1. Stop selling Sidney Crosby as the (only) savior of hockey - Ok Canada, we know you invented hockey and we respect that but here is some truth that might sting a bit. Sid the kid is not the best player in the world. For that matter he is not even the best player on his team (see Malkin). Sidney is a very talented kid but asking him to carry the weight of a country/sport is unfair to him and the sport. Besides the fact that I can roll off about 5-10 players that are better than Sid right now. Sidney Crosby could wind up being the "next one" but it is pretty obvious he ain't there yet. For the future of the game the NHL officials need to share that spotlight with many players that are equally deserving of national spotlight even if they are not from Canada.
2.
Give NBC the power to change nationally televised games - All of these games that feature the Rangers and Penguins (teams that stink) are not good for the league no matter how popular a couple of players might be. I'd much rather see teams actually in the playoff race than teams that are hanging on by a toe nail. Again, for the good of the sport it is time to put your
best teams on display and not try to shove one guy down everyone's throat.
3.
Addition by Contraction - I am all for moving hockey teams out of faltering US Cities and placing them back in Canadian cities. The sport will be better for it.
4.
Protect the players and improve the product - As a 17 year Army veteran I am well aware of all of the tradition and testosterone involved in hockey. The problem comes when key players miss so many games to preventable injuries. Players should be required to wear maximum face/head protection at a minimum. If that means a complete face cage then so be it. It is very hard to market a sport when key players are not on the ice. Richard Zednik's injury warrants that the NHL cover up the neck area as well. I'm sure all players would appreciate more leg protection when they go to block shots. The bottom line is every effort should be made to keep players on the ice even if that means breaking
some played out, bizarro world tough guy traditions.
5.
Keep fighting in the sport - I believe fighting is hockey's form of self-policing. I do think refs should break up any fights without helmets but you must keep that element in the game. If you do not like the fights watch tennis!
6.
Parity - Parity - Parity - Hockey for the most part is much better off in this area than MLB and NBA but nothing would grow the sport faster than if every team had a legitimate chance to hoist the cup at season's end. I believe hockey is on the right path but I think a little contraction and other elements of my master plan need to take place before parity is a consistent reality in the NHL. The key to hockey's growth is the fans in every city feeling like this could be the year (see the NFL).