Lol, a bit off topic, but I'll go with it.
I have watched hockey all my life and I still play(beer league of course though). I really do think some of the changes that have been implemented and that are being proposed are necessary due to the evolution of the game.
The speed of the players has increased dramatically since even the late 90's. The NHL has significantly reduced obstruction and opened up the ice for longer passes.
The old game used to be pretty much constant hooking, holding, and pinning people against the boards, which lends itself to a bit of a different type of athlete than today's game.
When people can skate faster, the collisions are harder, so it makes sense to be a bit more cognizant of head impacts.
You also see fighting becoming more and more of a sideshow. There used to be much less of a gap between the guys who could/would fight and the guys who could actually play the game at NHL standards. That meant that more fights actually evolved out of the gameplay. Now it seems more and more often that fights are just between two guys who play 2 minutes a night and are only fighting to justify their spot on the roster. Often if just feels like they are slowing down the game.
If I want to see professional fighters fight, put em in a ring and let them fight for real. If I am going to watch a hockey game, I want to see hockey.
good post, someone who sees the game realistically, as it has actually evolved.
BUT the guys who can't play, and only get 2 minutes a night is diminishing,
as many of the so-called fighters, or the players who will fight to
even the score when their own top end players are hit, are better players now, and can contribute, just a few 'knuckle draggers' left out there.
Tanev is many times more talented.
as canuck fans, we all love tanev, but he needs more experience, and perhaps next time around he
will be right up there.
i am very satisfied with the list of 25 who were chosen, and of course that isn't etched in stone, as
there are still others waiting in the wings if there are injuries etc. they had to pick stamkos,
as, if they didn't he could not replace another player, unless there was a injury, and even then, it
would have to be a forward, so this way, he can be dropped down if he is still not fully healed, and
another player can replace him.
i like the addition of marleau, and the subtraction of thornton.