Fans dont want to see it (younger and New fans that is)
- ImThatGuy

I've seen no evidence of this. None. The NHL has been pandering to that bogus narrative for 20 years, and the sport's never been less watchable. The sport was way more fun to watch in the 80 and early 90s.

I've been to probably 100 NHL games. People get on their feet and cheer when fights happen and huge hits. They cheer louder for fights than anything else. Otherwise, there's a lot of crickets in a lot of NHL arenas for much of gameplay because the modern game is like watching paint dry in many cases.

You are right. We shouldn't look at recent, similar scrums.
- Blackstrom2

You mean where wuts-his-face had Crosby in a headlock and ripped his helmet off - all during the course of play? While the official stood there and watched. Play should have been called.

It's nothing like what happened in the Was-NYR game.

But keep trying to put a spin on it so your player somehow looks less like a douche-bag. Someone in one of the blogs commented there was actually a decent Capitals poster on this site. Still waiting for that appearance.

I've seen no evidence of this. None. The NHL has been pandering to that bogus narrative for 20 years, and the sport's never been less watchable. The sport was way more fun to watch in the 80 and early 90s.

I've been to probably 100 NHL games. People get on their feet and cheer when fights happen and huge hits. They cheer louder for fights than anything else. Otherwise, there's a lot of crickets in a lot of NHL arenas for much of gameplay because the modern game is like watching paint dry in many cases.
- lacaprup

Ok, so you've compared the game of today vs that of the 80's and 90's. I entreat you to now do the same with our knowledge of the long term effects of head trauma.
Go ahead, we'll wait...

Ok, so you've compared the game of today vs that of the 80's and 90's. I entreat you to now do the same with our knowledge of the long term effects of head trauma.
Go ahead, we'll wait...
- Tonybere

So you agree with me today's game is boring as paint drying, and not even contest the game of the 80s and early 90s was better. I will accept that victory.

The NHL is an entertainment product at its base, and they're not very entertaining except at the very very highest level. I think there are more than enough willing young men who will gladly make millions of dollars to play the same role Rob Ray, Tie Domi, etc played for a tenth of that money. I also think the return of those types a players to every lineup will on the whole keep star players safer than they are today when anyone at any time can get scummed.

So you agree with me today's game is boring as paint drying, and not even contest the game of the 80s and early 90s was better. I will accept that victory.

The NHL is an entertainment product at its base, and they're not very entertaining except at the very very highest level. I think there are more than enough willing young men who will gladly make millions of dollars to play the same role Rob Ray, Tie Domi, etc played for a tenth of that money. I also think the return of those types a players to every lineup will on the whole keep star players safer than they are today when anyone at any time can get scummed.
- lacaprup

Brain damage says hello.

So you agree with me today's game is boring as paint drying, and not even contest the game of the 80s and early 90s was better. I will accept that victory.

The NHL is an entertainment product at its base, and they're not very entertaining except at the very very highest level. I think there are more than enough willing young men who will gladly make millions of dollars to play the same role Rob Ray, Tie Domi, etc played for a tenth of that money. I also think the return of those types a players to every lineup will on the whole keep star players safer than they are today when anyone at any time can get scummed.
- lacaprup

I said nothing of the sort.
I am evolved enough that I can wait a minute or two for an entertaining skill play, I don't see the need to move backwards.
Something must be done, you are certainly correct there. The stars are going to have a rough go if we stay where players can take whatever liberties they want on them and only sacrifice a pittance.
I saw it reported yesterday that the $5000 max fine equates to fining a full-time McDonald's employee $17.00. Assault someone and it's going to cost you less than 2 McValue meals. Quite the deterrent.

So you agree with me today's game is boring as paint drying, and not even contest the game of the 80s and early 90s was better. I will accept that victory.

The NHL is an entertainment product at its base, and they're not very entertaining except at the very very highest level. I think there are more than enough willing young men who will gladly make millions of dollars to play the same role Rob Ray, Tie Domi, etc played for a tenth of that money. I also think the return of those types a players to every lineup will on the whole keep star players safer than they are today when anyone at any time can get scummed.
- lacaprup

Today's game is superior imo. I enjoy the speed, skill, far more than the clutch and grab 80s. There were far too many crap players back then who were only there because they were tough. Watching Mario have his career cut short by crap hockey players hacking and whacking him was beyond stupid.

Today's game is superior imo. I enjoy the speed, skill, far more than the clutch and grab 80s. There were far too many crap players back then who were only there because they were tough. Watching Mario have his career cut short by crap hockey players hacking and whacking him was beyond stupid.
- tincup

More skill on much better display in the 80s. So many useless midgets today who pollute 3rd and 4th lines and disappear in the playoffs while the Mat Martin's of the NHL take off.

If every team had a line of three guys who can fight stars would get abused much less and fans would be happier.

Mario Lemieux was allowed to be hacked because NHL refs are a pollutant and nothing more. I don’t recall many goons tracking him down. nothing to do with the overall style of game or the presence of goons in it. Guys still get routinely hacked and crosschecked in front of goalies in today's goonless NHL, and cheapshots happen regularly as this thread displays.