This time last year, the National Hockey League was in its third labor stoppage under commissioner Gary Bettman and numerous fans throughout the United States and Canada said they wouldn’t support the league if the season didn’t start on time.
Well, in case you have been living under a rock for the past 12 months, the season didn’t start on time, but the fans still returned with the third-most watched viewers for a Stanley Cup Final in league history during Game 6 between the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks.
Last year’s regular season did in fact take a while to start, as the NHL Players’ Association and the league itself had a labor dispute that lasted until Christmastime, which delayed the season opener to January.
The fans jumped back on the hockey bandwagon when the season resumed play, and a fresh start this year will peek even more excitement.
After the full-season lockout during the 2004-05 campaign, the NHL made rule changes to make the play more offensive and to increase the excitement in the game.
This year, the league has done the same thing.
Some new rules are in place for players’ safety, but the majority of the changes will increase scoring and excitement.
Beginning this season, the goaltenders’ equipment regulations have been changed to force the goalies to wear smaller padding, and the net has been changed to increase the open area for scoring.
The length and width of the leg pads have been shortened, which will make the “five-hole” area between the legs much smaller and therefore easier for players to score.
The league also tinkered with the net regulations, which sounds like nothing significant but really is a big deal.
The new regulation nets have a smaller depth, which creates much more room behind and beside the net for players to set up plays like one-timers and wraparounds.
Other major changes to the infrastructure of the league this year are the realigned divisions and conferences.
The NHL has transitioned from six divisions to four, as two teams, Columbus and Detroit, have been moved from the Western Conference to the Eastern Conference, which is logistically much better for them.
There are now 16 teams in the East and 14 in the West, which begs the question of league expansion.
This season will also feature six outdoor games; yes, you did read that right.
The league has started a new Outdoor Series, which is playing off the annual Winter Classic that has been successful since it began in 2008.
It is safe to say that the NHL will be very exciting this season, I have never been this excited for a hockey season in my life.
ab109410@ohiou.edu
@buschy6391
