A few days after the NHL's Winter Classic in Pittsburgh, ESPN called for the creation of more signature events like this unique and popular game. The reasoning was sound: The NHL needs distinctive marketing opportunities because it falls woefully short of the other major pro sports in revenue.

Revive Showdown in the NHL: Remember the breakaway competition that used to air between periods on national (yes, national) broadcasts? The league already knows fans love the shootout. Why not make it a year-long competition with the marquee skaters and goalies. Open with a bang at the season's start, then whittle it down to the finals by April so nobody has to worry about their players taking part during the playoffs. The Finals could pit two goalies against four skaters, with one winner emerging in each category. The Finals also should include a heavy marketing campaign to preview the NHL playoffs.

Glow in the dark hockey: OK, so this sounds like something your Pink Floyd-loving neighbor with the medical marijuana prescription would think of. But think about it. Who doesn't love a great laser show? Imagine how cool this would look on high-def television with a darkened arena, both teams decked out in neon, the ice lit up a pale shade of blue, the goals lit up in red and the puck a bright orange glow. Imagine how much the kids -- you know, your future fans -- would love this? Dude, where's the popcorn?

The Winter Classic: It has captured the imagination and wonder of American audiences, no small feat when you consider the average American's awareness of the NHL. Keep improving it. Keep moving it, and don't be afraid to bring it to cities without an NHL team, a cold-weather climate or other pro sports teams. New markets are new markets -- fresh opportunities for revenue and fans. Warm-weather climates might seem a logistical impossibility, but don't settle for that can't-do attitude. Find a way to make it happen. And keep searching for iconic venues. Imagine the Ducks and Kings at the Rose Bowl or the Stars at Cowboys Stadium. Imagine games at Indianapolis Motor Speedway or Daytona Speedway, Yankee Stadium or Candlestick Park, Notre Dame Stadium or Nebraska's Memorial Field. Then make it happen. No excuses.

Rework the All-Star Game: With apologies to this year's captains, nobody cares if two guys are picking the teams. Once they take the ice, it’s still defenseless, meaningless hockey like every other sport's All-Star Game. How do you improve it? Nationalism, my friends. Divide the All-Star Game into eight countries (Canada, United States, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Russia and a European Union of countries that don't have enough marquee players to field their own team like Switzerland, Germany, Norway, Latvia, Belarus, etc.). To reduce the wear and tear on players, reduce the length of the games or lengthen the All-Star break. Play a bracketed, mini-tournament that would require three games by each team to determine standings. Nationalism sparks passion. Passion parks interest. Isn’t that the goal?