Yeah, you guys. Leave Crosby alone. He just chopped a guy's finger off. It's not like he elbowed someone in the face or something. Stop bugging him about it already.
I don't want to get all Don Cherry on this issue, but I don't recall this abundance of slashing during the enforcer era. Unintended outcome (but predictable) is the increase in stick work as a result of no in game policing (ie. when the ref misses something the enforcer takes care of it). Not saying that this is better, but there is a correlation between enforcers going away and stick work going up. Kind of similar to the increase in d-men getting run into boards when hooking and interference were cracked down on.
I do agree however, that the only way to get rid of it is to call everything - if you bring your stick up and wack your opponent with your stick it is a slash - if it is on the equipment or not.
I don't want to get all Don Cherry on this issue, but I don't recall this abundance of slashing during the enforcer era. Unintended outcome (but predictable) is the increase in stick work as a result of no in game policing (ie. when the ref misses something the enforcer takes care of it). Not saying that this is better, but there is a correlation between enforcers going away and stick work going up. Kind of similar to the increase in d-men getting run into boards when hooking and interference were cracked down on.
I do agree however, that the only way to get rid of it is to call everything - if you bring your stick up and wack your opponent with your stick it is a slash - if it is on the equipment or not.
Re bold: is there data to back this up?
Also, I have never understood the enforcer concept. How does enforcer fighting another enforce change the game? It seems to me, and this is totally off the top of my head, that enforcers fought each other. "The Code" stopped them from fighting those that might actually be doing the stick work.
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Captain James P. DeCOSTE, CD, 18 Sep 1993
I suggested this a while back, and got zero response (so that probably means it was a stupid idea), but I'll say it again because the more I think about it the more I believe that it could make a positive difference in regards to all of this "tapping".
Should the NHL tighten up the rules on how long a player's stick can be, relative to their height? Skilled players already typically use shorter sticks, as it makes for better stick-handling/puck control, so it wouldn't hurt their games. It's the defensemen, and checking line players that use longer than necessary sticks, as it keeps their opposition within reach. I think the league needs to make an effort to take that away.
Shorten the sticks, and start calling penalties consistently.
This is something I've been saying for a long time now. These slashes only serve to help marginal players have an unfair advantage over the Stars of the NHL. Why does the NHL allow this? No wonder why hockey will never be ahead of the NFL or NBA. Those leagues protect the stars of their game who sell the ticketd and bring in the viewers. This league is totally backwards, it's embarrassing.
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For sure the hacking and slashing was way worse back in the "enforcer era".
Think of Doug Risebrough and John Tonelli for example. It wasn't a successful shift (let alone game) if those guys didn't lay the lumber on someone. They were universally admired players and winners. They never had to fight an enforcer over it. Sure, they riled up the opposition (Riser especially) but he never had to fight Dave Brown because he chopped Glenn Anderson in the hands (or face). He did once get pummelled by McSorley, but that was just for general peskiness and not the way he played defense (which involved slashing).
yeah, my recollection during the enforcer era is guys knew they were going to get punched in the head at some point during the game, so might as well make it worth it and make a slash/elbow/spear a good one.
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"OOOOOOHHHHHHH those Russians" - Boney M
having bought a couple pairs of decent gloves in last few years, i can't believe how amazingly soft and lite they are. And also almost useless protecting my hand in goof ball beer league play. Pros have better gloves, but not much more protective.
Can someone not innovate lite and protective equipment?
having bought a couple pairs of decent gloves in last few years, i can't believe how amazingly soft and lite they are. And also almost useless protecting my hand in goof ball beer league play. Pros have better gloves, but not much more protective.
Can someone not innovate lite and protective equipment?
The problem is the players need a little flexibility in the gloves to have good control of their shots, and it's hard to get a material that can retain that flexibility and also distribute the force of a slash over a large enough area to reduce the likelihood of breaking a bone.
I think the only solution is to apply the existing rules/penalties to get rid of the slashing. Also, go after the coaches on it - that Minnesota game that resulted in Gaudreau's injury featured so many slashes by so many players that you have to believe it was a coach's directive.
Applying the rules would slow the game down for a while, but you don't see the players hooking and essentially hitching a ride on another player the way it used to be done before the NHL decided to apply the existing rules.
gotta agree. this is in the 'we call it sometimes, sometimes we don't' part of the rulebook (when it shouldn't be) that is often utilized for game management. If the other team has more skill than you, you can get away with this stuff in order to slow them down or mitigate that skill. Refs can allow it to keep the game close.
IMO it all stems from on high about 'keeping things close' for the sake of 'parity' that the league is so proud of.
If/When they got rid of 'tapping', I think we'd see the stars shine even more and the disparity would be more apparent (which I'd be fine with, but I'm saying the League may not be)
Not sure about you guys, but watching LA & Anaheim & maybe Minni games...they take a LOT of stick liberties, and it makes them more competitive as it slows down faster, more skilled teams, to the point where the game shifts to a slower more physical style which is more in their wheelhouse. Drives me crazy to see it allowed.
As a fan I'd be all for removing it from the game, even if it creates a penalty parade.
I've thought for a while they should use the tool they use for icing to call less severe penalties and call them consistently and often. If Johnny is getting slashed coming into the zone, then let Calgary finish the play and give them a faceoff in the opposition zone without a defensive line change.
Part of the reason they can't be consistent, is that 2 min penalties for everything does ruin the game.