>>I think one man can do it, and I think Bob Gainey is one such person.
>>
>>But your second point - make the game interesting again - is crucial for the long term. Goons and trap plays make for LOUSY hockey.
>>
>>cheers
>
>I think Gainey is THE one as well. You also have the likes of Gretzky and Lemieux (sp?) in ownership positions that made a last ditch effort to save this season. We will still have them when sanity is restored to the league.
>
>If I were NHL King for a day:
>
>Fighting should be an auto ejection, 5 minute major to be served by another player on the ice at the time, and possible suspension for the next game. A fighting suspension means you do NOT get to replace that player in the line up. You go with 19 players, not 20. If a goon tries to start something with a skill player, eject the goon. If the skill player warrants ejection along with the goon, eject a skilled teammate of the goon as well - other team's choice of which skilled opponent to eject except the goalie.
>
>No center line and reduce size of neutral zone
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>Tag-up offsides.
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>Goalie can not leave the crease area. If he does, he is subject to legal checking by the opponent. Alternatively, if he goes behind the goal line, he is subject to legal checking unless he has covered the puck in order to stop play.
>
>Enforce obstruction, no puck/no checking, grabbing, clutching. Fine refs who do not enforce this.
>
>No using the blade or lower portion of the stick to tug at or otherwise touch an opponent at any time.

Mark;

Good ideas! Who needs Gainey? Let's go with Mark! :)

I do think your suggestions would be huge improvements.

Tom