Veterans Players Choosing to Wear visors/ Younger Players Going Withou

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

I've noticed some veteran players are deciding to wear a visor. Paul Gaustad of the Sabres has donned one. Jason Arnott of the Blues is wearing one. Jarret Stoll of the Kings is wearing one, saying his wife finally convinced him. Both Steve Ott and Adam Burish of the Stars have chosen to wear one. It will be interesting to see if these guys are just testing them out, or if they plan to wear one for the remainder of their careers.

On the flip side, Wayne Simmonds of the Flyers has decided to ditch his. Nikita Nikitin of the Blues is going without one. Brenden Morrow of the Stars, who wore one last year after a facial injury, has decided to ditch his. Our Johan Franzen is playing without one again. Last year, he played the playoffs with one on.

Just interesting to see the older guys finally try them out, and the younger guys, who have played most of their hockey careers with one, deciding to go without one.

Anyone notice other players who have switched?

[CopenhagenWing 38]

AFAIK Franzen only wore one after his face got messed up in the Phoenix series.

Wearing one makes sense to me. You only have one set of eyes and a long life to live after your career is over. Ditch the lid if you're going to fight, though.

[Konnan511 1,736]

I know most of the guys I played hockey with, as soon as they could ditch the cage/visor they did. They said it was to see better, but I know they did it because they thought they'd "look" cooler. Any decent visor is fog resistent and the bottom of the visor maybe obstructs your view by like 2%. If visors were really that detreimental to your sight, the best players in the world wouldn't be wearing them.

Also, as eluded too, I'm just assuming the veterans don't want to lose the only eyes they have, while the younger guys just want to try hockey without any cage/visor. The smarter ones will keep some sort of eye protection, though.

edit: Tori Spelling

Edited October 15, 2011 by Konnan511

[WorkingOvertime 536]

I know most of the guys I played hockey with, as soon as they could ditch the cage/visor they did. They said it was to see better, but I know they did it because they thought they'd "look" cooler. Any decent visor is fog resistent and the bottom of the visor maybe obstructs your few by like 2%. If visors were really that detreimental to your sight, the best players in the world wouldn't be wearing them.

Also, as eluded too, I'm just assuming the veterans don't want to lose the only eyes they have, while the younger guys just want to try hockey without any cage/visor. The smarter ones will keep some sort of eye protection, though.

I haven't played without a visor, but I have played with a cage and with visor. IMO the difference between a cage and visor is night and day. I'm not sure if the transition from visor to no visor has the same effect (I would guess it has an improvement, but not a large one), but I can understand players choosing not to wear visors.

[Scott Stevens 44]

At one point, the players didn't even wear helmets. That's insane.

[Dimaline312000 51]

It makes me wonder if an argument can be made for full cage helmets being manditory or at least make the visors manditory. I realize it's the NHL and players should be allowed to play how they want and wear what they want as long as it's within the rules of the NHL but it just seems that with all the saftey measures the NHL takes and has taken over the years that making the helmets a bit more safer would be a good idea. I mean they already did something about the straps and them being a little bit tighter under the chin seems like you'd want to protect your face a bit more. It's happened enough times where a player takes a puck in the face and it results in serious injury. I probably can't see the NHL making a full cage helmet manditory but perhaps the visors one day. Anyone else??

[wings1110 184]

I haven't played without a visor, but I have played with a cage and with visor. IMO the difference between a cage and visor is night and day. I'm not sure if the transition from visor to no visor has the same effect (I would guess it has an improvement, but not a large one), but I can understand players choosing not to wear visors.

its actually about as much of an improvement switching from visor to know visor, as cage 2 visor.

[WorkingOvertime 536]

It makes me wonder if an argument can be made for full cage helmets being manditory or at least make the visors manditory. I realize it's the NHL and players should be allowed to play how they want and wear what they want as long as it's within the rules of the NHL but it just seems that with all the saftey measures the NHL takes and has taken over the years that making the helmets a bit more safer would be a good idea. I mean they already did something about the straps and them being a little bit tighter under the chin seems like you'd want to protect your face a bit more. It's happened enough times where a player takes a puck in the face and it results in serious injury. I probably can't see the NHL making a full cage helmet manditory but perhaps the visors one day. Anyone else??

That's a slippery slope IMO. The league needs a balance of safety and keeping the integrity of the game. I believe most injuries occur because of giving or taking legal hits or awkward plays- something to think about.

Another thing to remember is the GM's and NHLPA have the final say in these matters. For example, the league wanted to get rid of staged fights a few years ago, but the GM's and NHLPA said no.

Edited October 16, 2011 by WorkingOvertime

[wings1110 184]

It makes me wonder if an argument can be made for full cage helmets being manditory or at least make the visors manditory. I realize it's the NHL and players should be allowed to play how they want and wear what they want as long as it's within the rules of the NHL but it just seems that with all the saftey measures the NHL takes and has taken over the years that making the helmets a bit more safer would be a good idea. I mean they already did something about the straps and them being a little bit tighter under the chin seems like you'd want to protect your face a bit more. It's happened enough times where a player takes a puck in the face and it results in serious injury. I probably can't see the NHL making a full cage helmet manditory but perhaps the visors one day. Anyone else??

Their grown ass men, they can make that decision.

[toby91_ca 620]

Their grown ass men, they can make that decision.

Well, in pretty much all other industries on the planet, the grown ass men have no choice whether to follow saftey precuations if they want to be employed.

Edit...oh yeah, forgot to mention, was Franzen lumped in with that "younger" player group? He's older than 4 of the 5 players mentioned in the "older" player group. Morrow is as well.

Edited October 16, 2011 by toby91_ca

[martyrme19 73]

I know most of the guys I played hockey with, as soon as they could ditch the cage/visor they did. They said it was to see better, but I know they did it because they thought they'd "look" cooler. Any decent visor is fog resistent and the bottom of the visor maybe obstructs your view by like 2%. If visors were really that detreimental to your sight, the best players in the world wouldn't be wearing them.

Also, as eluded too, I'm just assuming the veterans don't want to lose the only eyes they have, while the younger guys just want to try hockey without any cage/visor. The smarter ones will keep some sort of eye protection, though.

edit: Tori Spelling

I don't know - I ditched the mask as soon as I could and it certainly wasn't to "look" cooler. Actually, I think the most badass look is the picture I have in my avatar. It really is a comfort thing for me, and a lot of players I know. A ton of dudes would come to practice for 1 or 2 sometimes 3 weeks straight wearing a visor hoping to get used to it for a game. I can't recall one guy that ended up switching. It really does make a difference. I mean, even if it doesn't *actually*, I feel like it does. Which then means that it absolutey does, if that makes sense.

To me, the biggest distraction is the added weight it provides to the front of my helmet. I don't like the way it feels when I turn my head on a swival. I also feel like some how I miss passes and fumble pucks a lot more with it on. I can't pin point where the loss in vision comes, but it totally has an effect - whether real or perceived.

I know that if I forced myself to wear it, I would just get used to it. Alas, I love not having it at all so why change? Chicks dig scars and I have great dental. In any case, just because you have more equipment doesnt mean you are any safer. Studies show that Anti-lock breaks worked to prevent accidents initially, but now they cause MORE accidents because people now feel they can push the limits more. Seriously, look it up. It's an automatic subconcious thing.

People with facemasks probably put their faces in dangers way more often. I've not worn a mask for 7 years now. I've never got hit in the eye and never had a tooth injury. I've been his in the face twice where I was cut and it bled, but I never missed a shift nor did I need anything other than a band aid. So ya, I'll continue to take my chances.

[MotorCityMadness 388]

I wore a visor in junior and then had to switch back to the full cage for NCAA Hockey and I must say the amount of sticks that made contact while in college was much greater than when I played junior and now where I wear a visor for both playing and officiating. I remember trying to get used to the cage again and I initially had some vision issues, but it did subside again. If I had a choice between visor or cage while in college I would have definately used a visor since I always felt I was more aware of what was going on and had better vision on the ice. One thing that I have noticed though is some guys who are forced to wear a cage in the NHL for facial injuries tend to alter the cage by having several bars removed in order to open the eye hole areas more. I think Joe Thornton did this when he had to wear one for a short time as did Kronwall back during the 06-07 season. I can't seem to find a picture of it, but I do remember them showing how Thornton had several of the bars removed around the eye area when he was wearing one.

[Dimaline312000 51]

I wore a visor in junior and then had to switch back to the full cage for NCAA Hockey and I must say the amount of sticks that made contact while in college was much greater than when I played junior and now where I wear a visor for both playing and officiating. I remember trying to get used to the cage again and I initially had some vision issues, but it did subside again. If I had a choice between visor or cage while in college I would have definately used a visor since I always felt I was more aware of what was going on and had better vision on the ice. One thing that I have noticed though is some guys who are forced to wear a cage in the NHL for facial injuries tend to alter the cage by having several bars removed in order to open the eye hole areas more. I think Joe Thornton did this when he had to wear one for a short time as did Kronwall back during the 06-07 season. I can't seem to find a picture of it, but I do remember them showing how Thornton had several of the bars removed around the eye area when he was wearing one.

Something like this I think is a matter of personal preference and being able to adjust well. I've played with and without a Cage and I've always been able to play either way. I've never used a visor so I can't speak from experince. I've played goalie the majority of my playing time until I joined the sled hockey team I'm on now but I have played with a cage which is what i do now and recreational hockey with friends and family and a helmet with no cage. Some of the people I've played with cannot use a cage or a visor they have tried it and just can't make that adjustment. I imagine that a lot of the NHL Players don't wear a visor becasue they just can't. However if something like that were manditory they of course would have to adjust and adapt. I've never had a problem with either one. I know I feel a lot more safe and secure with a full cage helmet on but I'm willing and have played without a cage on my helmet. To some people the difference is night and day and for some it's a take it or leave it circumstance. I'm not saying the players shouldn't be allowed to make their own decision but if it's a matter of saftey and being able see I'd certainly be willing to take players prefernce options away if it meant a safer league as long as it didn't take anything away from the game.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

Agreed.

Wore the full cage - was always looking down to find the puck because of poor peripheral vision.

Went to the half-shield - darn thing fogged up so often.

Went without the half-shield - no more problems, and could see everything sooooo much better...Luckily I was in mostly pick-up games, and some adult leagues where the action wasn't as intense, and luckily for me being a tall guy the sticks came nowhere near my face.

That said I too have noticed some of the older NHL'ers donning the half-shield (our own Yzerman, and Lidstrom for example) after a facial injury, and some young guys getting rid of it...To each their own - I hope the league/NHLPA keep it a players option.

I still say Lidstrom doesn't look right with the visor on, but I understand why he decided to wear one.

Of the players that have dressed for us so far this regular season, 14 wear a visor:

1. Pavel Datsyuk

2. Henrik Zetterberg

3. Valtteri Filppula

4. Dan Cleary

5. Jiri Hudler

6. Patrick Eaves

7. Darren Helm

8. Justin Abdelkader

9. Drew Miller

10. Corey Emmerton

11. Nicklas Lidstrom

12. Niklas Kronwall

13. Jakub Kindl

14. Brad Stuart

And 5 don't:

1. Todd Bertuzzi

2. Johan Franzen

3. Tomas Holmstrom

4. Ian White

5. Jonathan Ericsson

Edited October 17, 2011 by Bring Back The Bruise Bros

[AceInTheSleeve 97]

Out of anyone on the team I'd think Holmstrom would need to wear one the most, playing the majority of his game in the line of fire.

[Konnan511 1,736]

Their grown ass men, they can make that decision.

You probably enjoy speeding while drunk regardless of wearing a seatbelt or not, i mean, you are a grown ass man after all. People, whether in sports or in the community, don't always know what's best for them. Sure they are grown ass men, but not every grown ass man understands risks. It's not always a bad thing to have rules and regulations.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

I agree with Lids...Didn't wear the visor for most of his career (although if I remember correctly he wore one when he 1st broke into the league), but a few seasons ago he got his nose broken, and from that point forth he's worn one...Guess it hasn't affected his play too much whan ya consider his Norris Trophy last season

Back in the early 1990's I recall nobody on the Blackhawks having the half-shield; was something of an unwritten rule they had back then; pretty silly if ya ask me, but then again to each their own.

Makes ya wonder in todays game what the % of players suffering facial injuries when compared to years past?

I think he wore one as a rookie. Hey, as long as he's winning Norris Trophies, i can't really complain

I remember hearing something about the Hawks coaching staff wanting nobody wearing a visor in the early '90s, too. I think it should be left up to the players, but that's just me.

Personally, I'd like to do what i did above with the other 29 NHL teams, but it would take a while and a lot of space for posts, not to mention some posters on here probably don't care much about the % of hockey players that wear a visor vs. the % that don't. I know the NHL did a study on it last year, but i'd like to do it again, taking into account the rookies. Once a player dresses for one regular season game, they're included in the count.

[GongShow94 2]

My only thing is if your gonna fight dont wear a visor. I could care less what NHL players decide to do there the best in the world they can do whatever they feel is more comfortable. When I play I wear a visor and I can hardly tell the difference with it and Ive seen to many sticks in the face not to wear one. One thing I cannot stand is the colored/tinted visors. I know the tint helps for bright arenas, the blue adds clarity, and the yellow helps brighten but I think that people just look like a ******* when they wear one.

[Barrie 900]

Doesn't sound surprising to me that the older guys are being cautious and the younger guys think they'll be ok.

I'm still ok with the players having the choice to wear a visor, but wouldn't lose sleep if the league made them mandatory. I think the league doesn't want to make visors mandatory, because seeing the players faces in full view is a good way to market the players.

[wings1110 184]

Well, in pretty much all other industries on the planet, the grown ass men have no choice whether to follow saftey precuations if they want to be employed.

Edit...oh yeah, forgot to mention, was Franzen lumped in with that "younger" player group? He's older than 4 of the 5 players mentioned in the "older" player group. Morrow is as well.

Thats just to cover the employers ass cuz people sued for stupid s*** (don't even get me started on that). But if the players chose to not wear one thats their decision, their face, their life.

[wings1110 184]

You probably enjoy speeding while drunk regardless of wearing a seatbelt or not, i mean, you are a grown ass man after all. People, whether in sports or in the community, don't always know what's best for them. Sure they are grown ass men, but not every grown ass man understands risks. It's not always a bad thing to have rules and regulations.

A. Half shield isnt gunna save ur life most likely B.speeding and drunk driving put other people in danger, not waering a visor does not C.too many rules and regulations if you ask me.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

I believe certain key players like Chris Chelios, Gary Suter, Steve Smith, Steve Larmer, and Jeremy Roenick supported the "no half-shield" policy.

It would be interesting to hear Roenick's take on it now.

[P. Marlowe 748]

Their grown ass men, they can make that decision.

Thats just to cover the employers ass cuz people sued for stupid s*** (don't even get me started on that).

Hey, what's the thing with you and butts?

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

Andrew Ladd is wearing a visor against the Rangers tonight. He's got a pretty good shiner after taking a puck to the eye last week in Ottawa.

[MulesWillFly93 199]

I think they should wear them. With sticks and pucks flying around everywhere, even if you're careful, stuff is going to happen. All it takes is one fluke; look at the Leafs-Flyers game that was just on, where a strangely high number of guys got hit in the face with a stick. Does that usually happen at games? No. But if you're Chris Pronger, all it takes is to be on the right team, standing in the right place at the right time. Do you REALLY want to risk losing an eye because you don't want to get used to seeing through a visor? Come on.

I don't know if the NHL should make them mandatory or not, but I definitely think everybody should just grow a brain and wear one anyway.