Around the NHL: Bylsma extended 2 years

[Fitzy]

This is going to be a crazy series.

You'll notice Quick did get burned on the 2-on-1 for challenging Toews too much. He's a bit old-school in that he's small enough that he can't sit deep (Henrik sits deeper than anyone except Bishop and Gustavsson, but most sit very deep now.)

Goaltending has become a completely different animal than it was even ten years ago. Fewer and fewer of them can skate well, stickhandle, or challenge the shooter. What we have are an assortment of very, very technically sound goaltenders (with resilient knee cartilage) who can side-to-side on the goal mouth and keep the bottom of the net covered.

Because of tight checking, a lot of times player's don't have the time to get the puck elevated, so it's a good strategy. But, as we've seen, the combination of a defensive system with a deep-lying butterfly goaltender means that lazy flip wristers from the point have a way of bouncing into the goal.

 

[RangersFan]

this should be a really good finals

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

This is going to be a crazy series.

You'll notice Quick did get burned on the 2-on-1 for challenging Toews too much. He's a bit old-school in that he's small enough that he can't sit deep (Henrik sits deeper than anyone except Bishop and Gustavsson, but most sit very deep now.)

Goaltending has become a completely different animal than it was even ten years ago. Fewer and fewer of them can skate well, stickhandle, or challenge the shooter. What we have are an assortment of very, very technically sound goaltenders (with resilient knee cartilage) who can side-to-side on the goal mouth and keep the bottom of the net covered.

Because of tight checking, a lot of times player's don't have the time to get the puck elevated, so it's a good strategy. But, as we've seen, the combination of a defensive system with a deep-lying butterfly goaltender means that lazy flip wristers from the point have a way of bouncing into the goal.

Yeah, it's changed. They have to do less which is sort of bothersome to me. But it;ll evolve with the game. It kills me when goalies don't challenge shooters.

 

[Fitzy]

The game is always evolving, though.

You could make a case that NHL players should use wooden sticks; they'd all pretty much revolt because today's kids were raised with super-light, super flexible composite 150 dollar sticks. That's one of the reasons why affluent kids have a leg up in today's hockey world.

Wooden sticks would keep the shot speed under control, you'd see less broken bones, could revert to smaller equipment especially for goaltenders. Still; the position has been irreversibly revolutionized; it makes geometric sense to focus on covering the surface of the ice.

I played with composite, but I did occasionally break out a wood stick at practice, almost like sitting in on deck in baseball practicing with weights.

 

[Clown Fiesta]

I think Hank challenges pretty wel in certain situations. They don't have to cut down angles as much because they are all much bigger. Not many 5' 11" goalies like Richter left. Don't like the 6´3" to 6'5" goalie much.

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

Haha Fitzy, I use a wood stick all the time too. Just easier for me to play with cause it wont break.

And BH yeah, I don't like that because you really are just huge and don't have to do anything.

 

[Clown Fiesta]

The game is always evolving, though.

You could make a case that NHL players should use wooden sticks; they'd all pretty much revolt because today's kids were raised with super-light, super flexible composite 150 dollar sticks. That's one of the reasons why affluent kids have a leg up in today's hockey world.

Wooden sticks would keep the shot speed under control, you'd see less broken bones, could revert to smaller equipment especially for goaltenders. Still; the position has been irreversibly revolutionized; it makes geometric sense to focus on covering the surface of the ice.

I played with composite, but I did occasionally break out a wood stick at practice, almost like sitting in on deck in baseball practicing with weights.

Stick companies are doing a decent job of making cheaper composites now, but it used to be ridiculous. I remember getting my first silver Easton aluminum stick just like Gretzky's.

Haha Fitzy, I use a wood stick all the time too. Just easier for me to play with cause it wont break.

And BH yeah, I don't like that because you really are just huge and don't have to do anything.

Pretty much, just stand there and let the puck hit you and if you need to cover the entire net drop down in the butterfly.

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

Bishop/Markstrom are two big examples of it. People complain about Hank, but then look at those guys.

 

[Loff]

Let's go Haaaaaaaaaawks. Dat is all.

 

[Fitzy]

Bishop/Markstrom are two big examples of it. People complain about Hank, but then look at those guys.

We had Valiquette.

One of the problems is non-uniform pad size. Larger goaltenders are permitted larger equipment. Chara gets special permission for a massive stick. Make players play by the same rules. Big guys shouldn't have an even greater advantage.

 

[Callagraves]

We had Valiquette.

One of the problems is non-uniform pad size. Larger goaltenders are permitted larger equipment. Chara gets special permission for a massive stick. Make players play by the same rules. Big guys shouldn't have an even greater advantage.

I do agree with most of this, but only to a degree. Someone like Chara using a regulation stick could not only look funny, but really kill his back too.

Additionally, larger goaltenders might have less of their bodies protected. I think that there should definitely be regulation as far as ratio goes, such as a goalies pads cannot exceed X percentage of their leg.

 

[Fitzy]

I do agree with most of this, but only to a degree. Someone like Chara using a regulation stick could not only look funny, but really kill his back too.

Additionally, larger goaltenders might have less of their bodies protected. I think that there should definitely be regulation as far as ratio goes, such as a goalies pads cannot exceed X percentage of their leg.

I'm not necessarily saying Chara shouldn't be allowed the longer stick, but if he is, so should a guy like Zuccarello.

You work with a thing like that; a 6 foot 9 defenseman shouldn't be the only one allowed to have the sort of massive reach that he does. His arm length and strength give him enough of a leg up.

 

[Fitzy]

Here s the small Jonathan Quick, and a similar small goaltender with a stand-up style Mike Richter

You'll notice two things. First, the Richter pads have a more flexible knee. I knew kids growing up who played with those sorts of pads. Better for skating. Less likely to get your legs tangled up going behind the net. Quick's are flatter, butterlfly style, designed for a dependable rebound control.They cover the surface of the ice more smoothly. He can kick out the pucks pretty much where he wants off of his legs.

Second... if Richter didn't get hurt with pucks playing his style, I don't know why q butterfly goalie would suffer with a few inches off. Look at Hank's relatively unregulated olympic pads. Look at his in the NHL. A tremendous difference, yet he has been able to play his best hockey even with a few inches cut off his pads recently.

He hasn't been hurt, either.

 

[JohnC]

People say Hank's shoulder padding is too high

Am I and idiot or are they relatively the same?

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

OOOOH I love these situations. Goalie like me

I think that the regulations can be a little bit more strict. Perhaps the leg pad sizes. Guys like bishop and markstrom are huuge

 

[*Bob Richards*]

I'm not necessarily saying Chara shouldn't be allowed the longer stick, but if he is, so should a guy like Zuccarello.

I would pay money to see this.

 

[The Gloaming]

Gonchar signs a 2 X $5 deal with the Stars.

 

[*Bob Richards*]

Gonchar signs a 2 X $5 deal with the Stars.

What a steal. I paid more for my Burger King today.

lololololololol im a jerk

 

[The Gloaming]

What a steal. I paid more for my Burger King today.

lololololololol im a jerk

I can see why you didn't win the funniest poster award.

 

[Vickers8]

Gonchar signs a 2 X $5 deal with the Stars.

Ridiculous, he's 39 and pretty much washed up, they stopped him from going to the khl to Mike Keenan's team

 

[The Gloaming]

Ridiculous, he's 39 and pretty much washed up, they stopped him from going to the khl to Mike Keenan's team

They're a cap floor team, so it shouldn't hurts them much cap-wise, but the price for UFA defenseman just went up.

I'm expecting Mark Streit to get a 4 X $5.5 deal, and Zidlicky to get a 3 X $4 deal.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

This is going to be a crazy series.

You'll notice Quick did get burned on the 2-on-1 for challenging Toews too much. He's a bit old-school in that he's small enough that he can't sit deep (Henrik sits deeper than anyone except Bishop and Gustavsson, but most sit very deep now.)

Goaltending has become a completely different animal than it was even ten years ago. Fewer and fewer of them can skate well, stickhandle, or challenge the shooter. What we have are an assortment of very, very technically sound goaltenders (with resilient knee cartilage) who can side-to-side on the goal mouth and keep the bottom of the net covered.

Because of tight checking, a lot of times player's don't have the time to get the puck elevated, so it's a good strategy. But, as we've seen, the combination of a defensive system with a deep-lying butterfly goaltender means that lazy flip wristers from the point have a way of bouncing into the goal.

Agreed.

It feels to me, like current goalies are being over-coached. So much about positioning and angles, angles, angles, that many of them have lost their feel for the game.

There used to be a time where short people like myself could still be effective in net by using basic hockey sense and a feel for what's going on in front of the net without actually having to see where the puck is 100% of the time. Hockey players tend to flow like water towards the puck carrier - even when you can't see the puck, you can tell pretty much where it is and where a shot is coming from just by the way the players in front tend to "flow". Today's goalies don't seem to know that very well. All they know is to get in the butterfly and 'look big' in net.

I guess that's also why we don't see as many young goalies using the pokecheck as much...and some of the guys have no clue when they should try to keep the play going (when you team has momentum) versus when they should try to catch and smother every puck to slow the game down.

 

[frozenrubber]

Agreed.

It feels to me, like current goalies are being over-coached. So much about positioning and angles, angles, angles, that many of them have lost their feel for the game.

There used to be a time where short people like myself could still be effective in net by using basic hockey sense and a feel for what's going on in front of the net without actually having to see where the puck is 100% of the time. Hockey players tend to flow like water towards the puck carrier - even when you can't see the puck, you can tell pretty much where it is and where a shot is coming from just by the way the players in front tend to "flow". Today's goalies don't seem to know that very well. All they know is to get in the butterfly and 'look big' in net.

I guess that's also why we don't see as many young goalies using the pokecheck as much...and some of the guys have no clue when they should try to keep the play going (when you team has momentum) versus when they should try to catch and smother every puck to slow the game down.

Extremely elevated Save Percentage and lower GAA shows it's working.

I think the argument gets very over-simplified and is incorrect. While you didn't say it (so I'm not harping on your post), many think today's goalies aren't athletic.

Goalies today are super efficient, and the athleticism is far more subtle in appearance. For a casual fan, a Tim Thomas or Hasek type look far more involved. But better, smaller controlled movements very much help goalies not only make the 1st save, but subsequent saves.

If you want to see the amazing skill of goalies today, watch their rebound control. If you are just blocking the puck, you wouldn't have the skill to direct it at will where you want it.

And to your last point, the trapezoid has really cut down on the stickhandling and puck movement. The area might as well be lava as goalie's tendency to move the puck even w/in a few feet of the zone is extremely heightened and they occasionally go for the safer play in stopping play.

Here's a rather pedestrian Dan Ellis...his footwork and movement compared to goalies 20 years ago is night and day:

 

[frozenrubber]

I'm not necessarily saying Chara shouldn't be allowed the longer stick, but if he is, so should a guy like Zuccarello.

You work with a thing like that; a 6 foot 9 defenseman shouldn't be the only one allowed to have the sort of massive reach that he does. His arm length and strength give him enough of a leg up.

In the defense of Chara, he's allowed to have a 65" stick instead of a 63" stick, so other than possibly being the most terrifying player in the NHL, 2" isn't a big deal.

Interesting story about Chara's youth:

http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2010/10/17/dad_kept_chara_on_the_right_track/

By now, I'm convinced Chara could actually pull a train.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

In the defense of Chara, he's allowed to have a 65" stick instead of a 63" stick, so other than possibly being the most terrifying player in the NHL, 2" isn't a big deal.

Interesting story about Chara's youth:

http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2010/10/17/dad_kept_chara_on_the_right_track/

By now, I'm convinced Chara could actually pull a train.

Terrific article. We often forget the kind of sacrifices all these guys make at such a young age just for the chance of making it to the professional level.