ElectricBlanketFire
Member
I'm a casual Blackhawks fan but everything with Kane this summer really didn't leave me in the mood to watch hockey. Even if he's innocent, the reaction from Hawks fans was absolutely embarrassing.
Anyone watch hockey (NHL) anymore?
- Thread starter DarkJediKnight
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disappeared
Banned
I try and catch the Kings when I can, but without tv at home I barely keep up.
Maddocks
Member
As someone who just now got into hockey this season, I have yet to miss a Kings game, I was there opening night and watched the rest of tv. At first I was confused as hell what was going on but with help of friends and members here at gaf I have come to understand the rules and the flow of the game.
And the women, ma god, the female fans of the sport are hot as hell, got damn. I know that means nothing in the grand scheme of things, but as a single man, its great for me lol
And the women, ma god, the female fans of the sport are hot as hell, got damn. I know that means nothing in the grand scheme of things, but as a single man, its great for me lol
apocalidiot
Banned
I think thats just, uh, part of living in LA. Hot ass women
TheLostBigBoss
Banned
Also, I think fantasy hockey is a great way to get into the NHL and watch out of market games and get invested in the league.
Takes more time than NFL fantasy, but I enjoy it so much more
Takes more time than NFL fantasy, but I enjoy it so much more
I watch the Stars so I would like to see some defensive games every once in a while. But yeah, I watch almost every game. The Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars are the reason I cannot cut the cord.
Maddocks
Member
That is part of it, but watching other games to learn the game, I do see lots of hot women. Hot women are everywhere, maybe I just notice them more while watching NHL then other sports, that is what I meant lol
Junior Mint
Member
I used to make time for NHL on TV but I agree with OP. The game just got way too slow and boring. Nowadays I'll just watch the highlights, if that. Still enjoy the games on PS4 though.
Gunstar Ikari
Unconfirmed Member
I don't watch hockey, I was just looking for a cool logo to slap onto my favorite puzzle game characters.
Caught some replays before the start of last season and was hooked instantly.
SmackAttack
Member
All my life. I was raised in a hockey loving family and it's the only sport I can sit down and watch. Love it. Red Wings fan for life!
VincentMatts
Member
The league is absolutely clueless. They keep taking it out on the goalies when lets face it, there are too many teams for the amount of real talent. Thats the real problem. You will rarely if ever see real dynasties anymore cause there's just too many teams and not enough Crosbys to go around. And when you do see dynasties, it will be dismantled in no time because of the salary cap. Low scoring isnt necessarily a problem when the show is good. Soccer is the most popular sport in the world and is almost always low scoring games. Its not all about amount of goals per game, but that doesnt hurt either.
Switch Back 9
a lot of my threads involve me fucking up somehow. Perhaps I'm a moron?
A lot of people I know will definitely be watching more once the baseball winds down. Jays being in the playoffs is the only concern in the GTA right now.
I followed them pretty religiously for the past six years or so and I just feel wrong watching them now. Maybe the feeling will subside after a while, but I definitely think a break is necessary.
Joe T.
Member
This image almost sums it up:
I say "almost" because they are essentially this generation's Lemieux and Jagr, but no matter how good they play they just can't perform like their predecessors or put up their numbers. Things have changed too much since the 90's, some of the worst changes being rules that came in the name of making the game safer.
I say "almost" because they are essentially this generation's Lemieux and Jagr, but no matter how good they play they just can't perform like their predecessors or put up their numbers. Things have changed too much since the 90's, some of the worst changes being rules that came in the name of making the game safer.
brianjones
Member
its weird growing up i played hockey as my primary sport but i can't get into the current nhl for some reason
even with the kings winning a couple stanley cups in recent years
i liked it in the 90s i guess.. pavel bure, forsberg, jagr, all them dudes
even with the kings winning a couple stanley cups in recent years
i liked it in the 90s i guess.. pavel bure, forsberg, jagr, all them dudes
Robot Pants
Member
Yes that was exciting as hell, but wasn't the 3v3 Ovettime rule introduced just this year?
I'm just curious. I don't agree with the OP. I've been a hockey fan my whole life and it's just as exciting and fun to watch as it's ever been.
This too. I will agree that the 90s were the best though.
I loved hating the Red Wings and the Russian Five.
It's about the only sport I can stand to watch. Big Nashville Preds fan. Go to several games a year and my 6 year old son has been playing hockey since I put him on the ice at age 4.
With that said...fuck this whole central division again this year. Looks like it's going to be a bloodbath again.
With that said...fuck this whole central division again this year. Looks like it's going to be a bloodbath again.
This image almost sums it up:
I say "almost" because they are essentially this generation's Lemieux and Jagr, but no matter how good they play they just can't perform like their predecessors or put up their numbers. Things have changed too much since the 90's, some of the worst changes being rules that came in the name of making the game safer.
Jagr is 43 and is still a top line winger. He is scored at a PPG since the deadline last year.
Jagr scored 123 points and led the league in points during Crosby's rookie season.
And this is without mentioning Lemieux. Crosby and Malkin aren't better or close.
DoktorEvil
Banned
Isles look alright at 3-1-1.
I watch a ton of NHL hockey. I have season tickets for the local club (Blues), and tend to watch a lot of other games around the league on a regular basis (NHL GameCenter). Scoring is relatively low, but there is plenty of fun to be had. I prefer it to watching the NFL, which is the only other sport that I watch regularly.
DeadlyParasite
Member
Not since CBC lost the rights to broadcast NHL. Sportsnet is garbage and poorly produced.
It will always be Canada's #1 choice.
If the US wants to join in. Fine. If not, that's fine too.
The popularity of hockey in the US will never effect the popularity in Canada.
timetokill
Banned
I sure do, OP. Kings fan here.
It's an incredibly exciting sport.
It's an incredibly exciting sport.
Goalies definitely got the first shots at any changes the league wanted to implement, but I think the league is learning more and more that players will just adapt (please see my post on the first page).
One of the league's strengths is actually talent pool. Having a deep development system (AHL, ECHL for minor leagues, CHL,USA Hockey Development, NCAA for junior/varisty, European leagues for Euro players) allows for teams to grow a whole core roster. The Red Wings are probably the best example of growing talent in-house, if you look at their roster and what position a number of their players were drafted in.
Free Agency these days isn't so much acquiring a franchise-changing superstar (akin to Lebron and Bosh to Miami in the NBA), since teams are more inclined to grow talent in-house instead of breaking the bank. You'll find that a number of superstars in the league tend to re-sign with their team. Parise, Suter, and Vanek of the Minnesota Wild were maybe the last "big" signings, but the Wild haven't really been major players in the league.
The Blackhawks right now are considered a dynasty, but another strength of the league is diversity in playoff teams. You'll have regulars like the Red Wings, Penguins, Blackhawks, and Rangers, but there are always new teams that crack in. The 2005-06 Edmonton Oilers are a good example, 8th seed in the Western Conference and made it all the way to a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final (lost to the Carolina Hurricanes). The 2011-12 LA Kings are another 8th seed, and actually won the Cup. Comparing the last 10 years of Cup winners, you'll find the most diversity in winners compared to the NBA.
KillerMan91
Member
Only few matches a week because of huge time zone difference between Finland and north america but I enjoy it a lot. Well we finns are the most hockey crazy people after canadians though. =P
Thank you for Pekka Rinne !!
One of the problems the league has is skill players that get pushed to europe or the minors because they can't compete against 6'4 230 defensive beasts that clog up the neutral zone and try to stand up guys on the blueline.
Expansion should water down the average size of the league a bit, and we should see teams turn to players they would previously overlook.
The only difference between guys like Tyler Johnson and countless others that never made it is opportunity.
Gunstar Ikari
Unconfirmed Member
Seconded
Joe T.
Member
Lemieux and Jagr wouldn't put up the same numbers in today's NHL, neither would Gretzky. It's just a whole different game now and their attempt to make overtime - what was once simply an extension of regulation time - more entertaining is testament to how much the product has suffered over the years. 5 vs 5 isn't entertaining and that isn't my opinion, it's the NHL's. Maybe it's time to start focusing on regulation time tweaks so those 60 minutes are more attractive to spectators again.
I think something happened to the sport a few years ago, but it became less... speedy? It's really rough to watch my favorite team the Flyers because they're just so S L O W, I don't remember the sport having lost so much dynamic edge and current / counter-currents.
Of course it may all just be in my head, but I don't remember hockey being so unenjoyable to watch since I watched so much of it for so much of my life.
Of course it may all just be in my head, but I don't remember hockey being so unenjoyable to watch since I watched so much of it for so much of my life.
KillerMan91
Member
Shame that he isn't going to ever win Vezina if Price continues to play in god mode like he currently does. =(
My favorite sport to watch. Unfortunately, the league insists on making it one of the most difficult to watch unless you have a mega sports cable package. The league is also run my idiots who still want to entice fans with fighting and teams in the south. It's a shame, and hockey could be doing much better.
ShadowkillXNA
Member
Diehard Capitals fan here - watch every game every season. Dont really watch other teams.
This season should be more entertaining for Capitals fans since the team has more scoring punch now with TJ Oshie, Justin Williams and Kuznetsov to help out Ovechkin.
This season should be more entertaining for Capitals fans since the team has more scoring punch now with TJ Oshie, Justin Williams and Kuznetsov to help out Ovechkin.
Beatofficer
Member
I watch whenever the Tampa Bay Lightning have a game on TV in Northern California. I've been considering getting the NHL streaming service because I don't like the San Jose Sharks and I "followed" the Lightning for the last 12 years or so by checking scores on my phone and watching them in the playoffs.
The game is faster than ever. Low scoring doesn't equal less scoring chances, which is where the real excitement is.
The games are almost always back and forth, but I would like to see interference called more. They do a good job calling hooking/slashing/tripping usually, but interference is still prevalent.
The games are almost always back and forth, but I would like to see interference called more. They do a good job calling hooking/slashing/tripping usually, but interference is still prevalent.
The players who are now playing in Europe either burned out too quickly in the NHL or are at the tail end of their careers. European teams have guys like Heatley or Setoguchi, who were dominant 5-10 years ago in the NHL. Then the rest of the North American players are either 3rd/4th liners or minor leaguers.
If you want to make the argument about pushing players to Europe, look at European players making the jump to the NHL. We're talking about undrafted players, or players whose rights expired, who dominate their European leagues. A number of those guys get hyped up because of their skill. They sign with an NHL team, and blow it completely. The issue wasn't about being shut down by defencemen, but the matter of their inability to adapt to the North American game. Prime example: Fabian Brunnstrom.
The trend in defencemen have shifted away from being purely defensive to having a good two-way game. That means guys who can forecheck and be defensively responsible at the same time. They're still going to be big guys, but they're less inclined to lose defensive positioning to make a big hit (Dion Phaneuf). You don't really see as much stonewalling on the blue line anymore. Not in the past few years at least. Guys like Cam Fowler, Morgan Rielly, Jake Gardiner, Victor Hedman, and Dougie Hamilton are the kinds of defencemen teams are looking to develop or get.
I don't disagree with expansion (I question the locations for some expansion teams), but to think that it will "water down" the average size of defencemen may not be completely true. It's all about trends and drafting. The various junior leagues and varsity programs in North America alone are grooming players to suit the NHL. So, if big and tall defencemen are the trend, teams will continue to draft them.
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