One thing that should be changed is a situation such as caused by Dany Heatly. This guy signs a “no trade” contract and then “demands a trade” . . . if the NHL would build a clause into every contract that included: “If you demand a trade the no trade portion of your contract is null and void.” Here is a guy who like Ted Kennedy should be thankful he wasn’t in jail for killing someone holding a gun to the Ottawa Senators head. There’s something just not right about that.

<< The idea of the entry draft positions and lottery is to make it so that the teams that are not so good can get better – the tournament would eliminate that possibility.

I completely understand why the Entry Draft works in reverse order. Do you understand that some teams TANK and the end of the season gets to be pretty much meaningless. Yet full price is charged for the tickets. That's what teams do at the end of the year… they TANK. Whether they admit it or not or they do it unconsciously it doesn't matter. It's done to get a better choice. They sell-off assets at the trade deadline – players change teams which isn't a good thing. Possibly a tournament of the bottom-eight and top-eight would work better. The idea is also to drive revenue for each franchise and stop the meaningless games at the end of the season.

<< Expanding 8 teams is an insane idea – especially in this economy – if you were to do it expand two teams and have each conference be 4 divisions – this would slow down talent going to the KHL.

What would the economy have to do with it? The expansion isn't to slow down players moving to the KHL its to stop teams from relocating. If you are in all the cities that can operate profitably then teams can't threaten to move anywhere. Think back as a fan when the Kansas City move looked to be a reality… did you feel getting shafted as a fan. I did.

All of the suggestions are to load up major cities and then possibly merge with the KHL and possibly the SEL whereas the game becomes a world-wide league… something that football, baseball, and basketball doesn't have.

<< The Maple Leafs huge pull with the NHL is the only thing keeping hockey out of hamilton.

That's the rumor, anyhow. Prior to the 60's Montreal had a choke hold on getting players. There was no entry draft but they had exclusive rights to players from Quebec. The Toronto Maple Leafs had a similar network in Ontario. Not fair but that was the agreement with the other 4 teams. It's no wonder how they were able to win so many Stanley Cups. Stuff happens and things change.
Some of these arenas such as in Hamilton (Copps Coliseum )would have to meet standards for capacity.

<< If the KHL expands to eastern europe, that could create a world league like you are talking with the stanley cup winner taking on the KHL winner, that would be some interesting hockey, but would also lower the Stanley Cup’s value.

Hmmmm? How's that? At one time the AFL was a discounted league and today you can't tell the difference. When Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Cleveland went from the NFL to the AFL people (purists) were screaming about it. In my humble opinion having the 'world' participate in the Stanley Cup would kind-of raise the 'value'… if by 'value' you meant importance and recognition.

I appreciate your thoughts – this is how ideas get formulated, right.

The idea of the entry draft positions and lottery is to make it so that the teams that are not so good can get better – the tournament would eliminate that possibility.

Expanding 8 teams is an insane idea – especially in this economy – if you were to do it expand two teams and have each conference be 4 divisions – this would slow down talent going to the KHL. The Maple Leafs huge pull with the NHL is the only thing keeping hockey out of hamilton.

If the KHL expands to eastern europe, that could create a world league like you are talking with the stanley cup winner taking on the KHL winner, that would be some interesting hockey, but would also lower the Stanley Cup’s value.

Franchise players are fine – keep the cap, it’s working.