Best Changes in Hockey in your lifetime

[2014olympicgold]

For me, that's the NESN/Bruins telecast. I get it, every broadcast team is a homer but they take it next level. I'll go start a worst changes in hockey thread so people have a place to b!tch about their hates LOL!

I rather listen to a homer who's level headed than the neutral BS guys we have right now. One of the cooler things illegally streaming allows you to do is watch home broadcasts, so if they had legit homers talking, you can enjoy your own echochamber.

[lucafen4]

When the Islanders find a new PBP announcer.
He just screams.

[Invictus]

I do love the salary cap aspect bringing teams to a more level playing field, although I think there's much room for improvement.

I will say the best changes, from a mostly selfish standpoint, is the growth in stat collection.
From shot locations to possession times, it just gives us hockey geeks so much more info to analyze a player.

[Daydream Nation]

Imagine how bad the game would be without the rule now? The second there's a bit of pressure, these guys are so talented they could do flip it out in a millisecond.

It goes without saying that if this rule was eliminated, a puck over the glass would result in the same consequences as an icing while giving the refs the option of calling a DOG if they feel it's apt. Personally, I wouldn't mind a DOG called for intentional icings.

[TeamRamrod]

Two line pass removal. Keeps D on their toes.

[Invictus]

I know the title says 'in your lifetime', but it's pretty interesting looking back 100 years at some of the rule changes. The game was totally different back then.

Ex.
1927-28 To further encourage offense, forward passes allowed in defending and neutral zones and goaltender's pads reduced in width from 12 to 10 inches. Game standardized at three twenty-minute periods of stop-time separated by ten-minute intermissions. Teams to change ends after each period. Ten minutes of sudden-death overtime to be played if the score is tied after regulation time. Minor penalty to be assessed to any player other than a goaltender for deliberately picking up the puck while it is in play. Minor penalty to be assessed for deliberately shooting the puck out of play. The Art Ross goal net adopted as the official net of the NHL. Maximum length of hockey sticks limited to 53 inches measured from heel of blade to end of handle. No minimum length stipulated. Home teams given choice of end to defend at start of game.

[stevegamer]

This is a tough question for me, as I'm old, and I grew up in the 70's fighting era, and my teams glory days line up with a hockey style that is VERY out of favor and will never return. I very much enjoy watching physical play, and don't think hockey has gone too far yet (looks at football where quarterbacks should be dressed in dayglo bubble wrap with fragile stickers all over them, until they decide to do something themselves).

I'm going to take the easy way out and say things relating to player safety, such as better helmets, goalie masks, throat protectors, etc.

[Feenom]

I like that those 2 bit shows at the trade deadline and UFA aren’t as important as the networks think they are. Most of the deals happen weeks before. Love watching Duthie squirm for anything worth yapping about. Also love how expansion teams can compete within years instead of decades.

[The Comish]

Also love how expansion teams can compete within years instead of decades.

Agreed! With the cost of an expansion team, they better have a shot at competing in a reasonable time frame, but I love the early success of Vegas and to a lesser degree Seattle.

[dunkthefunk]

I'd say the elimination of tie games by making OT 3 on 3 and then a shootout would be up there in the best changes. Not totally a fan of the shootout component, but the 3 on 3 is pretty awesome and the ability to have a winner after every game is satisfying.

They should go 3 on 3 for 10 mins just to settle it without a shootout.

[stevegamer]

I'm going to add outdoor NHL games to my thoughts. I do think that they often make for spectacular viewing.

[StuntMan12]

I'm going to add outdoor NHL games to my thoughts. I do think that they often make for spectacular viewing.

It's probably the leagues best marketing tool right now. fans love it.

My favorite thing about hockey in general is the NHL draft. It's done so professionally and looks classy. It's a way better show than the other major sporting leagues in my opinion.

[Invictus]

The imagery you get from some of the outdoor games is just amazing!

[StuntMan12]

When I was a kid, about mid to late 90's, I remember the NHL had a little pond hockey league they would play during intermissions. Not everyone joined I don't think. I remember praying to see Pavel Bure out there but he never was lol. That lead up to the excitement of having 3 on 3 overtime.