The NHL is moving at a fast pace and so are the young players often coming into the leave at 18. Crosby is somewhat of a trend setting as we continue to see young guys get drafted and onto the team quickly. Additionally, the players are smaller…faster….and in some cases they play a smarter game than the veterans of the past. Even management is changing and bringing in young guns to make major decisions. Just look at the Arizona Coyotes. They have had several losing seasons over the last several years and today have won the last 5 games in a row. How?? They have a GM named John Chayka who is in his late twenties…that is right…in his twenties! He developed a statistical software for the NHL years ago that has served as a great tool to identify talent. As a result, he has grabbed young talent from other teams and all over the country to help build this franchise. He is early in this process; however, he is making headway.
The NHL has always been reliant on veterans of the sport and that is a good thing. However, the young minded players…coaches….have brought a vernacular to the game that is helping it evolve. We have seen the likes of big guys like Mario Lemieux, however we now see smaller players that fit a far different mold. Mario was 6ft 5, however now you so more players like Max Domi who is 5ft 9 and maybe 190 LBS. There many players just like Max that are not big but have such great speed and grace on the ice. They know how to use their edges and get out of tight corners without taking a digger on the ice. It is a different game and the players are learning to adapt to the speed.

Even the equipment has changed rapidly. The protection across the body has become lighter allowing for more mobility. The new skates are pitched further forward so you can explode at the blue line when needing to move quickly. The sticks are all carbon composite and far more responsive to sticks of the past. This has driven up the cost of the game, however it has increased performance for the players and spectators to watch.
The game has evolved; however, the game continues to have the same level of respect and rich history it has always had. Wayne Gretzky will be a staple to the sport forever.