Around The NHL #13

[Coyotedroppings]

Hill playing real solid between the pipes tonight.

 

[Mosby]

I really really hope an NHL player uses Pride tape. I want to see the NHL try to discipline that player. The NHL deserves the backlash for this. What a mess they have made for themselves.

Hockey is for everyone my ass.

 

[Jakey53]

At the time of the trade ROR was not yet ROR and Stepan was not yet Stepan. They were seen at that time as very close comparibles. There’s a reason why Stepan commanded a top ten draft pick and highly promising and productive young nhl roster d man.

That reason was Chyka who was in a win now mode. ROR I believe was already in the league for about 8 yrs. when the Stepan trade happened.

 

[Foggy1097]

I really really hope an NHL player uses Pride tape. I want to see the NHL try to discipline that player. The NHL deserves the backlash for this. What a mess they have made for themselves.

Hockey is for everyone my ass.

Literally anyone can play and watch hockey. They aren’t excluded. Entertainment is for entertaining. I don’t go to or watch sporting events for activism. Take it somewhere else. Imagine being an athlete and then you turn pro and now you’re expected to have an informed opinion on every world issue and “take a stance” on things related to activist work. Ridiculous. Take all activism out of entertainment…there’s a proper time and place and entertainment outlets are not that place.

 

[Hogan20]

I really really hope an NHL player uses Pride tape. I want to see the NHL try to discipline that player. The NHL deserves the backlash for this. What a mess they have made for themselves.

Hockey is for everyone my ass.

I saw someone on twitter say there's no rules against someone using a strip of red tape, a strip of orange tape, a strip of yellow tape, etc.

 

[Mosby]

Literally anyone can play and watch hockey. They aren’t excluded. Entertainment is for entertaining. I don’t go to or watch sporting events for activism. Take it somewhere else. Imagine being an athlete and then you turn pro and now you’re expected to have an informed opinion on every world issue and “take a stance” on things related to activist work. Ridiculous. Take all activism out of entertainment…there’s a proper time and place and entertainment outlets are not that place.

I am fine with this if all other theme nights are removed. Military appreciation and such.

Lack of foresight from the NHL here imo. There is no advantage and lots of problems that will come from the decision they made.

Not being homophobic is not a stance. It’s just being human.

 

[rt]

That reason was Chyka who was in a win now mode. ROR I believe was already in the league for about 8 yrs. when the Stepan trade happened.

Their production age and on ice impact were viewed as extremely similar. At the time ROR was seen as having red flags because he had a crazy over involved dad, he had fled for the KHL at one point, and he got drunk and drove his truck into a building.

 

[Mosby]

https://x.com/charlieo_conn/status/1712138940323443039?s=46&t=AsPVHjmsbg6yAPdCu14tqA

Good luck NHL

 

[Foggy1097]

I am fine with this if all other theme nights are removed. Military appreciation and such.

Lack of foresight from the NHL here imo. There is no advantage and lots of problems that will come from the decision they made.

Not being homophobic is not a stance. It’s just being human.

Military appreciation is the only one I am somewhat comfortable with, because even though I don’t agree with the military leadership and decision making 90% of the time, it is a night of appreciation for services rendered by regular folks who are trying to do their part. The rest of the theme nights can go as far as I’m concerned.

Nothing about this is homophobic. The NHL is doing what all other leagues should do…acknowledging and listening to their customer base when they say they watch for entertainment, not politics and activism. They are giving the people what they want and I applaud them for it. These athletes and famous people can still use their platforms to talk about whatever they want to talk about. They have social media, they have YouTube channels, they have their own podcasts…if they want to use those things to be activists and talk about social issues then that’s great…when you show up for work though, you abide by the company policy and go out and have fun getting paid a lot of money to do your job. End of story.

 

[Mosby]

Their production age and on ice impact were viewed as extremely similar. At the time ROR was seen as having red flags because he had a crazy over involved dad, he had fled for the KHL at one point, and he got drunk and drove his truck into a building.

Not just a building, a Tim Hortons. I believe after that the RCMP tore up his citizenship eh

 

[Jamieh]

The world is officially upside down when Brad Marchand is the voice of reason.

 

[lanky]

It's beyond stupid to ban rainbow tape.

On a related note - I see that none of Provorov, Reimer, Eric Staal and Marc Staal were brought back to their team from last year. Probably just a coincidence.

 

[Dirty Old Man]

Military appreciation is the only one I am somewhat comfortable with, because ... it is a night of appreciation for services rendered by regular folks who are trying to do their part.

Well, you could make the argument that's more of a PR charm offensive...but

...I noticed something just recently during the last week of the regular season in baseball. Went to Chase Field for the first time in 5 years, and while out on the concourse, waiting in line for the concessions, the national anthem was sung by about 1,000 kids along the outfield wall...and the concessions work went on uninterrupted... AND NO ONE BATTED (no pun intended) AN EYE. AS IT SHOULD BE.

That drove me bananas when Glendale started doing that "everybody freeze" at Coyotes games circa 2010-12, even with those black curtains drawn, so you clearly weren't "in the room". Even outside, even when it was raining, ticket takers stopped - "dude, it's raining!" "Too bad, anthem's on" "but, we're not even in the arena" "Too bad, anthem's on".

 

[Jamieh]

It's beyond stupid to ban rainbow tape.

On a related note - I see that none of Provorov, Reimer, Eric Staal and Marc Staal were brought back to their team from last year. Probably just a coincidence.

Are you saying cancel culture is true and OK? So hockey isn't for everyone??

 

[Foggy1097]

The world is officially upside down when Brad Marchand is the voice of reason.

Haha yeah, he’s definitely right. In a reasonable world players could use pride tape without people getting upset, and other players could opt out and decide not to use the tape or wear the jersey without people getting upset and calling them homophobes. But since this is not the case, the NHL is making the right decision. Eliminate both sides of complainers. As a business this is the only logical action to take. Why involve yourself in polarizing topics that risk alienating large segments of you current or potential fan base? Not a wise move. If they want to bring polarizing subject matter into entertainment then they should be ok when people disagree with it and don’t want to participate…but like Marchy said, unfortunately that’s not the case.

 

[The Feckless Puck]

Take all activism out of entertainment…there’s a proper time and place and entertainment outlets are not that place.

So let's also stop singing the national anthems, get rid of invocations at other sporting events like NASCAR races, and go whole hog. Just the game, nothing else. Because at this point, it seems like everyone is fighting a culture war with everyone else and it's getting really, really old.

I saw someone on twitter say there's no rules against someone using a strip of red tape, a strip of orange tape, a strip of yellow tape, etc.

On the shaft tape, I think that's correct. The blade tape has to be either black or white, no other variations.

Not being homophobic is not a stance. It’s just being human.

You'd think that'd be self-evident, but sadly enough it's not, because there are still far too many people who look at LGBTQ+ persons as sub-human.

Military appreciation is the only one I am somewhat comfortable with, because even though I don’t agree with the military leadership and decision making 90% of the time, it is a night of appreciation for services rendered by regular folks who are trying to do their part. The rest of the theme nights can go as far as I’m concerned.

Fun fact - the military appreciation nights are bought and paid for by the government through its recruiting arms to drive up interest in getting people to sign up. I saw how it worked back when I was hoofing it through media centers at racetracks a decade or two ago. So as a military brat myself, I am not comfortable with the "OUR TROOPS!!!" stuff at all. It's stolen valor, putting a veteran up on display less to honor their service and more to meet quotas.

It's also one of the reasons I'm not too fond of Pride Nights, Church Nights, and other corporate promotions at the games themselves. They're strictly marketing vehicles, paid for to boost consumer numbers, rather than sincere engagement for various demo groups. I feel much better seeing players at a Pride parade than I do wearing a team-mandated (and ON SALE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY!!) Pride(tm) jersey, because it feels more honest that way.

The bottom line for me is that I very very very VERY VERY VERY begrudgingly side with the league on this one, because if they don't put a kibosh on things like Pride tape, then some dipshit goalie is gonna throw a few crosses on his pads, or wear a "Trump 2024 or Death" sticker on his mask, or whatever, and then it'll just devolve into a never-ending argument about "MUH FREEDOMZ!!!1" and I don't consume hockey to be subjected to that.

 

[Hogan20]

So let's also stop singing the national anthems, get rid of invocations at other sporting events like NASCAR races, and go whole hog. Just the game, nothing else. Because at this point, it seems like everyone is fighting a culture war with everyone else and it's getting really, really old.



On the shaft tape, I think that's correct. The blade tape has to be either black or white, no other variations.



You'd think that'd be self-evident, but sadly enough it's not, because there are still far too many people who look at LGBTQ+ persons as sub-human.



Fun fact - the military appreciation nights are bought and paid for by the government through its recruiting arms to drive up interest in getting people to sign up. I saw how it worked back when I was hoofing it through media centers at racetracks a decade or two ago. So as a military brat myself, I am not comfortable with the "OUR TROOPS!!!" stuff at all. It's stolen valor, putting a veteran up on display less to honor their service and more to meet quotas.

It's also one of the reasons I'm not too fond of Pride Nights, Church Nights, and other corporate promotions at the games themselves. They're strictly marketing vehicles, paid for to boost consumer numbers, rather than sincere engagement for various demo groups. I feel much better seeing players at a Pride parade than I do wearing a team-mandated (and ON SALE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY!!) Pride(tm) jersey, because it feels more honest that way.

The bottom line for me is that I very very very VERY VERY VERY begrudgingly side with the league on this one, because if they don't put a kibosh on things like Pride tape, then some dipshit goalie is gonna throw a few crosses on his pads, or wear a "Trump 2024 or Death" sticker on his mask, or whatever, and then it'll just devolve into a never-ending argument about "MUH FREEDOMZ!!!1" and I don't consume hockey to be subjected to that.

Taken this directly from the NHL rule book for this year.

 

[Jakey53]

Their production age and on ice impact were viewed as extremely similar. At the time ROR was seen as having red flags because he had a crazy over involved dad, he had fled for the KHL at one point, and he got drunk and drove his truck into a building.

You have your opinion, and that is fine, I just don't think they were ever close. That incident was a red flag for sure, but thankfully he straightened out.

 

[The Feckless Puck]

View attachment 751115
Taken this directly from the NHL rule book for this year.

Got it, but from what I have read, the new rule they just announced limits the blade tape to black or white. May not be codified yet in the rulebook (which was written before this new decision came out, most likely).

 

[Foggy1097]

So let's also stop singing the national anthems, get rid of invocations at other sporting events like NASCAR races, and go whole hog. Just the game, nothing else. Because at this point, it seems like everyone is fighting a culture war with everyone else and it's getting really, really old.

Fun fact - the military appreciation nights are bought and paid for by the government through its recruiting arms to drive up interest in getting people to sign up. I saw how it worked back when I was hoofing it through media centers at racetracks a decade or two ago. So as a military brat myself, I am not comfortable with the "OUR TROOPS!!!" stuff at all. It's stolen valor, putting a veteran up on display less to honor their service and more to meet quotas.

It's also one of the reasons I'm not too fond of Pride Nights, Church Nights, and other corporate promotions at the games themselves. They're strictly marketing vehicles, paid for to boost consumer numbers, rather than sincere engagement for various demo groups. I feel much better seeing players at a Pride parade than I do wearing a team-mandated (and ON SALE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY!!) Pride(tm) jersey, because it feels more honest that way.

The bottom line for me is that I very very very VERY VERY VERY begrudgingly side with the league on this one, because if they don't put a kibosh on things like Pride tape, then some dipshit goalie is gonna throw a few crosses on his pads, or wear a "Trump 2024 or Death" sticker on his mask, or whatever, and then it'll just devolve into a never-ending argument about "MUH FREEDOMZ!!!1" and I don't consume hockey to be subjected to that.

Yes, that’s basically what I’m advocating. National anthems aren’t considered activism in my opinion, but everything else, just do away with it. It’s sad that the military stuff has to be reduced to something as cynical as that, but that’s usually the case when money is involved. I support the spirit of it.

The thing is, if people are going to insist on getting riled up over sensationalized topics and overly identifying with their team/group, then things need to be more compartmentalized. It’s 2023 and we live in a time of “have it your way” customization and convenience. Sports are for entertainment and enjoying the sport. Movies are for, yes sometimes thought provoking things and communicating abstract ideas, but mostly entertainment…not societal agenda driven garbage. If you want activism, there are spaces for that. Whatever your flavor of the day is, there’s a space for that. Anything you want to learn about, it’s available to you. When it comes to things that are supposed to be for fun and entertainment for the mass consumption…just get the divisive stuff out of here. Things that were always meant to be spaces where people of any different background and perspective could get together and find common ground and have a good time together, are now infiltrated with divisive garbage to make them dislike each other and forget what they came there for in the first place…fun and camaraderie. It’s gross, and it needs to go away.

 

[Mosby]

But seriously what is the NHL going to do if Connor McDavid (or any other player) skates out with a Pride taped stick?

 

[Jamieh]

But seriously what is the NHL going to do if Connor McDavid (or any other player) skates out with a Pride taped stick?

I saw somewhere this morning that Laughton planned to use Pride tape. I hope the NHL is smart enough to just let players do it as long as they are reasonable. IE: tape on stick is kinda irrelevant

 

[Dirty Old Man]

But seriously what is the NHL going to do if Connor McDavid (or any other player) skates out with a Pride taped stick?

good question...what's the penalty for illegal equipment (pads too big, sticks too curvy, etc.)?

Heh, and what about warmups? Can you warm up with a super curvy stick or giant pads?

 

[Foggy1097]

But seriously what is the NHL going to do if Connor McDavid (or any other player) skates out with a Pride taped stick?

Yeah see, the tape stuff I’m fine with. It’s personal to the player and is a result of player choice. It’s the mandatory jersey stuff that needed to go. The whole “wear it or you’re a bigot” mentality. If some players want to make the choice to tape a stick a certain way I think that’s fine.

 

[The Feckless Puck]

But seriously what is the NHL going to do if Connor McDavid (or any other player) skates out with a Pride taped stick?

If it's shaft tape, then it isn't the blade tape, which is what is specifically spelled out from what I have read. The league will probably rationalize it by saying that the gloves will cover it for the most part.