toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted February 13, 2012 I think the clutch and grab style of hockey has started creaping back in...perhaps it has been for a few years. I wonder if the league is actually "behind closed doors" promoting it a bit as a way of slowing the game down to help offset concussion risks. I haven't checked any other stats, but I'm sure if you did, you'd see overall scoring down, power play opportunities per team per game down, etc. I had a look at the total number of players with 1 ppg or better each season since the lockout (ignorming guys that only played a handfull of games). 05/06 - 37 06/07 - 32 07/08 - 24 08/09 - 22 09/10 - 21 10/11 - 15 11/12 - 13 (to date) Datsyuk is currently 8th in scoring I think and he's only averaging 1 ppg. I think Neal is in 9th and has less than 1 ppg. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevie for president 42 Report post Posted February 13, 2012 This could also be a result of teams adjusting to the new rules. I wouldn't be opposed to clutch and grab coming back though. The concussion problem was a predicted consequence of tampering with the rules, just like lower body injuries will be the new pandemic in about 5 years once hits to the head are taken out of the game. Clutch and grab and the 2 line pass should be put back in the game. I'd rather have a slower game than one where super stars miss significant amounts of time thanks to otherwise avoidable injuries. Actually, I think not having a 2 line pass rule makes the game more boring because now teams ice the puck from their zone and a player on the other side of center tips it into the attacking zone and goes for a change. Put that rule back in, and you either ice it or try to gain the line. Fatigue=mistakes=scoring chances too. Oh, and slowing the game=goons can keep up=more fights=more exciting for fans. And get rid of the instigator rule=more respect=less cheap shots=less sean avery's=utopian NHL. Sorry if i derailed this thread. /rant. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Hatethedrake! Report post Posted February 13, 2012 I don't think it's creeping back in but even if it were, it's still nothing compared to the Hudson Bay Rules style of hockey we saw in the mid 90's to 2004. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted February 13, 2012 The League is just letting the players get adjusted to the style of hockey officiating they can expect to see come the playoffs. You know..."The way games are called is exactly the same from the first game of the season to the final game of the Stanley Cup Final". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
