Paul Stewart: Unholy Divers and the Abominable PC Rulebook

Paul Stewart: Unholy Divers and the Abominable PC Rulebook
- Paul Stewart

agree 100%!

agree 100%!
- BiggE

Paul, isn't it sometimes difficult to tell if a player is embellishing or not? Granted, with certain players, they garner a reputation for diving, and so you take it for what it's worth. But for others, how do you handle it?

Do referee's share 'a book' on who the biggest diver are around the league?

Do referee's share 'a book' on who the biggest diver are around the league?
- maaddmike

Without a doubt, yes. Paul mentioned it in the blog on communication.

Paul Stewart: Unholy Divers and the Abominable PC Rulebook
- Paul Stewart

Holy Moly... Stew for Head of NHL Officials!!

I hate that off setting minors. Total lack of balls

I have been on my soap box about this for years. I do not want the NHL to start looking like soccer with all of the flopping and theatrics.

The one player that bugs me the most with this is Crosby. Now I will admit that he doesn't do it as much as he used to but even a small embellishment on his part is called almost all of the time. My guess is because the league wants to protect it's 4 star players and doesn't want their creativity to be stifled in the least.

If only we could get you to lace them up again in the zebra suit. I love the 10-minute idea! Do you think Briere and Crosby will keep diving if they have to sit for 10 minutes? I never understood the logic behind the offsetting calls. Either the player 'embellished' or he was tripped/hooked/interfered with, not both.

SO the Refs aren't inhuman automatons bent on destroying fans lives!?

Another great blog Stewie, I love the insight you give us.

Couldn't agree with you more Stewie! The last thing the NHL should be in this area is a clone of European soccer!! The next thing you know NHL refs will be issued "yellow" and "red" cards to call penalties and game misconducts.


Vancouver's Ryan Kesler: One of the NHL's top "divers".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMqcMFu6bpg


European soccer: Where "diving" is a "fine art".

Another good blog, Paul. Thank you.

I would like to know your thoughts on why referees "put the whistle away" in the playoffs. Why is the standard of refereeing so different between the regular season and playoffs?

I agree with the diving problem 110%. I have been seeing this happen more, and more over the years. I guess that is one way to try to increase the scoring numbers....hahaha. I have also noticed that the TV commentators call "drawing a penalty" a good play. Really? Is that the kind of hockey you want to see? In addition, I hate the "reputation call." If it's a penalty fine, then call the penalty. However, if it's not, then leave the player alone. Finally, quit giving the "Stars" preferential treatment. If they commit a penalty call it. Everyone on the ice deserves across the board treatment. Please let the NHL stay a sport, and not evolve into the WWE. If I had wanted entertainment like that I would have rented a movie, or watched the WWE.
Thanks.

You're on a roll, Stewy! You are touching on a lot of important topics here. Your blog is now "must read" for me. Keep 'em coming!

Another good blog, Paul. Thank you.

I would like to know your thoughts on why referees "put the whistle away" in the playoffs. Why is the standard of refereeing so different between the regular season and playoffs?
- 100goalseason

I would love to hear your views on this as well, Paul.

Personally, I think it's because just like the exhibition display of shootouts to determine the out come of a game the league doesn't look at the regular season with any importance, just stats and $$$. It's not until the 'real hockey' begins in the playoffs that they want the games called 'the proper way'.

Another good blog, Paul. Thank you.

I would like to know your thoughts on why referees "put the whistle away" in the playoffs. Why is the standard of refereeing so different between the regular season and playoffs?
- 100goalseason

We will cover this topic but closer to start of playoff time to avoid need to repeat it.

Love it Stewy! I've been saying for some time that the league should go after divers after-the-fact. I understand it's hard to tell sometimes at game speed, what with all the practice some of these Canucks, I mean, divers have in the theatrics, but if the league would look back and hammer divers/embellishers hard, and make it so that each subsequent infraction gets a tougher punishement, I think players will smarted up a little bit... Example is the other night Cal vs. LA, Wideman snaps his head back as if he were clipped by Brown, he got the call when replay showed the stick didn't ever get over the shoulder, yet, skating away from the ref, a little head snap and viola, a PP and consequent PP tally... Anywho, great stuff as usual Paul, I'm so gald we get the insight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkysjcs5vFU

Without a doubt, yes. Paul mentioned it in the blog on communication.
- bmeltzer

Makes sense..why Ribiero and Semin and the like have such horrible reputations with the refs.

We will cover this topic but closer to start of playoff time to avoid need to repeat it.
- Paul Stewart

Great. Look forward to it.

BTW: Love the Dio reference.

great blog.

I was wondering what your thoughts are on interference? Or the 'pick' play?

My problem with the NHL's game is how big teams use their body to maneuver fore-checkers in another direction than the one they are skating in. In my opinion they are cutting the lane that player is trying to take in order to pressure the puck handler.

When did the NHL turn into a big man's slow game? And don't give me the horsepoop that the game is faster than ever. You think yesteryear's game would of been faster without a red line?

Wow - two blogs in a row about the Habs.

Wow - two blogs in a row about the Habs.
- Muskwa

I think this one was about the Canucks

Lifelong Sabres fan here. Derek Roy dove so much i thought he was trying out for the olympic team.

Paul Stewart: Unholy Divers and the Abominable PC Rulebook
- Paul Stewart

thanks Paul... but after this blog I think it should be Mr. Stewart.

that was really refreshing to read.

maybe Ek can swing for the fences and see if he can get you on the TSN.CA to replace Kerry Fraser's column "on how to say all the right things to the NHL front office"... or on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada...

a guest appearance with Don Cherry?

and ya... this was really written for both the Canucks and Habs.

I would love the hear Mr Stewart's take on the situation where Grabovski gave "Patches" the dracula treatment.