Should the NHL consider 4 on 4 as the new standard?

[Coach]

I honestly wouldn't consider it the same game. It'd be something else. Hockey 4's. 4ockey.


They should also play with a small marble of rubber. Like a hard squash ball. Then the goalie would never be able to stop it and then, THEN, the game would be exciting.

The game is fine. Some games are boring because some teams are boring. Some games are boring cuz its the middle of the season and every game in every sport is boring in the middle of the season. I'm cool with tinkers to on-ice rules and penalties, but 4 on 4 is the same thing as changing the net size to me. A fundamental difference in game play.

Start a different league of 3 on 3 or 4 on 4 if that's what you think people want.

[Scooter]

National Pond Hockey League

[shadowlord]

I think that over time (5-10 years), coaches/teams will develop new strategies and techniques to counter the added open ice, and we'll just be back a square one again.

For now, 3-on-3 is a novelty effect because not many teams practice it regularly, but as time goes on, players will learn to maximize it to their benefit. Players are already adapting to 3-on-3 with it being a game of keep-away, and freely exiting the offensive zone back to the neutral zone rather than losing possession. It used to be only the Flames and a couple other teams did this, but now nearly every team plays 3-on-3 as a game of keepaway until the scoring opportunity is there.

[dissentowner]

I wish they would just leave the damn game alone, there are already too many stupid changes like the shootout. I guess I am a traditionalist.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

The issue is simply that it's harder to score than it was. An unscreened slapshot off the wing is, in 100% of cases, a terrible goal now. Doesn't matter how perfect the shot is. Goaltender padding and net size changes have always been the answer to this, and the notion that it'd be impossible to do this without some significant risks to goalies' health is as always preposterous.

[TheAlpineOracle]

I would stop watching hockey if they fundamentally changed the game like that. Hockey isn’t boring, Flames hockey is boring and I think you can say that about most of the Pacific Division.

I’m not a Leafs fan, but I have been watching a lot of their early games as well as some other Eastern Conference games this year and it fast-paced hockey. Ten times more exciting than what we watch on a nightly basis.

[jlh2640]

No. Horrible idea

[Circa89]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I wish they would just leave the damn game alone, there are already too many stupid changes like the shootout. I guess I am a traditionalist.

Well if we were all traditionalists and nothing changed the nets would still face backward and we would have rovers.

I think one way to open up the play is to remove the blue lines. No offside. Sounds stupid but watch an NLL game. It really opens up the game, spreads the players across the floor instead of forcing all 10 skaters into a single zone.

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by Reaper

Xtreme Nockey League?

Xtreme National League: where the pitcher bats twice in the rotation!

[midniteowl]

Why are people keep wanting to make change to the game of hockey in NHL? Find it boring 5 on 5? I'm sure there are plenty of thing more exciting to watch out there, just stop watching it.

/rant

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Circa89

Well if we were all traditionalists and nothing changed the nets would still face backward and we would have rovers.

I think one way to open up the play is to remove the blue lines. No offside. Sounds stupid but watch an NLL game. It really opens up the game, spreads the players across the floor instead of forcing all 10 skaters into a single zone.

This would be interesting. Would also eliminate about 20 stoppages per game and speed the whole thing up

[redforever]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I wish they would just leave the damn game alone, there are already too many stupid changes like the shootout. I guess I am a traditionalist.

My exact feelings. Quit all the fiddling and nit picking. If they want to do something substantial, address the extremely poor quality and inconsistency of reffing in the NHL.

[FlamingHomer]

Want to make the game better? "Hey linesman, drop the damn puck already."

[GirlySports]

No face off after offside. Just let the defending team clear the zone or offence has to retag

[Coach]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

No face off after offside. Just let the defending team clear the zone or offence has to retag

I actually don't mind this.