I am not an expert on the subject of hockey, the NHL, or it’s rules, nor would I ever claim to be, but, as a long time fan whose been left a little wanting over the past few seasons, I feel compelled to share my views on one of the hottest debates ever provoked by Canada’s national sport. Yes, I’m speaking about the rule changes instituted by the league, along with the salary caps, that triggered the most controversial strike by a professional sport ever. With both players and owners wondering whether the game would ever be able to re-establish it’s credibility and fan base, the league itself opted for pre-emptive measures by establishing some rule changes in order to bring some excitement, and the fans, back to the greatest game on earth.

My recent foray into the world of sports reporting has exposed me to hundreds of athletic minded individuals who have been eager to volunteer their opinion on the very subject. So much so, that I felt obliged to share a summary of the majority’s’ opinions with QSR readers. Although it’s somewhat difficult to gauge the public’s true feelings, what with being influenced by the opinions of sportscasters and commentators alike, I truly feel that the overall consensus is that loyal fans are happy about the changes and that anybody who felt the game has evolved just fine, might just be better off served watching wrestling or Ball-room dancing.

Whether initiated by the new rule changes or not, hockey fanatics throughout the nation have to admit that something has rejuvenated the spirit of the game and brought with it all the excitement and anticipation that made this game one of the worlds most watched and loved sports. All of a sudden, the game has picked up momentum, bringing with it, all the speed and fast paced action resurrecting the sense of excitement we all felt at the mere mention of those famous words “Hockey Night In Canada".

Fans can’t help but get the sense that the game is somehow being completed in a shorter time. They’re still playing sixty minutes. So, what’s the scoop? Could it be that the crackdown on the six-foot, 250 lb Neanderthals who insist on draping themselves overtop of their adversaries,( making it virtually impossible for them to move), has had an affect on the games’ speed. Or could it be that players are now required to keep both hands on their stick instead of trying to hold the hand of their opponent only to result in a two-minute timeout in the bad box for the offending player. Maybe it’s the elimination of the two-line pass, which has opened the game to more opportunities for that extremely electrifying and somewhat elusive breakaway. Whatever the reason, fans can’t refute the fact that fewer whistles has opened the game up making it faster and much more exhilarating. The upshot to all this is that now the players with real talent, will be able to showcase their skills, and future stars won’t be determined by their hulking size but by the abilities that they possess and how well they can utilize them. All too often, we’ve witnessed situations where smaller, more adept players, are passed over in favor of size and weight. It’s inspiring for young players to be able to once again dream of making the NHL on the merits of their skill and not just because they can beat up a cow, but eat it too.

Cry as they might, goalies too have failed to escape the consequences filtering down from the recent changes. Many are adamant about the fact that the reduction in certain equipment size is unjust. Well boo-hoo, it’s about time that something was done about questionable gains in equipment size, specifically the gloves and pads. Any larger and you may as well just cut a small hole in a sheet of plywood and attach it to the front of the net. At least now, we’ll find out who can really catch a puck using their reflexes instead of relying on a catching glove that once fully extended amounts in size to something short of a small sail. But that’s not all that’s upsetting the goaltending population. They’re not very pleased about the “no holding" rule, citing the fact that now there’s to much movement in front of the net. God forbid that they should actually have to pay close attention to what’s going on in front of them. And take it from an ex-goaltender; it’s a lot easier to follow the puck in this situation than one where three sets of players are slow dancing in you field of vision. The new rules as they pertain to goalies will certainly do much to propel the exceptionally talented net minders to the forefront where they can truly shine and put on a real show for the fans.

The salary cap is one of the best changes to be instituted by the NHL. Not only does it prevent richer teams from buying a Stanley Cup it should do wonders to curb the ever increasing, and somewhat unaffordable, ticket prices. Way too often I’ve overheard people say ridiculous things like, “Isn’t it cool, the so and so team is gonna give so and so ten million a year to play with them!" What is going through those people’s mind, (besides a lonely moth); it’s the ticket holder’s who’ll be paying that salary, not the owners. Wake up guys! How many of us are there that have always dreamed of being presented with the opportunity to make a more than comfortable living playing a sport that we love? Heck! Most of us would do it for free. If a player finds it necessary to make more than he can spend, then let him fulfill his dream through endorsement deals. Then those who consider those players worth it can go out, buy that over-priced toque, and cover their fat head with it.

Alas, not everyone can be happy all the time and there is one change that although public opinion is 50/50 on the issue, I have to side with the “against’ when it comes to one of the more controversial changes, the “shootout". While I will admit that a shootout can be extremely fun and exciting, save it for the skills competition or exhibitions. The other changes the NHL has implemented have already succeeded in re-instilling the excitement threshold to pre-nineties levels. As far as I’m concerned, hockey is a team sport and should be played in it’s entirety, as a team. It just doesn’t bode well with many of us that two teams, of over twenty players each, should play their hearts out for 60 minutes only to have the final outcome decided by a couple of individuals through a one on one contest. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least to eventually see teams recruit sharpshooters who’s sole purpose would be to perform in a shootout, just as football and baseball do with their place kickers and closers.

Seeing the level of excitement and the anticipation on fans faces these past few months has been enough to convince me that overall the NHL has done a very good thing for the sport of hockey. Todays’ game is faster paced and higher scoring, exactly what the fans demanded. And if you are somehow feeling overwhelmed by a sense of déjà vu, you are, because the NHL didn’t really do anything new… they just brought back the old.