Jay Greenberg: If You Can't Take the Hit . . .

Alas, poor Jori!

You summed it up in your last column, Jay. Young people don’t know what they’re missing! Years ago, I would give up a Saturday afternoon to watch a game between the Flyers and Rangers in anticipation of the nastiness and passion that played out, hoping Kevin (i’ll Break up every scrap I can) Collins wouldn’t be the linesman for the game. Today, it’s like the Ice Capades, but much faster. It’s also a very sterile environment. I gave up my season tix, and although I still follow the game, I wouldn’t give up a day or an evening for it like I used to. Seems like the NHL has given up on the hard core fans, in favor of the corporate, casual fan. As long as the revenue is good, they’re happy. Doesn’t make it as much fun as it used to be, but sadly, they don’t care.

Great and frankly all to honest look at what has become a league of selective "do not touch" players. What is completely infuriating as a long time hockey fan is the even more selective nature of how discipline is doled out. Had Radko Gudas either swung his stick the way Malkin did at Raffl, or shoved a player into the boards the way Mantha did Giroux, he would be facing at least 6 games if not more. And I am talking about the exact same...not "Well, Gudas would have hit him" or anything different, the exact same.

That complete lack of respect for players seems to be getting worse, and that the union will continue to try to protect reckless players like Gudas or Mr Slew Foot Marchmant, or Wilson at the expense of the people they have injured or nearly injured. Why isn't the Union protecting them? Why do players think it is okay to play that way? Oh, because they have gotten away with it their entire lives because of the long held double standard. In Gudas' case, many of the hits that he has gotten into trouble for over the years, in the "good old days" of even the early to mid 90's, would not have caused anyone to bat an eye. Now, everyone is so afraid of a body check that if you land one you must be doing something wrong and therefore you must be dirty.

Well at least there will be for "Social Spaces" at the Wells Fargo Center in 2020. I love the game and hopefully always will, but back in MY day the game had more passion. Oh and my day wasn't that long ago. I'm only 42.


Social Spaces, what the hell is that!?

Oh how I yearn for the days of games without hearing the noise inducing deafness music, and divisions called the, Patrick, Norris, etc.

Well at least there will be for "Social Spaces" at the Wells Fargo Center in 2020. I love the game and hopefully always will, but back in MY day the game had more passion. Oh and my day wasn't that long ago. I'm only 42.


Social Spaces, what the hell is that!?

Oh how I yearn for the days of games without hearing the noise inducing deafness music, and divisions called the, Patrick, Norris, etc.
- hockeylover

WTF are “Social Spaces”??

Your concluding paragraph is excellent. Well done sir.

Jay Greenberg: If You Can't Take the Hit . . .
- Jay Greenberg

Always a joy to read!

Great piece. How can we stop this Disney on ice movement? Another bad trend is officials breaking up a fight when 2 willing combatants are squaring off.

The game has become unwatchable. I can last a period tops. It's so friggen boring.