I think adding in too many wrinkles to the rules in place now just convolutes things too much. Also, without the cap, we would see far more deals which would definitely make things more interesting. I just think it would be simpler to do without it. Owners wouldn't agree but its just a better product.
- orangekrush2010

Without a cap, 3 or 4 teams would probably go under. And you know what, that would fine. The quality of play would only improve with 4 less teams, and we could say goodbye to the Brandon Mannings, Zac Rinaldos and Tanner Glasses and hello to a better on ice product.

Here's a linkedIn message I sent Brian Boucher (family friend) one drunken day. He agrees with a lot of this:

I can't help but to notice that the NHL has changed dramatically. Obviously the emphasis is on skill, speed, having 4 lines who can contribute, ect.. but I feel that there have been a lot of changes that have made the game less special. Overall, I feel the intensity hasn't been there for quite a while now. You don't have the bad blood and anticipated rivalries like you did with Colorado/Detroit for example. Even going back to 2008-2009 with the Flyers/Penguins. You used to always look forward to these games, knowing it was going to be something to behold and you just don't get that feeling anymore. It's almost like everyone is friends and they just want to get paid and make sure they don't get hurt before the playoffs.

Also, I know fighting is a hot-button issue, but count me in as one of those who thinks it should stay in the game. People may claim it has no place in sports but look back to the 2009 flyers/penguins playoffs matchup. In one of the games, Carcillo took on Talbot and absolutely demolished him in a fight. The flyers were winning at the time but the fact that Talbot was willing to throw down woke up the Penguins, and the rest is history. It does, in fact, impact the game. From an entertainment perspective and from a momentum perspective. It has been phased out of the game and I feel that's not necessarily a good trend.

Finally, there is just not enough space out there. Not enough time and space for players to make special, magical plays and goalies have either become too good or too big. I understand the idea that speed=more offensive entertainment, but it has not translated that way. Players have become bigger, goalies..bigger, players have become faster and systems have become more defensive. As a result, nobody has more than a nanosecond to react and create for his team. Obviously, there are players who certainly create out there, but it is so few and far in between these days. It seems as though every good chance/goal comes from a random shot from the outside by a winger or D looking for a deflection, random bounce or rebound goal.

I just feel the game is in a very non-emotional, robotic state right now. What I have seen from this flyers team (which I admittedly do not love and feel like we have a lot of nice pieces but they just do not mesh well and help us create a real identity) completely embodies what I have said. I just wanted your opinion on the state of the league.

After reading Eklund's latest rumor blog, I am beginning to doubt his credibility.
- Mononoke

Beginning???

Cmon Hexy

Howard Eskin understands. He explained it to me.
- Mononoke

Wrong Eskin

Cmon Hexy
- Just5

soon

Cmon Hexy
- Just5

yup still waiting for him to sell sell sell too

Here's a linkedIn message I sent Brian Boucher (family friend) one drunken day. He agrees with a lot of this:

I can't help but to notice that the NHL has changed dramatically. Obviously the emphasis is on skill, speed, having 4 lines who can contribute, ect.. but I feel that there have been a lot of changes that have made the game less special. Overall, I feel the intensity hasn't been there for quite a while now. You don't have the bad blood and anticipated rivalries like you did with Colorado/Detroit for example. Even going back to 2008-2009 with the Flyers/Penguins. You used to always look forward to these games, knowing it was going to be something to behold and you just don't get that feeling anymore. It's almost like everyone is friends and they just want to get paid and make sure they don't get hurt before the playoffs.

Also, I know fighting is a hot-button issue, but count me in as one of those who thinks it should stay in the game. People may claim it has no place in sports but look back to the 2009 flyers/penguins playoffs matchup. In one of the games, Carcillo took on Talbot and absolutely demolished him in a fight. The flyers were winning at the time but the fact that Talbot was willing to throw down woke up the Penguins, and the rest is history. It does, in fact, impact the game. From an entertainment perspective and from a momentum perspective. It has been phased out of the game and I feel that's not necessarily a good trend.

Finally, there is just not enough space out there. Not enough time and space for players to make special, magical plays and goalies have either become too good or too big. I understand the idea that speed=more offensive entertainment, but it has not translated that way. Players have become bigger, goalies..bigger, players have become faster and systems have become more defensive. As a result, nobody has more than a nanosecond to react and create for his team. Obviously, there are players who certainly create out there, but it is so few and far in between these days. It seems as though every good chance/goal comes from a random shot from the outside by a winger or D looking for a deflection, random bounce or rebound goal.

I just feel the game is in a very non-emotional, robotic state right now. What I have seen from this flyers team (which I admittedly do not love and feel like we have a lot of nice pieces but they just do not mesh well and help us create a real identity) completely embodies what I have said. I just wanted your opinion on the state of the league.
- orangekrush2010

Rivalries are definitely lacking. I miss the unbridled hatred of Philly/NYR and Montreal/Quebec in the 80s and Detroit/Colorado in the late 90s. There is nothing remotely like that today. I also think the instigator rule was a horrible mistake and has only led to increase in stick work and cheap shots

soon


- funmaster18

classic example of an ex flyer going on to have success elsewhere

Rivalries are definitely lacking. I miss the unbridled hatred of Philly/NYR and Montreal/Quebec in the 80s and Detroit/Colorado in the late 90s. There is nothing remotely like that today. I also think the instigator rule was a horrible mistake and has only led to increase in stick work and cheap shots
- BiggE

The instigator is trash, but it's especially stinky slimy trash because it relies on the NHL handling discipline, which it does pretty poorly.

Rivalries are definitely lacking. I miss the unbridled hatred of Philly/NYR and Montreal/Quebec in the 80s and Detroit/Colorado in the late 90s. There is nothing remotely like that today. I also think the instigator rule was a horrible mistake and has only led to increase in stick work and cheap shots
- BiggE

Yup. Let players police themselves out there instead of the refs. Players become more accountable.

Rivalries are definitely lacking. I miss the unbridled hatred of Philly/NYR and Montreal/Quebec in the 80s and Detroit/Colorado in the late 90s. There is nothing remotely like that today. I also think the instigator rule was a horrible mistake and has only led to increase in stick work and cheap shots
- BiggE

Neanderthal

Yes, the salary cap did a great job of making sure that big spenders like Toronto, Philadelphia, NYR, Boston, LA, and Chicago no longer won ever Cup like they did in the 20 years preceding the lockout. Thank God for the salary cap so that small market teams like NJ, Colorado, TB, Anaheim, and Dallas had a chance.

Please. The whole salary cap for parity is complete bullpoop. It's all about the money for owners.
- jmatchett383

this

Wrong Eskin
- PhillySportsGuy

I feel lied to.

more like salary CRAP mirite?

Beginning???
- BiggE

I feel lied to.

Elliot follow us here, this is the evidence


Is a hotdog a sandwich?
permalink

- Marc D[–]Elliotte_Friedman[S] 427 points 2 days ago
This is the one I prepped most for.
A hot dog is a hot dog.
It is not a sandwich.

He spent 15 minutes on it over the summer when he was on the Steve Dangle podcast. Of couse he's prepped. He's wrong but he's prepped.

Is a hoagie a sandwich? A hero is indisputably a sandwich (a hero sandwich). So if a hero is a sandwich then a hoagie is a sandwich. Cutting the roll in two doesn't change anything. If a hoagie is a sandwich then a hot dog is a sandwich.

Case closed.

is it me or is this a quite trade deadline week? it seems the same players every year in the rumors...honestly i just hope he can flip some older players on bad contracts for picks and go after stamkos, drouin in the offseason.

more like salary CRAP mirite?
- BulliesPhan87

urdoinitrite

Here's a linkedIn message I sent Brian Boucher (family friend) one drunken day. He agrees with a lot of this:

- orangekrush2010

What was his response?

is it me or is this a quite trade deadline week? it seems the same players every year in the rumors...honestly i just hope he can flip some older players on bad contracts for picks and go after stamkos, drouin in the offseason.
- mydoglicks

well if no trades come from hexy i'll be very disappointed but i guess our TDL ends up being the vinny dump

is it me or is this a quite trade deadline week? it seems the same players every year in the rumors...honestly i just hope he can flip some older players on bad contracts for picks and go after stamkos, drouin in the offseason.
- mydoglicks

Would love Stamkos but not for the money he is going to command. He's too one dimensional and hasn't even been the same since his big leg injury. He won't live up to whatever insane contract he gets this summer from Tampa or whoever else.

What was his response?
- Scoob

"W(ho)TF are you?"

What was his response?
- Scoob

Something to the effect of that he agrees with a lot of my points but that the game is fine. He does work for the NHL though.

Elliot follow us here, this is the evidence


Is a hotdog a sandwich?
permalink

- Marc D[–]Elliotte_Friedman[S] 427 points 2 days ago
This is the one I prepped most for.
A hot dog is a hot dog.
It is not a sandwich.

First, he has the unnecessary "te" at the end of his first name.

Now, it's obvious he doesn't know what a sandwich is.

The hell is wrong with Elliotte Friedman?