i am not a fan of the shootout and probably never will. i wish hockey would go back to the olden days and just play one overtime period, if at the end of the overtime period there is still a tie each team gets a point.
with the shootout the better team gets the extra point and the losing team only gets a point, this in turn makes the better teams stronger and the teams that aint doin so hot worse.
also get rid of the stupid instigation penaly for fighting, pretty soon they'll outlaw fighting.

I used to feel that way too but i have to admit ive gotten used to and sorta like having a definitive winner. People complain about the tighter calls too but i remember the days when a team would score two quick goals and clamp down even if it was in the first period. These changes have to be made if hockey wants to obtain mass appeal. Its already dropped to the fifth sport behind NASCAR. If it starts getting bumped for soccer or AFL, im done

Though I'll never like the shootout, I've had to accept that the NHL, and therefore the other leagues, are not likely to ever revoke it. It has always seemed unfair to me as it puts the pressure directly on a handful of players instead of the entire team. While "Superstar" marketing benefits from that, team play does not.

However, as long as the NHL words their surveys the way they do the polls will continue to support the shootout. As long as Bettman and the rest want to keep Joe Q. Public happy more so than the fans of the game because who cares about hockey traditions so long as the stadiums are full and the one-timers are leaving with a bag full of merchandise they'll continue to tweak the game.

Selling merchandise isn't the problem. Selling out the game is.

EFZ, your last statement says it all.
I am on the otherside of the fence, I LOVE THE SHOOTOUT.
It actually gives a little more excitement to the game.