At the end of the eyesore bore that was better known as the “Dead Puck Era” in 2004, the NHL was averaging just under five goals per game as the clutching, grabbing, and trapping turned away millions of fans and cost the league its relationship with ESPN. The World Wide Leader was fed up with the catastrophic drop in NHL TV Ratings because of games that were not only low scoring, and thus, boring.
Since the return of the NHL in 2005 after the lost season, there has been an undeniable improvement in speed and overall quality of play. Obstruction is no longer tolerated and the elimination of the red line has led to more breakaway opportunities. But scoring is not up much at all from the Dead Puck Era days. The NHL is averaging just a little bit over five goals per game so far this season despite all of the new rules that emphasize skill.
So why the lack of goal scoring in today’s faster and more skillful game? Extra large sized goaltenders with extra large sized equipment is the answer. There is just not enough net to shoot at in today’s NHL. Until the NHL gets serious about goaltender equipment there will be no hope of the league reaching its glory days of the 1980’s when it averaged over seven goals per game with a wide open freewheeling style that was mesmerizing to watch.
The NHL has long been criticized for its tone deaf and insular nature and the lack of goal scoring is a stinging indictment of its stubbornness. While the league has signed blockbuster TV deals on both sides of the border in the last two years, the fact remains that NHL Games draw minuscule TV ratings compared to the other major sports.
Beyond that there is little in the way of water cooler talk about individual stats like there was in the days of Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Brett Hull when 70 goal seasons were possible for the game’s top players.
The NHL will never be what it can and must be until the penny wise and pound foolish Neanderthals that run the game do something about the lack of scoring. Unfortunately those aforementioned TV deals may be the worst thing that could have happened to the game as it gives the men that run it a false sense of security and belief that everything is fine.
Week’s Observations
There is no better play-by-play man in any sport than John Forslund of the Carolina Hurricanes. Forslund has gotten playoff work for NBCSN and should one day replace Doc Emrick as the network’s number one play by play man for the NHL. Forslund epitomizes professional cool and yet can call big plays with great excitement but without coming off as contrived.
New York Islander home games are enjoyable to watch not only because of the Isles improved play and offensive flair but also because organist Paul Cartier gets plenty of playing time. Cartier’s ivory tickling takes Islander games back to a better era without piped in ear splitting rock and rap music that has unfortunately become a bigger part of the noise pollution that marketing geeks like to call the “In Game Experience.”
It is great to see the St. Louis Blues back with a more traditional uniform this year that is reminiscent of their Glory Days as the top team of the Great Expansion. The iconic blue note logo remains among the most recognizable in sports.
The unveiling of the San Jose Sharks hideous uniforms for the 2015 Winter Classic are a reminder that they got it right the first time with their original threads and that every change that they have made since has been for the worse.
The loss of the late great Montreal Canadiens captain Jean Beliveau cost the world of sports one of its most elegant athletes and dignified leaders. Beliveau is one of the few athletes to leave on top as he retired after Les Gloriuex won the 1971 Stanley Cup. Memories of his greatness will live on with millions of fans.
