Shootout no more?

Sidney Crosby excited for three-on-three
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The NHL has made its decision to change the overtime rules for the 2015-2016 season. When the NHL came out of lockout in 2005 the league needed to increase its fan base and to do that more excitement needed to be generated. The decision was made to not let regular season games end in a tie so the shootout was created.

Hockey is a team game and it is one of few sports which requires all five players to play defense and offense. Hockey players are the best conditioned athletes in professional sports. The athletic ability and talent of these players are off the charts incredible. The NHL knew the product they had on the ice would lend itself to excitement in the form of a shootout if the four-on-four five minute OT period ended in a tie. The thought was the shootout could grow the NHL's fan base if enough of the games went to a shootout. That was a nice thought  and 13 percent of all NHL games since 2005 have ended in a shootout. The shootout divided the die hard and casual fans. The die hards are against the shootout because it seems amateurish and takes away from the team game. Casual fans just want to get the biggest bang for their buck and seeing 13 rounds of a shootout is nail biting stuff. There are games when the regulation periods are just dull and it's clear the players do not have the jump they usually play with and those are the games you pray for a shootout. The shootout creates drama but the downside is it has become a skills competition.

The NHL All-Star weekend is the perfect time to watch shootout competitions where the best of the best can showcase their talents and have fun. The regular season is not the place for individuals to show off.  160 games per year decided in a shootout is too high of a number to be decided on an individual's talent.

When Sidney Crosby entered the league in 2005 the game was wide open for him and players like him to display their talents and win games, wen penalties were still called. When the rules are enforced the way they are written that decreases a team from taking dumb penalties and increases the rate of play. But as of late referees have put their whistles in their pockets so star players have less room to work. Players such as Patrick Kane, Jonathan Towes, Crosby, Malkin, Corey Perry and Tyler Johnson would all benefit from a game which moved quicker and cleaner.

NHL stars should be thrilled with the three-on-three OT. There is a possibility games going into shootouts will drop to six percent next season which could then decrease the average length of games. There will be all kinds of room, nothing but quality scoring opportunities and odd-man rushes. In those moments, great players can actually have fun. The NHL long ago lost that quality. The other aspects of the game you will be able to see during the new OT format are faster breakouts and breakaways which transition to shootouts, best of both worlds. Crosby told Dejan Kovacevic he is hopeful more games will end in regulation and he is looking forward to the fans reactions.