NHL Rant, Part I

Alright, I've sat and listened quietly to everyone chime in on why there are so many head injuries and concussions in the NHL—now it's my turn! 

Maybe Mr. Bettman can think of the game's roots, forget his basketball background and accountant ways, and FINALLY do something to make the league better.

First things first? Listen to the players: no-touch icing is a smart and injury-saving measure that the NHL should adopt if for no other reason but to be proactive instead of reactive.  But, as per normal, I'm sure it will take a career-ending injury or worse to get the NHL and Mr. Bettman to make such a needed change.

Second, start looking at the players' equipment, and leave the goalies alone for awhile.  Sure, players need hard-molded plastic equipment from the waist down, but from the waist-up make them go back to the soft equipment to ensure the league takes another—dare I say proactive—measure to save players from injury. 

Hard-molded plastic upper body equipment isn't needed to protect players. It is only helpful in hurting other players by inflicting concussions and other serious injuries.  The boards and ice haven't gotten harder over the years—just the equipment.

Third, get rid of the stupid and nonsensical rule of the instigator!  How many NHL assets have to fight for themselves and risk injury before the NHL disposes of this ridiculous rule? 

Trying to limit or eliminate fighting from the NHL isn't going to gain more fans, it's going to cost fans.  The groups that lobby against fighting are those that won't be attending hockey games—with or without fighting. 

Removing fighting or attempting to will only give those that oppose it more ground to gain.  So what happens if fighting is eliminated?  What's next?  Softer sticks?  Padded Boards?  No contact?  Bettman and company need to stop trying to appease everyone, and build on what they have!

In closing, I ask the NHL to stop trying to revolutionise the sport of hockey with major rule changes.  Just ask the players—it's their necks on the line. The players are the ones that have to be accountable for the league and its success or failure, so why not give them a louder voice in rule decisions? 

The league doesn't have to make it better, increase scoring, re-invent the nets, or make goalie equipment smaller!  Hockey is a fast and exciting game, and is gaining popularity world-wide—so why try to change it? 

Why try to Americanize it?  Why try and make it a hybrid of what it once was?  If baseball, football, golf, poker, and bowling can gain air time and a fan base in the States without revolutionizing their rules, why can't Gary Betman do the same with the NHL? 

Just let them play, only make changes to extend the players' health and longevity, and stop making asinine moves with our beloved hockey!

Stay tuned for more rants in the future...