time for change in the NHL

[jackieg]

So I was pretty upset for awhile now about the amount of cheap shots and violence in hockey. I love this game and wanted to do something to protect it.

please check out a petition i started and sign if you agree. It's not a montreal thing it is a "I love hockey thing" . I finished watching the game and felt like giving up the hobby and the game ..sick!!

thanks guys.

http://www.petitiononline.com/20110309/petition.html

 

[newfiecomicguy1]

Incidents have been happening in the NHL since the league began. The biggest problem is that with all the media outlets we are force fed them over and over. I have seen the Bertuzzi, Cooke/Savard, Crosby, Chara incidents hundred of times just from watching tv and surfing the net. I don't want to keep seeing them but these images and video's are every where. Back in the 50 & 60's it was just as bad as it is now, probably worse.

I do think they league needs to address all the injuries and head shots. However I think that a lot of the problem is the equipment. It is made to protect the player wearing but it certainly don't help the player being hit with it (elbow pads for example).

 

[habsheaven]

The only thing wrong with the game of hockey right now is the chinsy calls being made every night since the lockout. Phantom hooking and holding calls, the instigator penalty, etc.

Head shots and violent plays have happened since the beginning of hockey. Campbell and Murphy are doing a great job. The world is full of critics.

If you couldn't tell, I won't be signing your petition.

 

[pwag31]

I know the instigator penalty was brought in to curb violence in hockey, but in my opinion it has just increased the cheap shots and head shots that everyone is saying that we need to get out of hockey.

Not saying that it is the only cause, but I feel it is one, along with the lack of respect some players have for their opponent's well being.

Just my 2 cents.

Paul

 

[jackieg]

The only thing wrong with the game of hockey right now is the chinsy calls being made every night since the lockout. Phantom hooking and holding calls, the instigator penalty, etc.

Head shots and violent plays have happened since the beginning of hockey. Campbell and Murphy are doing a great job. The world is full of critics.

If you couldn't tell, I won't be signing your petition.

NOt sure how long you have been watching hockey but i will agree with almost all you have said. Althogh head shots and violence have been happening at the rate that we have not seen in the past. There is a lack of respect between players and a lack of respect for the game. I love a good fight but within reason. I respect your reasons not sign , thanks for the comments .
Jack

 

[bamlinden]

There is a lack of respect between players and a lack of respect for the game.

The onus is on the players to do that. All the players. You can't force them to respect one another by issuing over-the-top fines and suspensions. I don't think that sends the message. Instead, why doesn't the league, the players, the fans - everyone focus on the positives and build from there.

Nobody talks about the fantastic surges from New Jersey, Calgary, Toronto. Instead, it's Cooke, Rypien and Chara. It's not about the Sedin brothers possibly finishing 1-2 in scoring. Instead, it's Gillies and his PIM vs. TOI stats.

For every negative this league has, there are 10 positives. But they don't get the face time because it's not water cooler stuff. It's not heated argument stuff. I think most people like to talk about what's wrong with things rather than what's right.

It's a shame.

Are there issues with the game? Yes. But there have always been issues with the game. Maybe I'm naive, but I do believe that there are people working in the NHL, working for the NHLPA that are trying to do their best for what's right in the game. It's thankless job they have.

 

[habsheaven]

NOt sure how long you have been watching hockey but i will agree with almost all you have said. Althogh head shots and violence have been happening at the rate that we have not seen in the past. There is a lack of respect between players and a lack of respect for the game. I love a good fight but within reason. I respect your reasons not sign , thanks for the comments .
Jack

I have been watching hockey for 40 years. Much like every aspect of life, it is the media coverage that has changed. It only appears that there are more headshots because that is all anyone is ever looking for NOW. We now have a league full of players that have always worn helmets and because so have a total disregard for their own head and that of their opponent. Hits are high, sticks are high, equipment is harder, players can't run interference for their defense partners so forecheckers are coming faster. Believe it or not, there used to be a day when a well timed elbow to an opposing players chin was considered acceptable in some instances. There was no uproar. Most would claim the player got what he deserved. Is that right? No, but that doesn't mean that isn't how it was. It just wasn't a big deal.

 

[steen101984]

I know the instigator penalty was brought in to curb violence in hockey, but in my opinion it has just increased the cheap shots and head shots that everyone is saying that we need to get out of hockey.

Not saying that it is the only cause, but I feel it is one, along with the lack of respect some players have for their opponent's well being.

Just my 2 cents.

Paul

I totally agree. You have players like Avery, Carcillo, Kaleta, Cooke etc. that take liberties with every player on the ice with no fear of retaliation. You have to ask them if they want to fight and they almost always say no. Little pukes like these wouldn't have lasted ten minutes in the older NHL because someone would have ripped their heads off.

You have to let the players police themselves otherwise the respect is gone.

 

[Bryan_Mc]

i understand player safety comes first.
even though today's players are bigger and faster than ever, i have a theory.
just a theory,but were players in the 70's and early 80's safer with less padding? on a recent flyers broadcast, steve coates showed the difference between say, bill barbers shoulder pads,gloves,etc versus claude girouxs modern equipment. back in the day, it seemed more like thick cloth,where today it more closely resembles a suit of armor.
as far as helmets go, did players have more respect and better control of his stick when the opponent had no head protection? not to mention you paid with your blood and teeth when you got your twig up in someone's facial area. are there more, and more serious injuries today? concussions, for example, are they more frequent, or more frequently reported then in days gone by?