Pittsburgh Sports Media Gibberish - Part IX

[Shwag33]

I will give a big tip of the hat to Madden for hammering the NHL about the state of their game. I agree with him the NHL product is growing more and more boring and something needs to change. Madden has suggested making the goals bigger 2 x2 and I would be on board with this decision.

I would be too, but not quite as big. Maybe 2x1 at the most. The argument is that every goal hitting the post would go in. So you could calculate the goals.

Thats not accurate, there would be more goals scored because there would be a lot more net to shoot at. Players would get much better looks therefore not only would all shots hitting the post be goals, but more shots would be taken due to the appearance of more net to shoot at.

For example how many 2 on 1 and 3 on 2's are broken up by horrible passes... well more of those situations would result in a shot because of more net to shoot at.

 

[HandshakeLine]

I still think the NHL missed a golden opportunity to expand the ice surface in the last CBA negotiations. The goal increase would help, but I'm afraid that it's only going to be a short fix for a season or two while goalies re-adjust their games.

 

[Coastal Kev]

as a goalie i don't want to see that

The problem is not the size of the net. I personally think that goals should be hard to get, and don't want to see NBA games on ice. The problem is the interference away from the puck that slows the play down. This was done on purpose by the NHL to let this go on because of the rash of concussions when they were calling those as penalities. They did this slow the players down, so that collision high speed collisions didn't occur as often.

They did the wrong thing, I think they should call the interference, and then go and de-weaponize the protective gear the players wear. Why did we used to see hip checks and now you don't really?

Back in the day you didn't skate full speed into someone with your shoulder because it would hurt you almost as much as it hurt them. It would also go a long ways to reducing concussions while speeding up the play.

To rely on the refs, especially NHL refs, is a failed plan which has proven time and time again. I also hate when people throw out the nba reference. I don't want 20 goals a game, but I do want the back and forth in scoring. Look at recent Pens game where one of either side is shutout. I'm sorry but those games are boring, even when the Pens win....boring.

 

[joeyjake5]

If you want more scoring, simply reduce the size of a goalies equipment. Compare Fleury and Barrasso. Barrasso was a far bigger man, but because of the size of equipment Fleury fills more of the net. That's what makes scoring difficult.

 

[Coastal Kev]

I would be too, but not quite as big. Maybe 2x1 at the most. The argument is that every goal hitting the post would go in. So you could calculate the goals.

Thats not accurate, there would be more goals scored because there would be a lot more net to shoot at. Players would get much better looks therefore not only would all shots hitting the post be goals, but more shots would be taken due to the appearance of more net to shoot at.

For example how many 2 on 1 and 3 on 2's are broken up by horrible passes... well more of those situations would result in a shot because of more net to shoot at.

I say try it your way and see what happens. You can always revisit and adjust.

Thing is, here is a fact that no one can argue. There is less net available to players today than 20 years ago. So those who want to keep the tradition of the game protected, well, you have already destroyed it by having bigger goalies and bigger equipment.

Why are some people so afraid of changing for the better?

 

[Speaking Moistly]

Just call the damn game by the rule book, no matter if it's period 1 of Game 1 or OT of Game 7 of the SCF. Stop putting the whistles away late in games, call obstruction, don't call the playoffs looser than the regular season. Doing this would help the game a lot.

It's pretty much this. If you want a more exciting game then enforce your own god damn rules and protect your stars. It's not all about goal scoring, watching some scrub latch on to a skilled player isn't entertaining.

Cracking down on the ****** ice would also help, CEC.

 

[MrBurghundy]

It's pretty much this. If you want a more exciting game then enforce your own god damn rules and protect your stars. It's not all about goal scoring, watching some scrub latch on to a skilled player isn't entertaining.

Cracking down on the ****** ice would also help, CEC.

But if you didn't let people latch on and grab other players, you'd have 30 concussions a game.

Or so I'm told...

 

[Coastal Kev]

If you want more scoring, simply reduce the size of a goalies equipment. Compare Fleury and Barrasso. Barrasso was a far bigger man, but because of the size of equipment Fleury fills more of the net. That's what makes scoring difficult.

They tried this and failed. Players cheat. Simply take a look at the equipment that Fleury came into the league with and compare it today. His "new" yellow pads looked like barges on the Ohio compared to what he came into the league with.

Just make the nets bigger. Give it a shot this preseason and see what happens. If games are suddenly 12-10, then decrease and try again. But they won't be. A 2 x2 increase would get goals up maybe a couple per game. We should see though more snipes and more goalies actually having to make saves rather than letting the puck hit them in the chest protector.

 

[SHOOTANDSCORE]

....

Thanks for the reply about our d zone in the other thread. I didn't get in before the lock.

It just seemed to me that under DB, our f2 and f3 always played too low. They were always a step or 2 slow getting to the point or the boards, extending countless cycles. I was just curious if anyone knew if they were being coached to cheat, if it was a lack of detail, or if the players were just making bad/slow reads.

I would be too, but not quite as big. Maybe 2x1 at the most. The argument is that every goal hitting the post would go in. So you could calculate the goals.

Thats not accurate, there would be more goals scored because there would be a lot more net to shoot at. Players would get much better looks therefore not only would all shots hitting the post be goals, but more shots would be taken due to the appearance of more net to shoot at.

For example how many 2 on 1 and 3 on 2's are broken up by horrible passes... well more of those situations would result in a shot because of more net to shoot at.

Scoring is always good but I think the most important thing is restoring a good flow to the game. That is where much of the excitement lies. Some of the best games I've seen have been low scoring but because there was little obstruction and some room to skate, the stars were able to shine.

I do think the nets either need enlarged or goalie equipment needs to be reduced in size.

I still think the NHL missed a golden opportunity to expand the ice surface in the last CBA negotiations. The goal increase would help, but I'm afraid that it's only going to be a short fix for a season or two while goalies re-adjust their games.

I completely agree. It isn't like we would have to go to full international size.

 

[Shwag33]

I say try it your way and see what happens. You can always revisit and adjust.

Thing is, here is a fact that no one can argue. There is less net available to players today than 20 years ago. So those who want to keep the tradition of the game protected, well, you have already destroyed it by having bigger goalies and bigger equipment.

Why are some people so afraid of changing for the better?

I dont know. Goalies will cry, along with hockey elitest who say.... OHHH well you just can't appreciate a good defensive hockey game.

God I hate those people....




I also think bigger nets would open up the game. People would actually have to 'play hockey' instead of just packing it in. Defensemen would have to play more aggressive and in turn make more mistakes.

 

[madinsomniac]

They tried this and failed. Players cheat. Simply take a look at the equipment that Fleury came into the league with and compare it today. His "new" yellow pads looked like barges on the Ohio compared to what he came into the league with.

Just make the nets bigger. Give it a shot this preseason and see what happens. If games are suddenly 12-10, then decrease and try again. But they won't be. A 2 x2 increase would get goals up maybe a couple per game. We should see though more snipes and more goalies actually having to make saves rather than letting the puck hit them in the chest protector.

Yes, I am on board with expanding the nets. I think goalies should be allowed bigger pads for protection, but the league should have kept the same average exposed netspace as the pad sizes increased

 

[billybudd]

as a goalie i don't want to see that

The problem is not the size of the net. I personally think that goals should be hard to get, and don't want to see NBA games on ice. The problem is the interference away from the puck that slows the play down. This was done on purpose by the NHL to let this go on because of the rash of concussions when they were calling those as penalities. They did this slow the players down, so that collision high speed collisions didn't occur as often.

They did the wrong thing, I think they should call the interference, and then go and de-weaponize the protective gear the players wear. Why did we used to see hip checks and now you don't really?

Back in the day you didn't skate full speed into someone with your shoulder because it would hurt you almost as much as it hurt them. It would also go a long ways to reducing concussions while speeding up the play.

To expand on this, right around the time Mike Richards scrambled David Booth's brains he was asked what he thought about going to soft shoulder pads and complained that he'd get a separated shoulder if he did that.

Variety of reasons why more players skated "full speed into someone" between 2006-2012 than prior, but that's certainly one of them.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

I will give a big tip of the hat to Madden for hammering the NHL about the state of their game. I agree with him the NHL product is growing more and more boring and something needs to change. Madden has suggested making the goals bigger 2 x2 and I would be on board with this decision.

I've always been on board with bigger nets. I'm tired of the goalies getting the biggest benefit from these "bigger pads" trends the past couple of decades. If the goalies complain, then they can reduce their equipment size instead to pre-95 levels.

I also agree that the games today are a lot more boring than in the past. But maybe that's because I prefer offensive hockey where skill can be on display every night, not Michelin man goalies and lesser skilled players clutching and grabbing onto skilled guys to the tune of 2-1 hockey games every night.

 

[Night Shift]

But if you didn't let people latch on and grab other players, you'd have 30 concussions a game.

Or so I'm told...

I grew up in the 90's, I wouldn't be against going back to old rules tbh... I'd rather go back to clutch and grab than to see superstars get concussed every other day because the game is too fast (or open). But since the game has trended toward old time hockey, has Crosby or Malkin been seriously hurt? No, which is the better alternative IMO.

But the Pens need to adjust strategy in that regard and start playing defense the "right way" against other teams stars.

 

[td_ice]

I've always been on board with bigger nets. I'm tired of the goalies getting the biggest benefit from these "bigger pads" trends the past couple of decades. If the goalies complain, then they can reduce their equipment size instead to pre-95 levels.

I also agree that the games today are a lot more boring than in the past. But maybe that's because I prefer offensive hockey where skill can be on display every night, not Michelin man goalies and lesser skilled players clutching and grabbing onto skilled guys to the tune of 2-1 hockey games every night.

It really hits you when you see a game live. Especially in the lower level seats. These guys are so much bigger than in years past. The room on the ice just continues to shrink. And absolutely, you see that in the net. Goalies are monsters now, compared when I started watching, 40 years ago. There is so little net space available with these goalies and the huge pads they need to keep them safe.

I would love to see the rinks get bigger, but we know that is not going to happen. So if it means making other changes, I would be all for it. Bigger nets? Yeah, I think that would be a good idea. 4 on 4, I would really hate to see that. But eventually it may come to that just because of the lack of ice space

 

[Winger for Hire]

I grew up in the 90's, I wouldn't be against going back to old rules tbh... I'd rather go back to clutch and grab than to see superstars get concussed every other day because the game is too fast. But since the game has trended toward old time hockey, has Crosby or Malkin been seriously hurt? No, which is the better alternative IMO.

But the Pens need to adjust strategy in that regard and start playing defense the "right way".

The better alternative is to go further back to the 80's. Stars didn't get hurt, play was free flowing, it was rough and tumble with hitting and fighting, and goals were up.

Clutch and Grab hockey will kill the sport.

 

[Night Shift]

The better alternative is to go further back to the 80's. Stars didn't get hurt, play was free flowing, it was rough and tumble with hitting and fighting, and goals were up.

Clutch and Grab hockey will kill the sport.

I agree with you totally... but again the NHL needs to bring the red line back. That will also max prevent a lot of concussions

Edit: two line pass I meant

 

[MtlPenFan]

Anyone personally know any of the Pensblog guys? Seem really douchey.

 

[Night Shift]

The better alternative is to go further back to the 80's. Stars didn't get hurt, play was free flowing, it was rough and tumble with hitting and fighting, and goals were up.

Clutch and Grab hockey will kill the sport.

I just realized that we have to remember that the 80's and 90's were a time when sports in general didn't know how bad concussions actually were. Do we have records of 80's and 90's players in the NHL with problems today?

 

[StaalForOne]

I just realized that we have to remember that the 80's and 90's were a time when sports in general didn't know how bad concussions actually were. Do we have records of 80's and 90's players in the NHL with problems today?

Yea, just watch Roenick talk for more than 2 minutes.

 

[Winger for Hire]

Yea, just watch Roenick talk for more than 2 minutes.

To be fair, he's wasn't exactly Shakespeare to begin with...

 

[MtlPenFan]

Madden:

"I THINK THE WAY TO SOLVE THE PENS PROBLEMS IS IF THEIR CURRENT PLAYERS PLAY BETTER!!!"

 

[Winger for Hire]

Madden:

"I THINK THE WAY TO SOLVE THE PENS PROBLEMS IS IF THEIR CURRENT PLAYERS PLAY BETTER!!!"

Well he's not wrong.

 

[Night Shift]

Madden:

"I THINK THE WAY TO SOLVE THE PENS PROBLEMS IS IF THEIR CURRENT PLAYERS PLAY BETTER!!!"

Or if they played with Passion, Desire, and Hunger(heck even desperate!) for once... that would actually make losing ok in my book, knowing they tried.

 

[MtlPenFan]

Well he's not wrong.

It'll take more than that. I think everyone knows that.