How would he ever get hurt when he avoids contact at ALL costs.

*hides*

Ok.. then let's talk about the team who has won the most cups in league history.

Still relevant?
- mlindsay

You are as relevant as the Leafs right now. Love the franchises that live on the past.

I'm not so sure. His HERO charts for 2016 show that he's still suppressing shots at a 2nd line level, and his shot generation and possession numbers are still top line quality. I don't think he's a top line player by any means, but 2nd/3rd line? Absolutely. Better than Eric Fehr IMO.
- SpeedBlue91

(frank)ing Hero Charts

You are as relevant as the Leafs right now. Love the franchises that live on the past.
- Oneonta Penguin

Hello genius.

I was making a point about living in the past by bringing up the worst thing that My teams fanbase says.

Hello genius.

I was making a point about living in the past by bringing up the worst thing that My teams fanbase says.

- mlindsay

Actually Montreal won a cup in 93, am I right? That's pretty recent considering we won in 91 and 92

Actually Montreal won a cup in 93, am I right? That's pretty recent considering we won in 91 and 92
- Barnaby36

lol... ya... it's "recent"

unfortunately the majority of our cups are from well before the 90's!

Ok.. then let's talk about the team who has won the most cups in league history.

Still relevant?
- mlindsay

Sure it's still relevant, it doesn't excuse recent struggles but it's a relevant fact.

lol... ya... it's "recent"

unfortunately the majority of our cups are from well before the 90's!
- mlindsay

I respect the Canadiens a lot more than the Leafs tbh. You guys always gave the Penguins fits while the Leafs have sucked forever now. Unfortunately.

I think the gear for goalies need to get smaller cuz they are freaking humongous now. not to take away from the skills of the goalies we have but they get it easier than early roy and hasek had. not to mention the goalies in the 70s and 80s.
- martox

Goalie equipment has gotten larger and lighter. Many years ago the pads were smaller because they were heavy and got even heavier when sweat got introduced into the pads.

I support full protection of any athlete in any sport but there has to be a happy medium here.

More scoring is not always the answer to more exciting games. Look at basketball and football, each team scores more often than not and basically the games are boring until about five minutes remain.

This hobbit impresses me. Had no idea he was an iron man. Good job Kessel!

Player ----- PTSPG in playoffs

Benn -------- 1.05
Panarin ------ 1.00
Ovechkin ---- 0.98
Kane -------- 0.98
Spezza ------ 0.94
Kessel ----- 0.93
Kucherov --- 0.93
Zetterberg - 0.88
Iginla ------ 0.84
Couture ---- 0.83
Gaudreau --- 0.82
Perry ------- 0.80
Tarasenko -- 0.79
Parise ----- 0.76
Pavelski --- 0.75
Fabbri ----- 0.75
Hossa ------ 0.74
Smith ------ 0.72
Stamkos ---- 0.71
D.Sedin ---- 0.70
Gaborik ---- 0.69
Marleau ---- 0.68
Williams --- 0.67
Pominville - 0.66
Carter ----- 0.64
Okposo ----- 0.63
Lucic ------ 0.63
Palat ------ 0.63
Ward ------- 0.62
Drouin ----- 0.61
Sharp ------ 0.61
Wilson ----- 0.61
Neal ------- 0.60
Marchand --- 0.59
Voracek ---- 0.57
Brown ------ 0.57
Kunitz ----- 0.57
Pacioretty - 0.56
Nash ------- 0.55
Schwartz --- 0.55
Ryan ------- 0.53
Simmonds --- 0.53
Saad ------- 0.51
Forsberg --- 0.50
Zuccarello - 0.50
Toffoli ---- 0.49
Steen ------ 0.47
Oshie ------ 0.45
Hagelin ---- 0.43
Seguin ----- 0.43
Erikssson -- 0.41
Moulson ---- 0.38
Callahan --- 0.35
Wheeler ---- 0.28
Ladd ------- 0.28

Not unlike Patrick Kane's numbers.

Sorry to go off-topic so early, but I wanted to get people's thoughts on this. Posted it on the Flyers' blog too, but I know a lot of people on here have talked about it. I apologize for the length.

There are a lot of people, both on this board and on other boards (as well as in league offices) who are crying about the need to increase scoring. While I agree that scoring could be increased, my question is simply: Why? Why do people feel the need to increase scoring for the game to be entertaining?

. . .

/end novel
- jmatchett383

I think some people want more scoring because it would (?) perhaps result in more lead changes, more comebacks . . . in other words, the complete opposite of what we got in the mid to late 90s thru the early 2000s -- where the whole key to the game (seemingly) was to score first. You just knew that if you gave up the first goal, it was curtains. Especially if you were playing against a Jacques Lemaire or Ken Hitchcock coached team!

Artificially tinkering with rules or equipment to boost goals couldn't re-create the wild-west style of the mid 80s, because, as you said, the players are just too skilled and in too good of shape today -- almost everyone can skate well. The goal-tending techniques have also drastically improved with much larger bodies wearing much larger equipment playing the position. Thirty years ago many goaltenders were poor athletes relative to the top skaters on the teams. That is no longer the case today.
Every team also now has one or more coaching staff members that specialize in how best to match up defensively against the opponent.

One thing I do want to point out though is that there were in fact WAY more penalties called back in the day. Just look at nhl.com to see. The 1988-89 Penguins, for example, had 486 power plays!! (119 power play goals), while this past season, the Pens had 261 power plays (48 power play goals). I'm cherry-picking two specific seasons of course, but I'm positive there are way fewer power plays today than there were in the high-scoring days of the 80s and early 90s. It's not even close.

I have no issue with a low scoring game with lots of chances but the example you referenced rarely ever happens. Much more often, the scoring chances dry up, the skilled players are stifled, and the excitement gets choked out of the game. Call me crazy, but watching shot after shot get blocked and deflected is not my idea of exciting hockey. Nor is seeing the goaltender barely have to move to make a save when the shot can't be blocked (by his teammates)!

I think for me, I just want to see the best players be allowed to showcase their abilities to the max on most nights. The NHL just doesn't seem all that interested in doing this for whatever reason. The NBA and NFL figured it out -- SCORING SELLS -- maybe the NHL will too someday, but I won't hold my breath.

I don't have much of an issue with Fehr getting top 9/top 6 minutes for a stretch of... lets say 10 games when its on the RW. That is his best position, and the one he scores the most goals from. His time up earlier was some center and even a game or two on the LW. Can't say he ever got time on the RW outside of the 4th line.

I would eat a hotdog with Kessel

I respect the Canadiens a lot more than the Leafs tbh. You guys always gave the Penguins fits while the Leafs have sucked forever now. Unfortunately.
- Barnaby36

so you would respect the Leafs more if we drafted multiple 1st and 2nd picks( overalls )?

I would eat Kessel's hot dog
- SRam19

Well... okay then ya perv

Player ----- PTSPG in playoffs

Benn -------- 1.05
Panarin ------ 1.00
Ovechkin ---- 0.98
Kane -------- 0.98
Spezza ------ 0.94
Kessel ----- 0.93
Kucherov --- 0.93
Zetterberg - 0.88
Iginla ------ 0.84
Couture ---- 0.83
Gaudreau --- 0.82
Perry ------- 0.80
Tarasenko -- 0.79
Parise ----- 0.76
Pavelski --- 0.75
Fabbri ----- 0.75
Hossa ------ 0.74
Smith ------ 0.72
Stamkos ---- 0.71
D.Sedin ---- 0.70
Gaborik ---- 0.69
Marleau ---- 0.68
Williams --- 0.67
Pominville - 0.66
Carter ----- 0.64
Okposo ----- 0.63
Lucic ------ 0.63
Palat ------ 0.63
Ward ------- 0.62
Drouin ----- 0.61
Sharp ------ 0.61
Wilson ----- 0.61
Neal ------- 0.60
Marchand --- 0.59
Voracek ---- 0.57
Brown ------ 0.57
Kunitz ----- 0.57
Pacioretty - 0.56
Nash ------- 0.55
Schwartz --- 0.55
Ryan ------- 0.53
Simmonds --- 0.53
Saad ------- 0.51
Forsberg --- 0.50
Zuccarello - 0.50
Toffoli ---- 0.49
Steen ------ 0.47
Oshie ------ 0.45
Hagelin ---- 0.43
Seguin ----- 0.43
Erikssson -- 0.41
Moulson ---- 0.38
Callahan --- 0.35
Wheeler ---- 0.28
Ladd ------- 0.28

Not unlike Patrick Kane's numbers.
- The Shrike

Now if he could do it for 80+ more games

Did he slip on the pickles he took off his bigmac before he got to eat it?

I would eat a hotdog with Kessel
- SRam19

Best T shirt ever.

Re: the novel above (I didn't want to quote as nobody needs to see it again).

Hockey is not the best product right now. I don't care about scoring as much as I care about the product and I wish the NHL would address this properly.

When the lockout ended (2006) we were treated to five years of the best hockey I have EVER seen. The enforcement of all of the hooking and interference calls were certainly an adjustment for everyone, players, coaches and fans, and what we ended up with was simply amazing. Couple these new rules with a whole new generation of superstars (Crosby and Ovie at the forefront, but so many more) and....jaw dropping hockey.

We were lucky enough for this to continue for exactly 5.5 seasons. Somewhere in the 2010/2011 season, and I mean right in the middle, the game changed.

My personal opinion is that it had to do with the speed of the game and the number of concussions showing up across the NHL. Not only conclusions but we were seeing a higher number of knees, shoulder, etc. being busted on an almost daily basis. I feel that the NHL decided right then and there to change things. The game changed in a dime....all of a sudden cheap shots were back and so was obstruction. I watched a LOT of hockey in those days and was a season ticket holder of the Canucks....plus I watched hockey almost every night when they were not playing. I talked about this trend all the time, but nobody seemed to care.

Fast forward 5 years and we now have a watered down version of our game again. Why? I wish I knew. I wish others would go back and watch the NHL of 2006 to 2010 to compare....they would immediately notice a MAJOR change.

I want scoring to skyrocket....not be issue of reduced equipment size for goalies, enlarged nets, extended power plays or anything....can we not just enforce the rules as they are, just like we did post-lockout??

I hope one day this happens....but I am not holding my breath.

Re: the novel above (I didn't want to quote as nobody needs to see it again).

Hockey is not the best product right now. I don't care about scoring as much as I care about the product and I wish the NHL would address this properly.

When the lockout ended (2006) we were treated to five years of the best hockey I have EVER seen. The enforcement of all of the hooking and interference calls were certainly an adjustment for everyone, players, coaches and fans, and what we ended up with was simply amazing. Couple these new rules with a whole new generation of superstars (Crosby and Ovie at the forefront, but so many more) and....jaw dropping hockey.

We were lucky enough for this to continue for exactly 5.5 seasons. Somewhere in the 2010/2011 season, and I mean right in the middle, the game changed.

My personal opinion is that it had to do with the speed of the game and the number of concussions showing up across the NHL. Not only conclusions but we were seeing a higher number of knees, shoulder, etc. being busted on an almost daily basis. I feel that the NHL decided right then and there to change things. The game changed in a dime....all of a sudden cheap shots were back and so was obstruction. I watched a LOT of hockey in those days and was a season ticket holder of the Canucks....plus I watched hockey almost every night when they were not playing. I talked about this trend all the time, but nobody seemed to care.

Fast forward 5 years and we now have a watered down version of our game again. Why? I wish I knew. I wish others would go back and watch the NHL of 2006 to 2010 to compare....they would immediately notice a MAJOR change.

I want scoring to skyrocket....not be issue of reduced equipment size for goalies, enlarged nets, extended power plays or anything....can we not just enforce the rules as they are, just like we did post-lockout??

I hope one day this happens....but I am not holding my breath.
- Dollars2Donuts

Excellent post. When the skill guys get mugged and hooked all over the ice the product is simply not as good as it should be. Scoring is down because obstruction is back big time.

I read a "conspiracy theory" about why the NHL would allow their product become so watered/slowed down. The theory is because they're worried about the game becoming too fast and dangerous.....especially for the North American rinks. The players have gotten bigger and stronger while the rink has stayed the same size. It's about the only thing that makes sense to me.

so you would respect the Leafs more if we drafted multiple 1st and 2nd picks( overalls )?
- Garnie

Not really. Hey look at The Oilers and they are my 2nd team

Player ----- PTSPG in playoffs

Benn -------- 1.05
Panarin ------ 1.00
Ovechkin ---- 0.98
Kane -------- 0.98
Spezza ------ 0.94
Kessel ----- 0.93
Kucherov --- 0.93
Zetterberg - 0.88
Iginla ------ 0.84
Couture ---- 0.83
Gaudreau --- 0.82
Perry ------- 0.80
Tarasenko -- 0.79
Parise ----- 0.76
Pavelski --- 0.75
Fabbri ----- 0.75
Hossa ------ 0.74
Smith ------ 0.72
Stamkos ---- 0.71
D.Sedin ---- 0.70
Gaborik ---- 0.69
Marleau ---- 0.68
Williams --- 0.67
Pominville - 0.66
Carter ----- 0.64
Okposo ----- 0.63
Lucic ------ 0.63
Palat ------ 0.63
Ward ------- 0.62
Drouin ----- 0.61
Sharp ------ 0.61
Wilson ----- 0.61
Neal ------- 0.60
Marchand --- 0.59
Voracek ---- 0.57
Brown ------ 0.57
Kunitz ----- 0.57
Pacioretty - 0.56
Nash ------- 0.55
Schwartz --- 0.55
Ryan ------- 0.53
Simmonds --- 0.53
Saad ------- 0.51
Forsberg --- 0.50
Zuccarello - 0.50
Toffoli ---- 0.49
Steen ------ 0.47
Oshie ------ 0.45
Hagelin ---- 0.43
Seguin ----- 0.43
Erikssson -- 0.41
Moulson ---- 0.38
Callahan --- 0.35
Wheeler ---- 0.28
Ladd ------- 0.28

Not unlike Patrick Kane's numbers.
- The Shrike

Is Spezza playing wing? Where's Hörnqvist on this list?

Not really. Hey look at The Oilers and they are my 2nd team
- Barnaby36

They could take off soon...so really.

They could take off soon...so really.
- Garnie

Lol they are all set to take off than trade Hall for a 2nd pairing d-man