The NHL is ini probably the best place it can be after coming off the strike year.  I really like the fact that college hockey players are making an immediate impact.  Guys like Matt Carle, Denver, Ryan Poultany, Minnesota , Ryan Malone, St Cloud State, and many others have made sudden impacts for their pro clubs.  Carle is on the top power-play line.  Its a good thing to try to expand the fan base of the NHL.  Being from Minnesota I've seen the great college hockey that is played...but I don't see the same fans translating into the pros because the kids don't go anywhere.  Now, you can see the the kids leave college and go to the pros and are making teams and making an impact.  There are plenty more players who have made and still are contributing to teams.  The concept of college players isn't new.  Brett Hull, Paul Kariya and Chris Chelios all of whom are great players and all played in college.  Fans and especially teams are seeing more interest in the college players.  The top 5 in the upcomong June NHL Draft could be all not only North American but they could be all college players.  So if you are an NHL fan in an area that doesn't have college hockey...you need to watch some.  The next 30 goal scorer for your team could be playing at St Cloud State, Bemidji State, New Hamshire or Ferris State.