betED.com - The View from the Couch - by Gavin McDougald!
Nov 5th, 2008 - Pansification vs. Pugilism
Before we start - a confession... Former NHL player, coach and general manager Mike Milbury once had my sports network banned from access to the new York Islanders players and coaches because of something I wrote about him. (I compared the size of his brain to "a BB in a boxcar.") His team locking us out got me in some serious hot water, so when it comes to Milbury, I may be a wee bit biased.
Now back to our regularly scheduled rant on the moron that is Mike Milbury...
After a few years in a well-deserved wasteland, he is back. He's not in charge of a team (than God!), but instead he has now apparently become the new voice for the game of hockey. He's on frikin' everywhere - and in typical fashion what he's saying is stirring things up - with little regard to how stupid he sounds.
Last weekend Carolina Hurricanes rookie Brandon Sutter became the latest statistic in the game after having his head nearly dislodged at center ice.
Down went Brandon - and there were cries that rule changes were needed to address a precipitous increase in head injuries.
Not our friend Mike Milbury though.
He indicated any such rule put in place to protect players would lead to a "pansification" of the game. Like taking out headshots would result in players skating in skirts or something.
What's his solution?
Here's a hint. Pretty much the only answer he has to any question regarding the state of the game has something to do with fighting.
* Why is scoring down? Obviously because the lack of fighting leads to tight checking.
* Why are so few tuning in games anymore? Increase the punches to the face and the viewers would flock back to the game.
* Why are at least six franchises on the verge of bankruptcy? Bring back the goons and they'd be packing them in the rafters.
And yes, his solution for cutting down the head injuries in the game is, of course, increasing the amount of fighting. He wants to take out the penalty for instigating a fight.
Now, the position that players getting punched in the head more often would lead to a decrease in head injuries might sound a wee bit contradictory, if not insane, unless you've been repeatedly head-pummeled I guess.
Here's how the theory goes: It's all about respect.
Brandon Sutter was drafted 11th overall and was playing in his seventh game ever in the NHL. He is off to an impressive start scoring a goal in two assists in his limited playing time, however he had acquired zero penalty minutes.
He hasn't fought anyone yet.
Last week he was on a near breakaway when he met Doug Weight up close and personal. Weight, who was playing in his 1142nd game didn't treat Sutter with respect because, according to the Melrosian code, he hadn't earned it.
So, instead of trying to strip him of the puck, Weight instead lowered his shoulder and knocked the 19 year-old kid into convulsions.
Hockey logic states that if only Sutter had punched Weight earlier, all of this could have been avoided.
Unfortunately, this theory of increased fighting leading to an uptick in respect is contradicted by the numbers. According to HockeyFights.com, fighting is on the rise in the NHL big time.
There were 0.38 fights per game during the 2006 season. Thus far this season there have been 0.74.
Yet scoring is down, the crowds are small, as are the TV audiences and the revenues.
In fact, pretty much the only thing on the increase in the NHL is head injuries and fighting.
Another league, the NFL, also has a serious problem with concussions. Retired players are plagued with Alzheimer's disease and other debilitating maladies. A league mandated research project is underway, with the extreme step of having players donate their brains to science after they die in an effort to address the issue.
How does the NHL handle it? Ignore it completely and have Mike Milbur describe anyone who complains about headshots as, the scariest thing you could be in the sporting world, gay.
What a fabulous asset he is to the game.
Cheers ?Gavin McDougald - AKA Couch
Bet on NHL today, only at betED.com
Nov 5th, 2008 - Pansification vs. Pugilism
Before we start - a confession... Former NHL player, coach and general manager Mike Milbury once had my sports network banned from access to the new York Islanders players and coaches because of something I wrote about him. (I compared the size of his brain to "a BB in a boxcar.") His team locking us out got me in some serious hot water, so when it comes to Milbury, I may be a wee bit biased.
Now back to our regularly scheduled rant on the moron that is Mike Milbury...
After a few years in a well-deserved wasteland, he is back. He's not in charge of a team (than God!), but instead he has now apparently become the new voice for the game of hockey. He's on frikin' everywhere - and in typical fashion what he's saying is stirring things up - with little regard to how stupid he sounds.
Last weekend Carolina Hurricanes rookie Brandon Sutter became the latest statistic in the game after having his head nearly dislodged at center ice.
Down went Brandon - and there were cries that rule changes were needed to address a precipitous increase in head injuries.
Not our friend Mike Milbury though.
He indicated any such rule put in place to protect players would lead to a "pansification" of the game. Like taking out headshots would result in players skating in skirts or something.
What's his solution?
Here's a hint. Pretty much the only answer he has to any question regarding the state of the game has something to do with fighting.
* Why is scoring down? Obviously because the lack of fighting leads to tight checking.
* Why are so few tuning in games anymore? Increase the punches to the face and the viewers would flock back to the game.
* Why are at least six franchises on the verge of bankruptcy? Bring back the goons and they'd be packing them in the rafters.
And yes, his solution for cutting down the head injuries in the game is, of course, increasing the amount of fighting. He wants to take out the penalty for instigating a fight.
Now, the position that players getting punched in the head more often would lead to a decrease in head injuries might sound a wee bit contradictory, if not insane, unless you've been repeatedly head-pummeled I guess.
Here's how the theory goes: It's all about respect.
Brandon Sutter was drafted 11th overall and was playing in his seventh game ever in the NHL. He is off to an impressive start scoring a goal in two assists in his limited playing time, however he had acquired zero penalty minutes.
He hasn't fought anyone yet.
Last week he was on a near breakaway when he met Doug Weight up close and personal. Weight, who was playing in his 1142nd game didn't treat Sutter with respect because, according to the Melrosian code, he hadn't earned it.
So, instead of trying to strip him of the puck, Weight instead lowered his shoulder and knocked the 19 year-old kid into convulsions.
Hockey logic states that if only Sutter had punched Weight earlier, all of this could have been avoided.
Unfortunately, this theory of increased fighting leading to an uptick in respect is contradicted by the numbers. According to HockeyFights.com, fighting is on the rise in the NHL big time.
There were 0.38 fights per game during the 2006 season. Thus far this season there have been 0.74.
Yet scoring is down, the crowds are small, as are the TV audiences and the revenues.
In fact, pretty much the only thing on the increase in the NHL is head injuries and fighting.
Another league, the NFL, also has a serious problem with concussions. Retired players are plagued with Alzheimer's disease and other debilitating maladies. A league mandated research project is underway, with the extreme step of having players donate their brains to science after they die in an effort to address the issue.
How does the NHL handle it? Ignore it completely and have Mike Milbur describe anyone who complains about headshots as, the scariest thing you could be in the sporting world, gay.
What a fabulous asset he is to the game.
Cheers ?Gavin McDougald - AKA Couch
Bet on NHL today, only at betED.com
