Call Out the NHL on BS

[Mckinley25 677]

I know it doesn't matter, but I really wish my road jerseys were still home jerseys.

What a senseless change.

I like it, white is generic, let the away team be the generic team and home team show their colors.

[WingsAlways 486]

I don't understand the reason..

No reason in particular, just most of my jerseys are from the 90's (Fedorov, Chelios, Lidstrom, Yzerman) and were purchased as home jerseys. Then one day they became road jerseys

I have one red jersey and it's Datsyuk.

[roboturner 562]

I don't understand the reason..

I think the reason was that they wanted the home team fans to see the home team colors.

But I think the other way was better. You already know you're own teams colors so every home game you would get to see a different color come in.

Like how most or all MLB teams home jersey's have the team logos on them, but when they are on the road the jersey's have their home city written on it.

But then again I like how NFL's home team wears the colors, but that might just be cuz I'm a packers fan and the green jersey feels a little more 'home' because it matches the super green grass at NFL stadiums. It always seems weird when they wear the whites or the blue throwback at Lambeau

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

I'd also ask them,

"Why do choosy moms choose jif?"

[wings87 1,290]

I'd also ask them,

"Why do choosy moms choose jif?"

I guess you found the right thread.

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

I guess you found the right thread.

Teehee...

Id wanna make them feel as ridiculous aa they are.

[wings87 1,290]

Teehee...

Id wanna make them feel as ridiculous aa they are.

I'm just done with the whole, Bettman and his minions are ruining the NHL bit. The times have changed and its impossible for the game to stay the same. Take a look at every sport on the planet, they've all gone through some form of transformation in the last 20 years. I get that its tough for some fans to get used to, but it's better then grumbling about things that won't change. Hell I'm a purist, which makes me disappointed with a number of changes in recent years. I hate the shootout, the trapezoid, and lets not even start on the officiating. But you know what? I've learned to live with it. The game is still awesome, and it's much more enjoyable to watch if you accept the NHL the way it is. You know I'll still complain about this and that, because it's part of being a fan. However realizing that the new NHL is what it is, my frustration will quickly subside. Frankly I'm not even pissed at the Kronwall suspension anymore. It happened, it sucked,but time to move on.

[Gordie Howe hat trick 110]

I'm just done with the whole, Bettman and his minions are ruining the NHL bit. The times have changed and its impossible for the game to stay the same. Take a look at every sport on the planet, they've all gone through some form of transformation in the last 20 years. I get that its tough for some fans to get used to, but it's better then grumbling about things that won't change. Hell I'm a purist, which makes me disappointed with a number of changes in recent years. I hate the shootout, the trapezoid, and lets not even start on the officiating. But you know what? I've learned to live with it. The game is still awesome, and it's much more enjoyable to watch if you accept the NHL the way it is. You know I'll still complain about this and that, because it's part of being a fan. However realizing that the new NHL is what it is, my frustration will quickly subside. Frankly I'm not even pissed at the Kronwall suspension anymore. It happened, it sucked,but time to move on.

Or the DH in baseball. I think it ruins the sport, but I don't see it going away either.

[Mckinley25 677]

Or the DH in baseball. I think it ruins the sport, but I don't see it going away either.

What's the DH?

[DRW Dominance 255]

I know it doesn't matter, but I really wish my road jerseys were still home jerseys.

What a senseless change.

jerseys started out the way they are now. then changed to white's at home, dark's on the road, then reverted back to the original.

[Rhah 195]

Is this the gripe thread?

My new gripe is that the first round of playoffs seem like way better matchups, and now the second round is happening and almost all the series seem like blowouts (so far). Do they need to change the way the matchups get picked? Or is it just coincidence this year that all the good matchups already happened in the first round?

I'd rather have later rounds have more drama and close games. I fear the rest of these playoffs are going to be boring as s***.

[toby91_ca 620]

First round of playoffs has always been the best in my eyes....for the most part. I do find myself less interested now. Of course, part of that is the Wings being out, but it's more than just that.

[xtrememachine1 795]

First round of playoffs has always been the best in my eyes....for the most part. I do find myself less interested now. Of course, part of that is the Wings being out, but it's more than just that.

I'm definitely less interested now that the Wings are out. That never used to be the case though. I feel like 10-20 years ago more teams were likable. Today, I feel like lots of teams have these overrated stars that disappear in the playoffs or stars that are so arrogant its impossible to cheer for them. Back in the day and for many years, I only hated Philly and Colorado. Today, I hate like half the league. I think the messes with our ability to watch the playoffs after the Wings are done.

[ami 273]

I've been a Wings fan for over thirty years. I think the glory days of the NHL are over. There are so many rules and regulations that the game has changed, and I don't think it's for the better. Hockey used to be a tough sport...goalies didn't even wear masks, way back! If trends keep going, a goalie will only need to stand in front of a net and all the equipment will just block it. Add to the mix the unfortunate enforcement of rules, and in a few years, the NHL is populated by the likes of Brian Boitano and Elvis Stojko. I'm just dying to see a retiring player or coach come out and say that the NHL is a piece of garbage or that Gary Bettman has ruined the league, or something to make people realize how crappy it's become. Most of the crap they pull can be justified, though, and that's part of the problem. PK Subban takes a two handed baseball swing, causing a fractured arm, he gets kicked out for the rest of the game by on ice officials. Kronwall makes a hit on a guy with his head down, and it was slightly illegal (I stopped reading about it as soon as he got suspended), there's no on ice call, but the league suspends him even though there are no medical issues with the guy that gets Kronwalled.

If you could call out the NHL on their BS, while having an audience that could have an impact, what would you say?

NHL Official Association should be completely independent. No league, no union, no whatsoever supervision from outside.

Just like in "sissy soccer" EPL league.

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

I'm just done with the whole, Bettman and his minions are ruining the NHL bit. The times have changed and its impossible for the game to stay the same. Take a look at every sport on the planet, they've all gone through some form of transformation in the last 20 years. I get that its tough for some fans to get used to, but it's better then grumbling about things that won't change. Hell I'm a purist, which makes me disappointed with a number of changes in recent years. I hate the shootout, the trapezoid, and lets not even start on the officiating. But you know what? I've learned to live with it. The game is still awesome, and it's much more enjoyable to watch if you accept the NHL the way it is. You know I'll still complain about this and that, because it's part of being a fan. However realizing that the new NHL is what it is, my frustration will quickly subside. Frankly I'm not even pissed at the Kronwall suspension anymore. It happened, it sucked,but time to move on.

Well put.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

For me it is really simple I know what I like and I also happen to know what I dislike/hate and one of these things is change for the sake of changes. For decades ! hockey has been seen as a niche sport for a niche audience and there is nothing wrong with that, so why not play to the strength of an already established audience of fans ?! I don't care if some people are turned off by physicality, fights or tight defensive systems because if they are guess what ? Watch something else that's the beauty of choice.

When players are reaching the point where they don't even know what is and what isn't a penalty and what leads to a suspension and what doesn't then the league does much bigger problems than putting out some pro-made videos trying to find reasons for suspensions. I don't care if it's understandable for me but the point is it should be understandable for the players, coaches and GMs because they are the product so to speak. I've said it before and I'll sayit again there are so many advantages of being and niche sport and having that audience basically locked up (I mean 3 lockouts and some fans went right back to paying for NHL stuff again), so why not do the things the existing things want and expect ?

If things I happen to like are changing for the worse damn right I'll call the responsible people out for that especially if they don't have any skill nor respect for that great game of icehockey.

[wings87 1,290]

For me it is really simple I know what I like and I also happen to know what I dislike/hate and one of these things is change for the sake of changes. For decades ! hockey has been seen as a niche sport for a niche audience and there is nothing wrong with that, so why not play to the strength of an already established audience of fans ?! I don't care if some people are turned off by physicality, fights or tight defensive systems because if they are guess what ? Watch something else that's the beauty of choice.

When players are reaching the point where they don't even know what is and what isn't a penalty and what leads to a suspension and what doesn't then the league does much bigger problems than putting out some pro-made videos trying to find reasons for suspensions. I don't care if it's understandable for me but the point is it should be understandable for the players, coaches and GMs because they are the product so to speak. I've said it before and I'll sayit again there are so many advantages of being and niche sport and having that audience basically locked up (I mean 3 lockouts and some fans went right back to paying for NHL stuff again), so why not do the things the existing things want and expect ?

If things I happen to like are changing for the worse damn right I'll call the responsible people out for that especially if they don't have any skill nor respect for that great game of icehockey.

Your frustration is warranted and I'm sure most fans agree that the changes are messing with the fabric of the game. However, and this is the big question. Will you stop watching the NHL? And judging by the fact that you are still on here and still passionate about the sport, I doubt that you'll stop watching. Or for that matter, I doubt any real fan will stop watching. We'll all complain, but let's face it, nobody's going anywhere. I completely agree with BoS that the changes are for the occasional fan. Someone who has no problem watching Football, but doesn't watch hockey because the "score is too low, and it's too violent." As if the illusion of a 28 to 21 Football score is any different then a 4 to 3 score. Anyway I digress. The point being, no matter how much the games changes, the diehard fan's not going anywhere.

Also in most places the NHL is a niche sport, but I still have a hard time calling a 4 billion dollar industry, niche.

[chaps80 1,591]

I can't even be bothered with the current series going on right now.

Bolts-Habs

Caps-Rangers

Ducks-Flames

Hawks-Wild

BORING!!! Way things are going, were looking at a Hawks VS. Ducks Western Final. I could'nt stomach one second of that s***.

[kliq 3,755]

For me it is really simple I know what I like and I also happen to know what I dislike/hate and one of these things is change for the sake of changes. For decades ! hockey has been seen as a niche sport for a niche audience and there is nothing wrong with that, so why not play to the strength of an already established audience of fans ?! I don't care if some people are turned off by physicality, fights or tight defensive systems because if they are guess what ? Watch something else that's the beauty of choice.

When players are reaching the point where they don't even know what is and what isn't a penalty and what leads to a suspension and what doesn't then the league does much bigger problems than putting out some pro-made videos trying to find reasons for suspensions. I don't care if it's understandable for me but the point is it should be understandable for the players, coaches and GMs because they are the product so to speak. I've said it before and I'll sayit again there are so many advantages of being and niche sport and having that audience basically locked up (I mean 3 lockouts and some fans went right back to paying for NHL stuff again), so why not do the things the existing things want and expect ?

If things I happen to like are changing for the worse damn right I'll call the responsible people out for that especially if they don't have any skill nor respect for that great game of icehockey.

The NHL isnt toning down on this because fans are "turned off". They are toning down on it because of research on head trauma, and lawsuits from former players.

You can also make the same argument the other way:

"I don't care if some people are turned off by the lack of physicality or fights because if they are guess what ? Watch something else that's the beauty of choice".

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Telling someone we know fighting is going to mess you up long term, but you can't do anything else so fight or lose your job is just asking to lose a lawsuit. That's why goons were mostly phased out.

[Euro_Twins 4,476]

Telling someone we know fighting is going to mess you up long term, but you can't do anything else so fight or lose your job is just asking to lose a lawsuit. That's why goons were mostly phased out.

Goons were phased out because in the cap era you can't afford to have a guy on the ice who looks like he's always half an inch from falling over that can't do anything but fight and plays 6 minutes a game. Not because there aren't people who won't take huge money to be punched in the face and not because teams don't want a pit bull on their team, it's all because of the cap, if you can't score or grind or defend, you lose your job

[roboturner 562]

Goons were phased out because in the cap era you can't afford to have a guy on the ice who looks like he's always half an inch from falling over that can't do anything but fight and plays 6 minutes a game. Not because there aren't people who won't take huge money to be punched in the face and not because teams don't want a pit bull on their team, it's all because of the cap, if you can't score or grind or defend, you lose your job

Yeah, guys that were pretty much only fighters just didn't have a spot left roster and cap wise.

Guys like McCarty who would fight, but also contributed offensively just seem so few and far between now days. I know I don't watch alot of other teams but I can't really think of anybody.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Junior and AHL coaches are also adapting to the way the game is changing and telling their good players not to fight. If you have a guy like Shanahan or even McCarty or Lapointe, why do you want him to be in the box 200+ minutes a year?

[WingsAlways 486]

The NHL isnt toning down on this because fans are "turned off". They are toning down on it because of research on head trauma, and lawsuits from former players.

I agree there have been cases of career ending head injuries and concussion related symptoms, not arguing that at all but why has it taken so long for the NHL to "tone it down" when it wasn't until 1979-1980 that players were actually required to wear a helmet?

Enforcers that have passed on didn't do so primarily because of head injuries, the media likes to place blame on that factor. The biggest majority battled drug and alcohol addiction most likely brought on by opiates and/or suicide.

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

I agree there have been cases of career ending head injuries and concussion related symptoms, not arguing that at all but why has it taken so long for the NHL to "tone it down" when it wasn't until 1979-1980 that players were actually required to wear a helmet?

Enforcers that have passed on didn't do so primarily because of head injuries, the media likes to place blame on that factor. The biggest majority battled drug and alcohol addiction most likely brought on by opiates and/or suicide.

Repeated blows to the head can cause addiction problems, and depression...

So your biggest factor is caused by blows to the head, which does need to be studied more, but they're finding out a lot quicker than they expected, especially with all the brains they're being donated that have cte.

So its all the same homes.