Players are to big and the rinks are to small, they can't avoid injuring each other.
- A_SteamingLombardi

I have to agree with Grapes on this; get rid of the over-sized hard plastic elbow and shoulder pads. I say make the players a bit more vulnerable so they are less likely to use their weight and speed to take someone down and out of the game.

I'm old but I remember a time when it was about separating the player from the puck. Not trying to end someone's career. I like watching the big hits but then feel a bit guilty thinking that the hit just knocked off 2 seasons (and thousands of brain cells) off some guys life as a pro athlete.

so would Prust have put a better stop to Ferlund last year in the playoffs running around smashing everyone? No one else on the team was able to police that. I think this move right or wrong is a direct answer to that. I dont say I agree, but Benning saw something as a problem and he has attempted to solve that problem. So now what will be interesting is to see the outcome of the way JB handles topics he feels are an issue.
- KOS

I think Prust would have definitely gone after Ferland... Bieksa should have been able to but didn't. I think Calgary trading Prust was one of the catalysts to a downward spiral that has only recently been corrected. I think he's what the Nucks needed in that first round... (well one of)

I have to agree with Grapes on this; get rid of the over-sized hard plastic elbow and shoulder pads. I say make the players a bit more vulnerable so they are less likely to use their weight and speed to take someone down and out of the game.

I'm old but I remember a time when it was about separating the player from the puck. Not trying to end someone's career. I like watching the big hits but then feel a bit guilty thinking that the hit just knocked off 2 seasons (and thousands of brain cells) off some guys life as a pro athlete.
- bloatedmosquito

Scott Stevens could do both separate you from the puck and end your career.

I have to agree with Grapes on this; get rid of the over-sized hard plastic elbow and shoulder pads. I say make the players a bit more vulnerable so they are less likely to use their weight and speed to take someone down and out of the game.

I'm old but I remember a time when it was about separating the player from the puck. Not trying to end someone's career. I like watching the big hits but then feel a bit guilty thinking that the hit just knocked off 2 seasons (and thousands of brain cells) off some guys life as a pro athlete.
- bloatedmosquito

My dad, in his 70's always tells me he thinks they should make the nets more fixed into the ice like the old days. Guys are fearless driving to the net, run the goalie, he is padded, and knock the net off its moorings.

I know guys still get hurt today like Stamkos, when he broke his leg. But players today fearlessly drive the net knowing those posts are going to give. When I was a kid and the full cage wasn't mandatory, kids with the cage often high sticked more than kids without that protection. Players need to feel a little more vulnerable to rein in some of the carelessness and lack of respect for other players..

Scott Stevens could do both separate you from the puck and end your career.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Most of these would get a 20+ game suspension today...

There is an old quote, can't remember who said it though, about hockey having to be a great game to survive the morons who run it. or something to that effect.

I think the ice surface has to be enlarged to spread out the play and give players a little more time to make decisions and see a hit approaching. Almost too much speed when they stick to the rule book, on the small ice surface, and that means bigger collisions and more injuries.
- hillbillydeluxe

Last one for the day....

200x100 is a nice thought except that are facilities have been built to accommodate the current spec. Not many can go 200x100 .

Think about this-- The most exciting 5 minutes of hockey we get to watch is the regular season 5 minute OT. End to end exchanges and chance after chance.

It would never happen, but they should take a long hard look at going 4 on 4.

THINK about it.

Last one for the day....

200x100 is a nice thought except that are facilities have been built to accommodate the current spec. Not many can go 200x100 .

Think about this-- The most exciting 5 minutes of hockey we get to watch is the regular season 5 minute OT. End to end exchanges and chance after chance.

It would never happen, but they should take a long hard look at going 4 on 4.

THINK about it.
- rugdnit

I was thinking about 4v4, NHLPA would never go for it.

I understand there are challenges to enlarging the ice surface. So you try to convert what can be converted and any new arenas are required to build to a certain spec....

Even if established arena's can't increase their size to the new specs, a few extra feet here and there would be acceptable if that is all they could do, have to start somewhere. There was a time when there were a few different size ice surfaces before it got totally standardized... Wouldn't mind that novelty.

My dad, in his 70's always tells me he thinks they should make the nets more fixed into the ice like the old days. Guys are fearless driving to the net, run the goalie, he is padded, and knock the net off its moorings.

I know guys still get hurt today like Stamkos, when he broke his leg. But players today fearlessly drive the net knowing those posts are going to give. When I was a kid and the full cage wasn't mandatory, kids with the cage often high sticked more than kids without that protection. Players need to feel a little more vulnerable to rein in some of the carelessness and lack of respect for other players..
- hillbillydeluxe

That’s it! Have you ever seen a ‘union’ try to maim their fellow brothers like the NHLPA does? In football it’s understandable. Tackling is the game and if you take that away it becomes flag or touch football.

But in the NHL big hits are not the only part of the game. It can still be an exciting game without it. Not as exciting with big hits but still enjoyable. That’s why I think the concept of an unified union will never work in the NHL. Too much animosity between and low respect for fellow players.

I was thinking about 4v4, NHLPA would never go for it.

I understand there are challenges to enlarging the ice surface. So you try to convert what can be converted and any new arenas are required to build to a certain spec....

Even if established arena's can't increase their size to the new specs, a few extra feet here and there would be acceptable if that is all they could do, have to start somewhere. There was a time when there were a few different size ice surfaces before it got totally standardized... Wouldn't mind that novelty.
- hillbillydeluxe

Exactly. And owners would lose revenue. No interest there as well.

But who knows... It's one change that would certainly solve their desire for more scoring.

Kane taken off the cover of nhl16. Now it's just toews.

Last one for the day....

200x100 is a nice thought except that are facilities have been built to accommodate the current spec. Not many can go 200x100 .

Think about this-- The most exciting 5 minutes of hockey we get to watch is the regular season 5 minute OT. End to end exchanges and chance after chance.

It would never happen, but they should take a long hard look at going 4 on 4.

THINK about it.
- rugdnit

4 on 4 would be great.

Kane taken off the cover of nhl16. Now it's just toews.
- Codes1087

Most of these would get a 20+ game suspension today...
- geta02it

That hit on lindros was pure elbow and Kariyas was soooo late. Its a shame. Lindros could have had a much longer career.

I dont blame Stevens though. That was the game back then. If you could get away with it, you'll do it.

A lot different game these days.

Most of these would get a 20+ game suspension today...
- geta02it

Number 1 and 2 are disgusting. I remember that kariya hit and I’m as pissed off now as I was then. It was as blatant as Clark’s tomahawk on the Russian.

I will say this, I actually have read 'Boy on Ice' which painted a picture of how business is done behind the scenes at the NHL. Since then, I have actually talked to the team Doctor that treated him, as well as have had extensive talks with the NHL SABH program, with whom I sought gainful employment. Hindsight, it might have been a poor choice to bring it up, but I DID bring up Boorgard and how that situation turned out. The guy who runs the Dept painted a vastly different picture of that situation. He (Boorgard) went to great lengths (I'm told) to beat the system and undermine extensive efforts that were made to help him, and lost his life as a result.

Kane taken off the cover of nhl16. Now it's just toews.
- Codes1087

Just read that. Makes sense. If you're going to keep him on there something is seriously wrong.

Cosby is outraged.

Prust is more than a fighter! Flames traded him away twice, Stupid Sutter!

Exactly. And owners would lose revenue. No interest there as well.

But who knows... It's one change that would certainly solve their desire for more scoring.
- rugdnit

NHLPA wouldn't go for it because it would likely end up in reduced rosters...

But if it worked and fans supported it, owners would still get the same amount of revenue, players would likely see a little increase in salary... same pie, bigger slices...

I'd rather see the larger ice surface, but with 4v4, the talent pool wouldn't be as diluted... if you can't skate, you won't be playing either.

I will say this, I actually have read 'Boy on Ice' which painted a picture of how business is done behind the scenes at the NHL. Since then, I have actually talked to the team Doctor that treated him, as well as have had extensive talks with the NHL SABH program, with whom I sought gainful employment. Hindsight, it might have been a poor choice to bring it up, but I DID bring up Boorgard and how that situation turned out. The guy who runs the Dept painted a vastly different picture of that situation. He (Boorgard) went to great lengths (I'm told) to beat the system and undermine extensive efforts that were made to help him, and lost his life as a result.
- jeffgouldonfire

Its all politics.

Try your best to love a sport. But you always know their will be shady underlying factors that will always disgust you.

Number 1 and 2 are disgusting. I remember that kariya hit and I’m as pissed off now as I was then. It was as blatant as Clark’s tomahawk on the Russian.
- bloatedmosquito

Yeah, 1 and 2 just looks like flat out attempts to injure but it was legal and cheered back then and concussions and head injuries weren't viewed the same way they are now. Can only imagine how scary it is for a player's family to watch those videos.

Just read that. Makes sense. If you're going to keep him on there something is seriously wrong.

Cosby is outraged.
- vancity787

I wouldn't be surprised if the league does some cloak and dagger legal stuff to (try to) make this disappear. It's really a PR disaster.
On another note. THN posted something on Mike Ribiero on FB. One of the commenters then called them, Nashville Sexual Predators. That made me laugh so hard I spit coffee out of my nose. I mean..not funny, but yeah. That was funny.

That’s it! Have you ever seen a ‘union’ try to maim their fellow brothers like the NHLPA does? In football it’s understandable. Tackling is the game and if you take that away it becomes flag or touch football.

But in the NHL big hits are not the only part of the game. It can still be an exciting game without it. Not as exciting with big hits but still enjoyable. That’s why I think the concept of an unified union will never work in the NHL. Too much animosity between and low respect for fellow players.
- bloatedmosquito

The brotherhood of unions and its members is funny. If you have a union based on seniority, the brotherly part of it is I will abuse or take advantage of anyone with less seniority than me. The unions that are based on merit, nobody trusts whoever is responsible for determining who merits what.

Players union is like a union of contractors, vying for the same business and wanting to land that big contract.

It is all so cut throat.

But the owner is responsible for providing a harassment free work space... yet in hockey and other sports, harassment and passion for one's work is what fans want to see.

Yeah, 1 and 2 just looks like flat out attempts to injure but it was legal and cheered back then and concussions and head injuries weren't viewed the same way they are now. Can only imagine how scary it is for a player's family to watch those videos.
- Nucker101

Can't remember which number it was, but think it was Bassen that got hit and the announcer said he was knocked "goofy"...

Most of these would get a 20+ game suspension today...
- geta02it

Scott Stevens isn't the player he is without Neidemeyer covering for him, allowing him to constantly be out of position to make those hits. It just shows how the great #1 franchise D's were and how much better they made their partners.

I wouldn't be surprised if the league does some cloak and dagger legal stuff to (try to) make this disappear. It's really a PR disaster.
On another note. THN posted something on Mike Ribiero on FB. One of the commenters then called them, Nashville Sexual Predators. That made me laugh so hard I spit coffee out of my nose. I mean..not funny, but yeah. That was funny.
- jeffgouldonfire

It always NFL and NBA players. Why now must my NHL be stricken with this BS

Voynov, Kane and who went to jail like a year or two ago? Khabibulan?