John Toperzer: Does shot-blocking deserve a minor penalty? Vote here
All-out shot-blocking has become more prevalent than ever in the NHL
- the-mitch-wilsons

That's the dumbest question I've ever heard.

No....but why does the short handed team get the benefit of icing the puck? I say if they do ice it, call it, and faceoff in your own end with not being able to change lines either. And don't allow a timeout by the offending icing team.....EVER!!
- druryisclutch

thats one thing they could consider but i dont mind that rule, half the time it gives the offensive team a chance to get a clean break out

you know whats hilarious, that the majority of the ass clowns commenting on this dont even realize it was against the rules to dive and block a shot in the past.

this should come back IMO, it will open up the game a lot more.

John Toperzer: Does shot-blocking deserve a minor penalty? Vote here
All-out shot-blocking has become more prevalent than ever in the NHL
- the-mitch-wilsons

NO

This is dumb, no.

The style grinds you down a lot. Its amazing to think how healthy the rangers were with their style of play. I do think the play caught up with them at the end.
- rmdevil313

Exactly. There are inherit disadvantages to shot-blocking. A) it can wear a team down B) the shot-blocking mindset can prevent a team from going for chances.

Exactly. There are inherit disadvantages to shot-blocking. A) it can wear a team down B) the shot-blocking mindset can prevent a team from going for chances.
- TheRollingPuck

The game has changed a lot. Back when the Stars won the cup, They had a top notch shot blocking D with D Hatcher,Ludwig, Zubov, Sydor. They were blocking everything coming at Belfour. But Modano, Leighton, Niewendyk, Hull those guys weren't sacrificing the body for shots. Now days, Crosby is blocking shots. I dotn think its smart and your goalie and D should be good enough to where your top guys dont have to.

In case anybody missed it here is the Red Army vs Penguins game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ak2eAiCHYk

Pitts 4-2

you know whats hilarious, that the majority of the ass clowns commenting on this dont even realize it was against the rules to dive and block a shot in the past.

this should come back IMO, it will open up the game a lot more.
- Fiddy14

Interesting.

You're correct. I'm wrong. He did win 20 games one time in his 23-year career. Kind of like Sundin getting 100 points once in his career.

Thanks for the correction and thanks for reading!

JT
- the-mitch-wilsons

You're welcome

I voted no.. but I think the idea is that the way the Rangers played was really a bit ridiculous. The biggest problem is that the equipment today basically allows a guy to block a shot with out fearing injury (so long as you block correctly). With it being that way you end up with (like the Rags did) a bunch of goalies on the ice. They would just crouch down in front of the net and eliminate offense.
- jak521

In the game of broomball there is a team penalty called "blockade" if all the members of your team collapse below the circle for a certain period of time it is a minor penalty.

you know whats hilarious, that the majority of the ass clowns commenting on this dont even realize it was against the rules to dive and block a shot in the past.

this should come back IMO, it will open up the game a lot more.
- Fiddy14

Did you even realize that forward passes were once against the rules in the nhl?

I voted no.. but I think the idea is that the way the Rangers played was really a bit ridiculous. The biggest problem is that the equipment today basically allows a guy to block a shot with out fearing injury (so long as you block correctly). With it being that way you end up with (like the Rags did) a bunch of goalies on the ice. They would just crouch down in front of the net and eliminate offense.
- jak521

The Islanders had more blocked shots than the Rangers did last season, so I'm not so sure blocking shots can "eliminate offense" as you say.

The Islanders had more blocked shots than the Rangers did last season, so I'm not so sure blocking shots can "eliminate offense" as you say.
- Moshe52792

Isn't eliminating offense the entire purpose of blocking shots? Keep pucks off net, close passing lanes, I don't see what else you would describe it as.

This is dumb, no.
- Double_A

AMEN

That is the most idiotic question I have ever seen why in the world should you not be able to block the shot that's like asking if it is allowed for a team to tackle in football

Is this blog designed to troll us?

That is the most idiotic question I have ever seen why in the world should you not be able to block the shot that's like asking if it is allowed for a team to tackle in football
- Genev21

well in the nfl they are trying to make a whole bunch of tackles out of the game, on sportscenter i have heard them report that the nfl is becoming a no tackle league

also theres some state which wants to ban HS football because of the fear of violence and that it causes more harm than good, but it was quickly shot down because the majority wanted their kids the chance to play a very popular sport


as for the question, i guess i understand if the question was more detailed saying a block in a certain position or distance from the goal or how many defenders in the shooting lane should be penalized but in general its just stupid without a description of what the question is asking

my view- it should be legal to block a shot any way you want as long as you dont stack players on the goal line (which i have never seen)

every team/player has the opportunity to do it or not to do it so no one is at a disadvantage, its the system they use, some teams try to block with their sticks (deflect it up into the net over the boards) more than others

Is this blog designed to troll us?
- BestRapperAlive

yes

Did you even realize that forward passes were once against the rules in the nhl?
- twotoekenn

Took the words right out of my mouth.

Not sure why anyone would assume what anyone else knows or doesn't know when there isn't enough information to make that determination. Pretty much the definition of ignorance.

Yeah, I agree. There's no need to make it a penalty. If a team wants to give the other team posession all the time and never be agressive, I don't see them wining the cup. Sure it may work against teams that don't have a bunch of skilled guys, but the further you get, the better the competition is. Letting good to great teams dictate the pace of play generally isn't going to work out for you.

I do get your point about the parity, and you're right to an extent. That said, the Sens and Caps weren't great teams last year, and going 7 games against each of those opponents shouldn't happen.

Also, it's alot more tiring always chasing the puck around than it is if you have posession.

I think the Rangers style finally caught up with them against the Devils as they were probably exhausted playing two 7 game series' with that style.

I can see 'borderline' playoff teams using that style, but not cup champs.
- Charliebox

Great points. Can't say I want to see more of Torts and his Jekyll and Hyde routine in the post game press conferences anyway.

I think the idea is, between Hank and the brick wall shot blocking, that they could completely suffocate other teams' offense. At least for the Flyers, they seemed to quickly become desperate for goals, which leads to defensive breakdowns the Rangers could easily exploit (somebody had a picture with screencaps showing the same pass from the half boards to a lone undefended Ranger waiting to slam dunk). When they hit the playoffs, I guess teams tightening up their defense made it more difficult to do that. Either way, the gas had to run out eventually for that team.

I worry that Rick Nash will be the offensive force they need to really bring that game full circle.
- BulliesPhan87

Yeah, we all have yet to see how he does over the course of a full season surrounded by talented teammates. He had a good Olympics in 2010, but that was just a short tournament. This will be the year where Nash really has to show he's worth being payed as one of the truly elite players in the league or is just one of the most overrated players in the NHL.

Yeah, we all have yet to see how he does over the course of a full season surrounded by talented teammates. He had a good Olympics in 2010, but that was just a short tournament. This will be the year where Nash really has to show he's worth being payed as one of the truly elite players in the league or is just one of the most overrated players in the NHL.
- BlueBallz

It'll tell a lot about the Rangers, too. Was their superb season just lightning in a bottle? Can just adding one (albeit expectedly major impact) player bring out the offense they seemed to lack? Will their defensive cohesiveness be hurt by losing the players they gave up? We'll see how things shake out.

But I think they have a very dangerous team, maybe moreso if it's a shortened season. It'd be that much more gas in the tank come playoffs, and that many more days for Gaborik to become healthy.

I feel like you don't give mats the respect he truly deserves. He was a point per game player which is amazing considering how many games he played. His international performance was unreal. He was definitely the best power forward of his time and one of the better captains. He is one of 42 NHL players to make the 500 goal mark, he may not of been the best point scorer but he put up all-star stats each every full season he played. Really not point of arguing with you though…he was inducted on his first year of be eligible, so i guess the people who matter saw his talent.

you know whats hilarious, that the majority of the ass clowns commenting on this dont even realize it was against the rules to dive and block a shot in the past.

this should come back IMO, it will open up the game a lot more.
- Fiddy14

It was against the rules for a goalie to go down to block a shot as well. It really wouldn't open up the game at all. right now blocked shots are high risk plays. They can lead to tip ins, screens, breakaways, or a stellar display of sacrificing the body. A D man can fake the shot leaving the blocker sliding helplessly out of reach opening up a brief man advantage in the zone. If you mean clearing out the screens planted in front of goaltenders well the crease rules used to help prevent that to a degree…but that was an awful rule and slowed down the game.