Thomas Boswell argues, in the Washington post that Hockey is on its way to losing its status as a “Major” sport. I hate to say it, but I completely agree.
MaxLead and I have been going to Hockey games together for almost two decades. My wife and I have been Season Ticket Holders for the Washington Capitals. We, along with MaxLead and his dad were in the building in ‘98 when Detroit skated with the Cup on Washington Ice. Seeing the Stanley Cup presented in person has been one of the highlites of my life as a sports fan.
However, Hockey has been in decline since the fall of ‘94. Hockey went from strenght to strength in the two decaded ending with the Rangers Cup win in ‘94. the 1994 NHL playoffs were as good as sports get. Great comebacks, upsets, guaranteed victories. The Rangers/Devils series was IMHO the best playoff series in modern hockey history.
Then Bettman came into his own. The lockout killed any momentum that the NHL had gained, and set it back in terms of popularity and revenue. Yet despite playing hardball in that they shut down the league, the owners came away losing. No Salary Cap, No Revenue sharing. Same old shit. In order to make up revenue, the league over-expanded. In addition, NHL officials lost their whistles some time in the mid 90s. The game on the ice slid to a grinding halt.
Simply put, the product on the ice blows now. It’s horribly boring to watch. Today’s NHL bears no resemblence to the game of Gretzky, Kurri, Gartner, Bossy, Lemieux. Today’s game is almost unwatchable for me. And the NHL has noone to blame but itsself. They’ve tinkered with the rules, added teams, changed uniforms, yet the problems remain undealt with.
How to save the game?
1. Contraction. Eliminate about 10 teams. Sorry, but it has to go. Move 10 franchises to the minors.
2. Salary Cap. Lower salaries.
3. Make sure next season happens at all costs.
4. Media blitz. Get the players out in the community at all costs.
5. Fix officiating. Call ALL penalties. Open up the ice, and speed up the game.
None of this will happen, however, and the NHL is doomed.
