I'm getting very tired of the "small market" label

[10spro]

OK, Clarke may not be one of the worst GM's in the league. But he's certainly not among the best. The way he constructed this year's team is proof.
Take care,
PK

Clarke and M. Milburi of the NY Islanders are two guys that I just don't know how they have lasted as long as they have with poor results in the playoffs. NY is another story though. At least NY is looking for a new GM, while Milbury was elevated to a higher job position (even worse).

[grtwhtsk]

I'm loving hockey with the new rules. I was a hockey fan before, but this action is keeping my butt off the couch a good deal of the game. Now that's saying a lot.

I'll admit, I didn't watch a whole lot of the regular season, but the postseason has been like an awakening. OLN's coverage has been great, and watching in HD is amazing. I am "hooked" again. Looks like I may be getting the NHL Center Ice package next year.

[Programmed2Kill]

Personally, I think the NHL is much better, and the Flyers totally misread the changes and signed oafs like Rathje and Hatcher who are no good 25 feet away from their own goal.

I'm also sure if you asked anyone who has ever played competitively (not just NHL), 90% would like to score. Oh, there always those chosen few who would rather play D, but that's why they are 4th line guys.

I would say that 27 of the 30 teams understood what it would take to win with the new rules. Toronto, Philly, and Chicago didn't. St. Louis couldn't win with any rules.

So, P2K, don't blame the rules, blame the management for not understandint them.

So basically, you are saying GMs like Lou Lamoriello, Ken Holland and Bobby Clarke had no idea how to put together teams under the new rules? Lamoriello is like the GM god. Holland has kicked ass in Detroit. And Clarke always has the Flyers as a top contender year in, year out and has drafted great, young talent.

These guys have no clue what to do? Because last I checked, their teams looked like smacked asses in the playoffs. And Jersey only got to the second round because the Rangers suck.

[Programmed2Kill]

Have you watched the playoffs past the first round this spring? Have you seen Ryan Miller play all spring? Dwayne Roloson? Cam Ward? Ilya Bryzgalov?

Apparently not.

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO?!

And was Miller standing on his head when the Flyers were rolling in goal after goal in the first round. Please.

This might be an all-time first -- a sports fan complaining that teams actually can mount comebacks in the third period and make games exciting. Jay-zus, who wants to see a team rally from a 4-2 deficit and win 5-4 when that 4-2 deficit can sit stagnant for the final 20 minutes of a game?

Unbelievable. My bald spot grows due to incessant scratching.

I have no problem with comebacks, but when it happens game after game after game after friggin' game, it doesn't sit right with me. The NHL has turned into a damn online EA game. Cheesers' Delight.

It's not the NHL's fault that the Flyers have one of the worst GM's in the league who apparently has pictures of the Snider family in compromising positions. Clarke totally misjudged the "new NHL," bringing in mastodons like Hatcher who can't move their feet. John Ferguson made the same mistake in Toronto.

Take care,
PK

So forget Forsberg, Gagne, Carter, Richards, Pitkanin, Umberger and the other skilled talent on the team. Despite "misjudging", the Flyers almost won the division.

[Naples39]

Well, I know what MY problem is with the NHL...they took the strategy out of the game letting two-line passes become legal. Now any team with wheels can run circles around slower teams. That works in international games and in Europe because of the bigger rinks, but not in NHL rinks. Spped guys are just going to fly past you. Any other year, the Flyers, even with the injuries, would've made it to the second round or further. I was shocked and amazed to see Detroit go out so fast. It was a damn blur.

I don't like this version of the NHL. I can't even watch a game. The Flyers would have a 4-0 lead. They would lose 5-4. What kind of crap is that? I've never seen a Flyers team do that. It made me lose interest quick in the whole season. I like offense like the next guy, but have in come in the form of great strategy and/or talent. I'd much rather have the much-n'-grind hockey with traps and everything, just have the refs call games so that traps don't completely take over games. Much better than the junk out there now. You can't keep a lead anymore, even when you play decent defense. That sucks. Have we heard of a goaltender that has been absolutely on fire, standing on his head? Nope. That's impossible in this version of hockey.

As for the small market thing, that will always be the case because the NHL expanded entirely too much, just like the rest of the major sports.

So much BS in that post I don't even know where to begin!!

How does the two-line pass kill strategy? Just because it changes strategy, doesn't mean strategy is dead.

Second, the trap was created in Europe on the bigger ice surface and without the two line pass rule, and European hockey, both in domestic leagues and international play has been lower scoring than the NHL for a number of years. Clearly the two-line pass rule does not kill strategy or defensive hockey, as European teams keep playing just fine that way in even more difficult conditions created by the bigger rink.

In terms of guarding leads, just because the Flyers were completely incapable of guarding a lead doesn't mean it's impossible. If you ever looked at the stats, you'd see the flyers were 28th in the league in guarding a 3rd period lead, yet still winning 77% of those games. You'd also see that both Detroit and Ottawa won 95% of games when taking a lead into the 3rd. I have absolutely no problem with the current balance in protecting a lead in the 3rd. I personally thought this was the BEST feature of the new NHL, in that games actually had exciting finishes, rather than the team that scored first winning 75+% of the games.

Lastly, I guess it's just a judgment call, but I don't see a problem that no goalie has truly dominated this years playoffs. It should be something special when a goalie does that, reserved for the greats like Roy's run in '93. The last few years, we've seen a revolving door of goalies who became superhuman come playoff time, and to me that was the anomaly compared to the history of the game.

[Airdog]

With all due respect to the Flyers, "almost" winning the division and "really" winning the division does not mean a whole lot to an organization until it actually wins a league championship. Any GM or team president would be deemed ridiculous if they rested their laurels on a division champion title, beamed with pride, and rested easy.

If that were the case, teams like Ottawa would keep the same personnel year in and year out. They do not because their ownership and upper management believe that winning the championship (at least a conference championship) is really the only end goal. This type of sentiment rings true for teams like Philadelphia, Toronto, Ottawa, Detroit, and the like, who have a very large fan base, sizeable budgets, and are expected to compete for a championship every single season. When a team goes from the basement to a division championship, then there's something really to celebrate.

[pk500]

And was Miller standing on his head when the Flyers were rolling in goal after goal in the first round. Please.

And which goalie won that series? Thank you. And what were Miller's numbers in the playoffs, 2.56, .908 despite being without four of his top defensemen for a good chunk of the Carolina series?

It's obvious you didn't watch Buffalo after it beat the Flyers. Miller kept them in so many games it was ridiculous.

I have no problem with comebacks, but when it happens game after game after game after friggin' game, it doesn't sit right with me. The NHL has turned into a damn online EA game. Cheesers' Delight.

Now, this beef has nothing to do with the fact that Philly couldn't put enough cheese on its steak against Buffalo, does it?

It's too bad that you consider allowing skilled players to use their skill instead of being hooked, grabbed and held as "cheese." I consider it great athletes being allowed to show their skills for the first time in more than a decade.

So forget Forsberg, Gagne, Carter, Richards, Pitkanin, Umberger and the other skilled talent on the team. Despite "misjudging", the Flyers almost won the division.

And will that buy them a cup of coffee today? Winning the division is a sign of accomplishment in Philly? Maybe your expectations have been lowered by Clarke's superb record at reaching Stanley Cup Finals in the last 15 years.

Take care,
PK

[Naples39]

Clarke and M. Milburi of the NY Islanders are two guys that I just don't know how they have lasted as long as they have with poor results in the playoffs. NY is another story though. At least NY is looking for a new GM, while Milbury was elevated to a higher job position (even worse).

Comparing Clarke and Milbury is ludicrous. Their difference in success is laughable.

Fresh off winning executive of the year in the NHL for his GM work in florida in 1994, clarke went back to the flyers organization and took a team that had missed that playoffs 5 years in a row to the conference finals, again taking the executive of year award. The flyers haven't missed the playoffs since, and actually no team other than the Devils has ever finished higher than the flyers in the division during clarke's tenure.

Milbury on the other hand has been a total farce in nearly every regard. In 9 seasons in charge on the Island, the Islanders only made the playoffs 3 times, losing in the first round each time. As if that wasn't bad enough, Milbury has made some of the worst trades in NHL history. Can't remember them all, but 3 major doozies come to mind:
-McCabe, Bertuzzi, and 3rd Rounder(Jarko Ruutu) to the Canucks for Linden
-Chara, Bill Muckalt, and 1st Rounder(Jason Spezza) to Senators for Yashin
-Olli Jokinen and Roberto Luongo to Florida for Parrish and Kvasha

Yes, the lack of cup tarnishes Clarke's record, but he's hardly been a bad GM IMO. Milbury on other hand is an utter joke.

[10spro]

Clarke and M. Milburi of the NY Islanders are two guys that I just don't know how they have lasted as long as they have with poor results in the playoffs. NY is another story though. At least NY is looking for a new GM, while Milbury was elevated to a higher job position (even worse).

Comparing Clarke and Milbury is ludicrous. Their difference in success is laughable.

Even more ludicrous if you thought I was comparing them both. I just thought that for the time that they have spent with their respective franchises and the players they had, I would sure have thought that either one would be gone by now, especially M.Milbury. And you're right Naples, the trades he made are just aweful. (I did mention NY is another story. Anyone that follows the NHL knows that it's been a joke the last few years.)

[Programmed2Kill]

So much BS in that post I don't even know where to begin!!

How does the two-line pass kill strategy? Just because it changes strategy, doesn't mean strategy is dead.

Second, the trap was created in Europe on the bigger ice surface and without the two line pass rule, and European hockey, both in domestic leagues and international play has been lower scoring than the NHL for a number of years. Clearly the two-line pass rule does not kill strategy or defensive hockey, as European teams keep playing just fine that way in even more difficult conditions created by the bigger rink.

How nice of you to say my opinion is full of BS

The two-line pass rule works fine in Europe because of the bigger rinks. You can't just zip through defenses because of more ice to cover. Over here in the NHL, smaller ice surfaces + legal two-line passes = back and forth, up and down the rink hockey. That is how it kills strategy. More exciting? I guess, but it does kill strategy. In international play, it works.

In terms of guarding leads, just because the Flyers were completely incapable of guarding a lead doesn't mean it's impossible. If you ever looked at the stats, you'd see the flyers were 28th in the league in guarding a 3rd period lead, yet still winning 77% of those games. You'd also see that both Detroit and Ottawa won 95% of games when taking a lead into the 3rd. I have absolutely no problem with the current balance in protecting a lead in the 3rd. I personally thought this was the BEST feature of the new NHL, in that games actually had exciting finishes, rather than the team that scored first winning 75+% of the games.

And how did Detroit and Ottawa do in the playoffs? Smoked.

As for exciting finishes...I love exciting finishes, but not when comes off from a "I can speed past your ass" mentality, instead of precision passing and talent. Or did Edmonton forget how to play tonight in those very few minutes in the third?

Lastly, I guess it's just a judgment call, but I don't see a problem that no goalie has truly dominated this years playoffs. It should be something special when a goalie does that, reserved for the greats like Roy's run in '93. The last few years, we've seen a revolving door of goalies who became superhuman come playoff time, and to me that was the anomaly compared to the history of the game.

And what great goaltender is in the NHL now with these rules? A goalie can't even stand still for a second to rest because of this style of hockey.

How is it that Antero Niittymaki can look like the Finnish version of Pelle Lindbergh in Turin, against great teams with lots of chemistry...but then come back to the NHL and look like Robert Esche?

[Programmed2Kill]

With all due respect to the Flyers, "almost" winning the division and "really" winning the division does not mean a whole lot to an organization until it actually wins a league championship. Any GM or team president would be deemed ridiculous if they rested their laurels on a division champion title, beamed with pride, and rested easy.

If that were the case, teams like Ottawa would keep the same personnel year in and year out. They do not because their ownership and upper management believe that winning the championship (at least a conference championship) is really the only end goal. This type of sentiment rings true for teams like Philadelphia, Toronto, Ottawa, Detroit, and the like, who have a very large fan base, sizeable budgets, and are expected to compete for a championship every single season. When a team goes from the basement to a division championship, then there's something really to celebrate.

You pretty much missed my point.....

[Programmed2Kill]

And which goalie won that series? Thank you.

LOL yeah, like he had anything to do with that series.

And what were Miller's numbers in the playoffs, 2.56, .908 despite being without four of his top defensemen for a good chunk of the Carolina series?

It's obvious you didn't watch Buffalo after it beat the Flyers. Miller kept them in so many games it was ridiculous.

My fault, he's the next Brodeur.

Oops...even Brodeur can't be Brodeur in this version of the NHL.

Now, this beef has nothing to do with the fact that Philly couldn't put enough cheese on its steak against Buffalo, does it?

It's too bad that you consider allowing skilled players to use their skill instead of being hooked, grabbed and held as "cheese." I consider it great athletes being allowed to show their skills for the first time in more than a decade.

It has nothing to do with the Flyers being knocked out. Buffalo has always been a pain in the butt to the them, so I wasn't surprised.

The NHL completely changed everything so you could outspeed teams instead of out-skill them. Wah wah wah @ hooking and grabbing. New Jersey didn't win every damn Stanley Cup since '95. And even so, the NHL could've just allowed the refs to call better against to filter out obscruction.

And will that buy them a cup of coffee today? Winning the division is a sign of accomplishment in Philly? Maybe your expectations have been lowered by Clarke's superb record at reaching Stanley Cup Finals in the last 15 years.

Take care,
PK

Well since you and everyone else tells me that Clarke sucks and the Flyers are the slow as mollasses trash of the NHL, maybe winning the division is a sign of accomplsihment

[Programmed2Kill]

P.S. How did it feel looking at Edmonton give up 3 goals in 10 minutes, PK?

[Naples39]

P.S. How did it feel looking at Edmonton give up 3 goals in 10 minutes, PK?

Not to speak for PK, but actually he described it as; "one HELL of a hockey game to watch. Great pace, tons of hits, nine goals, great comeback by Carolina, backup goalie playing for the first time in the playoffs, ridiculous saves by Ward. Very fun to watch -- except for the outcome, at least for me. Crying or Very sad."

P2k, I'm sorry if you thought I called your opinion BS, as obviously you are entitled to any opinion whatsoever, but I moreso mean that the reasons and logic you offered as to why you don't like the NHL don't make sense.

Again you stick to saying the two-line pass works better on bigger ice, yet I still fail to see how a bigger ice surface makes speed more ineffective. If anything there is MORE room for speed to romp in Europe, as the rink is only wider, not longer, meaning players can get up and down just as fast, yet having wider lanes to exploit offensively.

Also, you refute my claim of how good Ottawa and Detroit is at protecting leads by pointing out their relatively early playoff exits, yet that misses the point. Those teams did not lose because of lack of speed, but because the other teams wanted it more and played much better defense. The biggest thing in common Buffalo and Edmonton had in common this spring wasn't their speed, but their ability to block shots in their own end. It also didn't help that Buffalo took the lead in 5 of the 6 games with Ottawa, which means it had absolutely nothing to do with Ottawa protecting a lead.

And I still disagree about goaltending. You claim Brodeur can't be Brodeur, yet again, if you actually looked at statistics you'd see there isn't much merit in this claim. Brodeur's career regular season save percentage is 912, this season it was 911. His career playoff save percentage is 921, and this year it was 923. How is that Brodeur not being Brodeur. There were a lot of new goalies this season, but if you look at the vet's stats, their save percentages declined only slightly this season. Considering that save percentage was at an all time league high the last few seasons, I don't see any problem whatsoever with the stats coming down a few points. If anything save percentage this season was CLOSER to historical averages, and hardly crippled goalies from playing the position just fine.

You can feel whatever you want, but as long as you cite rather dubious assertions such new rules 'killing strategy,' you'll get opposition from me.

[rubba19]

Personally, I think the NHL is much better, and the Flyers totally misread the changes and signed oafs like Rathje and Hatcher who are no good 25 feet away from their own goal.

I'm also sure if you asked anyone who has ever played competitively (not just NHL), 90% would like to score. Oh, there always those chosen few who would rather play D, but that's why they are 4th line guys.

I would say that 27 of the 30 teams understood what it would take to win with the new rules. Toronto, Philly, and Chicago didn't. St. Louis couldn't win with any rules.

So, P2K, don't blame the rules, blame the management for not understandint them.

So basically, you are saying GMs like Lou Lamoriello, Ken Holland and Bobby Clarke had no idea how to put together teams under the new rules? Lamoriello is like the GM god. Holland has kicked ass in Detroit. And Clarke always has the Flyers as a top contender year in, year out and has drafted great, young talent.

These guys have no clue what to do? Because last I checked, their teams looked like smacked asses in the playoffs. And Jersey only got to the second round because the Rangers suck.

Never mentioned either Holland or Lou. I thought NJ was incredibly overrated; you knew that they had to return to normal eventually. Detroit? beat by a team that matched up well with them. They probably sweep Vancouver or Colorado if they open with them.

But as for Clarke, yes, he missed the idea back in September. Can he change? Sure. Will he? Not sure. I get the idea that Philly fans love a big, tough team, but that isn't going to get you far in this NHL.

Who was Philly's best player here? Simon Gagne, if you ask me; a quick skating sniper (who was helped immensely by Forsberg, when he managed to play). Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, Freddy Meyer, I'm sure I'm missing someone. All these guys will be sucessful in the new NHL. Hatcher and Rathje won't. They are TOO SLOW! Maybe you can get away with one, but not two or more.

They should have kept Dennis Seidenberg and traded Rathje.

[pk500]

P.S. How did it feel looking at Edmonton give up 3 goals in 10 minutes, PK?

It was the first time this playoffs that the Oilers have lost a lead when leading after the first period. So the Oil is 6-1 when leading after the first in these playoffs.

Now wasn't it you who said no team can hold a lead this season in the NHL? The Oilers have done a pretty damn good job of it this year before last night.

And isn't it also ironic that both of Brind'Amour's goals had ZIPPO to do with the speed that you say is ruining the game? His first goal was a tap-in off a rebound. His second goal came off a mistake.

Three of Edmonton's four goals last night were "garbage" goals that had nothing to do with speed. Pisani's came off a rebound, Moreau's came off a deflection and Pronger's on a penalty shot in which he skated in on Ward at about 5 mph and didn't make a single deke. Only Hemsky's goal, in which he cut in from the wall and made a nice backhander, was a "speed goal."

Finally, you're making such a big deal about the two-line pass that your hysterics have moved beyond comedy. How many stretch passes over two lines do you see per game? Ten or less in most games. I've seen a number of games this year with fewer than five two-line passes.

You can moan all you want about the demise of hockey with the new rules, but anyone with two eyes and a mind for the game knows you're complaining mainly because you follow a team whose GM didn't build a team for the new rules.

Take care,
PK

[pk500]

You can feel whatever you want, but as long as you cite rather dubious assertions such new rules 'killing strategy,' you'll get opposition from me.

Exactly. This is the dumbest of some pretty silly statements by P2K.

How do the new rules stifle strategy? They add to it. Consider the options available to players now:

-- Do I attempt a two-line pass for the big play or keep it simple?

-- I'll put the puck in deep in the corner, knowing the goalie can't play it.

-- I'll forecheck even harder, knowing that gassed line can't change if I force them to ice the puck.

-- How am I going to play this puck out of my zone now that I can't dump it over the glass without going to the box?

-- How am I going to defend this guy in the crease since I know I can't cream him with a cross-check now?

-- How am I going to stop this team in the neutral zone now that I can't hook or grab?

-- How do I defend against the power play since there's more room in the offensive zones compared to last year? Do I play a high box and pinch the point men or pack it in low?

None of those were strategic options in the 2003-04 season and earlier. So to say that the new rules stifle strategy is just foolish.

Take care,
PK

[pk500]

But as for Clarke, yes, he missed the idea back in September. Can he change? Sure. Will he? Not sure. I get the idea that Philly fans love a big, tough team, but that isn't going to get you far in this NHL.

And the irony is that it didn't get the Flyers far in the "old NHL," either. The Flyers made one Finals trip during the "clutch and grab" era in the NHL, widely acknowledged from about 1993 to 2004.

Take care,
PK

[pk500]

Couldn't agree more with this assessment of Game 1 by Damien Cox of the Toronto Star, even if the Oilers lost:

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Conten ... 0081593064

His contrasting comparison to Game 7 of the 2003-04 Finals was appropriate, too.

Take care,
PK

[Programmed2Kill]

P2k, I'm sorry if you thought I called your opinion BS, as obviously you are entitled to any opinion whatsoever, but I moreso mean that the reasons and logic you offered as to why you don't like the NHL don't make sense.

Again you stick to saying the two-line pass works better on bigger ice, yet I still fail to see how a bigger ice surface makes speed more ineffective. If anything there is MORE room for speed to romp in Europe, as the rink is only wider, not longer, meaning players can get up and down just as fast, yet having wider lanes to exploit offensively.

International rinks are wider AND longer. Look it up. So with that, it's harder to just speed by teams unlike in the NHL.

But I guess we'll just disagree on that.

Also, you refute my claim of how good Ottawa and Detroit is at protecting leads by pointing out their relatively early playoff exits, yet that misses the point. Those teams did not lose because of lack of speed, but because the other teams wanted it more and played much better defense. The biggest thing in common Buffalo and Edmonton had in common this spring wasn't their speed, but their ability to block shots in their own end. It also didn't help that Buffalo took the lead in 5 of the 6 games with Ottawa, which means it had absolutely nothing to do with Ottawa protecting a lead.

The other teams wanted it more? Geez.

And a big thing was that both Buffalo and Edmonton have speed. That was an added dimension to their defense, as it made it easier for them to get back to defend, which goes to your claim of blocking shots. That's all Buffalo did against the Flyers.

But again, I guess we'll just disagree on that, also.

And I still disagree about goaltending. You claim Brodeur can't be Brodeur, yet again, if you actually looked at statistics you'd see there isn't much merit in this claim. Brodeur's career regular season save percentage is 912, this season it was 911. His career playoff save percentage is 921, and this year it was 923. How is that Brodeur not being Brodeur. There were a lot of new goalies this season, but if you look at the vet's stats, their save percentages declined only slightly this season. Considering that save percentage was at an all time league high the last few seasons, I don't see any problem whatsoever with the stats coming down a few points. If anything save percentage this season was CLOSER to historical averages, and hardly crippled goalies from playing the position just fine.

I watched Brodeur in the second round. I could not believe how un-Brodeur-like he looked. I never saw him look so rattled.

But once more...I guess we'll just disagree.

[Programmed2Kill]

Never mentioned either Holland or Lou. I thought NJ was incredibly overrated; you knew that they had to return to normal eventually. Detroit? beat by a team that matched up well with them. They probably sweep Vancouver or Colorado if they open with them.

But as for Clarke, yes, he missed the idea back in September. Can he change? Sure. Will he? Not sure. I get the idea that Philly fans love a big, tough team, but that isn't going to get you far in this NHL.

Who was Philly's best player here? Simon Gagne, if you ask me; a quick skating sniper (who was helped immensely by Forsberg, when he managed to play). Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, Freddy Meyer, I'm sure I'm missing someone. All these guys will be sucessful in the new NHL. Hatcher and Rathje won't. They are TOO SLOW! Maybe you can get away with one, but not two or more.

They should have kept Dennis Seidenberg and traded Rathje.

Wow, so Lamoriello and Holland get a pass, yet Clarke gets killed. Can't say I didn't see that coming.

[Programmed2Kill]

It was the first time this playoffs that the Oilers have lost a lead when leading after the first period. So the Oil is 6-1 when leading after the first in these playoffs.

Now wasn't it you who said no team can hold a lead this season in the NHL? The Oilers have done a pretty damn good job of it this year before last night.

And isn't it also ironic that both of Brind'Amour's goals had ZIPPO to do with the speed that you say is ruining the game? His first goal was a tap-in off a rebound. His second goal came off a mistake.

Three of Edmonton's four goals last night were "garbage" goals that had nothing to do with speed. Pisani's came off a rebound, Moreau's came off a deflection and Pronger's on a penalty shot in which he skated in on Ward at about 5 mph and didn't make a single deke. Only Hemsky's goal, in which he cut in from the wall and made a nice backhander, was a "speed goal."

And this didn't happen nearly as much before the rule changes. I don't like it. Let's see if you will feel the same after this series is done.

Finally, you're making such a big deal about the two-line pass that your hysterics have moved beyond comedy. How many stretch passes over two lines do you see per game? Ten or less in most games. I've seen a number of games this year with fewer than five two-line passes.

You can moan all you want about the demise of hockey with the new rules, but anyone with two eyes and a mind for the game knows you're complaining mainly because you follow a team whose GM didn't build a team for the new rules.

Take care,
PK

Damn, you got me!

Is this OS minus Steve?

[Programmed2Kill]

Exactly. This is the dumbest of some pretty silly statements by P2K.

How do the new rules stifle strategy? They add to it. Consider the options available to players now:

-- Do I attempt a two-line pass for the big play or keep it simple?

-- I'll put the puck in deep in the corner, knowing the goalie can't play it.

-- I'll forecheck even harder, knowing that gassed line can't change if I force them to ice the puck.

-- How am I going to play this puck out of my zone now that I can't dump it over the glass without going to the box?

-- How am I going to defend this guy in the crease since I know I can't cream him with a cross-check now?

-- How am I going to stop this team in the neutral zone now that I can't hook or grab?

-- How do I defend against the power play since there's more room in the offensive zones compared to last year? Do I play a high box and pinch the point men or pack it in low?

None of those were strategic options in the 2003-04 season and earlier. So to say that the new rules stifle strategy is just foolish.

Take care,
PK

"Dumbest". "silly". "foolish". Was that all necessary?

All I wanted to do was to say my opinion as to why I don't like the NHL now. I can understand being questioned about my opinion. I didn't think I was going to get kicked in the head by a bunch of posters for expressing my opinion. I just don't like how the NHL plays now. Why can't you just accept that and move on instead of being a wise ass about it?

I thought DSP was better than this.

[peabody]

International rinks are wider AND longer. Look it up. So with that, it's harder to just speed by teams unlike in the NHL.

But I guess we'll just disagree on that.

I don't play ice hockey, but I've played alot of roller hockey. Same premise, just different playing surface. I've played in a few different roller rinks, some a little bigger than others. I know that when I play in a larger rink I can use my speed more. There is simply more room to create and move.

Let's look at this another way. Say your playing five on five hockey. In the same rink reduce that to four on four or three on three hockey. The game gets faster and more open because there now is more room to create and move.

In summary, large rink or less players equals a more open and faster game. Small rink or more players equals a more cramped game where speed is not as much of a factor.

This has nothing to do with the NHL or international hockey, just my personal experience.

[pk500]

International rinks are wider AND longer. Look it up. So with that, it's harder to just speed by teams unlike in the NHL.

Wait. Doesn't simple geometry say more room to maneuver equals more speed? You're trying to say that it's harder for NHL defensemen to line up opposing forwards for hits because they play on a smaller rink?

That makes no sense to me. Please explain.

Take care,
PK