Less Is More

This image, from last year's NHL All-Star Game, shows the player tracking that the NHL was working on then. Move forward one year, and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has stated to the world that player tracking will be used during the NHL playoffs this season with the hopes of improving the technology to the point where it could be used during reviews on plays and determining whether pucks crossed the goal line.

With regards to the title of this article, I appreciate the efforts the NHL is making to improve its statistical information, but there needs to be some separation of the technologies from the TV broadcasts and the online broadcasts. I get that the NHL is trying to make the game better for all, but let's let the TV broadcasts look like they always do without the player pointers and little stats bubbles that appear above players' heads while allowing those who are seeking a deeper statistical analysis to go online and wade through that flood of stats that are being generated.

Yes, it's cool to have the stats bubbles pop up and deliver all sorts of information relevant to the player, but it's also slightly distracting as it forced the viewer's eye away from the puck and player. Like VH1's Pop-Up Video, you spend less time watching the game and more time reading the pop-ups. If the action on the ice is the most important part of the viewing experience, why is the NHL taking eyes off that? Shouldn't the game, not the pop-ups, be the most important part in watching the game?

Do I think the technology is cool and could provide all sorts of great stats and overlays for broadcasters between plays when discussing the action on the ice? Absolutely. The options for broadcasters to use all sorts of the info becomes nearly infinite as stats and information are blended with creativity and analysis, and there is already seamless integration where computer screens for NHL Advanced Stats can be displayed on television broadcasts. Beyond that, as stated above, the networks can then start using the stats found on the NHL Advanced Stats site for their own overlays and screens, and that opens up all sorts of options.

As it stands, I liked the presentation of the stats this weekend in the trial run the NHL did with the NHL All-Star Skills Competition, but I also just want to watch the game. Let me go back and find the stats I want or need during or after the game without taking anything away from the actual competition on the ice with pop-up bubbles and player pointers.

I might be in the minority here, but less is more when watching hockey.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!