Even that change doesn't make VDV leave the fourth line.
- dragonoffrost

There's no reason for him to be in the lineup if he's not killing penalties.

Even that change doesn't make VDV leave the fourth line. I know G shouldn't be on PK anymore but if I want more agressive PK I'm not sure how you get it with this roster other than G and Read out there for the second kill pair. Maybe PEB and Read could be more aggressive than PEB-VDV but I just don't see it.

Edit: I forgot Filp since he just got here.

So yeah:

Coots-Simmer
Filp-Read.
- dragonoffrost

wouldnt mind Manning getting taken off the PK either...but more than anything I just hate how much space the unit gives some guys, especially compared to how quickly teams move defenders to our guys on the PP

There's no reason for him to be in the lineup if he's not killing penalties.
- Feanor

I think that is downplaying just how solid and dependable his style of play is

I guess i am thinking about the 3rd man high and the extreme back-checking, to the point that you see players spend more energy back checking then for-checking.

The clutching and grabbing, hooking and holding.

I am not saying i don't want to see no defense, please don't misunderstand me.

I don't know, i don't want to get into a long drawn out debate about this, i just have found memories of hockey and today's game doesn't resemble what i grew up watching.

I know they say things improve with age, well in my opinion, the major sports that i watch, no of them are better today then they were 20 years ago.
- ggunky

It's become far too systems focused and robotic. Although later rounds playoff quality is beautiful to watch.

The Junior championship this year was wonderful.

It's become far too systems focused and robotic.
- flyer_nutter

Yes, very much so.

Yes, very much so.
- ggunky

Don't think you stop that though.

When you can have low skilled players shut down the best by basically suffocating the other club why wouldn't you do it?

I don't agree with making the nets bigger. I watch to be entertained though, despise coaches who preach a heavy D-first scheme.

How many defensive minded players score 30 goals a season now? If it's more than 2 hands I'll be shocked.
- dragonoffrost

You really only need one or two guys that score 30 or more tho.

Pens sign the top college Free agent

It's about time that franchise caught a break...like we did with lyubimov
- Just5

There's still a chance for Mike Vecchione once Union finishes their season. I'd put him right up there with Aston Reese

I guess i am thinking about the 3rd man high and the extreme back-checking, to the point that you see players spend more energy back checking then for-checking.

The clutching and grabbing, hooking and holding.

I am not saying i don't want to see no defense, please don't misunderstand me.

I don't know, i don't want to get into a long drawn out debate about this, i just have found memories of hockey and today's game doesn't resemble what i grew up watching.

I know they say things improve with age, well in my opinion, the major sports that i watch, none of them are better today then they were 20 years ago.
- ggunky

Ok i see what you're saying... i suppose they could open it up early and utilize the third guy high later in the game.

Don't think you stop that though.

When you can have low skilled players shut down the best by basically suffocating the other club why wouldn't you do it?

I don't agree with making the nets bigger. I watch to be entertained though, despise coaches who preach a heavy D-first scheme.
- flyer_nutter

I think calling penalties is the best way to improve the current game. (and 3-2-1 point system)

I think international ice is the best way to improve the game of hockey

The issue with the 4th line is that Hak won't make major changes to it because the two main PKers are on it. But the PK is trash again, and needs changing more than anything.
- Feanor

That I agree with. Coaching has been a big issue this season, but I do not think it will change.
I am sure Hak negotiated his job security before had been plucked out of cushy and safe college job.

I think calling penalties is the best way to improve the current game. (and 3-2-1 point system)

I think international ice is the best way to improve the game of hockey
- YuenglingJagr

I think scrapping a few teams to concentrate the talent pool is step one.

Bigger ice would be good, not sure it's possible with the construction needed.

Get rid of the advertising that's starting to overtake the game, and allow teams to release players keeping a cap intact. We should not be subjected to having to watch the LeCavalier's, etc of the league just because they are under contract.

Oh c'mon we had our chests pumped about that for a little while.
- JoeRussomanno

Yeah...like 2 weeks.

I think scrapping a few teams to concentrate the talent pool is step one.

Bigger ice would be good, not sure it's possible with the construction needed.

Get rid of the advertising that's starting to overtake the game, and allow teams to release players keeping a cap intact. We should not be subjected to having to watch the LeCavalier's, etc of the league just because they are under contract.
- flyer_nutter

I have been saying this for years!!!

Contraction!!! 24 team league!

I have been saying this for years!!!

Contraction!!! 24 team league!
- ggunky

Sadly this league is about money, greed drives the world. So I don't think you will ever see such a thing.

I'd dump Phoenix, the Panthers, Columbus, Jersey and the Isles.

Perhaps Winnipeg. I'd also look at hiring some of the international referees. NHL officiating is a tenured position.

I think scrapping a few teams to concentrate the talent pool is step one.

Bigger ice would be good, not sure it's possible with the construction needed.

Get rid of the advertising that's starting to overtake the game, and allow teams to release players keeping a cap intact. We should not be subjected to having to watch the LeCavalier's, etc of the league just because they are under contract.
- flyer_nutter

I think the current system, with being able to retain salary and move players to the AHL is actually pretty nice. I think there is a shift on paying players through their prime now which helps avoid contracts like Vinny's

I hate the idea of non-guaranteed contracts. It makes signing the contract more important. The NFL is a joke when it comes to contracts.

How many defensive minded players score 30 goals a season now? If it's more than 2 hands I'll be shocked.
- dragonoffrost

Pavelski
Hossa
Carter
Benn
Pacioretty

I have been saying this for years!!!

Contraction!!! 24 team league!
- ggunky

I'm sure the PA would be all about that.

I agree that would be best, but it will never, ever happen.

When was the last time a team in the major 4 leagues outright folded/contracted? The Golden Seals?

I think the current system, with being able to retain salary and move players to the AHL is actually pretty nice. I think there is a shift on paying players through their prime now which helps avoid contracts like Vinny's

I hate the idea of non-guaranteed contracts. It makes signing the contract more important. The NFL is a joke when it comes to contracts.
- YuenglingJagr

I just think it's tough for any team to have to pay a price if a player completely falls off the cliff.

LeCavalier, Richards. A player has to meet their expectations as well.

I just think it's tough for any team to have to pay a price if a player completely falls off the cliff.

LeCavalier, Richards. A player has to meet their expectations as well.
- flyer_nutter

Teams (and players) know this when they sign. So yes, you'd want a team to be able to get out when a player underperforms. But at the same, time, what if the player overperforms? Should he be able to opt out as well and get a raise before it expires whenever he wishes as well?

For instance, Wayne Simmonds is on an extremely friendly contract. Would you be happy if he could tear up the existing contract and insist of a new one that pays him more in line with what the market would dictate?

I'm sure the PA would be all about that.

I agree that would be best, but it will never, ever happen.

When was the last time a team in the major 4 leagues outright folded/contracted? The Golden Seals?
- jmatchett383

Technically the Cleveland Barons but yeah that probably is it.

I think calling penalties is the best way to improve the current game.
- YuenglingJagr

That, and call icing on the short-handed team with no time-outs allowed when short-handed.

I'm sure the PA would be all about that.

I agree that would be best, but it will never, ever happen.

When was the last time a team in the major 4 leagues outright folded/contracted? The Golden Seals?
- jmatchett383

I do think it's worth mentioning that there may be higher skilled youth out there.

Hockey has just become such as expensive sport to play and almost a "nobles sport". Do think there is a archaic way of thinking in some organizations as well in terms of how they scout/choosing the safe players.

That, and call icing on the short-handed team with no time-outs allowed when short-handed.
- Scoob

I personally think that power players are boring. 5 guys skating slowly (if at all) around 4 guys in a loose box, passing around the perimeter is not all that exciting. Exhilarating, but not exciting.

I have been saying this for years!!!

Contraction!!! 24 team league!
- ggunky

This. And a shorter season. First game in mid-October, Cup awarded by April 30.