He could do that, at half the speed players today skate at, because rosters were chock full of guys with minimal talent.
Where does this "chock full of guys with minimal talent" idea come from?
I realize players today are bigger and better trained and they don't smoke and all that, but the NHL was always the best league in the world. The players in it were the best players in the world. (Except for all those guys behind the Iron Curtain -- granted)
There were some who were better than others, just like today, but they didn't just pick any guy with skates to fill out the roster.
In 40 years the players will be better and bigger and stronger and bla bla bla, but we're not going to look back and say "man, the NHL was filled with a bunch of bums in 2015". Or maybe we will?
Anyway, other people have lamented the fact that goalmouth scrambles lead to so many goals. I happen to love a good goalmouth scramble. I love players recklessly crashing the net, pileups, trainwrecks, and all that good stuff. Kind of harsh to ask the goalies to wear less equipment now though, unless they do something about that.
There will have to be changes to the rules well beyond "smaller equipment for goalies". Bigger creases? Brett Hull's Foot? Who knows!
__________________
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to RougeUnderoos For This Useful Post:
I am all for improving the game, but I have a problem with the rose colored glasses school of thought where improving the game means trying to turn back time.
While there have been season to season ups and downs, for me hockey has been getting more entertaining as time goes on. In my opinion the 2014 Kings/Hawks playoff series is the most entertaining hockey ever aired.
In the 1980s hockey was a mess, almost unwatchable (special games where teams could have a lot less scrubs were better). I enjoyed playing hockey at that time, but watching my friends play was just as entertaining as watching a professional game. As time went on the average skill level of the players started to rise and the game got more interesting to watch. We have seen a lot of growing pains as game became a real sport, and many necessary rule changes happened to refine the game.
My point is let's keep refining the game. Let's keepmmaking it better. But trying to make it like it was in the past is not going to make it better. And the solution is not a simple thing. More goals or smaller goaltender equipment is not a silver bullet, and could backfire by making goals seem cheap and uninteresting. It needs a lot of thought and debate to get to the right solution.
I'd be inclined to agree with that.
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Locke For This Useful Post:
Maybe, but 30 foot weak wristers going in weren't much more exciting...
Yes, because so many of those went in back in the day.
The major difference between goaltenders then and now is when a goaltender misplayed a shot he didn't have 60% more mass because of equipment for the puck to hit and hopefully not go in.
Yes, because so many of those went in back in the day.
The major difference between goaltenders then and now is when a goaltender misplayed a shot he didn't have 60% more mass because of equipment for the puck to hit and hopefully not go in.
I don't disagree, I'm just more pointing out that poor goaltending and awful defense of the 70's and 80's weren't superior because of how the goals went in. Today's game is faster and far more creative. Full stop. Defensive schematics, equipment and goaltending technique are the reason for the lack of goals not lack of "creativity". And it certainly wasn't more entertaining outside the nostalgic value of it
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Street Pharmacist For This Useful Post:
I don't disagree, I'm just more pointing out that poor goaltending and awful defense of the 70's and 80's weren't superior because of how the goals went in. Today's game is faster and far more creative. Full stop. Defensive schematics, equipment and goaltending technique are the reason for the lack of goals not lack of "creativity". And it certainly wasn't more entertaining outside the nostalgic value of it
Plus, when you're scoring a combined 10 goals a game their value diminishes.
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
There were some who were better than others, just like today, but they didn't just pick any guy with skates to fill out the roster.
Hang on - are you trying to tell me the players in the NHL in the 70s and 80s were guys who were the very best in competitive leagues all through childhood, practiced harder than anyone else, demonstrated more talent, and were drafted by professional scouts, and then continued to practice and compete against the best players in the world once they were in the NHL? Seems hard to believe. I thought pretty much anyone could play in the NHL in that era. You just kinda walked on and were handed a jersey.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos
In 40 years the players will be better and bigger and stronger and bla bla bla, but we're not going to look back and say "man, the NHL was filled with a bunch of bums in 2015". Or maybe we will?
You can bet 20-35 year old fans will look back and shake their heads at the slow, out-of-shape hacks who play in the NHL today. And the older fans who claim Iginla and Gaudreau and Ovechkin had talent will be snickered at as doddering old cloud-yellers. And so it goes.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by fotze
If this day gets you riled up, you obviously aren't numb to the disappointment yet to be a real fan.
Last edited by CliffFletcher; 12-06-2015 at 05:58 PM.
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to CliffFletcher For This Useful Post:
I don't disagree, I'm just more pointing out that poor goaltending and awful defense of the 70's and 80's weren't superior because of how the goals went in. Today's game is faster and far more creative. Full stop. Defensive schematics, equipment and goaltending technique are the reason for the lack of goals not lack of "creativity". And it certainly wasn't more entertaining outside the nostalgic value of it
Very true but still think the new rules while making the game faster reduces creativity because creativity can only exists at a more reasonable speed. Now a defenseman fires the puck up the opponents blue line and the forward can barely receive it. Just tips it into the zone and chases it or more likely goes for a line changes. I would like to see more players bring the puck out of their zone and into the opponents zone. And the offense needs to be able to run pick plays to create more space for such plays.
__________________
Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
Hang on - are you trying to tell me the players in the NHL in the 70s and 80s were guys who were the very best in competitive leagues all through childhood, practiced harder than anyone else, demonstrated more talent, and were drafted by professional scouts, and then continued to practice and compete against the best players in the world once they were in the NHL? Seems hard to believe. I thought pretty much anyone could play in the NHL in that era. You just kinda walked on and were handed a jersey.
You can bet 20-35 year old fans will look back and shake their heads at the slow, out-of-shape hacks who play in the NHL today. And the older fans who claim Iginla and Gaudreau and Ovechkin had talent will be snickered at as doddering old cloud-yellers. And so it goes.
Will Iginla, Gaudreau, and Ovechkin be cranky presumptive jackasses who think no one has learned to play hockey properly in the last 40 years? I hope not.
“Look at a picture of Ken Dryden,” instructs the five-time Stanley Cup champion. “Then look at a picture of, for example, Ben Bishop. Both big guys. Different eras. Put them side-by-side. There you are."
we don't need to go back far. I think hockey in the laste 80s and early 90s was excellent. Now I think the players are amazing but the game is a little bit too fast and out of control. Just reign it back a little bit.
Like the Hudler penalty in the Dallas OT game. That's should never ever ever be a penalty. That's a player using his strength and positioning to veer the opponent off course in a puck chase.
__________________
Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
The big goalie gear also makes it much easier to defend.
Easier for a team to defend the middle of the ice, and in front of the net when you know your goalie will stop every shot from the outside.
You shrink goalie equipment a little bit and you will see more lanes in the middle of the ice open up as well because defense can't just be "Collapse and only protect the front of the net".
The Following User Says Thank You to SuperMatt18 For This Useful Post:
we don't need to go back far. I think hockey in the laste 80s and early 90s was excellent. Now I think the players are amazing but the game is a little bit too fast and out of control. Just reign it back a little bit.
Like the Hudler penalty in the Dallas OT game. That's should never ever ever be a penalty. That's a player using his strength and positioning to veer the opponent off course in a puck chase.
Disagree. The amount of hacking, hooking, holding and interference in that era was a joke and was a headwind to creativity. Not to mention if you're scared you're going to get leveled by a flying elbow 2 seconds after you get rid of the puck when you're looking the other way, it doesn't exactly encourage creativity. That era was far inferior to this era.
I also just don't agree with your assessment that increased speed has been bad for the game. I kind of understand what you're saying with the one tip-in play you keep talking about, but I just find it odd that you're so focused on that. When you get a guy who's speeding up the wing on a 1 on 1, and the defensemen has lost a step and he can't hook, hold or slash the guy to recover, that's what leads to excitement and creativity. When a guy can drive to the net with speed for a pass without 2 d-men waterskiing behind him, that leads to exciting scoring chances. Lots of teams carry the puck into the offensive zone now, our own team being one of them. Our own diminutive superstar is one of the best guys at doing so. Do you think Johnny would have made the NHL in 1991? Not a chance.
They do need to restrict the size of goalie equipment. Maybe that'll shut the old men up.
