First of all the fact that the NHL now exists in our universe is dumb and stupid, and I will ignore it in my personal headcanon. That being said, if the SHL got picked up by cable and needed a more extreme element, I think relaxing some of the cross-checking rules and cracking down harder on obstruction and diving would make the game faster yet still more physical, preventing any aspiring agitators from mucking up the game with penalties and then avoiding the consequences of a physical, potentially hospitalizing check in response to their actions.

Adding some type of reward for fighting would be nice to increase fighting in the league, but the problem with that is enforcers may use that as an opportunity to call out non-fighters, and then brand them as cowards when they don't answer the bell like they should.

Also, I would try to expand the penalty shot rules to make penalty shots called more often, as its one of the most exciting plays in hockey.