What Makes Today's NHL Brutal To Watch

I wrote this in reply to an excellent article by Rafal.  He wrote what makes the NHL enjoyable to watch.  He noted a list of excellent examples.  It was well thought out and well written.  This article is not to ridicule his article but to prevent a different perspective.  In my opinion, Gary Bettman is slowly killing the NHL and by the time something is done, it may be too late.

So in response to "What Makes the NHL Enjoyable to Watch" I give you "What Makes Today's NHL Brutal to Watch"

I am of the old school mind frame and to me the hockey of today doesn't compare to my favorite period - the early 90's and late 80's.  Or in better terms "BB - Before Bettman".

Shown below are my points about what the game was like before Bettman and what it's like now. 

Then

* Hockey actually had plenty of even strength play and flow without whistles every 2 minutes

Now

Games have become special teams fests.


Then

* A penalty was a penalty and many of the referees let the players play.  

Now

N - God forbid you touch anyone it is a penalty


Then

* Brushing your stick against an opponent wasn't a penalty.

Now

N-you touch someone, skate in front of someone it's obstruction

Then

* There were physical battles in the corner

Now

N-You put your hand or brush it on someone's waist it's a penalty

Then

* Standing in the crease meant you would endure an endless assault but few goals were sweeter

Now you have 5'7 Brian Rafalaski camping out in the crease and no one can touch him or it's a penalty.

Then

There were teams in traditional hockey markets, the fans filled the stands and there were rivalries filled with passion and disdain for the opponent.  There were provincial rivalries like Montreal - Quebec.  There was a team in Winnipeg that had a loyal following.

Now

There are teams all over the South.  Not one but two teams in Florida. A team in the desert that is on the brink of folding.  There are no longer the Quebec Nordiques and the Winnipeg Jets

Then

A game could be a classic battle with both teams pouring their heart and soul into it.  After regulation they played 5-5 like they did as part of the regular game.  After a hard fought overtime, if the score was tied, the game was over.  Two teams earned a well earned point.

Now

We have the Gary Bettman circus.  Not only is one player from each team removed from the ice after regulation but there is the circus attraction shootout.

Then

There were divers back in the day and some hall of fame players like Bill Barber and Mario Lemieux.  They dove, no question but if nothing was called they got up and back in the play

Now

You have the "icon" of the league, Sidney Crosby, who not only learned well from his predecessor but will constantly whine and harp at the official  Two future hall of fame players in Jeremy Roenick and Mark Recchi have both called him out on it

Then

A working class guy could afford to take his family to see a Flyers game (if he were fortunate enough to get tickets).

Now

Unless he is an executive pulling in 6 figures or knows someone that knows someone, the days of the families are gone.  For a family of 4 to attend a Flyers game (excluding the family section) it is the equivalent of a week at the Jersey Shore

Then

You had guys like Bob Probert, Marty McSorley, Behn Wilson, Dave Brown, etc. who were amongst the toughest in the business.  They were enforcers but could still play a regular shift.  They played the role of policeman and took their job seriously.  They also played by "The Code".

Now

There are guys who have no respect for other players like Ryan Hollweg, Darcy Tucker, Ruuto, etc. and no policeman to protect the other players because the will contribute to the penalty fest of be suspended if the almighty Bettman and Forbes deem it so.

Finally, almost there...

Then

There were successful teams in big and traditional hockey markets.  There was no salary cap and the revenue they generated they got to keep.  They typically made the playoffs which added to their revenue.  The playoff game ratings were the best they ever were because fans were converting over to see the fast, physical, fighting games that were taking place.  They loved seeing 19 year monsters like Eric Lindros score a beautiful goal on one shift, lay a thundering hit on another, and then fight a noted tough guy on yet another.  There were games on ESPN and ESPN2 and the sport received excellent coverage from them.

Now

There are successful teams but often in markets where the local fans could care less and the TV market even less then their home fan base.  There is a revenue sharing plan so that successful franchises with loyal, die hard fans can pay for Gary Bettman's expansion mistakes.  The ratings are below that of cowboy rodeo's and model car racing.  Fans are tuning out because the games have become special teams festivals with little hitting and when there is, a penalty call.  They can tune in now to see a great player in Sidney Crosby but one who is as infamous for his whining on the ice, diving, and several cheap shots.  And finally the games are now on Versus which was previously the Outdoor Network.

So thank you Gary Bettman for ruining the game that I love.  You've proven that when you came from the NBA that you knew nothing about hockey and after too long a period still don't.  Your grand plans of expansion all over the US is failing as several clubs teeter on the throes of bankruptcy.  You neglected to add teams to Canda where the following would be phenominal and the support top notch.

So thank you Gary for turning what was a fast, ultra physical game where rivalries were wars, where fights drew a ton of crowed noise into a non-physical, specialty teams filled, circus gimic to determine the outcome sport.

To quote the late, great Gene Hart - "Good night.  Good hockey".