[thefoss1957]

I think that the whole mindset of "soft" "gritty" "whatever" needs to be put to bed...

I laugh uncontrollably when opposing announcers for games that feature the 'Hawks rave on and on on how their guys have a huge lead in "hit" stats and the like, while the scoreboard has the 'Hawks up by a couple of goals, and are completely dominating possession stats.

This is the path the league has been set on...and with liability from injuries, especially head injuries lurking for this league, this is the way it is going to be...

I mean when Toews is leading his team in fighting majors, then there really isn't any roster spot that is committed to a goon...and that has been the blueprint since the rise of the Red Wings over the last decade...Speed and skill>grit and blunt power.

Of course, the league certainly needs to have fined Keith for the slash (and sanction the refs for missing an obvious call)...but...for your guys, the BEST way to protect your guys, and incidentally, increase your chances of winning, is to make teams PAY regularly, by scoring, when those penalties ARE called.

If risking a PPG against is too high, those kind of stick plays will disappear...at least, until you get gutless officiating that "don't want to affect the outcome" (although POCKETING the whistle DOES "affect the outcome")