Rob Simpson: I Hate Wussification

Good article Rob....and boy do we miss you on NESN.You did a great job

great story.

Love it! Great blog!

Couldn't agree with you more, the argument that the playoffs/olympics are exciting without fighting is ridiculous. As you mentioned the skill level is through the roof plus each game means so much to the players/teams.

Certain teams don't have many goons/fighters and they play a more finesse game, so if that works for you stay with it. Others are physical and want to impose a differnt style. Both win from year to year so let GMs figure out what kind of team they want to build.

Since the lockout the goon presence is minimal at best, but you still need an imposing force every now and then even if they are your third line D man.

Bang up job, best content I have read on here in quite a while

*Just watched goon the other day, i hope that non traditional fans see it, I feel like it will open their eyes up to what fighting is really about (to a degree)

Couldn't agree with you more, the argument that the playoffs/olympics are exciting without fighting is ridiculous. As you mentioned the skill level is through the roof plus each game means so much to the players/teams.

Certain teams don't have many goons/fighters and they play a more finesse game, so if that works for you stay with it. Others are physical and want to impose a differnt style. Both win from year to year so let GMs figure out what kind of team they want to build.

Since the lockout the goon presence is minimal at best, but you still need an imposing force every now and then even if they are your third line D man.
- tootooisapunk

Talentless goons are leaving hockey, but there'll always be room for the Lucic's of the league. The guys who hit hard, fight hard, and still have talent to play the rest of the game.

Rob Simpson: I Hate Wussification
- simmerpuck

First - Amen.

Rob, you should contact Don Cherry... after reading your article I know he'll give you a spot on his show.

And please send this article to Damien Cox and the rest of the boneheaded media in Toronto, and ask them to comment.

Wow Rob,you sound pretty much like a chest-thumping,finger-jabbing zealot over a possible culture change of your precious game.If that's how you feel,ok fine, but next time spare us the underlying currents of homophobia,sexism,chauvinism and ethnocentrism that threaten to drown your little piece.

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Thank you for that post. It pretty much sums up my beliefs.

The NHL should not pander to the non-NHL fan. They don't, never have, and never will understand or appreciate hockey. Forget 'em!

If the NHL should do anything, it is to reverse the instigator rule. That would clean-up much of the crap that happens in todays game. Having to "throw down" and defend your actions is a burdon many current players would just as soon not deal with.

Talentless goons are leaving hockey, but there'll always be room for the Lucic's of the league. The guys who hit hard, fight hard, and still have talent to play the rest of the game.
- Scruffton

Agreed.

Thank you sir. That was a great read couldn't agree more.

Amen, Simmer. This is hockey, not soccer.

I get that hockey is a violent sport, but it's not like hockey is on a planet on its own, football is pretty violent too, i'd say. Why is there no fighting in football? I'd like a satisfying answer to this question, I'm yet to hear one

Agreed.
Good writeup

Well put!

As Ed McMahon would say "You are CORRECT, sir!"

The reason concussions are up is players taking runs.
They take runs because they have no respect.
They have no respect because of the in-stink-ator penalty.
Don't get concussions. Drop the in-stink-ator penalty.

Aren't you the same guy who posted an article earlier in the year wining that hitting in hockey should be taken out of the game?? You suck!

Here is the sad part. National media will have to beleive fighting is the prime reason behind concussions. Fact, if fighting is up concussions will be down.

I get that hockey is a violent sport, but it's not like hockey is on a planet on its own, football is pretty violent too, i'd say. Why is there no fighting in football? I'd like a satisfying answer to this question, I'm yet to hear one
- Traceur

It's not like all violent sports have to be alike.

You can score touch downs and field goals in football, how come you can only score one way in hockey?

I like football as much as the next guy but the games are different in more ways than one doesn't have fighting.

I get that hockey is a violent sport, but it's not like hockey is on a planet on its own, football is pretty violent too, i'd say. Why is there no fighting in football? I'd like a satisfying answer to this question, I'm yet to hear one
- Traceur

Fighting has never been a part of the game of football. There is your answer.

its obvious people don't take the NHL seriously as a major sport for whatever reason. I say fine, let them hate. Instead of trying to make new fans out of people who have no clue of how the game is supposed to be played, keep it real and appease the real fans of the game.

I hate all those arguments, and I want them to stop.