Modern Hockey Should be 4 on 4

[DamonDRW]

oh, it seems new generation got introduced to hockey and as usual want to change something for the sake of changing.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Just widen the rinks 6' already for chris'sake

 

[22Brad Park]

Just so much more electric and exciting. You want viewers, that will bring them in.

Why do people love messing with the game so much ? Red line gone for stretch passes, no touch icing,constant replays,3 on 3 overtimes and shootouts, tablets on the benches.Not saying this is not good changes but 4 on 4 is a bit much for me.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Nobody is waiting for hockey to go 4v4 to suddenly tune into the game.

I think what hockey fans have to come to terms with is that accessibility and culture play a much bigger role in hockey's lack of popularity than the game itself. There is literally nothing the NHL could do from an entertainment standpoint to make the game significantly more popular. Hockey is literally a bunch of big dudes skating at lightning speeds (unless it's a Rangers game) shooting pucks at masked men at 100 miles per hour 30 times a game on each side and sometimes even (less than they used to) delivering bone jarring hits. It's not always perfect and some games are boring but from an entertainment standpoint if you dropped aliens from Mars hockey is probably the sport they'd choose to watch. Definitely not some fat f***s standing around in a diamond shape swinging a bat. There is literally nothing you could do to the game that will make it significantly more popular because the lack of popularity has nothing to do with the entertainment.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

Just so much more electric and exciting. You want viewers, that will bring them in.

 

[UED]

I think defense should be banned. Also goalies shouldn't exist, what? Why are there people there whose sole job is to make the game less fun and exciting? All anyone cares about is dekez and goalz. Ban stick checking, ban blocking shots, remove goalies. Only things you can do are pass, shoot, deke, hit and of course, fight. The 5 things that make hockey great. I think passing should be looked at too honestly. At the end of the day the elephant in the room is that if you need someone else to play for you maybe you shouldn't be in the league.

 

[Calderon]

I agree but the NHLPA wouldn't just allow 20% of jobs to be cut like that.

5 on 5 is a good balance though, so it's not bad at all, but 4 on 4 is more exciting.

A good balance between 4 on 4 and what? I don't see anyone suggesting 6 on 6.

 

[BLNY]

Goalie on Goalie, that's it.

Hextall v Belfour.

 

[Figgy44]

Goalie on Goalie, that's it.

Coaches v coaches at intermission.

 

[Reality Czech]

Absolutely not

 

[SimpleJack]

Goalie on Goalie, that's it.

Why even bother with goalies? You don’t really need anyone at all, just drop the puck and let it slide.

 

[BraveCanadian]

No

 

[Nineteen67]

To grow the game the best thing they could have done was to arrange it so the superstars are in the biggest markets. McDavid should be in one of the biggest markets. Same with Matthews. I get why they don’t but other sports would.

 

[WarriorOfGandhi]

Yeah I watch hockey for the fourth liners and defenders like Ryan Graves.

The same Ryan Graves who once led the entire league in +/-?

Seems like the issue is your ability to judge players in the sport, not the number of players in the sport

 

[Foppberg]

The players would revolt.

 

[digmor crusher]

No, there would be even less hitting then and more cupcake teams like the Leafs.

 

[Gunnersaurus Rex]

No. Terrible idea. 5 on 5 is perfect. Why screw up a good thing?
Only thing worse than 4 on 4 is 3 on 3.

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

The players would revolt.

Too bad, it’s 2025 and corporate interest rules all. You know that scene where the joker breaks that pool cue in half and has the criminals fight for their spot? It’s that, but with hockey sticks.

Seriously though, I actually kinda agree with OP. Players are so fast and skilled now, and strategies have evolved so much, that 5 vs. 5 gets a bit clogged now, sometimes. Luckily shooters are crazy nowadays, players have gotten better at shit like the shot-pass tip, so the game still works.

I do think 4 vs. 4 would be the way to go for a roller hockey league, though.

 

[MCB]

I see the summer threads have started early this year

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

Would benefit from bigger ice, players are so much faster now. 4 on 4 is another way to open things up.

 

[benfranklin]

No, and I say that as a former "pro" inline player. Its pure chaos and ends up being a version of 3v3 OT simply controlling the puck.

 

[kevsh]

For many of the great reasons already mentioned so far in this thread, and many more, I believe that if most fans watched one full 60-minute NHL game at 4v4 they would quickly agree it's a terrible idea.

Its pure chaos and ends up being a version of 3v3 OT simply controlling the puck.

Yes, with players fatiguing quickly leading to games slowing down dramatically to a puck possession, slow-motion borefest for the last 16 or so minutes of each period.

 

[cvaicunas]

This is the kind of idea I expect to see on Reddit.

 

[Super Hans]

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

yeah just like 3 v 3 is sooooo much more exciting

Start a league and recruit all these 100pts Jr players busting

i think its pronounced "bussin"