Do you think that there is too many NHL teams?

Question

I remember back in the 80's when there was only 21 teams, it was awesome with the Québec Nordiques, Winnipeg Jets and the Hartford Whalers! In my opinion 30 is too much, diluting the talents. If so, which team should be out?

Answer 1

Remove Carolina first, then Columbus, Atlanta, Florida, Phoenix, and Tampa and Dallas. I would add Winnipeg, Hartford and Quebec, 3 cities that lost teams due to bad management and Gary Bettmans incompetence. The less teams the better the quality of the product is.

Answer 2

There's not really a dilution of talent when you think about it. Back in the 80s, you never had many Russians, Finns, Czechs, etc. So 9 teams have been added since then. But in that time, so has a couple of hundred international players, which easily takes the place on those teams.

Look at it this way: If the NHL got rid of nine teams, and also got rid of the international players, would the game be any better? No. It's just the rules are different now.

It appears more diluted because it's not as high scoring, but that is because of other factors: the neutral zone trap, bigger players on the same size surface, clutch and grab hockey (which the NHL is trying to get rid of), and bigger goalie equipment (compare what goalies wore in the 80s to now: huge difference in the amount of space they take up).

The NHL is not diluted. It's just that the game changed, and they didn't keep up with it.

Answer 3

I don't think I'd get rid of any teams or move any. Instead, I think the NHL ought to go with the European model of demoting teams to a second tier league if they don't win so many games - coaches, players, and all.

So say that the top 24 teams stay in the NHL, but the last 6 are relegated to the AHL. Include the AHL in the mix so that they're allowed to move up into the NHL if they're good enough.

Oh, and definitely shorten the season down to 60 games, but keep the playoff format pretty much the same.

It would make every single game worth something for everybody, and up the competitive level in the league.

Answer 4

The NHL is too diluted, but the rules are also damaging the game. But based on only cutting back teams...

I would delete:

Florida Panthers
Columbus Blue Jackets
Anaheim Ducks
San Jose Sharks
Atlanta Thrashers
Nashville Predators

I would also realign the divisions... How does Detroit NEVER play Toronto? The O-6 teams would play at least two games against each other. But that isn't your q.

Answer 5

a million) MLB: Tampa Bay Rays 2) NFL: Jacksonville Jaguars 3) NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning 4) NBA: N/A 5) college Basketball: N/A 6) college soccer: college of South Florida 7) soccer: Liverpool 8) Nascar: Kasey Kahne 9) Tennis; Amile Mauersmo 10) golf: Tiger Woods, regrettably

Answer 6

YES!!!! with all the new teams that's when the scoring went down less super stars per team. it would be nice to go back to 24 or 21 teams then they would be more super stars per team and higher scoring and we wouldn't have to change the rules all the time cause we are wrecking this beautiful game. almost 30% of NHLers wouldn't even of made the NHL back in the 80's sure they are good but not good enough. all this crap you hear about attendance in Florida and Tampa bay and Carolina is not true its just said to try and win over more fans. you could go buy a playoff ticket in Carolina on game day, which that means there is not allot of fan support for these teams. you couldn't even buy a ticket in Montreal for just a regular season game on game day you would need to buy it a week in advance.

teams to leave are: Tampa Bay, Florida, Anaheim, San Jose, Carolina, Phoenix, Columbus, Nashville and if Pittsburgh leaves then they should put them in Winnipeg. and bring back Nordiques, Whalers.

GO HABS GO!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

I think there are too many teams in all professional sports. But Gary Bettman made a huge mistake thinking hockey would be big in the Sun Belt. Other than Dallas and Carolina it hasn't worked. I think 24 teams would be good. You can have 6 4-team divisions or 4 6-team divisions. I would cut Pitt, NYI, Clb, Phx, Atl, and Fla

Answer 8

This is my answer to a similar question:

I'm one of those that feel the NHL will benefit nicely with a reduction of about 10 teams and some relocations as well. Some of my ideas:

Add: Winnipeg, Hamilton, Saskatoon, Seattle, Milwaukee.

Remove: Anaheim, Phoenix, Dallas, Columbus, Tampa Bay, Florida, Atlanta, Carolina, St. Louis, Nashville, Los Angeles, San Jose, Washington, and Pittsburgh.

Suggested alignment: (Milwaukee is optional)

FLYERS
NY Rangers
NY Islanders
New Jersey
Boston

Montreal
Toronto
Ottawa
Hamilton
Buffalo

Winnipeg
Saskatoon
Chicago
Detroit
Minnesota

Vancouver
Seattle
Edmonton
Calgary
Colorado

Answer 9

yes. there are too many teams that don't have alot of fans. pittsburgh, phoenix, washington need to go. i think some of these teams will be relocating in the future. in pittsburgh, they are mainly a football town. washington has been so awful in the past few years. the small market teams are really not drawing crowds like the bigger market teams like detroit, and colorado are. winning and being on top in the nhl brings fans but once a team loses they lose fans. if they went down to 24 teams and reduced the amount of games that they play it might bring more interest to the sport of hockey.

Answer 10

I think Carolina, Florida, San Jose, Anaheim and Columbus should be the first to go. I also think the season runs too long. I love the game and all but we were still watching into June! Cutting out a few teams would help out this problem.