European NHL

This post could also be called "If I were the King of the Universe..." So that should tell you where I am going with this.

Of the major North American sports (yes, hockey is one of them and, no, soccer is not), it seems obvious to me that hockey has the greatest appeal and participation in Europe. With the latest developments in world economies, the Eurozone combined economy is now on par with the United States economy in terms of size (The pivot point, based on 2007 GDP, is 1.56 dollars to the euro.) and the combined European economy is as large or perhaps larger than a combined United States - Canadian economy. But America/Canada has numerous continent spanning sports leagues (MLB, NFL, NBA in addition to the NHL) while Europe has only one large one of which I am aware - the Champions League. Again, it seems obvious to me that Europe can support one continent spanning hockey league. The question for the NHL is whether they define it or does someone else (IIHF) define it.

As King of the Universe and the NHL, I would want to define it before the nascent Champions Hockey League grows roots. So here is my plan:

1) A 24 team North American division and a 12 team European division. I would propose that 6 teams from the current NHL be dissolved. This would coincide immediately with 12 expansion teams in Europe.

2) Six dissolved NHL teams: The 6 NHL team owners will have the option of owning one of the new European franchises outright or selling those rights to a suitable owner. The six franchises will be chosen based on a formula using number of season ticket holders and total revenue generated with special attention to doubled and trebled markets (I'm looking at you, LA and NY). Some of the owners will resist but the prospect of moving to a tier one European city should be a step up from either a third tier American city or being the undercard in a tier one American city.

3) Dissolve the six transferred NHL teams: All of the players would be added to the expansion draft for the now 12 expansion teams. This will level the playing field, at least among the European teams.

4) Expansion team ownership: The prime markets for these European teams already have nation-based leagues that will cry fowl at the revenue lost. I would propose that these leagues own, at least in part or temporarily, one expansion team that enters its home market. The RSL could own either the Moscow team or the St. Petersburg team, but not both. The team rights that are not owned by the former NHL owners or European leagues will be sold and the money distributed to the surviving owners.

5) Expansion draft: Aside from the players from the dissolved teams, players and prospects from surviving NHL teams would be added to the draft pool. Each team will be able to protect 14 players on its current roster and 10 prospects (arbitrary number) from the draft. All other players are fair game.

6) Restricted inter-league play: The travel for the teams will be horrendous if it is not restricted. I propose that play be restricted to one or two weeks a year leading into the All-Star game. The teams will travel to whichever continent the the All-Star is being held on.

7) North America ice surface: The leagues in Europe will use the North American sized ice rinks. This will mean building out the rinks from scratch (many do not exist to begin with) or adapting current rinks. This will insure that playing styles will be similar and that one league will not have an advantage over the other.

8) Restricted playoffs: The North American division will have three rounds, the first a best of five series. The European division will have two rounds. There will then be a final series between NA and Eu in a seven game series. The early rounds are restricted and condensed to allow extra travel time for the finals.

Well, I think that is everything. Of course, I didn't look at how this will work out financially. My hope would be that in ten years, the European clubs are self-sustaining. This could open the door for a rival NA league in the abandoned markets. Talent dilution could be a problem. I welcome comments.