Worst Trend to Happen to Hockey?

[vek 0]

If you go to the NHL website with any regularity, you'll see that the fights are marketed almost as heavily as the goals - including highlights of the two brawls this week. I don't see any real will to get serious about cracking down or limiting something that seemingly sells the game.

[Chadd 916]

No, I think that player belongs in the NHL today, which is why there are a seemingly inordinate amount of players whose sole contributions are toughness.

That's a chicken/egg situation. Colin Campbell doesn't suspend the agitators for cheap shots and punishes teams that try to deal with those guys on their own. Just about every team has a guy (or two, or three) who has no problem ending the career of another player with a cheap shot. Their willingness to do that is what keeps them in the league. The only way they go away is if the NHL invokes a rule that makes their presence more of a detriment than a benefit.

If you go to the NHL website with any regularity, you'll see that the fights are marketed almost as heavily as the goals - including highlights of the two brawls this week. I don't see any real will to get serious about cracking down or limiting something that seemingly sells the game.

The NHL has always approved the sale of videos chock-full of hits that guys were suspended for delivering. As much as the NHL claims to care about player safety, they are very afraid of losing the "fans" that want to see blood on a regular basis. The new rules interpretations were very successful coming out of the lockout, it's too bad Colin Campbell is doing his best to eliminate those advances.

[troy 12]

That's a chicken/egg situation. Colin Campbell doesn't suspend the agitators for cheap shots and punishes teams that try to deal with those guys on their own. Just about every team has a guy (or two, or three) who has no problem ending the career of another player with a cheap shot. Their willingness to do that is what keeps them in the league. The only way they go away is if the NHL invokes a rule that makes their presence more of a detriment than a benefit.

The NHL has always approved the sale of videos chock-full of hits that guys were suspended for delivering. As much as the NHL claims to care about player safety, they are very afraid of losing the "fans" that want to see blood on a regular basis. The new rules interpretations were very successful coming out of the lockout, it's too bad Colin Campbell is doing his best to eliminate those advances.

Yes, I agree about the league invoking a rule to eliminate such players, this is where my generations comment comes into play. There is an attitude amongst the high ranking "hockey people" that such players are necessary. Until this mindset ceases to have influence, or until such a mindset is proven worthless, these players will be a part of hockey, I personally don't like the role of these players, but I also can not argue the impact of a player who is willing to end another player's career on one hit has on a game. A lot of us call it gutless, but in my view it takes a lot of gumption to play with such a mindset, wrong or right. I definitely play differently when I know there's a guy on the ice who will break my neck or tear my ACL without a moment's hesitation. I think the physicality and skill of the game come to a head with such players, the intimidation of hockey can't be understated and I believe this intimidation has a deserving spot in the game, acknowledged or otherwise.

[DarkStar50 679]

The term "net presence." Forwards have stood in front of the net forever.

[gilbois 1]

really good point, the NHL/Hockey in General is kind of a niche sport ( please don't beat me up for saying that..just personal opinion) when I was in the age group for the Guardian Project's target market during the mid 90's i got hooked on the NHL by living in a hockey rich culture of southern new hampshire, trading player cards, pond hockey, travel league etc. it runs in our blood and I believe that can be true for a lot of people who are fans of the sport, but with this new generation who is obsessed with video games, television and have an obesity problem.. the NHL is trying to fuel the next generation and maybe this was a major mistake since the kids who sit on the couch all day and eat cheetos and play world of warcraft( sorry for the stereotype) are probably less likely to enjoy the beauties of the NHL or Hockey in general.

I wonder what else the NHL could do to get the next generation hooked on the sport?

I agree with this. Anything that can be done to increase the number of people interested in and playing the game is a good thing. I wish every high school in the US had a JV and Varsity level school-sponsored team. I was watching the NHL Network's coverage of Hockey Day in Canada and found myself wishing more Americans were interested in the game.

[adam14 182]

custom hockey equipment available to the public.

[zebra_steve 11]

custom hockey equipment available to the public.

I disagree and agree with this statement.... The disagreement is that I NEED custom skates because of my feet.... over a full size difference in length and need a true C\AA for the width and heel as a minimum. Otherwise, the custom equipment doesn't really resonate that much to me. Of course, I've never been afraid to customize stuff on my own suit my wants and needs.

[Larry54 243]

custom hockey equipment available to the public.

Why is that a bad trend?

[adam14 182]

sorry steve, I wasn't much referring to skates, it was more the sticks and gloves, and because in my opinion a 14 year old doesn't need a 300 dollar pair of gloves with his name on them to match his jersey, along with a 300 dollar stick that he is too young to use properly, all it does in my opinion is show people that your parents love you.

HOWEVER, at a higher level, if you can afford it out of your own wallet, that is something else entirely. using a curve that is not readily available or something of the likes is one thing, showing off your wealth is quite another.

[zebra_steve 11]

sorry steve, I wasn't much referring to skates, it was more the sticks and gloves, and because in my opinion a 14 year old doesn't need a 300 dollar pair of gloves with his name on them to match his jersey, along with a 300 dollar stick that he is too young to use properly, all it does in my opinion is show people that your parents love you.

HOWEVER, at a higher level, if you can afford it out of your own wallet, that is something else entirely. using a curve that is not readily available or something of the likes is one thing, showing off your wealth is quite another.

In that case +1K.....

[Joshison 1]

sorry steve, I wasn't much referring to skates, it was more the sticks and gloves, and because in my opinion a 14 year old doesn't need a 300 dollar pair of gloves with his name on them to match his jersey, along with a 300 dollar stick that he is too young to use properly, all it does in my opinion is show people that your parents love you.

HOWEVER, at a higher level, if you can afford it out of your own wallet, that is something else entirely. using a curve that is not readily available or something of the likes is one thing, showing off your wealth is quite another.

I'm not sure why people find the need to decide what someone needs or not. If he can afford it and likes it why shouldn't he buy the gloves? Not sure if its a jealousy thing or not, but its not your money or your decision so why do you care?

[Chadd 916]

I agree with the concept of hockey becoming a fashion show and an opportunity to show how much money your parents have being a bad thing for the game. It pushes a lot of kids that come from low to middle income homes out of the game because of the hazing they get at times. I've seen it happen a number of times. Custom products have always been available, they have just become more popular over the last couple years.

[adam14 182]

I'm not sure why people find the need to decide what someone needs or not. If he can afford it and likes it why shouldn't he buy the gloves? Not sure if its a jealousy thing or not, but its not your money or your decision so why do you care?

read the second part of my post, I agree with buying them yourself, I'm on a similar mindset as Chadd in that its turning into a fashion show.

[interpathway 9]

Custom products have always been available, they have just become more popular over the last couple years.

How much of that has to do with this site right here? :D

[flyers10 57]

I agree with the concept of hockey becoming a fashion show and an opportunity to show how much money your parents have being a bad thing for the game. It pushes a lot of kids that come from low to middle income homes out of the game because of the hazing they get at times. I've seen it happen a number of times. Custom products have always been available, they have just become more popular over the last couple years.

It is already hard to get low to middle income kids out to try and stick with hockey due to its' high cost. Add in the fashion show aspect as Chadd mentioned and the growth will be stymied and the sport will suffer. More people playing will help drive down costs long term. If the middle class is truly shrinking then we gotta reel in costs. I'm already afraid of how to afford it for my kid and I don't even have one yet.

[Lee-Bro 1]

It is already hard to get low to middle income kids out to try and stick with hockey due to its' high cost. Add in the fashion show aspect as Chadd mentioned and the growth will be stymied and the sport will suffer. More people playing will help drive down costs long term. If the middle class is truly shrinking then we gotta reel in costs. I'm already afraid of how to afford it for my kid and I don't even have one yet.

Save all your old gear + duct tape.

[DarkStar50 679]

Late breaking news, this just in: Hockey has always been an expensive sport. And by always, I'm going back 40 years when I started playing. This is nothing new and will never change.

As for custom products, then who gets the blame? The people who buy them or the companies that offer them?

[Lee-Bro 1]

Anyone can get custom gear. Just write your name on it.

[Neal 41]

The term "net presence." Forwards have stood in front of the net forever.

I heard an odd twist on that one during the Blackhawks/Penguins game this weekend. "Net Front Presence". I thought it would be pretty clear that the front of the net would be the place to be present if you want to produce goals, but apparently not. Is there a team out there that makes habit of "Net Back Presence" by loading up behind the net with multiple players?

My opinion for the worst trend to happen to hockey is the change from body checking to hitting. While a hard hit has always been part of the game, the priority used to be:

1. Separate the player from the puck
   
2. Hit him hard to intimidate him
   

Now the priority is:

1. Hit the player hard to intimidate him
   

And that is it. Many hits now are thrown after the puck is gone. The rule that allowed you to hit a player right after he had lost possession of the puck has been abused to where players are hitting people not even involved in the play anymore. "Finish the hit!" really often means "take yourself out of position!"

[chippa13 1844]

Part of that is the adage that was used as I was growing up, "Make him pay for the pass."

[fogelberg 9]

Anyone can get custom gear. Just write your name on it.

HAHAHA!

[interpathway 9]

Now the priority is:

1. Hit the player hard to intimidate him
   

And that is it.

That's not a recent trend. From peewee through high school, that was the mantra of any team I played for; club or school.

Growing up in hockey throughout the turn of the millennium was tough on us smaller skilled guys.

[nicholus.h 0]

I heard an odd twist on that one during the Blackhawks/Penguins game this weekend. "Net Front Presence". I thought it would be pretty clear that the front of the net would be the place to be present if you want to produce goals, but apparently not. Is there a team out there that makes habit of "Net Back Presence" by loading up behind the net with multiple players?

"Net Front Presence" doesn't always mean multiple players. That said, I'll play devil's advocate: the area is commonly known as Gretzky's Office so I'm sure one or two teams have had success with keeping a skater back there.

[Shayno 1]

Any Easton helmet!!! Wow they are odd looking!!???

[Top Cheese 0]

Any Easton helmet!!! Wow they are odd looking!!???

Haha yes they are.