Scoring in the league has been decreasing, well since the 1918-1927 decade.  If, you are wondering, that is a significant period of time.  I am not sure why league officials are still satisfied with the current scoring results.  Maybe, they didn't have time to read Jeff Z. Klein's NYTimes Slapshot blog post. Well, I have some news for you nonbelievers.  Actually, Klein does.

"Looking at the scoring average for each decade since the N.H.L. was founded, we can see that it’s been more than half a century since league games have been so low-scoring."

1917-18 to ‘26-27: 6.88
1927-28 to ‘36-37: 4.81
1937-38 to ‘46-47: 6.15
1947-48 to ‘56-57: 5.24
1957-58 to ‘66-67: 5.86
1967-68 to ‘76-77: 6.30
1977-78 to ‘86-87: 7.46
1987-88 to ‘96-97: 6.71
1997-98 to ‘07-08: 5.32

From what I am seeing, scoring averages have dropped 1.5 goals per game since the first decade.  We are taking into consideration the vast differences in play since the early years.  With that said, hockey is struggling to attract fans and many loyalists are calling the league to increase scoring, which they attempted to do after the most recent strike a few years back.

Any brilliant solutions?

Darren Eliot of SI.com:

"Personally, I think it is an item for future debate. I even believe a viable option is adding a line 10' to 12' from the blueline in each zone that defenders would be required to stay above in order to cover the point men. It would limit a team's ability to pack all five defenders down around their goal, as most now do, and promote three-on-three action below the tops of the circles. That in turn would allow offensive players more ice and increased one-on-one situations in which they could really benefit from the anti-obstruction officiating standard."

I really like this idea, even though it is somewhat radical.  Players, who have been in the league for a long time, would have to adjust to a new system.

As a true hockey fan, I know that Commissioner Gary Bettman still believes the league is fine for now (what an idiot).  Therefore, I do not see any substantial changes in the near future.  But, Eliot definitely opened up my eyes to an interesting, possible solution.

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