February 18, 2008 Nine Ways The NHL Should Be Like College Hockey • No-Touch Icing: We understand that two players racing the length of the ice to get to the puck first can be exciting, but it can also be dangerous. • 50-50 Drawings: On a Saturday night in, say, Montreal, a capacity crowd of more than 21,000 fans could easily send the jackpot into six figures. We'd give the other 50% to charity, or to the past players' pension fund. • Two-Game, Same-Site Series: Imagine the venom if Calgary and Edmonton played back-to-back games at the Saddledome, or consecutive Detroit-Colorado contests during the Dino Ciccarelli "I can't believe I shook his friggin' hand" days. • Cheerleaders: Sure, only a handful of Division I programs have 'em, but we'll take the college cheerleaders over those corny dancers and ice girls. • Fewer Games: We don't suggest the NHL cut down to 36 games, and we know the owners will never give up 8-10 games (and the revenues that accompany them), but a 72-game schedule would mean more rest for the players, and a better product on the ice. • Line Charts: Believe us when we say that there is nothing more beautiful — and nothing that tells a more complete story in so few words — than a thoughtfully designed line chart. It's a thing of beauty. • Wearing White Sweaters at Home: Did the NHL really change this protocol so fans would plunk down a fistful of cash to buy team color sweaters? • Six Commissioners: More heads are better than one. Fortunately the NHL has been able to recently embrace the concept of working together between players, administration, and ownership. • The Stick Salute: The Chicago Blackhawks did a great thing in front of a full house on Sunday afternoon and we can't help but think the team was influenced by the likes of Burish, Toews, and Adams.