K... I find it funny that the cow is coming towards him, and yet he continues to drive on. I don't know about you, but whenever a cow is flying towards me, I slam on my breaks (that's what I do whenever my sister is flying towards me). Also, you can see a car pass by them when they show the driver/passengers.
- laughs2907

This is probably the best analysis this hockey site has ever seen... kudos!

I'm really glad that the series involving the Preds is actually being played respectfully, for the most part.

This is probably the best analysis this hockey site has ever seen... kudos!
- kneughter

I produce nothing but top quality posts. You shouldn't be surprised.

I'm really glad that the series involving the Preds is actually being played respectfully, for the most part.
- kypredsfan

errr ya...

Enjoyable.

Consider this high praise Clouts. I usually only read your blogs when I'm constipated.

Enjoyable.

Consider this high praise Clouts. I usually only read your blogs when I'm constipated.
- GuyLaDouche

Check out KFC's Double Down.

Take the blinders off

the ratings are up 50% in the states? i presume that is what you are talking about.

it is not a true rating increase. I will grant you that the higher numbers are there but it has nothing at all to do with the hockey being played, or the style in which it is being played

I would direct you to the izod indy series which has just started the season it boast rating gains of 46% percent

The real reason for both of these sports ratings gains have more to do with them now being on the rebranded nbc sports network. truly they were on versus which had very little credibility. some papers were shuffled some stocks were traded and now both of these sports exist on the nbc sports property.

there is the most significant portion of the ratings increase.

both sports will boast of there new found ratings
- Oilerulez

Guarantee me a couple of fiery crashes every week and i'd watch it all the time. Until then, not interested.

The first time this new coaching philosophy would be employed, you'd have a game where a bunch of skinny fast guys would go against some of America's most dangerous people: Murders, thugs, accountants and lawyers.
- Maxbone

I realize you have no idea who I am, but trust me when I say, you give me way too much credit.

K... I find it funny that the cow is coming towards him, and yet he continues to drive on. I don't know about you, but whenever a cow is flying towards me, I slam on my breaks (that's what I do whenever my sister is flying towards me). Also, you can see a car pass by them when they show the driver/passengers.
- laughs2907

Richard Cloutier: Hockey is Fun, but It's No Game of Ball
- Maxbone

From my perspective, devastating legal hits are the only entertaining form of hockey violence. Stuff after the whistle doesn't interest me at all. Illegal hits don't interest me either. I think they're stupid and bad for the sport.

I realize you're going to have the odd high flying elbow in any game of hockey, but I when I see that Arron Asham bullcrap, I want to change the channel and watch a sport where people can create momentum for their team within the rules of the game.

From my perspective, devastating legal hits are the only entertaining form of hockey violence. Stuff after the whistle doesn't interest me at all. Illegal hits don't interest me either. I think they're stupid and bad for the sport.

I realize you're going to have the odd high flying elbow in any game of hockey, but I when I see that Arron Asham bullcrap, I want to change the channel and watch a sport where people can create momentum for their team within the rules of the game.
- Morris

Ball???

The ONLY reason that Raffi Torres is still in the NHL is because there is because of the instigator rule.

Abolish that rule and guys like Torres have a shelf life of 2-3 years at best, because they would have to pay for their actions.

Could you imagine if back in the day Torres took a run at Yzerman? Probert would have liquified his face.

The ONLY reason that Raffi Torres is still in the NHL is because there is because of the instigator rule.

Abolish that rule and guys like Torres have a shelf life of 2-3 years at best, because they would have to pay for their actions.

Could you imagine if back in the day Torres took a run at Yzerman? Probert would have liquified his face.
- Oilspill299

I 100% disagree. He isn't afraid to drop them. Many times he has hit a guy and fought right after the hit. There isn't anyone on the Hawks that would scare Torres either.

I 100% disagree. He isn't afraid to drop them. Many times he has hit a guy and fought right after the hit. There isn't anyone on the Hawks that would scare Torres either.
- Lahey

He isn't a particularly good scrapper, but this is true.

He isn't a particularly good scrapper, but this is true.
- GuyLaDouche

Didn't Strudwick work him after a cheap hit? Outside of a team having Macintyre or Godard on this ice, fighting Torres isn't going to hurt. Did Weber get hurt when Bert when after him?

Ball???


- lumlums

not saying other sports are perfect, and I know you can't create an injury free sport. Just saying that I'd definitely rather see a completely clean hit that injured someone than a completely dirty hit that didn't injure anyone. And as far as completely dirty hits that injure people, I don't see what the appeal is.

Didn't Strudwick work him after a cheap hit? Outside of a team having Macintyre or Godard on this ice, fighting Torres isn't going to hurt. Did Weber get hurt when Bert when after him?
- Lahey

Nope,and that's where the notion of having players police themselves fails. Torres and others of his ilk will still lay those hits, and be ok with a scrap after, because they're highly unlikely to be hurt in that fight, and they've already done their damage.

The NHL needs to look at NFL discipline. Star or not, the NFL doesn't care. You (frank) around, the hammer drops. No exceptions. Too bad Bettman isn't Roger Goodell.

Didn't Strudwick work him after a cheap hit? Outside of a team having Macintyre or Godard on this ice, fighting Torres isn't going to hurt. Did Weber get hurt when Bert when after him?
- Lahey

I think the whole point is that Torres might not have to fight right after the hit, but he knows in the next couple of shifts, The big guy (who ever it may be that is the heavyweight of that team) is going to coming calling whether he wants to fight at that time or not.

All I know is that there was alot more respect in the game in the 80's and 90's because people were held accountable for their actions. Lets vicious slashes and cross checks, Player not taking liberties with star players.
I mean players like Brad Marchand face washing one of the Sedin sisters last season playoffs would never have happened to Gretzky or Yzerman etc.

Nope,and that's where the notion of having players police themselves fails. Torres and others of his ilk will still lay those hits, and be ok with a scrap after, because they're highly unlikely to be hurt in that fight, and they've already done their damage.

The NHL needs to look at NFL discipline. Star or not, the NFL doesn't care. You (frank) around, the hammer drops. No exceptions. Too bad Bettman isn't Roger Goodell.
- GuyLaDouche

The difference is that football doesn't claim to have some sort of mythical unwritten "code" when it comes to on field/ice play like hockey does. Listen to the explanations as to why players aren't suspended as severely as they should be. It always comes down to the fact that the player was "defending a teammate" or it was because the victim had done something earlier. You can blame Bettman and the discipline committee all you want, and they do share a lot of the blame, but the the NHL itself, players, coaches, etc. are the ones that created this culture. This notion that you have to "stand up for a teammate" after every hard hit, even the clean ones is just as responsible. And I'm not sure it can be cleaned up, even if the suspensions do get more severe.

Then again, like Travis pointed out, despite all this, the NHL is being watched and talked about more than it has in a long, long time. Who's to say the NHL wants to change anything?

The difference is that football doesn't claim to have some sort of mythical unwritten "code" when it comes to on field/ice play like hockey does. Listen to the explanations as to why players aren't suspended as severely as they should be. It always comes down to the fact that the player was "defending a teammate" or it was because the victim had done something earlier. You can blame Bettman and the discipline committee all you want, and they do share a lot of the blame, but the the NHL itself, players, coaches, etc. are the ones that created this culture. This notion that you have to "stand up for a teammate" after every hard hit, even the clean ones is just as responsible. And I'm not sure it can be cleaned up, even if the suspensions do get more severe.

Then again, like Travis pointed out, despite all this, the NHL is being watched and talked about more than it has in a long, long time. Who's to say the NHL wants to change anything?
- buffalofan19

They better. The amusement will wear off. As someone else pointed out, the higher ratings have a lot to do with games being on NBC instead of crappy Versus also. The Slapshot-esque antics are only amusing for so long. Someone's gonna get severely hurt sooner or later.

They better. The amusement will wear off. As someone else pointed out, the higher ratings have a lot to do with games being on NBC instead of crappy Versus also. The Slapshot-esque antics are only amusing for so long. Someone's gonna get severely hurt sooner or later.
- GuyLaDouche

NBCSports Network is the same channel as Versus. Just a name change. Same channel on the dial, same personalities, same everything.

They better. The amusement will wear off. As someone else pointed out, the higher ratings have a lot to do with games being on NBC instead of crappy Versus also. The Slapshot-esque antics are only amusing for so long. Someone's gonna get severely hurt sooner or later.
- GuyLaDouche

I agree, but, as we've seen for years, the collective IQ's of the people running the show aren't very high.

NBCSports Network is the same channel as Versus. Just a name change. Same channel on the dial, same personalities, same everything.
- buffalofan19

An important name change. We're a society that makes half our decisions based on brand. Don't discount that. And was Doc Emrick on VS? Or Maguire? I honestly have no idea. I try to stick to Canadian broadcasts.

I agree, but, as we've seen for years, the collective IQ's of the people running the show aren't very high.
- buffalofan19

God isn't that true.

They better. The amusement will wear off. As someone else pointed out, the higher ratings have a lot to do with games being on NBC instead of crappy Versus also. The Slapshot-esque antics are only amusing for so long. Someone's gonna get severely hurt sooner or later.
- GuyLaDouche

Yeah, have your ratings now. When Crosby's career gets ended, they won't be watching.