This is time for NHL to break away from it's early and conservative 20th century thinking, and embrace new century with a new sense of purpose. They can't say there are no examples, as all one has to do is look at NFL. True, NFL has biggest TV contract, but they changed their game to fit what audience wanted, which in turn is what will sell advertising revenue.

Americans love heroes. We love underdog too. Every hockey game has these elements. Back in 80's big bad Oliers led by Gretzky coming into town was an event - because you knew you were going to see many goals scored, they were defending champs, and they had best player at that time. Of course hometown team didn't have much of a chance to beat them, or did they?

People want more than just action of sport. Just about every sport played professionally can be played by any spectator. What makes a game great is added element of drama. The guy who takes 20 stitches to his face in 1st period, and then comes back in to score game-winning goal in 3rd. That's what people love to talk about. That's why playoffs are so exciting - every game has certainty, and a new hero is born every playoff year. Most go back into obscurity following year, while some maintain that momentum for rest of their careers.

It's from these moments of transformations when you see that 2nd-line winger becoming a clutch goal-scoring power forward.

It's in these moments when a spectator begins to believe that this former unkown player is not just good, but that they are a gamer.

It's in these moments that a spectator believes that player can win a game for them at any moment. It's one of rare times one can witness a hero being born. This is why a team will always have passion of a spectator, but a hero will always have their hearts.

That is what NHL needs to display. Office talk. Spectacular highlights. Things that people remember seeing. Things that average human can't do, but a professional athlete can. This why Americans identify so well to heroes. It's belief that at any given moment in time, that they too, could be great, if only for a brief shining moment.