Agreed on all. I would like to see a retro game someday, where some of todays top players use equipment made before they were born. Tube runner skates, all wood sticks, all leather gloves, even some of those heavy all felt chest protectors for the goalies. And no helmets, just for giggles. That would slow some of these guys down. There is a story about Gordie Howe shoveling a rebound into a goalies stomach when he could have put it into his face, telling him something along the lines of "Next time I put it in." Into his face or the net I dont know, but there isnt that kind of respect in the game today...1. How many times were the Red Wings on NBC for Sunday night hockey vs. the rest of the teams in the league?
2. I can't comment as I didn't see a ton of the Red Wings v. Sharks series.
3. Montreal isn't out yet - although they've got a tough road to climb to beat the Pens. Vancouver ain't dead yet either. And if the Blackhawks play like they did last night they could blow this 3-1 lead.
4. Trapezoid rule is really dumb - I agree.
5. Interesting perspective. What if you allowed a guy to throw the puck in the goal - that'd be more handball than hockey right?
6. Eliminating the red line was a brilliant move - the game is much quicker as a result. I love that rule change.
7. Find an old game on ESPN Classic or something and then watch a modern NHL game. I suspect you'll find the hits in today's game to be a helluva lot harder than in the 70s, 80s, even 90s era of hockey. Players today are bigger, faster, stronger and they hit a helluva lot harder as well.
Also, watch an old NHL game and witness all the clutching and grabbing and interference that went on. Those old games are boring in comparison to the game as it stands now. Goalies weren't nearly as athletic as they are now, and the goaltending training is of a standard that you just never saw back then. Technology has also helped - skates are unbelievably light, equipment is more protective, yet lighter, and better designed. And players today essentially train year round. Much different.
* The one rule I'd like to see looked at bit more is automatic icing. I'm on the fence on that rule actually because sometimes the chase to the puck is good to see, but many other times it results in a cheap shot "push the guy into the boards when he's a foot away type hit" that can be very dangerous and potentially career ending for some of the top talent in the game today.
And Salo went down like he had been shot. Keith is becoming legendary