53 replies to this topic

[FlavaDave10]

NHL competition committee are apparently considering several rules. One of them includes limiting goaltender equipment (specifically, they mention "equipment that serves the purpose of blocking over protection". Another one involves blocking shots. Both are not going to get passed quickly enough to be implemented in 2015-2016, but something to keep an eye on. I bet this has to do with creating more offense. 

 

Personally, I kind of like the idea of creating more offense. Offense sells tickets. Fans want to see offense. Take a look at the NFL. Most profitable sport in the world (other than maybe soccer). They create rules to encourage offense. People whine about it, but hey, it's darn successful and it gives fans what they want: more exciting games. That said, I strongly disagree with anything that would outlaw blocking shots. That's stupid.

 

Will the NHL ever return the scoring days of the 1980's? No. The NHL would need to do some outrageous things to get scoring back to that level. We're never going to see that level of scoring again. Ever. However, I'm all for more offense as long as they don't put goalies or anyone else at a severe disadvantage. 

[Markus]

NBC Sports chairman asked NHL to ban playoff beards

 

The players love them. The fans love them. But someone has to be the Scrooge of Scruff, and that man is Mark Lazarus, the chairman of NBC Sports.

 

According to Ed Sherman of the Chicago Tribune, Lazarus actually lobbied the NHL to end the tradition of playoff beards because, in his opinion, they hinder the development of new stars in the League during the playoffs.

 

The players won't like this, but I wish they all would stop growing beards in the postseason,” Lazarus said. “Let's get their faces out there. Let's talk about how young and attractive they are. What model citizens they are. (Hockey players) truly are one of a kind among professional athletes.

 

“I know it's a tradition and superstition, but I think (the beards do) hurt recognition. They have a great opportunity with more endorsements. Or simply more recognition with fans saying, 'That guy looks like the kid next door,' which many of these guys do. I think that would be a nice thing."

 

What a dolt.

[DJ MC]

Maybe they should tell him that they'll put that under consideration after they apologize for putting Game Four of the Cup Finals on NBCSN so that the Peacock could show American Ninja Warrior.

[FlavaDave10]

NBC Sports chairman asked NHL to ban playoff beards

 

 

 

What a dolt.

 

What about beards during the regular season? Do players have to remain completely clean shaven during the playoffs? Cause nobody wants to see Braden Holtby or Karl Alzner clean shaven. 

[DuffMan]

http://espn.go.com/n...pansion-process

 

No more 4 on 4 OT.  OT has been switched to 3 on 3, this should cut down on the number of shootouts which is a  good thing.  I would have liked to seen them go with  4 on 4 for a few minutes before switching to 3 on 3 but that's a minor complaint.

 

Expansion talk has been formally opened as well.

 

Bettman cited Las Vegas, Seattle, Quebec and a second team in Toronto as the markets that have expressed the most serious interest, but said that the NHL has also received interest from Milwaukee, Kansas City and Portland over time.

[SportsGuy]

This kid McDavid sounds like he is going to be the next great hockey player and maybe athlete in any sport.

[JeremyStrain]

This kid McDavid sounds like he is going to be the next great hockey player and maybe athlete in any sport.

Yeah he's a legit star. In that Crosby/Stamkos/Tavarez mold.

[You Play to Win the Game]

This kid McDavid sounds like he is going to be the next great hockey player and maybe athlete in any sport.

Crosby was that for a few years and is still great, though injuries have slowed him down.

This kid, especially if he lights it up in Edmonton and helps them win... yeah he could end up huge. Gretzky huge. Now, they've said that a few times but it's obviously a once in a generation type thing for anyone to be close to that good over such a long period of time. Ironically, if not for shit luck and bad health, Super Mario Lemieux was right there with Gretzky a while.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Mario Lemieux is my all time favorite hockey player. He was awesome to watch when at his peak.

[JeremyStrain]

Crosby was that for a few years and is still great, though injuries have slowed him down.

This kid, especially if he lights it up in Edmonton and helps them win... yeah he could end up huge. Gretzky huge. Now, they've said that a few times but it's obviously a once in a generation type thing for anyone to be close to that good over such a long period of time. Ironically, if not for shit luck and bad health, Super Mario Lemieux was right there with Gretzky a while.

 

I've been thinking about this for a while now. I think this is just a side effect of how the league has changed.

 

It used to be an unwritten rule that you don't hit and play too physically with the skill players. The guys that wanted to play physical did, but then they had enforcers to run out there if someone got cute and went after a skill guy.

 

Now it's like no holds barred and they will try to take the heads off of the skill guys, which leads to more big injuries, and has really been taking the skill game down a notch from those elite guys.

 

I remember growing up and it was like a huge offense to hit Gretzky it would be almost benches clearing nastiness. But now, every one of those guys gets hit every time they touch the puck. Think Backstrom for us, he could be in that mold too, but I think he gets played so physically so often that he can't get those extra 20 points or so per year he's got in him.

 

That's why you used to see a bunch of 100 point guys every year because guys would respect that they weren't physical players and give them room to work, it was also more exciting for the game. Now with more American culture influence, you see the game shifting to more down and dirty checking, hitting and almost like a football mentality.

 

Think about how many concussions you used to see compared to how many you see now. It's not JUST because guys are bigger these days, it's how they play with that size too. It's not just the big guys hitting each other, they are unloading on the little guys too.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Great post. Absolutely true. Comparing eras is tough and I don't particularly enjoy it. But even still I think Gretzky and Mario would be better players today than anyone playing currently.

Also, McDavid being compared to Gretzky... I guess Nickle hates him already.

[Mike in STL]

 
I've been thinking about this for a while now. I think this is just a side effect of how the league has changed.
 
It used to be an unwritten rule that you don't hit and play too physically with the skill players. The guys that wanted to play physical did, but then they had enforcers to run out there if someone got cute and went after a skill guy.
 
Now it's like no holds barred and they will try to take the heads off of the skill guys, which leads to more big injuries, and has really been taking the skill game down a notch from those elite guys.
 
I remember growing up and it was like a huge offense to hit Gretzky it would be almost benches clearing nastiness. But now, every one of those guys gets hit every time they touch the puck. Think Backstrom for us, he could be in that mold too, but I think he gets played so physically so often that he can't get those extra 20 points or so per year he's got in him.
 
That's why you used to see a bunch of 100 point guys every year because guys would respect that they weren't physical players and give them room to work, it was also more exciting for the game. Now with more American culture influence, you see the game shifting to more down and dirty checking, hitting and almost like a football mentality.
 
Think about how many concussions you used to see compared to how many you see now. It's not JUST because guys are bigger these days, it's how they play with that size too. It's not just the big guys hitting each other, they are unloading on the little guys too.

You also used to have goons on every team as well. Most teams still have thier "fighter", like Erskine was with the Caps. But the fighters also try to play hockey. If someone cheapshots a teams star in prior to the 90s, the goon would go out a whip their ass. They didnt quitenplay hockey. So you had the unwritten rule that stars were untouchable, or else... hence the space to do their fineese, sniping thing.

On the other hand, a guy like Ovechkin dishes it out as had as he takes it, so teams arent afraid to try to take him out because hes not afraid to board someone himself. I think the goon is gone in todays game. Tie Domi might have been the last one, maybe?

[DuffMan]

http://deadspin.com/...n-te-1719241737

 

This was interesting.  I'm guessing Seattle would rather try and lure away the Coyotes then bid on an expansion team?

[DJ MC]

http://deadspin.com/...n-te-1719241737

 

This was interesting.  I'm guessing Seattle would rather try and lure away the Coyotes then bid on an expansion team?

 

The Coyotes would probably be cheaper.