In light of the frightening injury suffered when Marc Staal was struck in his eye by a deflected puck on Tuesday, there was a discussion at this morning’s skate over the merits of grandfathering in a rule that would make face shields mandatory for all players entering the NHL, and Darryl Sutter shared some of his opinions on the subject.
Darryl Sutter, on face shields:
“I’m a proponent of the shield. These kids, they play their whole life…with a shield or a cage, so why wouldn’t you continue to protect it once you’re playing at the highest level you can? That’s not Marc [Staal], that’s everybody. The kids that come from the American League take their shields off to play. The one time they shouldn’t have the helmet on or the shield on is warmups. I mean, that’s the only time they ever get to do anything without a [helmet] on the ice…and I think that’s their right as their identity. I believe that should be their right. That should be their 16 minutes [for] people to see that he’s got blonde hair, or sideburns. That’s good. Like, really, that’s the only time ever that you get to see them with their gear close to competition. But other than that, I believe that they should [wear shields].”
Sutter, on irregular use of face shields:
“You know what? Look, go through it. Kids that come from the American League take their shields off when they get here. It doesn’t really make that much sense. But you know what? It’s their right. It doesn’t matter until it’s a grandfather [clause] or a rule or a parent or a wife or a son that says ‘Dad, honey, you know what?’ That’s the way it works. There’s not one thing I or any of us can do about it. My first year playing in the NHL was the first year it was grandfathered in. It was the last year you could not wear a helmet. So within three years, there were only like four guys without helmets. Like, everybody was wearing them…Really, the only guys that were left…that were my age group were Doug Wilson and Craig MacTavish. But other than that, everybody put them on. And it’d be funny, because there would be guys that would be hot or cold, and they’d not wear a helmet, they’d wear a helmet. If they hadn’t scored for like three games, they’d take the helmet off. You were still allowed to do that. But that was the last year, and then you signed the waiver….If you signed it, either you were going to wear it or not wear it. Then you had to do it, But we had lots of guys in Chicago. They’d not wear a helmet, they’d like wear a different type of helmet. It was funny, actually…Chicago was probably one of the last teams with most guys without helmets.”
My first girlfriend needed one……sorry..I had to go there….
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Munchrat Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 1:58 pm
@Neil, That’s the reason why you need to work on your technique.
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icecrown Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:00 pm
@Neil, lmao!!
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goldielocks Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:00 pm
@Neil,
Clear one or tinted one?
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Mars Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:07 pm
@Neil, face shield or helmet?
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Neil Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:12 pm
@Mars, Both..in case one fell off…. I kid..I kid….
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Does mirror shield violate the NHL rule? If you can hide your eyes, goalie can’t see your line of sight. Hmmm … sounds like cheating …oh, well …
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Mars Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:08 pm
@goldielocks, tinting kinda does too.
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shiny Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:24 pm
@goldielocks, I’m just afraid some goalies will get caught checking out their reflection
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mask0425x Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
@shiny,
Sounds like a game plan next time we play VAN. Hand out free make up samples while at it!
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No matter how “dangerous” it could be in not wearing the shield, there will always be guys who will choose not to wear one. Can you imagine guys like Parros wearing a shield? LOL
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I think everyone should wear them also…same with the Kevlar socks! lots of injuries and lost playing time for star players that could have been prevented by simply wearing them.
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I’m afraid that fighting will fade away from the game if they bring in mandatory shields and who would want that to happen? NOT ME!
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Osaka Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:21 pm
@DaveinSD, Is your entertainment more important than someone else’s wellbeing?
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DaveinSD Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:28 pm
@Osaka, are you serious with that question? C’mon, everyone wants safety…including ME! But some of the players who block shots with there face need a new technique for blocking shots. This does not include Marc Staal…his was a freak accident. But, what if the fighting faded away because of this possible new mandatory? We would not see games like Tuesday anymore and I’m sorry I consider fighting part of the game.
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Osaka Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:35 pm
@DaveinSD, Bryan Berard, Manny Mahotra…. not a freak accident. All three injuries would have been prevented.
Not the number of injuries that is concerning but the severity.
Duncanz Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:35 pm
@DaveinSD, People in Singapore used to enjoy chewing gum and spitting it on the sidewalk – until they outlawed chewing gum.
Osaka Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:44 pm
@DaveinSD, If everyone wore a face shield, there would be no need to have a fighting with a shield penalty.
I have fought a guy with a shield on, it is easier to grad and rip the helmut off.
jet Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:36 pm
@DaveinSD, I think you might be combining visor with face shield. If Sutter is talking about a visor, then he is spot on. The visor will not restrict fighting. Fighting is a way to show dominance which allows you to impose your will on your opponent. I really doubt that hitchcock will be playing this line up in two weeks. he just did not like getting his whoopped in the playoffs. Also, I believe every player on the Ducks excluding Getzlaf already has the visor and they put them up.
By the way, I 100% agree with your love of the last game. I flashed back to the early 80s, with 3 fights, 10 goals, and 2 Dmen leading the counter. (of course, unfortunately the roles were reversed.) I think the Don Johnson, Miami Vice imperssinator in the Toyota commercials only helped.
I also agree with Sutter to let the boys go without cover in warmups. I still clearly remember Langay’s mullet floating behind him as he flew up and down the ice and I am sure my girlfriend at the time does as well.
Lake Forest Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:34 pm
@Osaka, While I disagree with your argument (boxing; also they dont fight for the entertainment purpose, they fight to either get their team going or cause they hate each other), I also dont believe that shields would stop any fight.
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Osaka Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:48 pm
@Lake Forest, DaveinSD said he doesn’t want shields or visors because the would hamper fighting, his argument was it would take away what he loves. It is Dave’s entertainment I was referring to. I have no problem with fighting (heat of the moment), I just think it is time to make all wear visors.
shiny Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:26 pm
@DaveinSD, I’m not. Guys will just have to remember to take their helmets off first or suffer the penalty of.fighting with a visor
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LAKMiles Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:25 pm
@shiny, I think they should all take their helmets off before a fight anyway..remember Simmonds always used to do that…Theres been alot of games this season where ive seen Nolan just tee of on some guys helmet and im thinking dang his poor knuckles
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Uclaemt Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:09 pm
@DaveinSD, mandatory visor use would not effect fighting at all…junior hockey, the echl, & the ahl all mandate visor use by players and officials. The “staged fights” will still happen and as curtesy the players remove the helmets prior to the fight. The spontaneous fights will also still occur as they do now I.e. Richards wears a visor and fights with it. In fact junior hockey in Canada still had such prevalent fighting they had to make rules limiting the numer of fights you can have before getting suspended despite everyone wearing visors…it needs to be mandated by the league in a grand after clause…there’s no reason for a guy who’s worn a visor his entire playing career to remove it just cause he’s in the NHL. Sometimes you have to protect the players from themselves. And ultimately protect the owner’s investment & fans investment in the players.
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I think Sutter has a point. They wear protective gear their whole lives then suddenly stop when it’s probably most needed? It’s counter-productive and can cause long term injuries well after they retire (Lappy is a good example)
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I’m sure it’s been mentioned on the blog but how about Slava’s explosion of speed to the puck in the o zone? That was impressive.
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Duncanz Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:29 pm
@Pili, And he did it with a face shield!
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shiny Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:43 pm
@Duncanz, he didn’t let a silly thing like a face shield slow him down! Man, if he’d been able to slow down half a.step and settle the puck down, Halak wouldn’t have been able to stop it. And I’m sure this has been mentioned, but how freaking good are his one timers?? Things of beauty!
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Duncanz Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:51 pm
@shinny, VV is the new DD.
shiny Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:02 pm
@Duncanz, so what does that make DD? The new MG?
Duncanz Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 4:54 pm
@shinny, Maybe the next JJ …
jet Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:39 pm
@Duncanz, areodynamics for you
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Debra Turull Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 4:26 pm
@Duncanz, Hey, maybe the visor acts like a wind break at that speed and the wind and the resisteance just glide right on by!!??
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Question for someone who has played with a shield and without….Is it harder to see with the shield….explain the difference from a players point of view( NW ot WRT injuries but seeing) Thanks…
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monkeyboy Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:31 pm
@Neil, some distort your view-mostly the big problem for me was fogging
when I started playing we didn’t even wear mouth pieces
Early 60′s for me
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Osaka Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:15 pm
@monkeyboy, fogging and the shield getting scratched.
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monkeyboy Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:19 pm
@Osaka, never liked a visor. But then again I’m old school
Saw a guy get a stick under his visor-he took 68my stitches and was lucky to not lose an eye
Osaka Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:24 pm
@Monkey
I wasn’t a fan either. I got 27 stitches for a stick around the eye without a visor. I was VERY lucky but still did’t wear one after.
Cortex949 Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:57 pm
@Neil, I prefer no shield for visibility purposes. Next comes shield, then the worst is full cage. That being said, I do not feel comfortable from a safety standpoint doing anything other than a no contact pickup game with no shield. I took a puck off the forehead right over my right eye trying to get in a shooting lane once. That’s really all it took to change my mind on the subject.
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Osaka Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:12 pm
@Neil, I don’t like the shield because I feel hotter, wind can’t hit my face. A new shield is no problem for vision, the problem is when they get scratched. Of course pros don’t have that problem, they can use a new one each game.
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Purple and Gold Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:19 pm
@Neil, Aside from the vision issue it can be a bit warmer with a shield.
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Shotongoal Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:26 pm
@Neil, I found something interesting about this the other night watching Muzzin being interviewed after the game, he had his helmet on and the shield was fogged up. That would be pretty irritating during a game I would think.
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monkeyboy Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:29 pm
@Shotongoal, they make s defogging solution-but it doesn’t work that well
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Shotongoal Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:35 pm
@monkeyboy, that was obvious from looking at Muzzin’s shield. I played goalie so never had that problem.
Debra Turull Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 4:31 pm
@Neil, As a doctor doing surgery and trying to wear a mask to prevent blood splashes (AIDS and hepatitis), it’s the fogging that is the pits. There are anit fog solutions that help. and trying to keep the mask warm will also help. Sounds like some hockey fan needs to invent something and make a million dollars.
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Neil Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 4:42 pm
@Debra Turull, Thanks to all !!!! Wow i had a doctor give me an answer..Iam impressed by the bloggers here !!!
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blueliner Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 4:49 pm
@Neil, Have played with a full cage my entire life. Never known anything different so it’s working fine for me. I always knew if I took off the cage, it would be nice and unlikely to ever put it back on. Therefore, I’ve never taken off the cage.
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Hey @DessertKing, @J-Ro watches the NHL channel!
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DesertKing Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:36 pm
@Duncanz,
I used to watch that channel, until I found something better – The Quilting Channel! I found the analysis fair and unbiased, the patterns timely, and boy can those people stitch, almost as good as those NHL trainers. Tonight they are going make a “Hello Kitty” chair throw with lace border!
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Neil Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:44 pm
@DesertKing, Knitting mentality !!!
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shiny Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:58 pm
@DesertKing, do they have experts come on and talk about the finesse technique vs fighting the yarn for every stitch to go where you want it?
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Duncanz Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:01 pm
@DessertKing, Do they teach you how to stitch up buttons?
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DesertKing Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:22 pm
@Duncanz,
Absolutely, but guess what? THEY DON”T WEAR VISORS! Talk about dangerous! OMG!
Duncanz Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:33 pm
@DessertKing, You’ve really been doing your televisual research.
But are you already in bed asleep when the bamboo floor mats are being beautifully finished out west in the Hawaian market?
jet Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
@DesertKing, stay heavy on your neddles and you’ll be fine
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Make it simple:
1. Players are not required to wear shields
2. Players who do not wear a shield andrecieve an injury that would have been prevented by the wearing of a shield shall not be paid for those games missed as a result of that injury
3. Matt Greene is exempted since he cannot keep his helmet on and intentionally uses his face to block shots
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shiny Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:28 pm
@DesertKing, I like it but the NHLPA would never go for it. They’re too jealous of Greener’s mad face blocking skills
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I played in leagues where you had to wear a shield and in leagues where you didn’t have to. Given the choice I would take the shield off, but if you have to wear the shield you get used to it. After playing with it you don’t notice it is there after awhile. Anybody can adapt to it.
It is time to make it mandatory. Staal, Redden, and Mahotra have all suffered horrible injuries that could have been avoided. It is the number of injuries that is the concern, it is the severity of the injuries. I get it is a dangerous game and there will always be players getting hurt. Loosing ones sight though is horrific. If the league can make helmets mandatory then they also have the right and power to make visors mandatory.
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Osaka Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:36 pm
@Osaka, Not Wade Redden, Bryan Berard.
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jet Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:45 pm
@Osaka, sounds funny, but we knew exactly what who you meant
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CB14 Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:32 pm
@Osaka, Agreed
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Vini Visori Vici !
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I thought the groin cup is more unconfortable to wear …
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goldielocks Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:48 pm
@goldielocks,
“uncomfortable”
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Lake Forest Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:53 pm
@goldielocks, I’d take a punch to the face then the groin any day
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Duncanz Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 2:59 pm
@Look Goodest, But that might alter @blarneyrubble’s aesthetical affection for you!
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Lake Forest Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:01 pm
@Duncanz, some sacrifices need to be made!
goldielocks Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:01 pm
@Lake Forest,
I know Crosby’s lucky cup stinks!
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Lake Forest Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:16 pm
@goldielocks, too much information
“…That should be their 16 minutes [for] people to see that he’s got blonde hair, or sideburns. ..”
ROFLMFAO!!!
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shiny Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:16 pm
@Gustavo, yep, another classic Sutterism
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mask0425x Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:58 pm
@Gustavo,
Funny I asked Rich Hammond this question a few years ago about not having to wear a helmet during warm-ups AND shootouts. His response (for the record, one of the few I really disagreed with) was that it would be too risky. My thinking is that Andy Murray is no longer here and the golf cart/red carpet freak accidents are about as likely as San Jose winning the Cup.
DS, make them take the buckets off the next time they hit the ice!
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In the mean time, Martinez is going “I wore a dang face shield and still have plates in my face” Poor buddy.
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To Russ Dynda…maybe your next book can be on the “Masculinity of Hockey Bloggers” You can study all of us on this blog …would make an interesting study !!!!
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Shotongoal Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:22 pm
@Neil, please don’t glorify this guy………
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Duncanz Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:24 pm
@Neiling, That could cause quite a dyn..
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DesertKing Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:28 pm
@Duncanz,
…Da
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Duncanz Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
@DessertKing,
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0Cl9C19u2Yc
*On Topic*
I was watching Andrei Loktionov wearing his visor the other day, and I had to sympathize with him in that just as he started lighting it up like a fashionably late Russian Christmas in Red Square, Marty goes down and they go on like a 6 game losing streak.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again,
Poor Lokti !!
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The real question is how long until they’re wearing full cages?
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Remember Stoll never wore a shield until he got a puck to the forehead a couple seasons ago…if his face gets messed up no more hot blondes.
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Lake Forest Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:31 pm
@LAKMiles, ha yeah we can tell the players that are married (no shields) with the single guys (with shields)
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Duncanz Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 5:08 pm
@LAKMiles, But on the other hand, a ton of hot nurses!
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I am of the belief it should be up to the players as it’s their faces on the ice so to speak but it is ownership (and by extension, us fans) who pays the salaries of hurt players so it’s just a matter of time before the shields become mandatory. If I played in the NHL, I would wear the cage with how hard some of these guys can hit the puck. I don’t want to be a Franken Greene
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Can they make an easily removable visor for guys who want to fight but don’t want to tear up their hands on the visor?
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jet Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:49 pm
@CB14, I wonder if there is a fighter out there who can throw an uppercut?
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CB14 Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:54 pm
@jet, Let me check with Roman Polak and get back to you. ;
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CB14 Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 3:55 pm
That was supposed to be a
jet Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 4:40 pm
@CB14, I know, I tossed a softball up there for a reason.
Kenny44 Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 6:23 pm
@CB14,
You can put Roman under oath if you want, but I don’t think he’s going to be able to help you unless you show him the video.
simply put these guys are faster than the old school guys I watched as a kid and bigger- one bad shot and it could injur them for life- they should all wear the sheild.
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Go Kings Go!
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Played five years without a hat, and ten more without a visor. Tried it once to placate the wife, but the vision was not the same. Got rid of the wife and visor about the same time. But, seriously, I grew up watching guys like Lafleur, Duguay and Secord, and thought they were gods. But today’s game is different. It probably makes sense to wear one now.
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harty Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 6:50 pm
@edwood2, agree didn’t wear much of a helmet in 5 years of Junior…then did not wear a helmet at all in Senior hockey………but if I was playing today I would put a good helmet on but no visor and never a mask or sheild.
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g smith86 Reply:
March 7th, 2013 at 6:54 pm
@edwood2,with respect to not knowing your hockey back ground i say,… This isn’t a pickup hockey game on a sunday afternoon down at the local rink…we are talking about the best of the best, playing at an extremely high level and fast pace
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way faster game now…and more of an emphasis on defense by all five skaters…guys face the shooters now more than ever…I think the are crazy not to wear a shield…I think you can get used to it
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