The one common theme of all of those articles (except bob McKenzie’s), is that the nhl is not protecting the players – essentially because owners and GM’s don’t want their stars suspended. Yet they are angry when their own stars get injured. By the way, tv ratings are way up in this year’s nasty post season, so fans are voting their approval. So if the NHL isn’t going to protect the players and the fans want violence then the answer is simple – let the players protect themselves.
Only 53% of them supported the instigator rule in a poll in the regular season, down from 65% last year. Considering how the playoffs have gone, I bet a majority of players are now firmly in favour of dropping it.
The fans want violence in hockey – although the dumb, dancing with the stars style goon fights are stupid imho – and the players need to be safe. If the owners aren’t going to do it, for god’s sake let the players do it.
Last night Bollig should have been allowed to drop the gloves against Torres. Coincidental minors and a broken nose, and Torres thinks twice next time.
Tab,
The answer is to have someone who is not an ex-hockey player, but is knowledgeable about hockey, be the disciplinarian. I love the Blackhawks. But, if I had Shanahan’s job, I’d be looking at the good of the game. If Carcillo did what Torres did, he’d be gone…a long time. Bettman wants to be cute and have name recognition rather than qualified people. I loved the articles. Whether you’re a star or a shlub lucky to be there, if you go dirty, you pay the price in fines and/or suspensions. This has to be done right. Get rid of instigation rules and have that enforcer who can also play. Just my opinion.
Like everyone else here I feel that they are doing a very inadequate job of protecting the players and being very inconsistent. How does weber get off with a fine and shaw gets 3 games? I’m one who feels the instigator needs to stay. but should be rewritten. WOuld you agree with me that if you make a huge wreckless hit that you instigated the fight? The only part of the current rule that i feel should stay is players who go way out of their way to start a fight (when their was nothing that had happened previously to cause this fight such as fleeing to the aid of another player)
I’m not sure I follow the logic that this year’s increase in ratings is due to the violence and that fans approve of it. The NHL ratings have been growing every season for the past few and now that NBC has purchased Versus, they’re distributing it more and promoting the hell out of it.
I was listening to Bill Simmon’s podcast and they touched on hockey and they said they have let their kids watch every series EXCEPT the Pitt/Philly series. I hope the increase of viewership doesn’t reverse next year because of the shit product Bettman is putting out.
Don’t kid yourself, instigator rule will not deter people. Torres already got his ass kicked McQuaid this year http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLOjQcyA8uc and how’d that work out for him? He’s the same dickless cunt as he’s always been. Games are the only way to get the players to notice.
@Edman68 I love the idea of a non-hockey guy having that role. The NHLPA should have a rep that weighs in on discipline too (Just like the NFLPA should have a rep sit in on their disciplinary decisions).
The one common theme of all of those articles (except bob McKenzie’s), is that the nhl is not protecting the players – essentially because owners and GM’s don’t want their stars suspended. Yet they are angry when their own stars get injured. By the way, tv ratings are way up in this year’s nasty post season, so fans are voting their approval. So if the NHL isn’t going to protect the players and the fans want violence then the answer is simple – let the players protect themselves.
Only 53% of them supported the instigator rule in a poll in the regular season, down from 65% last year. Considering how the playoffs have gone, I bet a majority of players are now firmly in favour of dropping it.
The fans want violence in hockey – although the dumb, dancing with the stars style goon fights are stupid imho – and the players need to be safe. If the owners aren’t going to do it, for god’s sake let the players do it.
Last night Bollig should have been allowed to drop the gloves against Torres. Coincidental minors and a broken nose, and Torres thinks twice next time.
Coincidental majors, not minors, sorry.
In reality the league and on-ice officials handed the Coyotes win to them on a silver platter, Coyotes definitely didn’t earn it.
Tab,
The answer is to have someone who is not an ex-hockey player, but is knowledgeable about hockey, be the disciplinarian. I love the Blackhawks. But, if I had Shanahan’s job, I’d be looking at the good of the game. If Carcillo did what Torres did, he’d be gone…a long time. Bettman wants to be cute and have name recognition rather than qualified people. I loved the articles. Whether you’re a star or a shlub lucky to be there, if you go dirty, you pay the price in fines and/or suspensions. This has to be done right. Get rid of instigation rules and have that enforcer who can also play. Just my opinion.
I hope Q is ok. I mean during the game how did he not pop a blood vessel in his brain.
Then in the post-game, he rubs each temple multiple times. I hope HE is ok too.
The NHL is in a sad way. Even worse, the ratings are up. I hope it is becauase Pitt-Phil should be must see TV and not this crap.
First Shaw garbage and then hossa and then loose the game. Tough day yesterday.
We just have to win tomorrow.
Like everyone else here I feel that they are doing a very inadequate job of protecting the players and being very inconsistent. How does weber get off with a fine and shaw gets 3 games? I’m one who feels the instigator needs to stay. but should be rewritten. WOuld you agree with me that if you make a huge wreckless hit that you instigated the fight? The only part of the current rule that i feel should stay is players who go way out of their way to start a fight (when their was nothing that had happened previously to cause this fight such as fleeing to the aid of another player)
I’m not sure I follow the logic that this year’s increase in ratings is due to the violence and that fans approve of it. The NHL ratings have been growing every season for the past few and now that NBC has purchased Versus, they’re distributing it more and promoting the hell out of it.
I was listening to Bill Simmon’s podcast and they touched on hockey and they said they have let their kids watch every series EXCEPT the Pitt/Philly series. I hope the increase of viewership doesn’t reverse next year because of the shit product Bettman is putting out.
Don’t kid yourself, instigator rule will not deter people. Torres already got his ass kicked McQuaid this year http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLOjQcyA8uc and how’d that work out for him? He’s the same dickless cunt as he’s always been. Games are the only way to get the players to notice.
@Edman68 I love the idea of a non-hockey guy having that role. The NHLPA should have a rep that weighs in on discipline too (Just like the NFLPA should have a rep sit in on their disciplinary decisions).