See you bye.
I still love the sport you ham, I just don't care for the NHL as much as I used to. The recent abundance of concussions in a very short duration of time hasn't really helped my thoughts of it in a positive light either.
Lets see...
1. There are several teams that shouldn't even be in this league.
2. Salaries are ridiculously high again. And this is across the board. I actually think there has been a higher pay out to its players on a league level than the pre-04/05 NHL lockout era. Look at the Illya Kovalchuk signing, and he's one of many examples of how outrageous contracts have cheated both the system and its respective teams fan bases. Not that the system really cares. If it did, it sure hasn't proven it. But Kovalchuk's signing is the best example of why big contracts can hurt a team and its fan base in a cap era. The fact that Lou Lamoriello signed him to that deal is downright weird, because he's that blue collar kind of guy who
was in favor of players who best compliment the bigger picture. Not flashy players, but guys who played into a system. A blue collar system. That signing goes against that whole logical grain of thinking. Kovalchuk and his ginormous Oprah sized contract have done more harm than good. The Devils organization are short of men due to the contract and the cap restrictions. It clearly was evident in their performance against the Penguins. They can't call-up anyone so it screws the guys trying to make a career for themselves and live their dreams of playing in the NHL. It screws the fan base because they pay to see 3 quarters of a team out there rather than a full team. Makes you wonder why the NHL lockout even happened.
You do realize a lot of small-time folk lost jobs and their businesses (concerning the sport) that were in operation for years, sometimes decades during that lockout. Everyone was pretty much pissed off and swore off they would never go back to the NHL again. I knew so many people who said the NHL was a joke. This was said in the heart of Canada when that last lockout took place, but of course, nobody remembers that. What happened to all those people who said they have given up on the NHL (not the game, since they are two different things), but have frolicked back to it with open arms? It's always so easy to forget what we say and have done in the past, especially if it doesn't work in our favor.
3. The reoccurring blind sided hits, elbows to the head, putting guys head first into the boards. The intent to end guys careers. There have been several player concussions to bigger name players this season and it's only a week old! This has become a goon league. The old goons of your Dave Semenko and David "Tiger" Williams variety would rough you up. Maybe even knock a few teeth out of your face, give you a nice purdy smile. But not give you a career ending injury. Granted players are bigger, stronger, and faster than the old days. But you also have guys with steel in the shoulder and elbow pads, and some of these guys are deliberately going out there with that intent. How are the accused punished? 2 game suspension. That will put the scare in a lot of them. Seriously, the NHL needs to grow some big balls and go hard on these players and punish them to the full extent they should be punished. Maybe then, a player will think twice the next time he tries to make veggie soup out of someone's head.
4. How the NHL neglects its Canadian fanbase for an ignorant American one. Sure a lot of your Northern-based franchises have fans in the States who get it and love it, but for most, especially the further down south you go, they don't even know the difference between a cricket player from a hockey player. They simply don't care. You know who does care? Winnipeg, Hamilton, and Quebec City. Gary Bettman doesn't seem to think so. Either way, if, more-so when it does happen, and those cities do reclaim an NHL franchise (not that I look forward to that day since I love my AHL product and its ticket pricing), the NHL will have to suffer more years of neglect from fans in places like Nashville and Florida. What's that? Is that a family of tumbleweed attending both of those franchises games? Yep, it most certainly is. Heeeyuk!
5. I forgot what 5 was, because I got so into this rant why the NHL sucks, but I am sure it was good. Oh yes, Gary Bettman. A lawyer! Before he came into this game, he knew hardly anything of the sport. He's only here to grow the brand (which is obvious), among other things, but in the end he clearly has failed. Since his inception, the league has expanded and has become diluted by talent that has no business being here. When you add 9 teams to an existing 21 prior to Bettman's reign, you get an extra 200+ bodies on skates that need to be employed. Bodies that would otherwise be in the minor leagues. Not saying that it's horrible. More people are playing the sport than ever before, and with advances in coaching and strength training, players are getting better... the talent pool has increased from a decade ago. I am just saying, we have several non successful clubs that if shut down would represent a much higher class of player and take care of some of the "scrub factor." Remember, expansion is good, but when necessary and when it's right. Relocation is necessary if they want to maintain a 30 team league. However, I think severing ties with certain organizations altogether would be better for the league and less of a drain on the more successful ones. After all, there is revenue sharing now.
6. Too many teams playing a tight, defensive first system... the trap was the absolute worst. Some teams still play it to a lesser extent. It makes for dull hockey. The defensive teams of the past, like your 70's Montreal Canadiens could still play exciting up tempo offensive hockey. Remember the Devils from 1994 to 2005? Snooze fest.
7. Players constantly jumping ship to Russia and the KHL constantly alluring talent away from the true mother countries of hockey. These are our superstars, back off! We have to be the only league that has a league that can, more-so think it can compete with the top league of that sport, and while it maybe semi-successful at alluring certain players, most know where the real place to play is. It still sucks, given the fact as a fantasy keeper owner or a poolie you can lose any of your players at any given time. Even if they are under contract to an NHL club. Here's looking at you kid (Alexander Radulov).... best way to remedy that problem? Don't draft Russians unless their name is Ovechkin and/or Malkin.
In the end I will always love hockey. Always will and always have. The game is simply the best one out there, but the game's so-called best league isn't the shinning beacon it once used to be. Is that good enough for you Mr. Poopy head Moon?
