Systems play, average size, and speed of players have changed the game today. There is zero room in the middle of the ice anymore. Everything is pushed to the periphery, so the majority of play is along the boards. Widening the ice surface gives the high skill players (like Gaudreau and Bennett) a chance to showcase their talents. It also allows for those who aren't the absolute elites to also occasionally show what they have to offer. If teams adapt and still play the middle of the ice in a congested manner, then guess what, you have the outside lanes to drive to the net which further rewards speedy wingers.
Honestly, most games are pretty boring these days, and we're headed slowly towards a dead puck era, but it's worse because there's a LOT less physicality in the game these days. It's a great idea, but I'm sure most traditionalists will say it's stupid and it won't work. To that I say: We won't know until we try it.
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"You know, that's kinda why I came here, to show that I don't suck that much" ~ Devin Cooley, Professional Goaltender
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