When the NHL changed its rules, scoring went up. This was a big boost to marketing. The problem was that they had to sacrifice entertainment value to get this boost.
The increased scoring from the rule changes wasn’t all that we saw around that time. We also saw a couple high-profile rookies. That alone could have given the league a boost.
The actual game, however, was seriously damaged by the rule changes. The league keeps bragging about market growth, but all of the growth has come at a cost. Point totals fluctuate. Eventually, the novelty of the added points will wear off. The inflated scoring means that scoring will have to stay at a higher level to be classified as above average. Everything that the league is benefitting from can be viewed as short-term gains.
What is the cost of these short-term gains? The NHL has alienated its core fan base. The new fans aren’t nearly as loyal. With the game being dumbed down, fewer people will fall in love with the sport. I feel that the league is less stable and more vulnerable to a serious downturn. The long-term health of the league has deteriorated drastically. Personally, I don’t want the league to destroy the game’s future purely for the sake of money now.
Perhaps I’m being too harsh. I keep saying that the league has less of a future, but comments sections on various sports websites indicate otherwise. I keep reading comments that lack any substance and rely heavily on childish name calling. It appears that the NHL has more 5 year old fans than ever before. Sorry. I forgot to factor in schooling. The NHL has more 15 year old fans than ever before.
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