LEARNING FROM THE LOCKOUT
by Gaby Martinez  |  Hockeytalk.biz

April 28, 2011 -- In 2004-2005 the NHL stopped play because of labor arguments between the players and management.  The NHL and the NHL Players Association (NHLPA) could not come to an agreement on the collective bargaining agreement before the start of the season, and therefore, suspended play for a season. 

With the NFL in the midst of a lockout and with a NBA lockout imminent next season, it seems like an appropriate time to evaluate the appropriateness and effectiveness of the NHL lockout. 

The demoralizing labor strife brought sadness and depression to fans, it ultimately brought an overall better game and product to its fans.

Six seasons removed from the lockout, it seems that hockey is back and better than ever.  Although most would say that this hurt the NHL tremendously, it has, in fact, improved and shaped the game in many ways.  Many changes and adjustments were made to the game to make it the best that it has been in a long time and arguably ever.

During that break, NHL officials and executives had the time to analyze the game and make some much needed improvements.  Rule changes made during the 2004-2005 lockout have helped to improve the game by making it more exciting and enjoyable for the fans and safer for the players. 

Thanks largely in part to the work of Colin Campbell and a newly-formed competition committee led by ex-player Brendan Shanahan, the league adopted six new rules for the 2005-2006 season. 

1. The Shootout.  The first and lately most impactful rule change with regards to playoff positioning was the addition of the shootout.  This addition adds excitement to regular season games and allows for the league to showcase its star athletes in a fun and exciting way.  This change has caused some controversy as of late because teams have been advancing to the playoffs as a result of losses in either overtime or shootout or shootout wins and not regulation or overtime wins.  The NHL solved this problem this season and made the tiebreaker for entering the playoffs regulation or overtime wins.

2. Reduction of goaltender pad sizes.  Another very impactful rule is the reduction of the goaltender pad sizes from 12 inches to 11 inches.  Although this reduction seems slight and unnecessary, it has tremendously benefited the game.  Since the lockout scoring has significantly increased and made the game more exciting to fans and thus has related to an increase in TV ratings.  This scoring increase has allowed for the league to showcase its top stars like Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby through prevalent scoring. 

Since the institution of smaller goalie pads, the NHL average goals per game has increased.  From the 2000-2001 season to the 2003-2004 season the average goals per game was 5.3.  After the change from the 2005-2006 season to the 2009-2010 season, the average goals per game was 5.7.  Although this is a slight increase, it still indicates that these new rule changes have resulted in higher scoring games.  This is appreciated by the fans who love exciting, high scoring games.  Other rule changes have also been responsible for higher scoring games.

3. Elimination of play stoppage for two-line passes.  The legalization of two two-line pass, another rule change, has allowed for a more open game with more speed, skill, and finesse.  It also has provided for more breakaways and thus goals or scoring chances.

4. Obstruction crackdown.  Another implicit rule change called for referees to follow a stricter enforcement of the rules especially with regards to hooking, holding, tripping, slashing, cross checking and interference.

These rule changes immediately following the lockout positively influenced the game.  Another post-lockout change for the 2007-2008 season was the schedule change.  This change allowed for each team to play every team in the opposite conference at least once.  At the expense of two less divisional games per season, fans earned the chance to see each opposing conference team at least once, a trade that most fans would favor.Fans now get the opportunity to see NHL stars on a more consistent basis than in the previous schedule.

PROOF POSITIVE: TV RATINGS

During the 2005-2006 season, TV/radio ratings were down, and it seemed that some casual hockey fans lost interest in the game while it took a break.  These low ratings and viewership numbers were expected because of the lockout.  This lack of viewership was also a result of the NHL’s new partnership with Versus, then an up and coming sports station.  Although less homes had Versus compared to ESPN, the NHL’s previous channel partner, Versus gave better and more coverage to NHL games and events.  The NHL also began a partnership with NBC which began showing a Game of the Week every Sunday.

Lately however, ratings have been progressively been getting higher and have reached record heights with Versus and NBC.  The Stanley Cup playoffs and Winter Classics have greatly interested fans and resulted in higher TV ratings and viewership numbers. 

Last season's game two of theStanleyCup Finals between the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers drew a 4.1 overnight rating the highest for the NHL since 1975. 

‘CLASSIC’ SUCCESS:

The last two Winter Classics have also drawn record heights.  The 2010 Winter Classic between the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers at Fenway Park drew a 2.1 rating.  The 2011 Winter Classic between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals at Heinz Field drew a 2.3 rating and 4.56 million viewers. 

Although these TV numbers are nothing compared to the NFL and NBA, it does show that NHL ratings and viewership numbers are consistently increasing.  This is mostly a result of higher scoring games, showcasing of top stars, and great TV station partnerships with NBC and Versus.

Regular season viewership numbers have also increased.  Versus received its highest NHL regular season viewership.  Its numbers increased by 17% since last season.  Since 2005, thenumber of homes with Versus has increased from 64 million to 79 million.  Although Versus does not come close to ESPN in number of homes with the channel, it does show that number of homes receiving the channel is increasing on a consistent basis. 

The NHL has been really pleased with its TV partners and renewed the contracts with Versus and NBC through the 2020-2021 season.  NBC will be showing a total of 100 games to the national audiences per year.  Versus will increase its number of games per season from 50 to 90.

Commissioner Gary Bettman affirmed the success of the NHL on Versus and NBC, “This for us is a great place to be. Versus' coverage of our game has been extraordinary. Hockey fans have found it and have been telling us on a regular basis that the coverage is terrific, and I think it's going to get better.”

Overall, although the 2004-2005 NHL lockout was detrimental to the game in many ways, it allowed for several much needed improvements.  The game improved tremendously through new rule changes.  Eventually, TV ratings improved dramatically after the lockout.  The game overall has become more popular and appealing to current fans and attractive to prospective fans through post-lockout changes. 

Sometime in the future, the lockout will be looked to as a turning point in the game’s history forever changing it for the better.  Although it would be horrible if the NFL or NBA were to remain in a lockout for an entire season, those leagues like the NHL could look to it as a possibility for improvements of the games.

Gaby Martinez is a frequent contributor to Hockeytalk.biz.  She is a junior at Mater Dei High School in Orange County.

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