toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted April 15, 2015 Ice time for star players is down because PPs are down, simple as that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frankgrimes 1,836 Report post Posted April 15, 2015 This is the biggest problem I have with the NHL, and will continue to have until we have someone who truly cares about the sport as commissioner. If the NHL accepted it's status as a niche sport, and reached out to and poured it's energy into marketing the game towards that fan base that will truly never leave, things would be a lot rosier IMO. Well said it's nice following a niche sport, no need to grow the game. It's better to make the fans that are already there happy than trying to alienate them and adding a few "new" fans. 1 wings4thecup06 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lomekian 201 Report post Posted April 16, 2015 Joseph Conrad would be proud of this paragraph. Best contribution to the thread. Re the wider discussion, scores have declined somewhat in the last 20 years in most sports with a similar scoring system. Professionalism and money. If winning is worth millions and is watched by millions and gives you a 1 in a million social status, whether player or coach, you're going to make sure you get the margins right. Fitness, training, psychology, tactical preparation have all been transformed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Richdg 267 Report post Posted April 16, 2015 is it the fighting that has effected the former goons or the drugs/booze? name a former goon that wasn't an addict that has health issues. Grimson was always clean and to date hasn't shown any health issues that I am aware of. Gordie was one of the toughest ever and is in his mid 80's before a stroke slowed him down. When Probert died everyone was quick to talk about all his fights but very few mentioned the long term serious drug use. McCarty has the same thing with booze. Of course this is a side issue..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kipwinger 8,524 Report post Posted April 16, 2015 (edited) is it the fighting that has effected the former goons or the drugs/booze? name a former goon that wasn't an addict that has health issues. Grimson was always clean and to date hasn't shown any health issues that I am aware of. Gordie was one of the toughest ever and is in his mid 80's before a stroke slowed him down. When Probert died everyone was quick to talk about all his fights but very few mentioned the long term serious drug use. McCarty has the same thing with booze. Of course this is a side issue..... CTE directly contributes to mental health issues, including substance abuse, depression, and suicide. It's not a side issue, it's almost certainly a primary factor in many of these cases. Edit: Also, one of the more common symptoms of CTE is dementia, so I wouldn't go holding up Gordie Howe as some sort of example. Terrible Ted might be a better choice. Edited April 16, 2015 by kipwinger 1 haroldsnepsts reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kliq 3,755 Report post Posted April 16, 2015 is it the fighting that has effected the former goons or the drugs/booze? name a former goon that wasn't an addict that has health issues. Grimson was always clean and to date hasn't shown any health issues that I am aware of. Gordie was one of the toughest ever and is in his mid 80's before a stroke slowed him down. When Probert died everyone was quick to talk about all his fights but very few mentioned the long term serious drug use. McCarty has the same thing with booze. Of course this is a side issue..... The argument is that concussions can lead to depression, and that depression can lead to substance abuse problems. I'm sure in come cases this is accurate, in some cases its not. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wing Across The Pond 196 Report post Posted April 17, 2015 Well said it's nice following a niche sport, no need to grow the game. It's better to make the fans that are already there happy than trying to alienate them and adding a few "new" fans. BASEketball. In conclusion: Money (and some safety). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmyemeryhunter 2,747 Report post Posted April 17, 2015 BASEketball. In conclusion: Money (and some safety). Great movie. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites