As the NHL makes its return to play August 1st, it is faced with the unprecedented task of conducting games with no fans in attendance. There has been a lingering concern across the hockey world as to whether or not the same competitive playoff atmosphere that fans of the NHL have come to know and love, will be able to make an appearance under these unique circumstances.
Below I have compiled five ways the NHL could make life inside the bubble more entertaining and engaging for fans watching from home, while also creating an in-game atmosphere that fuels competition amongst its players.
1) Players Watch From the Stands
I discussed this idea on my podcast (Puck That Pod) a few weeks back and it came up again recently on Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman’s 31 Thoughts: The Podcast. The basic premise is to put NHL players in the stands to watch games in an area of the arena where they are highly visible to the in-game broadcast.
With 12 teams in each hub city of Edmonton and Toronto, there will be plenty of opportunity for players who aren’t on the ice to watch their colleagues battle it out in the play-in round and beyond.
The idea of watching Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand & David Pastrnak as they take in the play of Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby & Carey Price from a vantage point in the lower bowl as opposed to being stuffed away in a quiet press box pretty much sells itself.
Have the players make signs chirping players on the ice, let them bang on the glass, I think the possibilities are endless here if the NHL is willing to have a little fun.
2) No Fans? Mic ‘Em Up!
This one is obvious, and it is clear how interested fans are in hearing what is said on the ice during an NHL game. Per John Shannon, it already sounds as though the league plans on putting a 5-second delay on broadcasts in an effort to catch NSFW language used by the players that will undoubtedly carry in a mostly empty arena.
However, this shouldn’t prevent the league from incorporating player audio into their feed that is entertaining, but doesn’t cross the line into territory that could get the NHL or a player in hot water.
3) Increase Camera Angles
No fans means more opportunity to use in-game camera angles that we as fans aren’t used to seeing on national broadcasts, and that has the potential to take shape in various forms.
I am someone who is a huge fan of the ref cam when the NHL has incorporated it in the past and I am always eager to see what creative new options the league is exploring to better immerse its fans in the on-ice experience.
The league should deploy a camera crew to tape players from the stands during the game to get the reactions of player-spectators from an up-close and personal vantage point. The novelty of such a concept, I believe, would be well-received by the majority of fans and could really help show the personality of different players.
4) Host a Docuseries
As the NBA has already gotten its players successfully into its Orlando bubble, the sports world has been graced with creative content from players (notably the Toronto Raptors) decorating their hotel hallways for a more “at home” feel.
Another photo surfaced from the NBA bubble that featured the creation of a barber shop for players to use throughout the duration of the tournament.
Can you imagine a camera crew walking around filming the everyday life of players inside the bubble? The content writes itself and it would be an incredible way to keep fans engaged with the NHL’s product 24/7.
Construction of safe passage for players has already begun in Edmonton, creating fenced-off corridors down city streets in an effort to cut off potential contamination with the public.
With players unable to leave their respective bubbles during the competition, it will mean lots of recreational games and hanging out indoors in an effort to pass the time.
Following the life of NHLers as they go through this never-before-seen Stanely Cup Playoffs would not only serve as a source of entertainment in the present but will also preserve the events of a time we will (hopefully) never have to experience again.
5) Use Live Watch Party Video In-Game
While many states in the US are still following strict rules for public gatherings and other sorts of public events, if the NHL could find a way to pull off using real watch party video and audio to play in the arena and during broadcasts, it would bolster the atmosphere in a way that is difficult to replicate.
Greg Wyshynski of ESPN reported that the NHL has already requested clips from fans chanting generic phrases such as “We Want the Cup” along with other player-specific exclamations to use during broadcasts and inside of both Rogers Place (Edmonton) and Scotiabank Arena (Toronto).
However, while more difficult logistically, using live fan reactions in the NHL broadcasts has the ability to generate a level of authenticity that is the next best thing to having fans in the building.
Imagine the reactions from a NY Rangers watch party as Artemi Panarin fires home a game five OT winner to send his Blue Shirts into the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Now that would be next-level fan engagement.
Reader Suggestions
Do you have an idea for how the NHL could increase interest in its product as it kicks off the postseason? Send us an email at thepuckreview@gmail.com or leave a comment below! We will feature the best ideas on our social channels!
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Sam Laine
July 23, 2020 at 10:49 pmDrone cameras overhead? Watchable in VR? There’s all kinds of things that they could try. I like the party video idea.. lets them know we’re watching & cheering them on!