Is this the most uneventful NHL season you've witnessed?

[SouthWest]

Spoken like someone who never watched a lot of hockey through the DPE, and only read about it or casually followed their favorite team through it.

COME ON, the only people that say something like you did, is someone that's about 25 years old and thinks that since they were alive in the late 90's thinks they are somehow equipped to make a call like that.

The scoring is looking ever closer to what we seen from 97-04, it isn't the grabbing and interference that's causing the difference like it did in the DPE, but its still the lack of penalties being called.

 

[Classicnamesup]

Seems like each year hockey is less exciting than the year previous.

 

[Cult of Hynes]

COME ON, the only people that say something like you did, is someone that's about 25 years old and thinks that since they were alive in the late 90's thinks they are somehow equipped to make a call like that.

The scoring is looking ever closer to what we seen from 97-04, it isn't the grabbing and interference that's causing the difference like it did in the DPE, but its still the lack of penalties being called.

What a load of ********.

 

[Novak Djokovic]

This is the most uninterested I've been in the NHL... but that may just be due to course load in university. Still, nothing that exciting going on, I agree.

 

[Cult of Hynes]

"nothing that exciting going on" people have listed a TON of things that are going on. Either the ones complaining fail to see that or idk what. I really cant grasp how this year is uneventful. Its nice to see new faces tearing up the league instead of the same old people. Its nice to see teams fighting for playoff spots.

This thread would be going on if it were the 80s, someone will always find a way to ***** about the league and how its not exciting enough for them.

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

The season has too many regular season games. That's all.

They call February the dog days of the NHL for a reason. There's a lull at this point in time, every season (except when there's a work stoppage or the Olympics).

Teams that know they are out are out and are playing out the string - meanwhile, teams still in the hunt still aren't quite fighting for position or their playoff lives.

Things will pick up in March once the playoff races get a little more decisive.

I'll admit to being a little bored right now but that 1st round isn't so far away (best time of the year!).

Personally, I think a 60 game season would be a blistering race to the finish - but the owners just aren't going to give up the revenue.

I agree. 60 games would make this league way more interesting, in a sense every game would count.

 

[State of Hockey]

Aside from an above average Calder class, and a few teams dramatically moving up and down the standings from the year before (e.g. Nashville), I think this year has been pretty bland. We're in early February and the top-8 in the East is pretty much set. The West isn't much better. The story lines have been slim to none.

 

[Cult of Hynes]

Aside from an above average Calder class, and a few teams dramatically moving up and down the standings from the year before (e.g. Nashville), I think this year has been pretty bland. We're in early February and the top-8 in the East is pretty much set. The West isn't much better. The story lines have been slim to none.

You are joking right?

 

[Brooklanders*]

The refs are god awful. The worst officials in all of sport.

Hockey has lost its luster and sex appeal.

 

[Faltorvo]

There is no Olympics, there won't even be a 100 point man and maybe not even a 50 goal man. There are no good storylines. Fights have been the same level as last year but no classic brawls, not a heavyweight tilt you'll remember. Crosby, Ovechkin and Malkin are unable to outscore Jakub Voracek. There is no dominant team and a couple of really horrendous teams worse than everyone else.

This is the first time in my life I ever turned off the skills competition at the all-star game (the shootout competition was getting silly). The All-Star game means less now than it ever has in history. They announced the plan to basically change the World Cup from what used to be a serious tournament to a joke with the under 23 idea and "rest of Europe" team.

The Cup winning team probably won't even make the playoffs. The Norris race will be one of those years where "someone" has to win it rather than a year where someone is having a great year. I guess Weber might be the front runner, good for him but this might be the worst competition ever.

There is less creativity this season than any I've ever seen.

On a good note someone is getting Connor McDavid and as long as the NHL doesn't ruin him maybe teams will start to play by trying to score again.

Anyway, just a bad year. Maybe a good postseason can save it.

then you are looking in the wrong places if you think this is uneventful

about 30 games left in the season and all but 2 teams are in a war for those last PO slots

one of it's big marketing tools is back in form, OVI

just to name 2 in about 15 seconds worth of thought.

 

[Classicnamesup]

You are joking right?

What are the compelling storylines?

 

[bauer]

The refs are god awful. The worst officials in all of sport.

not even close. ever watch an NBA game? those refs are a joke. and then we have soccer, where half the officials are paid off.

 

[jwhouk]

If someone out there is expecting someone to suddenly challenge for Mario's scoring titles or anything like that, you're in for a shocker: one of the things a salary cap does is promote homogenization of teams and play to the point where there's little difference between teams on a night-in and night-out basis.

Anyone who thinks that this means the NHL has gotten worse is living in the days of six teams and only two teams having a legit shot at the cup from year to year.

The days of four-or-five Cup wins in a row and Canadian team domination are over, kids. Either watch the game on the ice or keep looking wistfully up at the banners in the rafters.

 

[MISC*]

For me it's the change on CBC.

Can't believe how much enjoyment that took out of hockey for me. I'm not against change. The quality is just so poor. Kypper. Strombo.

 

[Brooklanders*]

not even close. ever watch an NBA game? those refs are a joke. and then we have soccer, where half the officials are paid off.

I don't watch basketball anymore and i never understood the rules of soccer.

 

[CupsOverCash]

I think it's just getting good. Basically 2 more months left before playoffs. Trade deadline is soon and will likely make a big impact on how he playoffs are won. Everything is so tight right now and whoever can play the best and make the smartest roster decisions from here on out will win it. I find that to be pretty exciting. I don't like it when one team is the favorite. I like parity because you never know who will win. In Baseball and football you know the contenders and that to me is boring. I like not knowing what's going to happen. Makes for great man drama.

 

[Hyack57]

For me it's the change on CBC.

Can't believe how much enjoyment that took out of hockey for me. I'm not against change. The quality is just so poor. Kypper. Strombo.

I have to somewhat agree. I find watching the games with the Sportsnet crew ALL the time is a bit of a drag. It's Rogers all the time every game. I miss TSN. I miss Bob Mac.

 

[Faax]

Without significant changes it'll just continue to become more and more boring

 

[ZeroPT*]

The "race" at the bottom is more interesting than any playoff race the Sabres have been involved in for a while

 

[Drewcifer]

Granted, I have a rooting interest, but the wildcard race in the west is pretty compelling. Winnipeg, Vancouver, Calgary, LA and Minnesota battling for three spots, the champions on the outside looking in, Minnesota charging hard...

 

[Mikeshane]

Islanders on the rise
Fresh excitement in Nashville
Tampa's crazy offense
Anaheim's hard to predict playoff future
Possible nasty rematch between Hawks and Blues
Winnipeg possibly getting in to the playoffs with their loud fans
Ekblad and Forsberg having crazy good years
Calgary with Johnny Hockey exceeding expectations
Increase in quality of the Eastern Conference playoff teams

There has been lots of good stuff too.

 

[PantherStriker]

One word: MUMPS

 

[DanZ]

Some people are so pessimistic I don't know how they live with themselves.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

The overall product has declined rapidly. I can't say it's all because of the new mentality of no toughness in our beloved sport, but that may be a part of it.

It needs to rebound. Even the random NBC games have been pretty uninspiring.

 

[Acallabeth]

Seems like each year hockey is less exciting than the year previous.

Seems like you're getting older and more tedious each year.

I disagree with the OP severely.
The big 3 aren't leading the scoring race by a mile? Enjoy the fact we have the closest Art Ross and Richard races in many years. There won't be a 100 point player? Maybe that's a problem if you can only get excited for stat lists. A lot of great rookies. Close PO races. A lot of unexpected teams and players in spotlight.

Maybe there isn't anything historic for now, but, well, wait until the end of the season.

And also, when you consider uneventful 2-way players better than eventful "one-dimensional", this is what you get.