The game of hockey has evolved and changed drastically over many years of play.

There was a time where camp was used to get into shape. Now, camp is used to prove that you're already IN shape.

Most importantly, however, I'm referring to the game play. Forwards are all expected to back check hard, block shots, overlap and cover for defensemen, and play the point on the power play.

Defensemen are now expected to jump up in the rush and help on offense, as well as skate swiftly and fluidly.

Systems have become more and more important over the years. Hockey isn't nearly as free lance as it used to be. Players are expected to follow predetermined routes based on certain situations on the ice in order to effectively control the play as a team.

Hockey will continue to evolve and change over the next 100 years. So, my question is, where do you think it's going?

Here's my vision:

Eventually, a system will be developed where there is no such thing as a defenseman, winger, and center, except for where they start on the face off.

If you look at how the game is played today, it's becoming more and more common for players to overlap positions and pressure the puck carrier as soon as possible to create turnovers.

I think that the game is going to become so intelligent, that players are eventually going to be expected to play both forward AND defense, at any given time on the ice, with no specific assignments.

I think you'll see emphasis on immediate pressure on the puck carrier by the man who's closest to him, and the other 4 skaters adjusting based on funneling the puck to the outside and forcing a dump in or an errant pass.

The way the game is played today, we really aren't that far off from such a thing. It's very common for forwards to have to cover for pinching defensemen, and for wingers to backcheck and pick up the 3rd man on the attack if the center on their line gets caught deep.

Look at the Sabres this year. We have two defensemen on this squad that have also been used as forwards.

How about you? Where do you see hockey in 5-10-20-50 years from now?

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Wheelhouse

Probably not in our lifetime. It usually takes 23 years of learning the position to become a good NHL forward/defensemen. Some guys are ok as swing players, but guys like Bobby Orr(great off and def skills) are just so few and far between that I hardly expect to see 10 of them on the ice for every team.

I think the game won't change too much from where it is now, and there isn't a possibility of removing the set positions.

You're going to have guys who can't put a puck into the net, but prevent it better than anyone else.

You need positions because it could get confusing to some of HOW to start a play, and normally the defense makes that outlet pass and the play begins.

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so more or less like basketball?

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Potentially, yes.

I know that certain players are better than others in different areas, but if you look at the grand scheme of things, over the years, forwards have been expected to be better defensively and defensemen have been expected to be better offensively.

Big guys have to have speed and good hands now, and small guys can't be afraid to get their noses dirty.

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Wheelhouse

Well in the NBA many of those college stars fail because in College they know the importance of Defense, in the NBA there is just scoring.

I still think Defense is just as important to the NHL as anything before, you prevent goals first and foremost, then really worry about scoring goals, ok, more like a 50/50 on it really.

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