Free throws work in the NBA. Just call the f'ing penalties for GOD sakes. Morons run the NHL and the people who put up with it are also MORONS

Not really; don't you remember watching the recent Olympic Tournament in Sochi? The big ice did nothing to increase scoring, in fact it made it easier on the defense to just keep the puck carrier wide and in the corners. There were many games where the weaker side played defense all day and kept the scores low. There was less scoring in the 2014 games that the 2010 games by a mile if I remember correctly.
- jkumpire

I don't think Olympic hockey compares at all to real hockey.

How about just enforcing what the rulebook says? With what is being allowed, you and I could form a defensive pairing that could shutdown top lines. Scoring chances are down to near historic levels and goalie save percentage is at an all-time high. Meaning basically it's a bunch of perimeter shots, scrums in front, and random goals. It sucks to watch. - jfkst1

+10

OH-MY-GAWD-THE-NHL-HATES-THE-PENGUINS-AND-ONLY-EVER-CALLS-PENALTIES-AGAINST-THEM!!!OMGFML!!!
- jmatchett383

You may be over reacting a tad. I think he was saying he wants consistency, not that the Penguins were getting shafted.

Just eliminate clutch and grab. Somebodys got his hand all over a players upper body or stick? penalty. thats it.
- Dr3aMWeav3r

The suggestions in this blog are just getting silly. I can't say I'm innocent of it to the other extent, but Jesus Christ, let's try to show SOME restraint.
- jmatchett383

We should trade Malkin. AND Crosby. Imagine the team of 20 goal scorers we could have....

I have a general question for the people complaining about the horrible, awful obstruction that is so prevalent in today's NHL:

If you really feel that it is so awful and makes the game boring, then why the hell do you still watch? Why waste hours of your life to watch and then discuss something you find so boring?
- jmatchett383

I love hockey. I would love it more if it was called the way it was intended to be. Where players with skill can show they have skill and the guys who are just mediocre and want to clutch and grab cant exist.

Oh, and I know it will never happen due to cost alone, but I love Olympic sized ice. So much more room for guys to skate out there and make plays. Its much more exciting hockey.

I think you are all insane. The NHL needs more fighting. Whoever came up with the idea a player can't leave his feet to block a shot should just disconnect entirely from the hockey world. I hate it that fancy stat bloggers are going to be a huge influence on 16-17 year old hockey fans. I enjoy scoring but I also enjoy the little things that separate hockey from all the other bland sports.

I've been saying this for years, emailing Hockey writers and such to get the word out but no one listens. The best and easiest way to accomplish this while reducing penalties...

PLAYER SERVES THE FULL PENALTY REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY PP GOALS ARE SCORED.

2 minute PP can lead to 3 goals and this can happen quite frequently. And it will get people to stop diving and embellishment etc.
- Leniwm1

My only problem with this is officials would have way too much power in this situation. I think it would only serve to make them hesitate even more to make calls, especially later in games, than they already are.

The NHL has succeeded in reducing its game to a slug fest between 3rd and 4th line grit players. Star players are not promoted or protected. The NFL is successful because they promote offense and skill over grit.

I see many comments about the nobility of shot blocking. Have you seen the shin guards lately. They are body armor; there is not much nobility there.

Also, officiating is ridiculous. The amount of off-puck interference is staggering.

Goalie sweaters should be form-fitting.

I still watch if it is on and I am able to devote the time. I do, however, spend the majority of that time wondering why such and such play was not called a penalty.
- Tiogadog

This I will agree with. I think all things about goalie pads aside, this is the one area that can definitely be improved upon.

Personally I think we should just put the holes in the ice, and the crazy creatures in the holes from Mutant League Hockey on Sega Genesis. Maybe turn the Zamboni's in to the giant slugs to zam the ice too. That would be entertaining.
- j.boyd919

Hahaha omg. POTD just for mentioning Mutant League Hockey.

I don't think Olympic hockey compares at all to real hockey.
- Scoob

That's just cray. You know, because it is real hockey and all.

Buyout possibilities:

http://penslabyrinth.com/...uins-buyout-implications/
- joescullz

Good read.

I think you are all insane. The NHL needs more fighting. Whoever came up with the idea a player can't leave his feet to block a shot should just disconnect entirely from the hockey world. I hate it that fancy stat bloggers are going to be a huge influence on 16-17 year old hockey fans. I enjoy scoring but I also enjoy the little things that separate hockey from all the other bland sports.
- Grinder47

Fighting is technically not legal and if left to its own devices it becomes a ridiculous WWFesque side show a la the Boogeyman era which piqued in 2010 and thankfully is gone, hopefully forever. This new clutch and grab era is the next thing in the chopping block. I hate the ranger pick the most, when you pick off a player on the opposing team during their breakout that does not have the puck and could not be further away from it. New York has it down to an art form but lots of teams are doing it. It's just disruptive enough to nullify a teams attempt at a breakout that could have ended in a quick scoring attempt instead. They start calling that a penalty and the rags aren't winning presidents trophies

Looks like the murr man, Matt Murray is burned out. Finally hit a rookie wall.

Good read.
- thickman1178

That column fails to recognize that Scuds has a NTC. He won't agree to go to a "cap floor" team.

There's two options with Scuds and both are undesirable. Keep him or buy him out. The only way I buy him out is if that little bit of savings is just enough to add a player they really need. 1.8 mil in dead money in 16/17 is a nasty bite in the ass.

You may be over reacting a tad. I think he was saying he wants consistency, not that the Penguins were getting shafted.
- thickman1178

Yes Matchett man sure had a bee in his bonnet this morning, hating the world!

Which really isn't his character, that fun loving short little SOB is usually pretty fun & jovial - maybe had a Dirk Diggler moment but realised he isn't Dirk Diggler.

That column fails to recognize that Scuds has a NTC. He won't agree to go to a "cap floor" team.

There's two options with Scuds and both are undesirable. Keep him or buy him out. The only way I buy him out is if that little bit of savings is just enough to add a player they really need. 1.8 mil in dead money in 16/17 is a nasty bite in the ass.
- madmike71

Scuds NTC really sucks on so many levels. Would have loved a Scuds/Semin deal.

I promise not to go on an on about Semin after I get it out of my system lol. Ultimately I think Spaling + Bennett for Semin with heavy salary retention works well for both sides.

edit: only thing left would be to change his last name.

Scuds NTC really sucks on so many levels. Would have loved a Scuds/Semin deal.

I promise not to go on an on about Semin after I get it out of my system lol. Ultimately I think Spaling + Bennett for Semin with heavy salary retention works well for both sides.

edit: only thing left would be to change his last name.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Look this whole hard on for Semin is a bit of a mouthful & hard to swallow - waaaay too expensive especially after all saying that we have too few on too much & if they hold salary then we lose or pay more. Trading 2 for 1 is a negative transaction unless you have depth? We don't so we have to trade 1 for 1 or trade a high piece for multiple lower chips.

I've said this before in my inexperienced opinion we need to trade a high (a D) piece for 2 younger pieces & have had the scouts study double checked & then checked again - no more (frank) ups like the Despres trade!

Look this whole hard on for Semin is a bit of a mouthful & hard to swallow - waaaay too expensive especially after all saying that we have too few on too much & if they hold salary then we lose or pay more. Trading 2 for 1 is a negative transaction unless you have depth? We don't so we have to trade 1 for 1 or trade a high piece for multiple lower chips.

I've said this before in my inexperienced opinion we need to trade a high (a D) piece for 2 younger pieces & have had the scouts study double checked & then checked again - no more (frank) ups like the Despres trade!
- Aussiepenguin

What Young D would you move for 2 pieces?

Look this whole hard on for Semin is a bit of a mouthful & hard to swallow - waaaay too expensive especially after all saying that we have too few on too much & if they hold salary then we lose or pay more. Trading 2 for 1 is a negative transaction unless you have depth? We don't so we have to trade 1 for 1 or trade a high piece for multiple lower chips.

I've said this before in my inexperienced opinion we need to trade a high (a D) piece for 2 younger pieces & have had the scouts study double checked & then checked again - no more (frank) ups like the Despres trade!
- Aussiepenguin

This isn't really a possibility anymore Aussie. With Despre gone, Pouliot and Maatta are untouchable because they're the only two guys out of our youngsters that can fill out the top 4, and even then Pouliot is questionable in that roll. I would have liked to see that kid develop in the bottom pairing until he became better defensively and more consistent offensively. And neither Dumoulin nor Harrington can fetch two pieces.

This isn't really a possibility anymore Aussie. With Despre gone, Pouliot and Maatta are untouchable because they're the only two guys out of our youngsters that can fill out the top 4, and even then Pouliot is questionable in that roll. I would have liked to see that kid develop in the bottom pairing until he became better defensively and more consistent offensively. And neither Dumoulin nor Harrington can fetch two pieces.
- Victoro311

Last playoff Dumoulin played his way into a one way contrast, by the 5th game he was the pens best defender.

Last playoff Dumoulin played his way into a one way contrast, by the 5th game he was the pens best defender.
- Dcoms

I'm not sure if you mean this past playoff that just ended but if so we were without Letang, Maatta, Erhof, and Pouliot and he wasn't better then Martin and I thought Cole was really strong as well. Kind of means he'd be 7th