Is it time for the NHL to make neckguards mandatory?

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by TenaciousC

I’m sure the NHL’ers would rather not look like peewees every time they hit the ice. These guys get paid millions...there’s always going to be a risk

They'd just look like hockey players.

Sometimes doing the manly thing is also the risky thing that doesn't really have any logic behind it.

Logically, all players should wear full face protection.

Neck guards too.

And the blocker booties.

[calumniate]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

I hated wearing one. And no. They don’t do enough to warrant it being mandatory.

It could save a life, but doesn't do enough?

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

I honestly can't believe that neck guards and full shields aren't mandatory.

This.

The macho BS in not protecting your face when it WILL happen due to high sticks, not to mention puck and other incidents that keep players out of the game, is bizarre. It's ironic that when they return from a facial injury that they do wear the cage to protect their face. Of course they then take it off to risk injury again.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by TenaciousC

I’m sure the NHL’ers would rather not look like peewees every time they hit the ice. These guys get paid millions...there’s always going to be a risk

[wooohooo]

They should at least make those jaw guard protector's Frolik was wearing mandatory. Looks kind of stupid but at least it offers protection around the mouth and still let's the NHL display their players faces.

[Fotiu666]

Neckguards, full cages and Cooperall long pants should be mandatory for one year for whoever wins the draft lottery.

[TenaciousC]

This thread is getting outrageous...we better make players wear mouthgaurds and ear gaurds and coat stick blades with padding while we’re at it. Wiping the sweat off your face while wearing a cage is nuisance enough.

Fact of the matter is that players play at their best when they’re comfortable....neck guards are restrictive and cages obstruct on ice vision

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by calumniate

It could save a life, but doesn't do enough?

How many lives have been lost, again?

I may need to top up my volcano insurance.

[PepsiFree]

Does anyone have a reason why safety equipment is bad, outside of the very weird “not manly enough” excuse?

[Northendzone]

please, somebody think of the children

[TenaciousC]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Does anyone have a reason why safety equipment is bad, outside of the very weird “not manly enough” excuse?

Restrictive + uncomfortable = decrease in performance

I can tell you that when the pace of play is fast, looking through a visor compared to a cage is like someone gave you glasses for the first time

I knew quite a few players in junior that didn’t wear cups just because it interfered with their stride too much....not saying that’s smart

[Otto-matic]

Originally Posted by TenaciousC

Restrictive + uncomfortable = decrease in performance

I can tell you that when the pace of play is fast, looking through a visor compared to a cage is like someone gave you glasses for the first time

I knew quite a few players in junior that didn’t wear cups just because it interfered with their stride too much....not saying that’s smart

https://www.sportchek.ca/categories/...%5Bcolor%5D=99

Is it really that restrictive?

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

The NHL is so interested in safety

they are?

Originally Posted by TenaciousC

Restrictive + uncomfortable = decrease in performance

I can tell you that when the pace of play is fast, looking through a visor compared to a cage is like someone gave you glasses for the first time

I knew quite a few players in junior that didn’t wear cups just because it interfered with their stride too much....not saying that’s smart

Not really an issue if it's the same for everyone (even if it's a grandfathered thing...not like it'll be enough of a difference to build an old team that doesn't have to wear them).

Formula 1 just added a Halo Device - a bar that comes right down the middle of the drivers vision. It looks horrible and most fans/drivers don't like it (myself included), but it took the drivers about 1 lap each to adapt to it driving 350+ kph. Same for everybody.

[CroFlames]

I'll warrant that neckguards are useless. Of the neck/throat laceractions that have happened, I think all of them happened above where a neckguard would protect. So you are making a mountain out of a molehill here.

Full face cages make sense, but they really restrict vision and comfort. I think if you're making millions, players find the risk level acceptable. I think serious facial injuries are rare anyway and really I can only think of Keith Tkachuk's mouth and Yzerman's eye in recent memory.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by TenaciousC

Restrictive + uncomfortable = decrease in performance

I can tell you that when the pace of play is fast, looking through a visor compared to a cage is like someone gave you glasses for the first time

I knew quite a few players in junior that didn’t wear cups just because it interfered with their stride too much....not saying that’s smart

All of the players in junior don't have fully developed prefrontal cortexes so what they believe about what may or may not enhance their performance should be taken with a large grain of salt.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Full face cages make sense, but they really restrict vision and comfort. I think if you're making millions, players find the risk level acceptable. I think serious facial injuries are rare anyway and really I can only think of Keith Tkachuk's mouth and Yzerman's eye in recent memory.

Depends what you consider serious.

Flames have missed significant time from Brouwer and Frolik this season due to facial fractures.

I mean, they aren't life threatening, but if a team ends up going into the playoffs down their best player due to a face injury, they potentially miss an extra playoff round, and million in revenue due to that absence.

[calumniate]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

How many lives have been lost, again?

I may need to top up my volcano insurance.

Yeah because near death doesn't cut it these days

[Rhettzky]

I'm always reminded of the neck guards that look like chokers that they wear in the world juniors when I think of grown men wearing neck guards...

NSFW!

[Red_Baron]

In minor hockey, I remember ripping my neck guard off on the way to the dressing room. I despised of them.

I am yet to see someone wear one in a mens rec league game or tournament.

I also believe that a full cage is going to make a reckless player that much worse, I'd rather have a cut or some lost teeth than a head injury.

Nothing stopping NHL players from wearing this stuff.

[GioforPM]

When the visor thing was debated I used to say I've always thought there are players who'd like to wear them but didn't want to be accused of being soft. And if they were mandatory, they'd actually like it.

Oddly, it's the union that is against mandatory safety equipment.