Reviving Interest In A Dying Sport! (7-10)

Who watched the Stanley Cup Playoffs? Apparently not many, but not just to the lack of interest, but the lack of availability as well. I had heard from sports columnists around the world mention that reruns of "I Love Lucy" had more viewers then a sports final. If it is not possible to retain interest from a global perspective, the access to the sport will surely die to the point where going the hockey rink is the only option.

Last week the Detroit Red Wings Steve Yzerman retired after his 22 year career, this was a guy who defined what it meant to be loyal to a franchise. He stayed with the team because of ethics and perspective to be the best. Money was a second to him, he loved the sport of hockey and developed many admirers during his career. This is why he should be considered to be the greatest player to play in the NHL.

Remember the NBA? In infancy the NBA was not watched by many people, due to the same reasons the NHL isn't now. Now the NBA is watched all over the world, and the sport is becoming more global as international players are common among the NBA ranks. Yao Ming was a superstar in China, when he hits the American shores he retained he renown. Andrea Bargnani became the first international player to be picked 1st in an NBA draft. While gaining attention from the globe the NBA didn't fall into the same abyss the NHL did. They did not let a lockout affect the impact of the sport, and the changes that could have implemented negative impact on the game were not made. Sometimes the decisions that are not made lead to results that define others forever.

The NHL is affected by the impact of, increased penalties, lack of two line passes, and no touch icing. Penalties have allowed for powerplays to occur almost the entire game. What happened to playing defense? Not having a two line pass, has allowed players to create breakaways with minimal effort, passing the puck will become a lost art against frequent dump-ins of the puck. No touch icing has allowed players to not have to sacrifice their bodies to get the puck when shot into their zone. The NHL has completely changed from a defensive battle to a offensive showcase. The NHL was about the fighting, battles on the boards, big hits, being an enforcer, and harassing the goalie to get the puck in the net with the help of a deflection from a teammates skate.

The reason the NHL is dying is not all because of the lockout, it is because of the rule changes. The NHL has forgotten the fanbase that helped carry it to be an enjoyed sport by many. In an attempt to bring in new fans the NHL is now restricted to miserable TV contracts to small networks and uninterested fans. The lockout could have been avoided if the corresponding sides were to reach an agreement to take less money. While money is important, the reason why players pursue careers in sports is driven by desire. Money comes to those who invest time and effort to build on a foundation. WHEN FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED THEY MUST BE BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP! New ideas are welcome as long as one rule is remembered, CHANGE FRIGHTENS PEOPLE AWAY! Why change something that is working? Fix what is wrong, and develop what makes the sport successful. Fixing and changing are two different terms and the NHL picked the wrong one. With the retiring of a great, I am saying that will foreshadow a retiring of a sport.

Best to all, -John Ott

P.S. I wanted to shed some light on the sport because I care about the league. I am an avid sports fanatic and I would like to see the NHL return to the roots all of us remember from the 2003-2004 season.
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Gaming Fans Rejoice (7-10)

Video games and the NHL survived a lockout and because of that I have reason to believe that video games be around awhile after the NHL takes a dirtnap. In the new "NHL 2007" for the XBOX 360 EA promises to make all of the lost arts that we used to see in the NHL available for the game. I know people that have an XBOX 360 so I will get a chance to review this for all of you. Until then, enjoy the NHL 07 first look.

The first look is listed below... videos and screenshots are also available.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/717/717231p1.html