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#1
Thommo raised this on twitter a few weeks ago and I think it's a cracking idea 
It's built around two very different, but equally important reasons IMO.
1. Introducing the 4th line allows for consistent high intensity, physical hockey - the way it should be played! Right now with 3 forward lines even the most competitive games include a number of shifts where understandably players aren't going at 100%. I'd argue that this season the majority of shifts in most games haven't been contested at less than 100% from both teams involved.
In short - 4 lines allows for a vastly improved product.
2. It encourages the development of our home grown players, exposing them to the highest level at an earlier stage. This season we've seen how the likes of Harding, Batch and Burrows have benefitted from increased ice time due to our injuries. It would be great if this was the case regardless of injuries. The Devils have un-earthed some real potential this season. this could only be good for the strength of the game and crucially team GB - which IMO is the key to any significant increased coverage, financial backing the sport can obtain.
Finally I'd add that a minimum number of 4th line shifts should be agreed at the start of the season to ensure it's a success
The system works for those who want the import limit to remain at 10 and for those who want to see the game in the UK develop. (Although if it helped develop players it would allow import numbers to drop while maintaining quality)
I'd love to see this introduced for next season. What does everyone else think?
It's built around two very different, but equally important reasons IMO.
1. Introducing the 4th line allows for consistent high intensity, physical hockey - the way it should be played! Right now with 3 forward lines even the most competitive games include a number of shifts where understandably players aren't going at 100%. I'd argue that this season the majority of shifts in most games haven't been contested at less than 100% from both teams involved.
In short - 4 lines allows for a vastly improved product.
2. It encourages the development of our home grown players, exposing them to the highest level at an earlier stage. This season we've seen how the likes of Harding, Batch and Burrows have benefitted from increased ice time due to our injuries. It would be great if this was the case regardless of injuries. The Devils have un-earthed some real potential this season. this could only be good for the strength of the game and crucially team GB - which IMO is the key to any significant increased coverage, financial backing the sport can obtain.
Finally I'd add that a minimum number of 4th line shifts should be agreed at the start of the season to ensure it's a success
The system works for those who want the import limit to remain at 10 and for those who want to see the game in the UK develop. (Although if it helped develop players it would allow import numbers to drop while maintaining quality)
I'd love to see this introduced for next season. What does everyone else think?
