Hockey is changing FAST... THIS is why.. 

I'm fine with the skill level continuing to evolve, but what I'm not fine with is every year a new ad is put in on the ice and now they're putting add's on jerseys. It's cheapening the brand and kinda ruining the aesthetic of the game for me :(

I think it has always been the case that when you have a skilled player who looks at the game differently you will get something really special. There is the story of Gretzky as a kid watching a hockey game on TV and he had a pencil and pad of paper and he was keeping track of where the puck travelled. He explained to his Dad that where the lines crossed is where the puck is most often and that is where he will be.

First of all, an increase of skill at the highest level is always great to watch. The problem with this Instagram hockey is though, young players neglect the more important part of the game, playing without and against the Puck. In the extreme this could lead to basketballisation of hockey. Which is, in my humble opinion, less attractive, and needs less over all skill. Focusing more on what zou do without the Puck i.e. most if the game, makes a lot more sense

I kind of find it interesting how you didn't mention Patrick Kane once I. Your video talking about the evolution of skill in the NHL. Arguably the best American born player to ever play the game. His stick skills were absolutely unrivaled for years.

I played for about 6 years, and while I do miss it, the level of skill required to be successful in the current and future NHL meta is going to seriously require that defensive players become more and more offensively minded. Getting yourself to the point or even doing everything you can to cut off routes for higher skilled shooters and passers is going to be the most important thing in the coming years. Players like Bedard are going to only get better by the time their ticket comes up.

I am 67, and my playing career ended at the collegiate level in 1975 . I should not be the type of individual in your audience, but I am. I love the way you describe the future of the world’s greatest game, and I’m enthused about the changes you describe. After growing up avidly watching and playing the game, I dropped it like a hot rock, primarily because of the Philadelphia Flyers, their style of play, and because the league tried to copy their formula. I missed some great hockey as a result: the Islanders, the Oilers, GUY F’ING LE FLEUR! I came back to the game after seeing the rule changes in the 2000’s that allowed skilled players to be skilled. As for what you describe, bring it on. The game should be more skilled, more diverse, certainly more “brown,” should inspire kids to push the game’s envelope. Good for you that you recognize and appreciate this vision!

Personally, I love the level of skill that’s coming into the game, but I do miss the fighting & physical elements that the early 2000s & 90s had. I don’t think the game will ever revert back to that, and if it doesn’t, that’s ok too considering the level of talent coming into the league.

ABSOLUTELY i do believe your analysis and i think its GREAT for the game. Its WAAAY more exciting to see players pull off the lacrosse moves etc. The stick handling skills. Amazing stuff...

I’m all for the increased level of skill. I just want to emphasize that this is still a team sport and that all that fancy stick work can also be replaced by a simple pass. I always admired the players that “came 2nd” to some other superstar, recognizing that they themselves were extraordinary talents. Gretzky was an all time great, but so was Messier. Sid was and still is a generational talent that inspired millions. But when you think about it, so did Malkin. Hockey still needs players that are smart because most of the time you don’t have the puck on your stick. And a pass is always faster than a skater. And it’s not like Messier and Malkin and Peter Foresburg weren’t fantastic scorers and stick handlers themselves. The future of hockey isn’t developing a specific skill set but rather knowing all the skill sets to ensure the best possible outcome for the entire line, not just one person. You could have a first line center that doesn’t score a thing. But if the wings next to him are putting up 40+ goals a season obviously he’s doing something right.

The increase in skills are fantastic however I’d like to see the goons come back

I'm a very new fan of hockey -- that is, I just started following it around two months ago -- but I love the focus on skill flushing into the competition. It makes for a far more interesting Cup (and hell, even preseason).

Spot on video analysis of how the game got to its current state. It will be tremendous to see the game continue to evolve this way. There will be a premium paid for younger players coming up who can play with this level of skill and athleticism but can add a physical, gritty element to the game within the current rules. Will be great to see.

Great video bro. I 100% agree with you!

It is inevitable. The NBA has gone through this several times in my lifetime. With the introduction of the dunk, then the 3 point line, then the ever reducing shot clock, players have had to get better.

One thing I see is the return of the wrist shot. For many years the snap shot became the new way to beat goalies and the old “slower” joe sakic/marcus naslund style wrist shot was out. But now you see guys opting for the increased accuracy of the wrist shot again. Might be my imagination but it is something I noticed happening more now.

So many more year round hockey resources now to take advantage of, like plastic ice, graphite sticks and training aids that expand the ice time experience. Lots of coaches and trainers offer year round conditioning, diet and drill choices that a prospect can work on their game for many hours every day, regardless of weather or location. Also, the players are now on average 5 inches taller than the average NHLers of the 70s, making their strides longer and skating faster. It's exciting, as long as they don't make it look like soccer with no hitting or fights.

i feel like its gonna be a infinite cycle, players will keep getting more and more skillful to the point that ultra defensive players will come thru and change the game and then back to ultra offensive players etc etc

You're missing the genesis of the skill game with the Red Wings bringing in the Russian and Swedish players who started this evolution. Players like Fedorov, Kozlov, Larionov and Lidstrom changed the game with their skating and passing. Bobby Orr was also doing this stuff back in the 1960s.

Great comments and analysis, your hockey sense is awesome!

Once again proving how underrated Leon is, matthews and makar were listed first here