I’m not saying I agree with the rules... just that in a functioning society everyone needs to follow them.

Like I said to wedgie we have legal avenues to voice our displeasure... and just ignoring/breaking the rules is not one of them
- Dozzer

There is a mental health aspect to it, but at the end of the day, I agree with you.. Rules are rules and need to be followed especially in a time of such uncertainty.

When a rule is poorly thought out and made to fully protect the NHL and not the players I can see why players are unhappy.

Tbh I had no idea that players weren't allowed to hangout in hotel rooms, I found that out yesterday as I believe most others did. For 5 months? That is not sustainable, especially considering we have no idea what the mental state of each individual player is at. Considering this is a large sample size of 1000 human beings It WILL go south for quite a few of these players.
- Santo_44

Players need to bring beer and pizza to the locker room - because that would be allowed.

What to expect in the rematch...

A much better game or another dull affair?

A star should stand out this time around but whom is anyones guess.

When a rule is poorly thought out and made to fully protect the NHL and not the players I can see why players are unhappy.

Tbh I had no idea that players weren't allowed to hangout in hotel rooms, I found that out yesterday as I believe most others did. For 5 months? That is not sustainable, especially considering we have no idea what the mental state of each individual player is at. Considering this is a large sample size of 1000 human beings It WILL go south for quite a few of these players.
- Santo_44

Well then the players union should have addressed this when they were coming up with the return to play guidelines

The players agreed to these rules... they can’t just start breaking them now as they see fit.

Not to mention between practices, meetings, and games these guys are getting more social time than most so I really have a hard time feeling bad for them

There is a mental health aspect to it, but at the end of the day, I agree with you.. Rules are rules and need to be followed especially in a time of such uncertainty.
- PatC80

Well here's the rub. You don't want to risk this for 5 months and get paid doing it? Give up your GIANT paycheck. I'm fine if players give it a shot then go home because it's difficult.

Lots of people out of work due to covid with no opportunity to make even a $100,000 in a 5 month period.

NHL or teams can hire therapists for the team, mental health experts to travel with them to keep them healthy. Or if it gets worse enough, feel free to leave the team and take care of yourself.

There is a mental health aspect to it, but at the end of the day, I agree with you.. Rules are rules and need to be followed especially in a time of such uncertainty.
- PatC80

I think as fans we don't think enough about the mental health of players.


In a time of uncertainty we should be thinking about this more often.

Self isolation is used as punishment in the court of law, remember that.

Hard to beat the Oilers when you only score once on one of the worst defensive teams around. The sixth or seventh d-man is not going to significantly affect the outcome. The bullsh!t penalty on Muzzin wasn't the reason that Leafs lost either. Offense is looking for the perfect goal, ugly goals count, get the puck to the net instead of skating around the perimiter.
- winsix

Yes.

I dunno, there's a lot of hand momentum for a grab... I think it's a legit swat
- TheMussel

but his hand is so so tiny

Well then the players union should have addressed this when they were coming up with the return to play guidelines

The players agreed to these rules... they can’t just start breaking them now as they see fit.

Not to mention between practices, meetings, and games these guys are getting more social time than most so I really have a hard time feeling bad for them
- Dozzer

In this case, rules are rules. We are only talking about while the team is traveling. I believe for the most part, teams are allowed to go home while at home so they get family time and such.

It's tough for sure. It's a heavy schedule with every other night but again, they didn't want to sit out and make zero dollars.

Well then the players union should have addressed this when they were coming up with the return to play guidelines

The players agreed to these rules... they can’t just start breaking them now as they see fit.

Not to mention between practices, meetings, and games these guys are getting more social time than most so I really have a hard time feeling bad for them
- Dozzer

The rules are there and they should be tough. If anyone saw Tom Hanks (supposedly recovered some time ago from Covid) last night as the host to the Inauguration - he doesn't look right. This is serious stuff. Follow the (frank)en rules.

This. Can’t blame the losses on a bottom pairing d man when the team is built to dominate offensively and doesn’t score.
- Dozzer

Follow the chain of evidence...
1st up is blame Freddie.
If not then bottom pair D
Taboo to blame 40m in F’s.

but his hand is so so tiny
- 21peter

microscopic even

There is a mental health aspect to it, but at the end of the day, I agree with you.. Rules are rules and need to be followed especially in a time of such uncertainty.
- PatC80

That’s all I’m saying. That and the fact that there is a right and wrong way to protest rules.

If a person is a nudist they may feel that it’s their right to walk downtown naked... doesn’t mean they won’t get arrested and charged

microscopic even
- TheMussel

I expect the word for this in Finnish includes a lot of double A's

Well then the players union should have addressed this when they were coming up with the return to play guidelines

The players agreed to these rules... they can’t just start breaking them now as they see fit.

Not to mention between practices, meetings, and games these guys are getting more social time than most so I really have a hard time feeling bad for them
- Dozzer

The real reason for players wanting no bubble...

Stupid is harder to achieve unless somebody has a wings addiction.

Well then the players union should have addressed this when they were coming up with the return to play guidelines

The players agreed to these rules... they can’t just start breaking them now as they see fit.

Not to mention between practices, meetings, and games these guys are getting more social time than most so I really have a hard time feeling bad for them
- Dozzer

Dude, that is work for them. They are not getting more social time than everyone else, that is false. Anyone who is self isolating by themselves are allowed to join another household to maintain their mental health and well being, regardless of what they do for work because work is not the same as social environment.

We need to start looking at these players as human beings, this notion that they are going to be happy regardless because they play hockey and are rich is completely false. Self isolation is incredibly damaging to anyones mental health over an extended period of time.

In this case, rules are rules. We are only talking about while the team is traveling. I believe for the most part, teams are allowed to go home while at home so they get family time and such.

It's tough for sure. It's a heavy schedule with every other night but again, they didn't want to sit out and make zero dollars.
- Aaron_85

Yes they are allowed to go home when they aren’t on the road...

No offence to the players but even on the road you get to go hang with 30+ people day after day and you only have to stay in your room at night for a week or so? And this is supposed to be “harmful to their state of mind”?

(frank) off... long haul truckers have been doing that for decades and for far less money

Sorry I just really have a hard time feeling bad for the players here

That’s all I’m saying. That and the fact that there is a right and wrong way to protest rules.

If a person is a nudist they may feel that it’s their right to walk downtown naked... doesn’t mean they won’t get arrested and charged
- Dozzer

Being forced to not be able to walk nude and being forced to self isolate for 5 months isnt the same.

Yes they are allowed to go home when they aren’t on the road...

No offence to the players but even on the road you get to go hang with 30+ people day after day and you only have to stay in your room at night for a week or so? And this is supposed to be “harmful to their state of mind”?

(frank) off... long haul truckers have been doing that for decades and for far less money

Sorry I just really have a hard time feeling bad for the players here
- Dozzer

Another thing you are completely ignoring, home is not where these players play for the majority of them.

Its just another room they have to self isolate in.

Kristen Shilton
@kristen_shilton

Frederik Andersen on his game: "I try to give the guys a chance to win and they've been doing great in front of me as well making things simple and that's going to help us eventually down the road. I know the offence will come, that's not a concern."

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

So here's my latest proposal for sports reporters:

If you get a nothingburger for an answer, don't tweet it.

Maybe 10% of the guys will start giving better answers, which the reporters can tweet.

We won't miss the remaining 90%.

Or maybe just ask Ovi's wife questions 24/7
- Atomic Wedgie

Just stop following her if these nothing quotes drive you nuts. She is going to tweet almost every reply to her or someone elses question.
Its her job.

That’s all I’m saying. That and the fact that there is a right and wrong way to protest rules.

If a person is a nudist they may feel that it’s their right to walk downtown naked... doesn’t mean they won’t get arrested and charged
- Dozzer

Before I agree with you or disagree, is this nudist good looking?

Dude, that is work for them. They are not getting more social time than everyone else, that is false. Anyone who is self isolating by themselves are allowed to join another household to maintain their mental health and well being, regardless of what they do for work because work is not the same as social environment.

We need to start looking at these players as human beings, this notion that they are going to be happy regardless because they play hockey and are rich is completely false. Self isolation is incredibly damaging to anyones mental health over an extended period of time.
- Santo_44

Some people self isolate at home and work by themselves for minimum wage at a convenience store

The “it’s work” excuse is lame... do you not laugh and joke around with coworkers?

Part of a work environment is that it has a social aspect to it

I don’t feel bad for them... stay in your (frank)ing rooms

Just stop following her if these nothing quotes drive you nuts. She is going to tweet almost every reply to her or someone elses question.
Its her job.
- Fakepartofme

I like 95% of what she does.

It just drives me nuts that ALL reporters in ALL sports do this.

Before I agree with you or disagree, is this nudist good looking?
- Atomic Wedgie

Depends on your fetish

Being forced to not be able to walk nude and being forced to self isolate for 5 months isnt the same.
- Santo_44

They aren’t self isolating!

They get to go home when they’re not on the road