Is the NHL emasculating Hockey to make way for women players?

Question

New rules theory.

Answer 1

I'm surprised at some of the responses... Surely everyone knows that females have already played (at least briefly) on a few NHL teams.

As far as them playing on a more permanent basis.. sure, I wouldn't mind seeing it.. but I doubt it will happen anytime soon.

Answer 2

I'd say the answer is no. The NHL may be trying to open their market to the female audience, but I do not believe they are trying to make way for women players. I think Bettman and other NHL officials realized that many younger women, well, women in general, do not care about or understand hockey at all, so they are trying to widen their fan base and pull in younger women with certain merchandise (pink jerseys...).

A few women have attempted to play in the NHL as it is not explicitly stated in the rules that it is a man only sport. The few that have tried were goaltenders, and while this is not an easy position to play by any means, it is less physically demanding than a skating position. The fact that women are not naturally made to be as big or as strong as men is a main reason why you do not see more women trying to play in the NHL. It may sound sexist, but I think you would be hard pressed to find a woman who is able to skate at the NHL level and able to take the hits of a Chris Pronger type player and not get injured or fall behind the rest of the play.

Answer 3

I don't know if they are purposely doing that but I have been complaining since last year about they way it looks. I never watched a full game all last season because it looked like the women's league,no defence and if anyone checked someone and they fell down it was a penalty. You hear these whiners in the media saying about the fans want more scoring, what a pant-load.Soccer is the most popular game in the freakin world ( don't ask me why ) and you are lucky to see a shot on net in a game let alone a goal.But now they have it opened up like a basketball game,I'm waiting for the penalty's to be called fouls soon. They are making it a no contact sport so I don't see why the women won't be able to play soon enough.

Answer 4

If a woman is strong and big enough to play in the NHL, then she should. I'd hate to see someone get hurt though and I don't think its the NHL's intention to change the rules to a faster game for the purpose of letting women play. Most womens league don't allow checking in the first place!

Answer 5

No, it help out the skilled players. Also helps the europlayers because they play a different style which is similar to the new rules overseas. North American hockey has smaller ice and is or was more physical. European style is bigger ice and skating. The rinks arent going to get bigger so the rule changes for hooking and obstruction help open the ice up.

Answer 6

Is tennis? Is golf? Is soccer (OK, bad example given the metrosexuals who play that sport on the pro level)? Is volleyball? Is basketball?

Nah, it's just another version of the sport. Women rock at the Olys and Worlds. I love watching Canada vs. USA when the women play...not as much as the men but it's good hockey.

Answer 7

within the next 10 years there will be an NHL league for women like in Basketball. but it will be even bigger then the WNBA cause there is more female hockey players in the world then in basketball there all from the U.S.

Answer 8

Oh, good God, I hope not. I am all for women's hockey but not against or with the men.

I don't see that ever happening, can you see Bertuzzi attacking Susie? Laraque checking Jacqueline? No way!

Answer 9

nope, the NHL is still nearly impossible for women to play in
too late for not wanting to see us play though,
manon rheaume (sp?) already was the starting goaltender for the tampa bay lightning in a preseason game

Answer 10

That would be nice. But i wouldnt have the girls playing with the guys. If they want girls in the nhl make one for them.