Maybe so, Paul, but how many writers around the league rely on the old “the game’s broke and here’s my idea on what to do” article to fill their column each week?  It’s the surest sign of a writer who’s run out of good ideas.

Posted by Forechecker from Nolensville, TN on 12/03/07 at 08:40 PM ET

Let’s see…

...scoring still up considerably from pre-lockout… CHECK.
...CHI and STL showing signs of life again.... CHECK.
...fighting is on the rise again… CHECK.
...older, garbage players can no longer just hang out in the league and are forced to retire when it’s time, opening doors for youngsters… CHECK.
...players forced to learn to actually skate again… CHECK (I’m thinking of you, Hudler and Nash!!).
...Oilers and Ducks BOTH suck now… CHECK.
... lots of guys with funny names you’ve never heard of are scoring (Byfuglein or however it’s spelled, Enstrom, Setoguchi, Nummelin, Plekanec).
...a Norwegian in the league...that fights… CHECK *thumbs up*.
...Carcillo and Bryzgalov making PHX interesting to watch finally… CHECK.

Hrm, it all looks ok to me, aside from the league taking a complete disinterest in cheap shots.

Posted by Primis on 12/03/07 at 09:17 PM ET

My checklist includes a Niklas Backstrom vs Nicklas Backstrom fight seeing as how the Petr Sykora vs Petr Sykora fight isn’t going to happen, but I suppose the BoG did all they could to make that more likely in the schedule tweak.

Posted by false_cause from DC on 12/03/07 at 09:55 PM ET

I agree with Paul on this one.  There are so many good things going on in the league right now… how about these great writers write about these things… everything Primis noted above and about 50 other things…

I am so tired of hearing what is wrong with the game, when I watch bits and pieces of (almost) every game there is always something interesting going on.  A goal, a fight, a defensive matchup, a PP, a breakaway, shootout, skill like we have never seen before in EVERY game, goaltending like we have never seen before, in EVERY game…

The only thing I would complain about is the officiating - which I will agree can and does ruin at least 1 game a night.  It’s sad when the refs are more concentrated in making those phantom hooking calls then they are in making hitting from behind, elbowing and boarding calls.  That is the only thing I would change… and oh can we please get rid of this stupid shootout… cripes.  What was wrong with a tie anyways?

Posted by WingMan from Canada on 12/03/07 at 10:21 PM ET

I don’t have a single problem with the concept of a little R & D here and there, but I do have a problem with the constant assumption that the game needs radical change to save it from the precipice of destruction. 

A new approach to how the game is covered?  I think us bloggers have a stone to grind down there, but the game itself...It’s good.  Real good.

Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 12/04/07 at 04:43 AM ET

hey, i’ll listen to steve yzerman ANY DAY before i give a hoot what some journalist has to say. i know how these armchair experts work; they break a sweat every time they sit down to write thinking “how can i come up with something controversial, something that will elicit debate, how can i shock the hockey fans?” etc etc. whatever, proteau. you’re just another desperate pseudo expert.

Posted by byron from vancouver on 12/04/07 at 11:02 PM ET