The 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs

I'm praying this is not another era like the one we had where the Devils were on the top of their game

something needs to be done about goaltender equipment. either that OR (sacrilege) widen the net one foot and increase the height 6 inches. even in Canada I am pretty sure that people are getting sick of "Soccer on Ice".

the goaltender is WAY too much a factor in the modern game mostly because of equipment. check the modern trapper and even the blocker and pads compared to what the likes of Grant Fuhr, John Davidson or even Tommy Barrasso wore in their era. the blocker esp is at least three times the size of that old glorified first basemans mit AND it's half blocker too.

and it wouldn't hurt to get rid of that "freakazoid" rule. I think that's actually hurt scoring because good puck handling goalies like Marty Brodeur used to key breakouts. it's also become a danger to defensmen coming back on touch up icing.

Quote Originally Posted by Polar_Bear:

He's played great but not the end of the world if they don't. First of all he disappeared after the Ducks cup win until just now so I would reserve faith in him.

But more to the point, I think both King and Nolan are the real deal and will only get better with this experience under their belts as they mature. I love that Kyle Clifford kid so how about we just stick him in there in Penners place and expect an even more consistent player? Then ofcourse that leaves us with the money that is freed up from Penners overpriced contract that can be spent to make Quick a contract extension or tie up some of the younger guys to keep the team intact?

That all sound ok to you?

Damnit I should be managing somewhere! I should call Hexy and see if they need a hand.

you should call hexy and ask him to step down! remember when you wanted to be on the ice,now i wish i could own and gm the isles!

1) something needs to be done about goaltender equipment. Agree 100%... I know people will harp about "progress" but when I look back at film of GREATS like Parent, Dryden, Tony O, and Vachon... I am amazed at how well they played with what amounts to street hockey gear compared to today's goalie tools. Something needs to be done to promote the "talent" of goalies without allowing for any "Michelin Man" type of gear.

I have a set of the old brown pads and glove with blocker that are in extremely great condition for thier age... they are among my most prized personal possesions along with a MINT condition autograped Mylec brand Bernie Parent style street hockey mask and a used Bernie Parent goalie stick with Parent.B - 1  stamped onto the shaft of the stick. I purchased all of them years ago to make a life sized goalie for my house like the one in the old sit-com with those Olsen twins when they were young kids... but I never did it... but I have the items and enjoy pulling them out from time to time.

2) (sacrilege) widen the net. Like you said... "SACRILEGE"...  Then they would cry that goalies need bigger gear... What Next... Lacross gear...??? Indoor Soccer nets...??? (Which brings me to my biggest issue in hockey).

3)  "Soccer on Ice". This is my biggest issue with the NHL... I have said it before and I'll say it again... If I was Commish I'd immediately pass a rule that "NO GOAL can be permitted OFF OF ANY PART of an offensive player if he is the last player to touch the puck EXCEPT if it is off of his stick. The ONLY exception would be if it deflect in off of an offensive play with the defending team being the cause that he was hit with the puck (example... Bryzgalov's scoring for NJ in game 5 on these playoffs).

4) "freakazoid" rule. In my opinion they should KEEP the rule but alter it to allow goalies to play the puck outside that zone BUT as being a normal defender that is allowed to be checked by the oppo team.

YES this could cause fights if a goalie is slammed but it would also allow talented goalies to play the puck long before a defender arrives (which is usually the case). So if a goalie wants to wander, then he is open game as would be any defender who is playing the puck.

Oppo players would NOT be permitted to "finish" a check on the goalie once he no longer has the puck UNLESS the goalie hold the puck to draw the oppo player into engaging the goalie to force him to make a play. As usual, oppo player would NOT be allowed to prohibit the goalie from returning back to his crese UNLESS the goalie is NOT just heading back towards his crease (example - trying to play a deflected clearing attempt). Also... Any goalie trying to "walk the lne" by holding or playing the puck near the "freakazoid lines" would be considered fair game to eliminate any disputes. In my opinion this would make the game much more exciting as far as goalies playing the puck is involved.

  Sorry for blabbering but I am kind of passionate about these issues.

1. Rework the goalie equipment by decreasing the pad width...blocker width...size of glove and the trapper on the side of the glove.

2. Leave the nets as is. That is SACRILIGE!!!!!!!  

3. Get rid of the trapezoid.

4. No checking the goalies. That does not mean no contact out of the crease...but no running them.

I agree the finals have been tough to watch at times...the officiating has been pretty bad (although I think it has been OK in the finals) and I have lost some of my regular season profits. I was going to take a flyer on the Devils in reg for +300 but I think I will call it a year plus 8.4 units.  

Quote Originally Posted by Polar_Bear:

Good Riddens!

Ugh...

Stared out ok and then just fell off a cliff.

The officiating from the refs to the linesmen was just downright comical to say the least.

I'm praying this is not another era like the one we had where the Devils were on the top of their game. I stopped watching hockey as intently for a handful of years, and if this is a sample of what the future holds then I will be tuning out a bit more again.

Here is to hoping things get back to how they were the last couple of seasons starting again next year.

Agreed

4) "freakazoid" rule. In my opinion they should KEEP the rule but alter it to allow goalies to play the puck outside that zone BUT as being a normal defender that is allowed to be checked by the oppo team.

to the best of my knowledge, NO other hockey leages besides the NHL, AHL and (possably) ECHL North American pro hockey leagues use the "freakazoid". it was supposed to INCREASE scoring by having good puck handling goalie like Brodeur control play in their end by playing "keepaway" from the attacking team. it did exactly the OPPOSITE because the goalie can no longer make a breakout pass which many times catches the other team in a change AND also set up injuries with "icing races" that frequently end up with defensemen getting run.

Stupid Rule!!!

"Have not seen a team look more ready to repeat in a long time as the Kings look"

repeat what?