from Damien Cox of The Spin,
The drop in the standard of rule-calling in recent seasons has contributed to the drop in goal-scoring, producing Dead Puck Era II with the usual excuse-makers and apologists making the same excuses and apologies as was the case prior to 2004. If one suggests an endless procession of 2-1 games isn't particularly enthralling, one is told to like it or watch something else, and the conversation gets only dumber from there.
The NHL game isn't designed for the Crosbys, David Krejcis etc. It has once again fallen into the hands of the lowest common denominator as a failure to take care of the game has again shown itself to be the Achilles heel of Gary Bettman and his long tenure as czar of the NHL.
It's up to the great players to wade through the muck and try to produce the odd moment of creativity and skill. They are treated as interlopers, rather than as the unique talents they are.
It won't change anytime soon, not with the NHL in denial once more. The players can do something about it if they like through the competition committee or they, including Crosby, just have to accept it.
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