Quote:
Originally Posted by neo45
Cages? There will be another lockout if you try to get pro hockey players to wear a cage
Hamonic wouldn’t even wear one with a broken face
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Yeah, I think it'll take a long time for it to apply to all players but I think the conversation is past-due. I'd imagine all existing NHL players will be grandfathered as it was when helmets became mandatory, but it's a level of protection that makes a lot of sense to see on the ice to me.
It's not popular, it looks less cool... but I'd hate to see what injury it'll take to make this an issue.
I also think that the cages out there now might not be the final design either. Looking at original helmets, original NFL facemasks or any other old equipment they were all fairly cumbersome or ineffective. I think one of the biggest issues with the cage is the chin, and someone smarter than I will likely design something that protects your face while still allowing good peripheral visibility.
I just think it's one of those things that will seem perfectly normal once it's instated (like helmets) but make the game a lot safer and I think more fun to watch.