NHL considers trophy name changes . Norris = Orr

[RiSeOnFiRe 0]

The Calder should be the Teemu Selanne not Lemieux.

[DarkStar50 679]

I think I heard that Mike Milbury thought that changing the names for the trophies was a good idea. Therefore, it is REALLY a stupid idea. How can hockey people talk about tradition and honoring the history of hockey and then in the next sentence propose this? Who's in charge here? Forrest Gump?

[Jason Harris 31]

I'm sure I'm like thousands of hockey fans who had assumed these trophies were named after players from the 1920's and 1930's. Being a Bruins' fan, I knew Art Ross had been one of their coaches, but I had assumed he was a former player.

This is the first time I learned that none of these men were players. I'm not too worried about the tradition; I look at it as righting a wrong. If the NHL had never given names to their trophies in the past, and just called them by the name of Most Valuable Player or Point Scoring Leader, then decided today that they wanted to give the names more pizzazz, would they call it the Wayne Gretzky Trophy or the Harry Sinden Award? It's obvious they would name it after a player -- just as MLB has done with the Hank Aaron Award -- so why should we be tied down to a tradition that had lacked foresight when it was first put into place?

[RadioGaGa 162]

FWIW...Don Cherry chimed in on this topic on his radio show yesterday.

He supports changing the "Lady Bing" (although he didnt' say what to) and the "Norris" (Orr, obv.) He also said the "Hart" could be changed. His quote was pretty good "I'm sure it's some great man...but I don't know who he is..."

But the Selke, Art Ross, Vezina & Conn Smythe should stay the same because of what those names mean to hockey. And, they are all actually hockey people.

[mattzilla 0]

then what? where do you draw a line? how many viewers or fans know who lord stanley is? he's not exactly a 'hockey person'.

i bet you most nba players can't even tell you what the nba championship trophy is called.

[K9 Unit 1]

then what? where do you draw a line? how many viewers or fans know who lord stanley is? he's not exactly a 'hockey person'.

i bet you most nba players can't even tell you what the nba championship trophy is called.

what the f is it called? lol

and i agree with don cherry though, for some reason

[RadioGaGa 162]

then what? where do you draw a line? how many viewers or fans know who lord stanley is? he's not exactly a 'hockey person'.

i bet you most nba players can't even tell you what the nba championship trophy is called.

what the f is it called? lol

and i agree with don cherry though, for some reason

I wanna say (without looking it up) the Red Aurbach Trophy...or, does that go to coach of the year in the Association?

[Orange&Black 1]

The NHL has no integrity at this point. They already threw away the old Conference/Division names, one of the things that made the NHL so unique in the first place. Why, because they were too confusing for Lil Gary. Now they want to toss more history by dumping the trophy names?

I've already become bored w/ the "new" NHL. They're slowly chipping away at the sport, it's a shame where things are heading.

[n3ss 0]

I'd rather them wait and rename then when they're all dead.

[Chadd 916]

The NHL has no integrity at this point. They already threw away the old Conference/Division names, one of the things that made the NHL so unique in the first place. Why, because they were too confusing for Lil Gary. Now they want to toss more history by dumping the trophy names?

I've already become bored w/ the "new" NHL. They're slowly chipping away at the sport, it's a shame where things are heading.

Ratings are up, revenues are doing well despite the recession and buildings are pretty full. It's also not like they're talking about the "Subway MVP Award" or the "Taco Bell Defenseman of the year award".

[chippa13 1844]

The NHL has no integrity at this point. They already threw away the old Conference/Division names, one of the things that made the NHL so unique in the first place. Why, because they were too confusing for Lil Gary. Now they want to toss more history by dumping the trophy names?

I've already become bored w/ the "new" NHL. They're slowly chipping away at the sport, it's a shame where things are heading.

Just a little tidbit for you, Bobby Orr entered the NHL 8 years before the "old Conference/Division names".

[DarkStar50 679]

NHL attendance #'s/% capacity

Phoenix 55%, 7 teams between 70-79%, 4 teams between 80-89%, 8 teams between 90-99%, 10 teams at 100% with Chicago, Toronto, and Vancouver above 100%(SRO).

Bettman would take Subway or Taco Bell any day of the week if they offered $$.

[n3ss 0]

i think i'd stop watching hockey if they did that.

[Orange&Black 1]

Gordie Howe entered the NHL before there were East & West Divisions. I wasn't aware we were splitting hairs here.

My main point was that the NHL has a Commissioner that literally wanted the Conference & Division names (of that time period) changed because they were too confusing.

Reports have been that there are around six or seven NHL teams in trouble, that's almost a third of the League. You have a team that filed for bankruptcy, a guy that wanted to buy & move the team denied, said team is now under NHL control & a Comissioner that is still talking about expansion. I guess the least of the Leagues worries are trophy names...

[chippa13 1844]

The point being one can't lament the loss of traditions when they weren't all that traditional in the first place.

[Jason Harris 31]

then what? where do you draw a line? how many viewers or fans know who lord stanley is? he's not exactly a 'hockey person'.

i bet you most nba players can't even tell you what the nba championship trophy is called.

what the f is it called? lol

and i agree with don cherry though, for some reason

I believe it's the O'Brien Trophy, named after a former Commissioner.

I'd don't mind managerial or team trophies named after folks from the back room, but if any league was starting from scratch they would likely honor the players who best exemplify the award.

[dsjunior1388 81]

I'm just dying to hear what they re-name the Lady Byng.

FWIW...Don Cherry chimed in on this topic on his radio show yesterday.

He supports changing the "Lady Bing" (although he didnt' say what to) and the "Norris" (Orr, obv.) He also said the "Hart" could be changed. His quote was pretty good "I'm sure it's some great man...but I don't know who he is..."

But the Selke, Art Ross, Vezina & Conn Smythe should stay the same because of what those names mean to hockey. And, they are all actually hockey people.

In the interview I saw, Cherry suggests changing the Lady Byng to Jean Beliveau. Despite the fact that Big Jean at one point held the single season for penalty minutes on the Canadiens, I believe that would make perfect sense for the award.

[dsjunior1388 81]

Letter to John Buccigross:

John,

The league has its awards -- Calder, Hart, Vezina -- named after its legendary players, which is great. It has the Maurice "Rocket" Richard award for most goals in a season. Does the league have any plans to have the Wayne Gretzky award for most assists in the season?

Considering only one of those gentleman played in the NHL, This seems like a better and better idea every day.