vangvace

Let's say that old time hockey is roughly 1940s-1950s to 1992-1993ish. Is it closer to the old ways, yes. but it is also still a washed out version of what is was though IMO. The influx of Euros is a poor excuse too, many of the early pond jumpers did fight from time to time and I have a feeling many of the current breed would as well. Systems... yeah that hurt but not nearly as much as the instigator penalty* did. Tough guys were sought after and drafted before then and now, because of rule changes, they are considered goons unless they're good for 30+ points a season. *I could be wrong and I'm having trouble researching if in fact that cheapshots and injuries are up since fighters were castrated by that rule or it's a load of bunk. So tell me what was the last major change to baseball's rules? In the 70s when they added the DH? 1994 when they changed the playoffs? Perhaps there was a change to the strike zone since then baseball isn't really a sport I follow close enough. My point was that they are two great sports with long histories yet only one has been so manic with major rule changes over the last 15ish years. Edit to add: It'll be interesting to see the rule tweaking/ reeducation during the offseason. Esp. with certain powers wanting to change playoff overtimes

nice post SWF

...and if Balsillie can't do it no one will. It will be an interesting offseason.

good luck to the Second Coming... hopefully he can live up to the hype. And smart of Pittsburg to get him some protection.

God I wasn't going to post... but then I saw this Yeah us hypocrites complain about this "new NHL" because it sucks... and most fight fans are routing for the Ducks because they play the old game. NOT the post 90s lockout old game. NOT the soccer system on ice game. BUT the closest thing to old time hockey we have... and prob will see for quite some time. You can see it on every players face... passion, not this robotic videogame crap that the "new NHL" was supposed to be. Speaking of hypocrites you had better add Brian Murray to the mix too. Don't believe me? Lookup the Wings teams he dressed while here. Now he's just a whiny little shell of a what he used to be. Do you know what else is killing the NHL... rules changing every season to fix what was a good product. Hockey's history goes back almost as far as baseball yet they keep trying to "fix" something that wasn't broke to begin with and then fix what they just broke. It's not mine but it really sums up how much things have changed since the ninety's lockout and was taken before the WCF... read it oh and if we're going to add asterisks to cup champions you might as well add in Detroit's last three cups as well. One for buying the 2002 cup and the other two for playing the left wing lock system and so would the Wings, Oilers, Sens, Preds, rangers, devils... three on three pond hockey! it'll be the new new new NHL

Woo hoo I just saw two commercials involving hockey on TV. and not during a game either. The first was during a comcast commercial and it showed the Winged wheel a few times. The second was for AHL season tickets.

Yup "mailing it in" as opposed to showing up to work. Deserves and attaboy for dropping the gloves but a shrug for not really doing much

Whine, whine, whine to the media to get calls

True but the competition committee wants it up to 40min of power play with 20min of shootout... you heard it here first! Seriously though they need to go back to a single ref. That way players can know how the game will be called since every penalty can't be called. (But I would like to see more dives)

thank goodness the voting's not over... go Sawchuk!

I'm happy that the Wings gave Maltby an extension. He still has value on the PK and will hopefully hold a clinic on shorthanded goals during the offseason. However, his time is growing short with the Wings. I wouldn't be surprised if he finishes his career elsewhere in a trade deadline move. (Barring the dreaded NTC in his contract)

Stars, true superstars, like those that hang from the rafters in arenas across the league had one of two things... either they defending themselves or they had an enforcer on the bench nearby to keep the game honest. Think back through the years and all the superstars to play the game... how many would play as long or be as effective without that silent sentinel in the background. Would Yzerman have lasted as long if he didn't have the Bruise Brothers? What about the Great One? Even now Pittsburgh recognize this and have protection for the "second coming." It would be to our benefit to do the same for our own young superstars lest we lose them... Enforcers and fighters have the ability that these skill players do not have though. Nobody cheers the sweet pass or the amazing deke... at least not much. Outside of the later rounds of the playoffs the cheers die off quickly when a goal is scored. But from the moment a "tough guy" hits the ice the air gets a little more electric and should a fight happen to take place... fans don't cheer for a minute, they scream for five. The don't keep their seats, they stand on their toes. They don't watch with their eyes, they feel with their soul. That's what it's about... the passion, the love of that game that combines the best off all other sports out there, yet still adds it's own magic, no essence, to it. No an enforcer is not and should not be priority number one, but by god if it isn't in the top 5. :nonono:

True... and he also teased that there could be moves in 3-5 years, after we move some games to Europe

They're not already...

Finally got around to reading... glad I did Welcome back?

Yes he is... but he was heading towards puckbunny happy for a sec or two... good game but hope it takes a turn for the tougher All I want for the finals is Parros v. McGratton It would make Bettman sh*t himself just to see them dressed. (Sadly they both will prob get games just for being on the bench)

Like most of fourth liners in the league? Especially as benches get shortened...

Made MSN too... NHL is mentioned 3 times in ESPN the magazine. (Check out the last page hilarious use of Red Wings and the Queen of England) Always good to see good NHL press. On a serious note though... two labor disputes and constant rule changes have hurt greatly in helping getting the media to by off on the game...

:nonono:: Yup because the fourth line is were all the scoring comes from. not yet... not by a long shot. The playoffs proved a step in the right direction, but the regular season was just too glaringly soft, weak, and eurosoccer... Again, thankfully the playoffs should that they have grit now to drop the purses and get tough. Three things here: First, go back more than one season if your going to complain like that. More below Second, DYG.com counts anything and everything they can as a fight. Hell, they prob counted every time Holstrom was in front of a net. Try someplace more reputable like Fried Chicken's or Hockeyfights.com... A fight isn't a fight without a fighting major. Finally, Detroit's been at or near the bottom since Kocur left. The others you listed... not so much. Parros did his part though... between both of the cup finalists there are 5 players who faught more then Detroit's regulars did as a whole did Interesting article: Lemaire on next year Reminder article: (Specifically note the parts on Wings injuries) Wings getting ran... again Finally some numbers brought to you by hockeyfights.com: Last time the Wings weren't last in fighting: 2000-2001 season Fighting majors over the last twoseasons by Wings regulars... 10. By god at least it was double digits. Fighting Majors for the '97 and '98 Cups: 88 Detroit used to be a bastion for tough hockey... now it's "team toughness" and "his getting suspended for knocking out our guy" How about getting an enforcer to help ensure that the players that matter are healthy come playoff time... but hell, let's let the league and refs make sure that our guys don't get hurt because it has worked out so well for us so far.

Man, I hope this series gets nasty enough to see McGratton and Parros go at it.

Band-wagoner's doesn't matter the city or team.

Nope apples to oranges, or power forwards to centermen if you like.

Would like to also add that the city wants the Wings out of the Joe as quickly as possible. The mayor has plans for the site already.

No, injured backs never truely heal and players are never 100% after. However with that said... The promise of what he could bring is tempting. 2 Year incentive heavy contract with the team being able to opt out after one and a player option for a third year would be my offer.

Hopefully this isn't the final design for some of them, like the Wings and Habs. I missed the all-star game so I didn't see the new design in actio, but.with all the issues in the game today... new unis must be the answer