I’m cool, Maaco, with how you define “pond hockey”.
I was actually surprised that there is an actual definition at Wikipedia, but it’s more technical, because there are actually pond hockey leagues, all around North America! I never knew that!
The definition they use isn’t even close to how we’ve been using it recently on the board. So I’m good with using it the way it’s been used here, for the sake of discussion.
I think of “pond hockey”, as a reference, in the same way we say “street ball”, for basketball!
Meaning both hockey and B-ball, being played without a lot of structure, as you mention, but also marked with lots of scoring, low emphasis on executing pre-planned, play set-ups, etc. In short, less skilled, disorganized, amateurish, type play.
I’m an old-schooler about sports, appreciating and respecting, good work ethics, sportsmanship, physicality, hustle, professionalism, and practicing good FUNDAMENTALS!! You know this about me, as I believe we have similar sports philosophies. OK, so if you’re with me so far, then read on!
I submit to you the idea that, BY COMPARISON, to the older style hockey, that we BOTH say we respect and admire, that the newer age hockey style, could be viewed as “pond hockey like”. Again, by comparison to the older stuff! By ALL nhl teams today! Some a bit more, than others, but nonetheless, seen throughout the entire NHL.
I mean, where is all this consistent, organized, structure, on ANY team, that is apparently, reliably executed, day in, and day out, that you seem to be inferring, EXISTS, on some other team, somewhere?, that enables you to compare the Caps, to them, as something WE should strive for???
WHERE THE HELL IS IT?
IT DOESNT EXIST, nowadays!!
Do teams practice good fundamental play and structure, on both sides of the ice? Yes, the successful ones do it more often, than NOT! The unsuccessful ones, LESS often than NOT! None of these teams “have it all down”. It’s basically that simple, IMO.
Since the “newer hockey” style is here, and prevalent throughout the league, (unfortunately, for the sport, LOL), that means today’s style does NOT have to be called “pond hockey”, AT ALL, because this style is the NEW STANDARD, which makes it be able to be referred to as RELATIVE to itself. That is, if everybody’s DOING IT, then it essentially defines NHL hockey, as it is TODAY!
NO, I don’t frickin like it, but I’ve chose to accept it on ITS OWN TERMS.
So the BIG point I’m trying to make is that if we use TODAYS hockey standards, relative to ALL the NHL teams, the frickin CAPS are kickin ass!! And they are in good company with teams like, Tampa, Toronto, and Winnipeg, to name a few!
Rush