What we like and don't like in the new NHL

But first a Note to NHL:

Your welcome!!!  Now get that "Thank You Fans" message off the ice.  And never ever put any advertising or messages inside the blue lines.  So many people complain that its hard to follow the puck on TV, why make it harder.

We like:  Tag up offsides.

We don't like:  Interference penalty for finishing your check.  People are saying NHL stands for No Hit League.

We like:  Delay of game penalty for intentionally shooting puck over the glass in defensive zone; if it’s inadvertently shot over it should be the ref’s discretion.

We don't like:  Trapazoid.  If a goalie is adept at handling the puck, that is a skill that should be rewarded.  If you're going to have a trapazoid, then how bout an octagon at center ice for the fights?

We like:  Elimination of the red line for passing.  Remember, its not cherry picking if your team has possession.

We don't like:  Shootouts.  Sure, it brings the fans out of their seats, but so does fighting, and you want to eliminate that.  Shoot outs are great for the minor leagues, not the NHL.  Its just not hockey.  Rather see 3 on 3 extra overtime session.

We like:  Reduction in size of goalie equipment.  It was getting out of hand, for sure.

We don't like:  All the penalty shots.  Penalty shots were great because they were rare,  Now its no big deal.

We like:  The nets moved back and the extra space between the goal line and blue line.  More scoring space is better.

We don't like:  Game misconduct for instigating a fight in the last five minutes. In fact, we don't like the instigator rule at all.  Why don't they just call it the Bertuzzi rule, you know thats why they did it.  It used to be a stick to the face that drew blood was a 5 minute major and a game misconduct.  Now its just an extra 2 minutes!  So sticks to the face are ok and fighting is not???!!!   There is an element of violence in all sports, more so in hockey.  Hockey is the only sport with an honorable way of dealing with it.  Two guys square off and throw a few.  The fans go crazy, then everything settles down, usually, and we go back to playing hockey.  Nothing wrong with that.

We like: Dark uniforms worn at home, but they should switch it to white at halfway point of the season.  Keep it interesting.

We don't like:   Composite sticks.  Seems they break at the worst moment.  They are so light, it makes them harder to control, hence, more high sticks to the face.  The manufacturers are making too much money, so they are not going away.  Bring back wood sticks with unlimited curvature.

We like:   NHL Center Ice package. 

We don't like:   OLN coverage.  We're glad they picked up hockey though, and we must cut them some slack because they're new at it.  But the production looks like local cable public access.  If you want to do hockey TV right, copy Hockey Night In Canada.