'm not opposed to moving a few teams either (Atlanta, Phoenix, Pittsburgh would probably be my first three choices.. destinations could include Quebec City, Portland, Seattle, Kansas City).

2. How many divisions should there be?

0. I hate divisional play, and would rather see a 75 game schedule. You play each team in the league 3 times. That's it.

3. How many teams per division?

0.

4. How many teams should make the playoffs?

16.

5. How should the playoffs be formatted?

Same as now.

6. Should there be a salary cap system and if so, what should it be set at?

54% with more revenue sharing.


Section B - Rules:

7. Should there be touch or no touch icings?

No touch.

8. When an intentional icing occurs should the result be:

A. No line change

9. Should there be limitations on the goaltender playing the puck?

No. Make him fair game. I am absolutely sick of seeing a goalie use himself as a wall while he struggles with the puck. If he wants to do that, he should be allowed to be run over like anyone else.

10. Should the two line pass be permitted or called offside?

Permitted.

11. What should happen after regulation in the regular season:

5 on 5 for 5 minutes.. then a tie.

12. If there is a play where there is a clear/borderline dive should there be:

B. Penalties to both players, assuming there was a reason for the dive.

13. Should fighting be banned?

Hell no. It's there to keep players honest, and if you took it out you'd see even more trash in the NHL.

14. Should the instigator rule be in place?

Worst rule in pro sports.

Section C - Point Systems:

15. How many points should you get for a win?

3

16. How many points should you get for an OT win?

2

17. Should there be the bonus point awarded for an OT Loss?

1

Section D - Schedule:

18. How many games should each team play in the NHL regular season?

75.. like I said earlier.

19. How many times should teams play against teams from their own division?

No divisions.

20. Should there be Interconference games?

'course.

21. Should there be more mini-series where teams play the same team consecutively for several nights?

No.. terrible idea.

Finally, a few more changes I would make..

1. No TV timeouts after an icing. Let's make the team that iced the puck pay.

2. Don't allow any curve.. just make the sticks be allowed to have a bit more curve. I don't wanna see some guy skating with a freaking C, but I wouldn't mind seeing maybe as much as another inch allowed.

3. Scrap the ****ing shootout.

4. Institute an illegal defense rule.

5. Either make visors mandatory, or illegal. Yes, illegal. You wanna bring respect back to the game? You sure wouldn't have Ulf running around like he was if he couldn't hide behind the visor. Or, simply put everyone behind one for safeties sake. Either way, you can't have some guys wearing them and some guys not. Personally, I'd rather see no one wear them.. guarentee you wouldn't see sticks up any more. Bring the respect back.

6. The addition of a ref cam, so we can see what he is seeing. And if he ****'s up, I want him to be held accountable for once.

7. Speaking of being held accountable, I would never base a suspension off an injury again. I'd also be very willing to suspend someone for trying to do something and the other guy getting up no problem. See Alex Perezhogin.

8. Allow battles for position. Not hooking, or holding, just battles in front of the net and in the corners.. I'm talking crosschecking, pushing and shoving. I never want to see Petr Nedved infront of the net again.

9. Snake the draft.

10. Change the waiver wire slightly, so that if a player is called up due to an injury, he can be sent back down once the recovered player is back on the team (See: Mike Morrison).

11. Obviously very minor.. but allow a player to take his helmet off for a penalty shot. Also allow the player to skate backwards, simply put a 10 second time limit, and he can do whatever the hell he wants.

I think my NHL kicks *** ;)

[Mel]

1. How many teams should there be in the NHL? 30 I guess is good, but ideally I'd be happy with 24

2. How many divisions should there be? 6

3. How many teams per division? 4-5

4. How many teams should make the playoffs? In a 30 team league, 12 is enough. 16 is too many.

5. How should the playoffs be formatted? The current format is OK, but if it was a 12 team set-up. I'd like to see something like the NFL where the top 2 teams in a conference get a first round bye and the other 4 play best-of-5 series to advance.

6. Should there be a salary cap system and if so, what should it be set at? What they have now is ideal IMO.



Section B - Rules:

7. Should there be touch or no touch icings? touch

8. When an intentional icing occurs should the result be: No line change

A. No line change
B. A penalty
C. Play On
D. No Consequence

9. Should there be limitations on the goaltender playing the puck? No

10. Should the two line pass be permitted or called offside? permitted

11. What should happen after regulation in the regular season: 4 on 4/5 on 5 OT and then game is called a tie

A. 4 on 4 OT and then a shootout
B. 4 on 4 continuous OT
C. 5 on 5 Continuous OT
D. 4 on 4/5 on 5 OT and then game is called a tie

12. If there is a play where there is a clear/borderline dive should there be: A Penalty to diver

A. No Penalties
B. Penalties to both players
C. A Penalty to offender
D. A Penalty to diver

13. Should fighting be banned? No

14. Should the instigator rule be in place? No. Everybody hates it. It seems to do more bad than good.



Section C - Point Systems:

15. How many points should you get for a win? 2

16. How many points should you get for an OT win? 2

17. Should there be the bonus point awarded for an OT Loss? Yes, I do believe the automatic point for overtime encourages teams to go for it in OT, instead of playing it safe trying not to lose. The guaranteed point keeps the excitement level up IMO.



Section D - Schedule:

18. How many games should each team play in the NHL regular season? 82

19. How many times should teams play against teams from their own division? 6 each = 24 is plenty. That's roughly 30% of the season spent playing within the division.

20. Should there be Interconference games? Yes, more of them!

21. Should there be more mini-series where teams play the same team consecutively for several nights? Not necessarily. The only beef I have with current scheduling is the absurd amount of divisional play. Divisional play is a good thing, but like I said. 6 games each per season is a fair amount, More than enough weight on divisional games.

[a4l]

Section A - Basics:

1. How many teams should there be in the NHL? 24

2. How many divisions should there be? 4

3. How many teams per division?6

4. How many teams should make the playoffs?16

5. How should the playoffs be formatted?the way it is now

6. Should there be a salary cap system and if so, what should it be set at? the cap should reflect the profit from the year before



Section B - Rules:

7. Should there be touch or no touch icings? touch

8. When an intentional icing occurs should the result be:

A. No line change
B. A penalty
C. Play On
D. No Consequence

9. Should there be limitations on the goaltender playing the puck? no

10. Should the two line pass be permitted or called offside? permitted

11. What should happen after regulation in the regular season: a tie NO OVERTIME there is nothing wrong with a tie game

A. 4 on 4 OT and then a shootout
B. 4 on 4 continuous OT
C. 5 on 5 Continuous OT
D. 4 on 4/5 on 5 OT and then game is called a tie

12. If there is a play where there is a clear/borderline dive should there be:

A. No Penalties
B. Penalties to both players
C. A Penalty to offender
D. A Penalty to diver

13. Should fighting be banned? Yes it is against the rules

14. Should the instigator rule be in place? undecided



Section C - Point Systems:

15. How many points should you get for a win? 2

16. How many points should you get for an OT win? GET RID OF OT unless it is in the play-offs

17. Should there be the bonus point awarded for an OT Loss? see above



Section D - Schedule:

18. How many games should each team play in the NHL regular season? 69 3 meetings per team

19. How many times should teams play against teams from their own division? 3

20. Should there be Interconference games?yes

21. Should there be more mini-series where teams play the same team consecutively for several nights? no

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Section A - Basics:

1. How many teams should there be in the NHL? 30

2. How many divisions should there be? 6

3. How many teams per division? 5

4. How many teams should make the playoffs? 16

5. How should the playoffs be formatted? Same as now

6. Should there be a salary cap system and if so, what should it be set at? The system they have now is fine.



Section B - Rules:

7. Should there be touch or no touch icings? No touch

8. When an intentional icing occurs should the result be:

A. No line change

9. Should there be limitations on the goaltender playing the puck? No

10. Should the two line pass be permitted or called offside? permitted

11. What should happen after regulation in the regular season:

B. 4 on 4 continuous OT

12. If there is a play where there is a clear/borderline dive should there be:

D. A Penalty to diver

13. Should fighting be banned? NO

14. Should the instigator rule be in place? NO



Section C - Point Systems:

15. How many points should you get for a win? 2

16. How many points should you get for an OT win? 2

17. Should there be the bonus point awarded for an OT Loss? No



Section D - Schedule:

18. How many games should each team play in the NHL regular season? 72

19. How many times should teams play against teams from their own division? 6

20. Should there be Interconference games? Yes

21. Should there be more mini-series where teams play the same team consecutively for several nights? No

[Newfie John]

Section A - Basics:

1. How many teams should there be in the NHL?

24

2. How many divisions should there be?

However many there are now, just shave a few teams.

3. How many teams per division?

^

4. How many teams should make the playoffs?

16

5. How should the playoffs be formatted?

Leave it the way it is.

6. Should there be a salary cap system and if so, what should it be set at?

Yes, to a maximum of 45 for now.



Section B - Rules:

7. Should there be touch or no touch icings?

Touch

8. When an intentional icing occurs should the result be:

A. No line change


9. Should there be limitations on the goaltender playing the puck?

Yes, but not to the rediculous level its at now. I say let the goaltenders be fair game to be hit when they go outside the restricted zone.

10. Should the two line pass be permitted or called offside?

No


11. What should happen after regulation in the regular season:


C. 5 on 5 Continuous OT


12. If there is a play where there is a clear/borderline dive should there be:


D. A Penalty to diver

13. Should fighting be banned?

Hell No.

14. Should the instigator rule be in place?

Hell No.



Section C - Point Systems:

15. How many points should you get for a win?

2

16. How many points should you get for an OT win?

0.5
17. Should there be the bonus point awarded for an OT Loss?

I believe so, but an OT loss is worth just as much as a tie(which is now impossible, but oh well)


Section D - Schedule:

18. How many games should each team play in the NHL regular season?

82

19. How many times should teams play against teams from their own division?

Bring it back to 6

20. Should there be Interconference games?

Yes.

21. Should there be more mini-series where teams play the same team consecutively for several nights?

I'd like to see a baseball type set up.

[leaferfan87]

Section A - Basics:

1. How many teams should there be in the NHL?

24

2. How many divisions should there be?

4

3. How many teams per division?

6

4. How many teams should make the playoffs?

16

5. How should the playoffs be formatted?

First round should be shortened to best-of-five format.

6. Should there be a salary cap system and if so, what should it be set at?

Yes there should be a salary cap. It should be set according to overall league revenue and looking at what would make sure that each team could compete for FA's.

Section B - Rules:

7. Should there be touch or no touch icings?

No touch.

8. When an intentional icing occurs should the result be:

A. No line change
B. A penalty
C. Play On
D. No Consequence

9. Should there be limitations on the goaltender playing the puck?

No the goalie should be able to do whatever he wants (legal) of course that will allow him to perform his job effectively and efficiently night in and night out.

10. Should the two line pass be permitted or called offside?

Permitted. Leads to lots of exciting rushes.

11. What should happen after regulation in the regular season:

A. 4 on 4 OT and then a shootout
B. 4 on 4 continuous OT
C. 5 on 5 Continuous OT
D. 4 on 4/5 on 5 OT and then game is called a tie

12. If there is a play where there is a clear/borderline dive should there be:

A. No Penalties
B. Penalties to both players
C. A Penalty to offender
D. A Penalty to diver

13. Should fighting be banned?

Absolutley not.

14. Should the instigator rule be in place?

Nyet.

Section C - Point Systems:

15. How many points should you get for a win?

2

16. How many points should you get for an OT win?

2

17. Should there be the bonus point awarded for an OT Loss?

No.

Section D - Schedule:

18. How many games should each team play in the NHL regular season?

80

19. How many times should teams play against teams from their own division?

As many as wouldn't prevent the team from playing every other team in the league at least twice.

20. Should there be Interconference games?

Yes.

21. Should there be more mini-series where teams play the same team consecutively for several nights?

Not a bad idea.

[charlio lemieux]

Section A - Basics:

1. How many teams should there be in the NHL? 32

2. How many divisions should there be? 4

3. How many teams per division? 8

4. How many teams should make the playoffs? 16

5. How should the playoffs be formatted? Top 8 in each Conference

6. Should there be a salary cap system and if so, what should it be set at? 54% Revenue



Section B - Rules:

7. Should there be touch or no touch icings? No touch

8. When an intentional icing occurs should the result be:

A. No line change
B. A penalty in the final minute of the game
C. Play On
D. No Consequence

9. Should there be limitations on the goaltender playing the puck? Yes

10. Should the two line pass be permitted or called offside? Permitted

11. What should happen after regulation in the regular season:

A. 4 on 4 OT and then a shootout, increase shootout to 5 players
B. 4 on 4 continuous OT
C. 5 on 5 Continuous OT
D. 4 on 4/5 on 5 OT and then game is called a tie

12. If there is a play where there is a clear/borderline dive should there be:

A. No Penalties
B. Penalties to both players
C. A Penalty to offender
D. A Penalty to diver, a 10min misconduct

13. Should fighting be banned? No

14. Should the instigator rule be in place? No



Section C - Point Systems:

15. How many points should you get for a win? 3

16. How many points should you get for an OT win? 2

17. Should there be the bonus point awarded for an OT Loss? 1



Section D - Schedule:

18. How many games should each team play in the NHL regular season? 77

19. How many times should teams play against teams from their own division? 3 each against their own conference, 2 each against other conference

20. Should there be Interconference games? yes

21. Should there be more mini-series where teams play the same team consecutively for several nights? No

[Mel]

This emphasis on divisional play is starting to get on my nerves.

Yesterday the Rangers hosted the Penguins, and I was thinking "man, didn't we just play them?" (they met 9 days prior). And now I'm looking on the schedule and Pittsburgh is back in MSG this Wednesday! Every time I turn around I see the damn Penguins!

Right now we have 6 divisions of 5 teams each in 2 conferences, and an 82 game schedule. Here's what I would rather see as a fan of the game...

Play each division opponent 6 times. That's more than enough weight on divisional play.

Play each conference (non-division) opponent 3 times.

For East vs. West, as it stands now they have this one rotating division thing. Using the Atlantic as an example, this year they host the Northwest for 1 game each, visit the Central for one game each, and don't meet the Pacific at all. That's just total crap!

So...

Division should 24 games (about 30% of the total schedule dedicated to 4 other teams. That's freakin enough.)

Conference (non-division) = 30 games (3 meetings each, rotate home advantage yearly)

54 out of 82 games = 66% or 2/3 of the entire schedule played inside the conference.

That leaves 28 games for 1 home - 1 away vs. each team in the other conference. 30 would make it add up perfectly, but who cares, you make exceptions yearly and make sure it rotates evenly and it's all good.

This would be so much better than what they have now. If I have to look at Crosby's mug one more time I'm gonna start throwing crap at the screen. I'd rather see a rematch vs. Detroit, or any match vs. LA, Dallas, Phoenix etc.

rant over

[MadDevil]

It's amazing really. The Canucks/Avs (both battling for the NW Division) have already played 7 of their 8 games against each other this season. It's ludicrous that with 30 some games left in the season (during what should be a ridiculous division race), they only play each other once. How does that make any sense at all?

More examples of the scheduling stupidity, the Caps and Canes play 5 times over a 7 game span in late March and early April. The Devils play the Islanders 4 times during an 8 game stretch in March, Tampa plays Florida 3 times in 5 games in April, 7 of Detroit's last 13 games are against Chicago, Columbus, and St. Louis, etc.

The list goes on and on...

[butterfly_style]

Section A - Basics:

1. How many teams should there be in the NHL? 30

2. How many divisions should there be? 4

3. How many teams per division? 6

4. How many teams should make the playoffs? 16

5. How should the playoffs be formatted? Top 8 in each Conference, screw the division leaders make the the top-three. Points and points alone determine the playoff standings. If it happens that some division is not represented at all, based on points . . .well too bad

6. Should there be a salary cap system and if so, what should it be set at? Didn't we just sit through a year without hockey to determine this. I think they have a good system in place right now . . .even though my sens may lose Redden or Chara or both at the end of the year



Section B - Rules:

7. Should there be touch or no touch icings? No touch

8. When an intentional icing occurs should the result be:

A. No line change
B. A penalty in the final minute of the game
And as someone said before no TV timeout . . .make those tired-a$$ players keep going
C. Play On
D. No Consequence

9. Should there be limitations on the goaltender playing the puck? No, but he should be fair game if he leaves the crease or an expanded buffer zone

10. Should the two line pass be permitted or called offside? Permitted

11. What should happen after regulation in the regular season:

A. 4 on 4 OT and then a shootout, increase shootout to 5 players
B. 4 on 4 continuous OT
C. 5 on 5 Continuous OT
D. 4 on 4/5 on 5 OT and then game is called a tie . . .Ties are fine . . .But if you're going to have a freakin' shootout, remove the OTL point. A game is worth two points, NOT some worth two, others worth three

12. If there is a play where there is a clear/borderline dive should there be:

A. No Penalties
B. Penalties to both players
C. A Penalty to offender
D. A Penalty to diver, and fines/suspensions for subsequent dives

13. Should fighting be banned? No

14. Should the instigator rule be in place? Can't stand this rule



Section C - Point Systems:

15. How many points should you get for a win? 2

16. How many points should you get for an OT win? 2

17. Should there be the bonus point awarded for an OT Loss? 0



Section D - Schedule:

18. How many games should each team play in the NHL regular season? 84
Divisionion play should be 24 games (about 30% of the total schedule dedicated to 4 other teams. If you can't decide a division winner based on this, then something is wrong.)
Conference (non-division) = 30 games (3 meetings each, rotate home advantage yearly)
54 out of 82 games = 66% or 2/3 of the entire schedule played inside the conference.
That leaves 30 games for 1 home - 1 away vs. each team in the other conference.

19. How many times should teams play against teams from their own division? 6

20. Should there be Interconference games? Absolutely. I'm pretty disappointed that I won't have the chance to see StevieY play in his final year(probabaly)

21. Should there be more mini-series where teams play the same team consecutively for several nights? Although it would cut down on travel, I wouldn't like to see it. I like Home & Home series though

[the Blueline Goddess]

PDO, aside from the shootout, I agree with you on every other point. ;)