By / Larry Feist
Anybody remember what a snore the late-‘90s were?
I do, and a close look at March 1999 will jog most people’s memories. And never mind Brett Hull’s foot in the crease on a Stanley Cup-winning goal. It was a goal in the face of a stupid rule. Funny too that Lindy Ruff, the all time whiner coach, is still in Buffalo.
These were not good times.
The NHL was still pre-Minnesota, -Atlanta and -Columbus and way pre-parity. There were still unadulterated ties; no circus bonus points for losing.
Now you can tie one phase of the game and lose one of two phases and get a point. Sounds kind of like an NDP idea – reward everyone for doing nothing.
One thing for sure is there were zero playoff races.
The season ended in the East with the New York Rangers as the closest team out of the playoffs – they only missed by 13 points.
The West was slightly better with Calgary missing by six points and then the next closest was Chicago, eight out.
As of press time, with most teams around the 12-games-to-play level, the West is crazy – sixth to 11th is only separated by five points and the East is super tight as well with sixth to 10th only separated by six points.
This makes for fantastic fan involvement. Every night, teams are moving up or down by as many as five places.
The trade deadline being moved up two weeks had a huge impact as well.
In 1999, we all new the 10-plus sellers by Christmas.
In 2009, there were virtually only five to seven sellers out of 30 teams.
Even one of the sellers, Phoenix, may have won the trade deadline frenzy with some solid acquisitions that can help their present and their future fortunes.
Most people hate the OT-losses and shootout losses, otherwise known as circus points, but no one can hate the result. Twenty-three to 25 NHL cities are still pumped with 30 days to go – a far cry from March 1999. |