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Post by DrBump on Dec 6, 2004 23:28:08 GMT -5
We still have a problem that has plagued the league for the last 10 years. The one ice product of the NHL is on a dramatic down turn. GPG statistics are dropping, and overall offence is taking a nose dive. Clutching and grabbing has become a foundation of strategy for many teams in order to slow down forechecking. (See Vancouver Canucks) Forechecking is perhaps the most exciting part of the game IMO.
The trap. Teams are using it more and more, especially those teams with diluted talent, due to the watered down player product that the NHL has with all 30 franchises.
The players are MUCH bigger and athletic then they were 30, 20, or even 10 years ago. However, the size of ice surface has yet to change.
I'd be curious to hear the ideas that some of you have to "enlighten" the league.
Let's talk hockey, and not dollars for a change...
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Post by cka on Dec 6, 2004 23:42:36 GMT -5
Contraction. All lockout long we've been seeing games from the seventies and eighties, and it drives home how terrible the on ice product is at the moment, and it's due to the fact that there are 30 teams and not enough quality players to fill their rosters. Guys like Mike Commodore should not be getting one way contracts.  |
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Post by DrBump on Dec 6, 2004 23:53:20 GMT -5
Contraction. All lockout long we've been seeing games from the seventies and eighties, and it drives home how terrible the on ice product is at the moment, and it's due to the fact that there are 30 teams and not enough quality players to fill their rosters. Guys like Mike Commodore should not be getting one way contracts. Yes, but if you look at teams like the Rangers and Red Wings, that are stacked with talent, you'll see that their numbers aren't that great either. I think the average player in todays NHL is a far better athlete then those of 20 years ago. |
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Post by cka on Dec 7, 2004 12:02:13 GMT -5
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Post by elfonzo on Dec 7, 2004 12:11:58 GMT -5
The perfect scenario for the NHL would be contracting 6 teams : Nashville, Carolina, Florida, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Anaheim
Why can't they get a TV contract? Because nobody wants to watch these teams.
Oh I long for the days when these cities don't have franchises...
(And who knows, maybe Bettman's stance is so hard because he's trying to chase away a few of these owners?)
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Post by cka on Dec 7, 2004 13:04:54 GMT -5
I was thinking about this this morning.
Chris Dingman has two cup rings. Dingman. He's called "dingy" by close family and friends, he can barely count. He barely cracked the 4th line, and he's got two because he's played for 2 very good teams in the Avs and Bolts.
This would have been unheard of in the 80s. The league's 4th liners are pathetic, twenty years ago they would have been happy to be in the minors. Because there are 30 teams, we're filling them up with shitty players like our buddy Dingy.
Can anyone else think of some players who have a cup ring or two that probably got it because of the size of the league?
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Post by Mickey Martini on Dec 7, 2004 13:16:24 GMT -5
I was going to say Yelle with the Av's in 2001 just for your sake CKA, but in all seriousness Dan Hinote on that same team. Or how about Jon Sim with the 1999 Stars. Or Warren Rychel with the 1996 Av's. The list can go on and on
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Post by cka on Dec 7, 2004 13:19:15 GMT -5
Yelle >> Dingman Yelle's a smart hockey player who contributed somewhat to that Cup win. He's one of the best defensive forwards in the game. Maybe Niemenen on the 2001 Avs, or Simon on the 1996 Avs. Those I can accept. BUT had the Flames won the Cup this year, both Simon and Nemo would have been deserving. |
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Post by Mickey Martini on Dec 7, 2004 13:19:56 GMT -5
The only thing Im worried about with the cap, is a few years down the road might there be too much parody in the league? Will the powerhouse teams dissapear and we'll have almost every team at the same level. Lets face it, as overpaid as some as these teams are, they also play some of the best hockey. I still want to see powerhouse teams in the league, rather than have every team almost equal
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Post by cka on Dec 7, 2004 13:21:34 GMT -5
All I'm asking for is a chance to sign good players. Right now, having a low payroll, it's nearly impossible. We have Iggy, and we can't afford anyone else.
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Post by Mickey Martini on Dec 7, 2004 13:22:15 GMT -5
Yelle >> Dingman Yelle's a smart hockey player who contributed somewhat to that Cup win. He's one of the best defensive forwards in the game. Maybe Niemenen on the 2001 Avs, or Simon on the 1996 Avs. Those I can accept. BUT had the Flames won the Cup this year, both Simon and Nemo would have been deserving. And I said I was kidding  That whole Flame team worked their ass off in the playoffs and each and every one of them would have deserved that cup ring, unlike certain players on other teams in other years. Even the Bolts roster deserved it from top to bottom (Bad offciating aside) |
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Post by cka on Dec 7, 2004 13:23:34 GMT -5
And I said I was kidding That whole Flame team worked their ass off in the playoffs and each and every one of them would have deserved that cup ring, unlike certain players on other teams in other years. Even the Bolts roster deserved it from top to bottom (Bad offciating aside) I know you were kidding because you know how much I value Yelle. There's one exception to what you just said, though: DINGMAN!!!! HE BLOWS!!!!! |
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Post by Mickey Martini on Dec 7, 2004 13:24:00 GMT -5
All I'm asking for is a chance to sign good players. Right now, having a low payroll, it's nearly impossible. We have Iggy, and we can't afford anyone else. Of course. I want small market teams to be able to get a fair shot too, I just dont wont thirty teams with say two or three superstars and an avergae roster the rest of the way. We need some really great teams and some really awful teams too. Hopefully if they contract that can solve some of that problem |
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Post by cka on Dec 7, 2004 13:28:38 GMT -5
Of course. I want small market teams to be able to get a fair shot too, I just dont wont thirty teams with say two or three superstars and an avergae roster the rest of the way. We need some really great teams and some really awful teams too. Hopefully if they contract that can solve some of that problem What are the chances of Buttman admitting he was wrong to put teams in the Sunbelt to begin with? I think Atlanta has a good young team, it's almost unfair to contract them. In a perfect world, they'd be moved to the Peg so that there could be another quality Canadian team. I don't want the Pens to move up here, they suck. I know the Kings will always be there, as will the Sharks. Lose Anaheim, Carolina, Florida (come on, 2 teams in Florida and only one in Quebec? ), Phoenix, Pittsburgh, and I'd like to forget the Columbus Blue Jackets ever happened. Move Atlanta and Nashville to northern markets, where they'll have more than a handful of diehard fans. (atl) |
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Post by Mickey Martini on Dec 7, 2004 13:36:15 GMT -5
I have a soft spot for the Pens because I remember watching them hoist the cup. And the old logo kicked ass. But I agree with you about Anaheim, Pheonix, Florida and Columbus. Atlanta and Nashville do have their fans, and Id say give them a few more years to see how they do. Carolina should not be in the league when hockey starts again, that's how strong I feel about them and their lack of good team/fan support
Id love to see teams back in Quebec and Winnpeg, as long as they dont go back to calling them the Nordiques and Jets. Two of the more dumber names in hockey
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