AM is a big boy that can learn from Jumbo to take of biz himself. Is it too much to ask?
- Nighthawk

Kinda thinking with his shot accuracy, Auston should just ease in over the blue line and release a couple of those wristers, at eye level at both Weber and Chariot. Bet they get the message really quick

Yup its simple, use your body and move him.

And if you cant because the forward is better than you? Tough poop, get better players to defend your net then.
- Santo_44

Another offshoot of positivity to doing that would be that teams wouldn’t feel the need to put as big of forwards that they do in front either... allowing better looks for outside shooters... likely resulting in more goals

This isn’t that big a deal. The way rules get called get adjusted as the year progresses. Matthews agent was smart to make some noise. Hopefully, they crack down on cross checking. There actually are other ways to deal with players in front of the net.

Of course, there’s a real danger fans might spontaneously start complaining if they were forced to watch non group B hockey.
- Canada Cup

Agents have no place other than contracts. Sorry but they are leeches at the best of times & should be ignored & stick to their role. AM can stand up for himself.

Sometimes i wonder if theres Aussies who watch AFL or rugby who constantly complain about the nature of the sport.

I really don't understand the desire to always change the sport.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Because the sport changes constantly due to new equipment and advanced technologies regardless of if you want to make rule changes or not.

Hockey is probably one of the most fast changing sport in the world due to new technology.

They wear special boots and their main tool is a 6 foot long stick made up of carbon fibres...The sport will change.

I never got that just because you were a worse player you were allowed to attach a rope and water ski behind a player.
- Santo_44

It used to be known as "Hudson Bay Rules" come playoff time. Us Red Wings fans used to whine about it all the time in the 90s. Until the team finally figured out that instead of complaining about it, do something about it. Hence the Shanny trade. More North-South. Less East-West. More minutes for the Grind Line. More minutes for McCarty and Lapointe. More will. Less skill. Get a proper balance. 👍

Agents have no place other than contracts. Sorry but they are leeches at the best of times & should be ignored & stick to their role. AM can stand up for himself.
- Nighthawk

Yeah not quite sure I totally agree on this... yes agents can be leeches 100% but if you’re Matthews agent would you want to see his career shortened by an avoidable injury? When it comes to a players health their agent has a personal stake in it as well which to me justifies them in voicing their opinions.

Because the sport changes constantly due to new equipment and advanced technologies regardless of if you want to make rule changes or not.
- Santo_44

I have no issues with the equipment or technology changes.


I think if the NHL gives in to fans who always find things to complain about, at some point the b!tchification of hockey will completely alter the integrity of the game.

Theres nothing wrong with the game.

Sometimes i wonder if theres Aussies who watch AFL or rugby who constantly complain about the nature of the sport.

I really don't understand the desire to always change the sport.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

They've changed the rules of rugby to a crazy degree over the past 25 years.

They even changed the scoring.

Yeah not quite sure I totally agree on this... yes agents can be leeches 100% but if you’re Matthews agent would you want to see his career shortened by an avoidable injury? When it comes to a players health their agent has a personal stake in it as well which to me justifies them in voicing their opinions.
- Dozzer

Kinda makes them too biased to be taken seriously though.

I have no issues with the equipment or technology changes.


I think if the NHL gives in to fans who always find things to complain about, at some point the b!tchification of hockey will completely alter the integrity of the game.

Theres nothing wrong with the game.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

You cant have this and not rule changes.

You can't have technological advances and not improved safety features.

Shall we use the same safety features in cars today as they used in the 1920s?

Kinda makes them too biased to be taken seriously though.
- Scabeh

Oh biased absolutely

But they do have a personal stake in the matter all the same

Just wish they were more honest about it and would stop with this on behalf of the player BS

Yeah not quite sure I totally agree on this... yes agents can be leeches 100% but if you’re Matthews agent would you want to see his career shortened by an avoidable injury? When it comes to a players health their agent has a personal stake in it as well which to me justifies them in voicing their opinions.
- Dozzer

Nighthawk is here to troll. Don’t waste your time.

You cant have this and not rule changes.

You can't have technological advances and not improved safety features.

Shall we use the same safety features in cars today as they used in the 1920s?
- Santo_44

Thats a false comparison.

Cars back then were steel death-traps.

Hockey has gotten safer, the equipment has gotten better.

Thats a false comparison.

Cars back then were steel death-traps.

Hockey has gotten safer, the equipment has gotten better.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Ok lets just put 50 layers of bubble wrap on people when they are driving, problem solved.

Nighthawk is here to troll. Don’t waste your time.
- shack67

Shhhhhhhhh!!!

Let. Me. Draw. Him. In.

It's not too much to ask.

It's stupid to ask.

We don't want our best player in the penalty box or on the LTIR.
- Atomic Wedgie

Making an excuse for a soft player who won’t let the league know he can dish it if players take liberties isn’t gonna wash with me. He’s not a special case needing others of a league to defend him. Play to his size & earn respect & players won’t take cheap shots. Pick his spots.

I used to volunteer at this rink. Ive shoveled the entire thing after a snow storm by myself numerous times. I had a key to the community center, and would spend sometimes all my free time after school there. They had a walk-behind flooder, then i think eventually they bought a used zamboni.

It's a great place. Callander doesnt have an indoor rink, so the kids played hockey in Astorville, a small community 15 mins away. So they beefed up the ODR to give the town a little more pride. I think they put the roof on with the intention of turning it into an indoor rink.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

that's awesome.. It was the best thing about the winter, when I was a kid.. It wasn't very big of an outdoor rink but it was great to get out and have fun..

Ok lets just put 50 layers of bubble wrap on people when they are driving, problem solved.
- Santo_44

i don't know where you're going with this.

i don't know where you're going with this.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Well he's driving and he's got bubble wrap so.... the post office?

i don't know where you're going with this.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

There are limitations on what you can wear to be safe.

There has to be a balance, and when there is a safety issue that cant be fixed with something you can wear you have to change the rules.

that's awesome.. It was the best thing about the winter, when I was a kid.. It wasn't very big of an outdoor rink but it was great to get out and have fun..
- PatC80

Every town in Canada needs an ODR. It's not just for kids to play hockey, but for people to get out and skate, enjoy each other company, and bring the community together.

Agents have no place other than contracts. Sorry but they are leeches at the best of times & should be ignored & stick to their role. AM can stand up for himself.
- Nighthawk

Hey, another dumb take. Agents perform a series of services for their clients including talking to the press when required. And leeches? Is this the 1950s where players are just happy to sign whatever owners put in front of them?

Kinda thinking with his shot accuracy, Auston should just ease in over the blue line and release a couple of those wristers, at eye level at both Weber and Chariot. Bet they get the message really quick
- Leafsmart

Good point & players handle themselves & not leave it to refs & the league.

Making an excuse for a soft player who won’t let the league know he can dish it if players take liberties isn’t gonna wash with me. He’s not a special case needing others of a league to defend him. Play to his size & earn respect & players won’t take cheap shots. Pick his spots.
- Nighthawk

Very poor mentality.

Just because you are worse than the other player and you cant control him in front of the net does not mean you can use your stick as a weapon to compensate.

The only soft player here is the one that can't get Matthews out of the front of the net without illegally using his stick.

There are limitations on what you can wear to be safe.

There has to be a balance, and when there is a safety issue that cant be fixed with something you can wear you have to change the rules.
- Santo_44

Playing in the NHL is no less safe than working on a construction site.

They should just be happy to make millions playing a game, and not have to get up everyday and stand around for a safety meeting and hope someone doesn't drop a hammer on their heads.

Theres always risk. Hockey is relatively safe, the players know what they signed up for.