Sure, it may bring back the fair-weather fan, and get more people in the seats but I think about what happened when Todd Bertuzzi attacked Steve Moore back in 2004 and no matter what people say Moore did to Markus Näslund the NHL deemed it a clean hit. And the Canucks head coach said publicly they were going to go after Moore.
And now we see what happened to Chris Drury, my question being... is it really worth all the turmoil to recruit players and enforce these players to do nothing but start fights that may end careers?
2007-02-26 06:56:40 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Hockey
Obviously the case of Steve Moore was a situation in which a couple guys just took the game way too seriously. Afterall, it is just a hockey game, not life or death. There needs to be some tough guys, not goons, in the league to keep some others in check. For instance, guys like Dion Phaneuf and such. The opposition will think twice about running the goalie or a star player when they would have to answer to a tough guy. Fighting has always been a part of hockey but sometimes it is taken too far. They need to have stricter penalties against guys who deliberatly try to end a career. For example, incidents such as Bertuzzi as well as the McSorley incident make me think they should give no second chances. Bertuzzi should never play hockey in North America again for his actions. The problem is, these guys get a slap on the wrist to yes, the tough guys and goons are still needed to keep losers like Bertuzzi in check.
2007-02-26 07:07:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unless the NHL does something about the increased headhunting there will be more goons brought back into the game just so teams can protect their star players. The problem is too many times the league deems a hit "legal" but that doesnt make it right. Moore so much as testified in court he was out to essentially hurt Naslund, he fully understood the potential consequence of hitting Naslund and the likehood of injuring him that way but testified that was how he had to play to keep a job in the NHL. He even said he mocked Bertuzzi after Bertuzzi said he was going to get him. Of course Bertuzzi took the gutless route to revenge and lost all respect from nearly everyone. This year the league has seen too many instances of guys going for other players heads and running goalies. The injuries are mounting and the league needs to end the goon tactics of taking out star players. I love a hard hitting game (played myself for 30 years and played a tough style myself, but never took a cheap "legal" hit on anyone) but the "legal" chepshots have no place in hockey...I pay too much money to go to games and see 3rd and 4th liners and minor league replacements because of hits like the Neil hit. By the way I have met Neil on about a half dozen occasions and he is an incredibly nice person but i dont think he should have taken the liberty to smoke Drury in that position. get him in a corner or straight up and and more power to him, from the side in a vulnerable postion....not as bad as bertuzzi but crossing that fuzzy line for sure!
2007-02-26 10:51:07 · answer #2 · answered by viphockey4 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The goon is both an arms race and a double edged sword. As the new stars of the NHL emerge these guys will have to have a bit of muscle to protect them. As far as goons, fans love hard hits and fights as much as hat tricks. An entertaining goon can put extra butts in the stands giving the franchise a financial incentive to dress one for home games. These players usually aren't payed well either so a goon on the roaster is usually pure profit in terms of the extra seats filled to the salary of the goon. So who doesn't like a good fight or ten?
As far as a double edged sword a goon on the other team might just take a run to injury as to force a fight.
Hockey is a very dangerous sport lots of players go down to injury when they are hit by a shot as well. Hockey needs to crack down on players who do not keep the helmets fashioned properly. seen too many players bare heads strike the ice when there unbuckled helmet flies off. Perhaps introducing face cages will reduce the many injuries to the face and eyes by slashes. Also wouldn't mind seeing the home office hand down more suspensions for late hits, feet leaving the ice hits anything to keep a safe game for the players and the fans.
2007-02-26 13:25:22 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hockey is in the twilight zone as far as the television fan goes.It needs help.Bettman is sinking the NHL ship.
Bring back brawls and fights, emphasize more skills- speed, shooting and skating-eliminate the trap.That's what the fan wants to see for entertainment.They can control the severity of the violence.The fans definitely don't want Bertuzzi level violence ,but they love a good old fashioned brawl.
If you can't beat them in the parking lot-you can't beat them on the ice.
2007-02-28 19:59:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason for the extinction of the goon has to do with money.
The owners that pay the salaries (remember this is a business and not a sport) simply cannot afford to suffer the loss of a player as a result of a fighting injury or goon play.
Not too long ago, the salary structure was less of a concern.
2007-02-26 07:28:49 · answer #5 · answered by Tim C 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋