[News] Habs legends talk about what's wrong with the game

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

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...

I think this is just a part of the continuing evolution of the game. Just as every NHL player can do things at much higher speeds and better effectiveness than their counterparts from 20–30 years ago, so future NHL players will be able to play at the pace that we are now judging to be "out of control." By continually the speed of the play up, players are being forced to get constantly better and better at playing at higher speeds and in heavier traffic. It theoretically should result in a much improved game in the long run.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

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...

It is a relative comparison, and a completely legitimate one in this instance. Yes, the NHL has always been stocked with the best hockey players in the world, but also yes, the gap in abilities between players playing in today's game and those from previous era's is much, MUCH smaller. The point is not that low end players from previous eras were scrubs, only that compared directly to their counterparts from today's game, who all benefit immensely from development leagues, year-round high performance training regimens, individual and specialised skills training, and customized dietary schedules, they were competing no where close to the level of play that now compensates somewhat for the skill gap between bottom-end and top-level players.

[troutman]

I watched an elite women's hockey game at Edge school on the weekend. They were all such excellent and fast skaters, there were no scoring chances. No one had any time or space to do anything.

[Envitro]

The old games when they're on TV are almost unwatchable to me. Just brutal hockey.
The goals that they score are a joke, and I would be ashamed if I let in some of the goals in my beer league games (as a goalie)...

Comparing hockey then to now is not even fair... How many guys back then could do a spin around move and back-hand it top-shelf like 90% of the players today. The skills are not even close.

[FBI]

I don't understand your "the game is too fast" argument. Strongly disagree.

Decrease goalie equipment and enforce it properly for more goals.

[mikeecho]

What players need today is a way to release the stress without fear of the law and accountability. Y'know... Have a dozen pops, wreck your car and get a ride home from the cops before anyone finds out. Seemed to work for some of these Habs legends.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by mikeecho

What players need today is a way to release the stress without fear of the law and accountability. Y'know... Have a dozen pops, wreck your car and get a ride home from the cops before anyone finds out. Seemed to work for some of these Habs legends.

What does this have to do with anything? Dumbest post I've read today.

[Saqe]

I think Florida's GM Tallon predicted that they would have to increase the rink size at some point to compensate for the increase in player size. He proposed the current coaches' challenge back in 2010 so maybe he has a hunch or is a wizard.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Saqe

I think Florida's GM Tallon predicted that they would have to increase the rink size at some point to compensate for the increase in player size. He proposed the current coaches' challenge back in 2010 so maybe he has a hunch or is a wizard.

The sheer logistical cost of something like that is staggering.

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by Locke

The sheer logistical cost of something like that is staggering.

If it's just the width of the rink and something like a seat row from both sides I don't know. Costly sure but not impossible considering the size of the business.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Saqe

If it's just the width of the rink and something like a seat row from both sides I don't know. Costly sure but not impossible considering the size of the business.

Didn't the Dome once have the ability to change ice sizes?

[curves2000]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Didn't the Dome once have the ability to change ice sizes?

I believe the Dome is still one of the very few buildings in the NHL that still have the ability to convert to Olympic sized ice surface. Obviously the building was built to host the 1988 Olympics so it was designed from the beginning with this ability.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Didn't the Dome once have the ability to change ice sizes?

A lot of them do, but you're eliminating the most expensive seats, some arenas do not have the capacity, and if you widen something you likely have to lengthen it as well.

So you're talking a few rows of seats and some arenas will have to be totally re-done, Winnipeg would be at the front of the line screaming bloody murder.

[tvp2003]

Keep the blocker and glove the same size, but cut down on the massive C&A that goalies wear:

[Locke]

Seriously, no man. That catching glove is deceptive, but its insanely huge! Its like the size of a child's car-seat!

[getbak]

Originally Posted by curves2000

I believe the Dome is still one of the very few buildings in the NHL that still have the ability to convert to Olympic sized ice surface. Obviously the building was built to host the 1988 Olympics so it was designed from the beginning with this ability.

My understanding is that the Saddledome is no longer convertible since the renovations that added dressing rooms to the building for the 2011 World Juniors.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Locke

Seriously, no man. That catching glove is deceptive, but its insanely huge! Its like the size of a child's car-seat!

Garbage can lid sized. Agreed, these things need to be smaller.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by habernac

Garbage can lid sized. Agreed, these things need to be smaller.

If they just get rid of the cheaters along the arm that funnel the puck into the glove, and leave it a simple catching glove it'd be nice.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Locke

A lot of them do, but you're eliminating the most expensive seats, some arenas do not have the capacity, and if you widen something you likely have to lengthen it as well.

So you're talking a few rows of seats and some arenas will have to be totally re-done, Winnipeg would be at the front of the line screaming bloody murder.

Oh, I agree with you. I just was recalling something from my youth.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by habernac

Garbage can lid sized. Agreed, these things need to be smaller.

They dont look that big on TV but I've seen one in person, they're MASSIVE!