Why wait on the WHA with the 4 on 4

[spider]

Why wait on the WHA to decide on the 4 on 4 thing? I think it's a great idea. Why not start a grass roots 4 on 4 hockey league, maybe 6 - 8 teams in the first year and then expand as needed.
I think it's a truly unique concept and it would be greatly accepted in the hockey world.

[REVVED]

Why wait on the WHA to decide on the 4 on 4 thing? I think it's a great idea. Why not start a grass roots 4 on 4 hockey league, maybe 6 - 8 teams in the first year and then expand as needed.
I think it's a truly unique concept and it would be greatly accepted in the hockey world.

Not to the 2d winger that gets dropped down or loses his job because of lack of ice time :lol: How about getting rid of Goalies, too, while we're at it - that HAS to increase scoring and open the ice :twisted:

[spider]

I'm not talking taking away jobs but adding to them. With a new league, this will open up more opp's for pro hockey players.
If the game is a little unique it will also help at the gate.

[Magnum357]

I agree. Revved is just being close minded on 4-on-4 hockey and thinks the idea is a joke. I disagree with his opinion and I think it would be a big hit.

If WHA doesn't want too go with this idea, I could definitly see Spiders idea of 4-on-4 hockey being very successful for a small 8 team league, possibly even Minor league in calibure. It wouldn't eliminate jobs, it would be a whole new system of Hockey. Also, it doesn't nessessarly eliminate a wingers job. If teams run a 3-1 setup instead of a 2-2 setup, it would be one less defensemen. This would make the game have even more strategy kinda like the difference between a 3-4 defense versus a 4-3 defense in football.

Like I said in another post, when the NHL lockout ends, the WHA needs something that gives its game an edge over the NHL's. I think this could be one possibility too do that.

[Big Chris]

The WHA starts up next season so we aren't going to have to wait very long. Besides, you wouldn't be able to start up any sooner then the WHA will.

[peetie12]

You guys should all go and check out an IIHL game sometime. After the game you will realize that the pro hockey world is entirely too watered down and even the thought of trying to create more jobs scares me. There are guys in the IIHL who can barely skate. Hopefully these players will eventually move aside for more quality players, but these guys are getting harder and harder to find.

In short, more leagues trying to create more jobs is more of a bad idea.

[SignGuyDino]

As I stated elsewhere, the WHA2 really should be playing 4 on 4 now to see how it works. Personally, I don't think you will need to get rid of the red line for 2 line passes. Play a season in the WHA2 however to see how it works out. Then if the WHA takes off you'll have an idea how it works. We don't need 9-8 games, 5-4 games will do just fine.

Another league isn't the answer per se, getting the WHA2 or another league to make the bold move too is.

Players are going to lose their jobs anyway with the lockout bumping people down in domino effect, even if most NHL'ers do go to Europe.

[Magnum357]

Well, I suppose keeping the "No 2 Line pass rule" might be a wise idea. Although I don't mind seeing 9-8 score games in Hockey, I never was a big fan of the rule, but it might be best too keep most ot the standard rules of Hockey in place (even Crease rule). 4-on-4 Hockey is a much wider open game and most rules established over the past 75 years could easily balance out a 4-on-4 hockey league. I would however, not allow Powerkilling too go below 3 skaters on the ice (4 versus 3). The RHI used minimum Powerkilling of 2 players which I had alway thought was too few players for a Powerkilling unit. With few Skaters actually playing, scoring will automatically be higher so going any lower then 3 players on a PK unit is not nessessary. As a matter of fact, what a 4-on-4 league should do if more then one penetly on a team is called is too allow a 5-on-3 situation much like how the NHL is doing with its OT.

I sort of disagree with peetie12's idea that another Hockey League would further dilute Hockeys talent. One of the beauties of 4-on-4 Hockey is that is forces the issue of finding players with really good Hockey skills (Puck handling, Skating, excellent stoping, etc.) and keeps big brusiers limited. Also, another thing that would be interesting too see is how well the Top Goalies in other league (even the NHL) would fair with such wide open Hockey. More shots, breakaways and passing would make 4-on-4 hockey a challenge for any Goalie.

[peetie12]

True, but unless scouts can compare apples to apples, there will always be some question as to the validity of a player's talent when they are playing 100% 4 on 4. You must also remeber that the "big bruisers" do have a place on the team. There should always be at least one, but no more than three, fighters on a team. Fans want to see some blood too; always have, always will. Maybe a better idea would be to bring the bruisers out during the intermissions only and let them duke it out then.

[Magnum357]

Hey, I'm not saying it would eliminate them, but 4-on-4 Hockey would definitly limit them within the game. Their would be more incentive to find players with good Hockey skills. As for scouts looking for Talent, yes you would be correct that it would be difficult if you are trying too find talent for the NHL or something. This kind of Hockey would be much different then NHL Hockey much like Arena Football is different too NFL football. It could create a whole different system of Hockey similar too what we are seeing with the Arena/Indoor leagues.

Like I said, I have no idea if the WHA wants too do this. They might laugh at the idea, but it would be neat idea for a Minor League. Their are sooooo many Minor Leagues out their that they are almost all the same. This would be a nice Alternative and could be fairly popular.

[Sewer-rat]

What if a league like this started at the end of season play (incl. playoffs), or if it started at the end of Summer to the begining of the Fall right before training camps start. This end of summer play might help get people hungry for regular 5 on 5 hockey. This might help them compliment each other. The 4 on 4 would help the players get in shape for camp, and get the people hungry for the 5 on 5 minor league seaso, and possibaly generate intrest in cities where hockey hasn't worked, or hasn't been tried yet. Just a thought.

[SignGuyDino]

Some arenas here in the south simply can't have ice hockey in the summer. It's a shame because arenas lose boatloads of money in the summer because there's no real summer sport anyone cares about generating enough revenue.

I thiink the WHA2 should start playing 4 on 4 right after their all-star break...

Of course, the WHA2 isn't doing too hot in 3 cities from what I hear, especially Miami. If they don't make it to season 2, it will kill the WHA's credibility right there.

[Magnum357]

Ya, I have heard aswell that a couple of cities in WHA2 are not doing so well. I really do agree with you Dino that the WHA2 should have started using 4-on-4 rules right away when the season started, espeically if the WHA is considering using the rules. If nothing else, the WHA should tell the WHA2 too do it after the Alstar Break, but I doubt its going too happen.

[Sewer-rat]

I was visiting friends in Alabama this week, and we went to see the slammers play Lakeland. Alabama was ok, but the product that Lakeland brought to the ice was not good. I belive they have to do a little better in lakeland, or that team will be gone, and if people see that, they might think that that's what the whole league is about.

[SignGuyDino]

If you believe all the message board rumors, the WHA2 is in some trouble. I do know there are some cities with poor attendance, I don't know if they are in "trouble."

However, I wouldn't be surprised if they go 4 on 4 out of immediate necessity. Easy way to cut payroll.

[Magnum357]

Well, it could be one way too cut players, but if I recall I think the limit you can have on an WHA2 team is 16 players (just like the WHA is going too have). But I still hope that the WHA tells the WHA2 too go 4 on 4 in order too test the product for their league.