Sorry for the rant. I'm giving the new style of play a fair chance. I'm fine with the speed of the game. I'm fine with puck moving dmen. But the lack of physical play and defensive hockey I'm having a problem with. Wtf is a guy like Djoos even doing in the NHL? He is the softest defenceman in the NHL. Watch the guy in a battle along the boards. He will back away and then try to stick check. Use your fucking body. The whole league is going in this direction.
I really dont like the direction our team is headed with offense only system. Our forwards have been leaving the zone early to try creating more offensive chances but vat the expense of the defense. And we are even putting our offensive minded players on the pk. Well that move isnt really working. Our pk sucks.
Hell, buddy, I feel a lot of us “old schoolers” have already given the new hockey a fair chance!
For those of us longer term hockey fans, who’ve been fortunate enough to witness plenty of old-school hockey, back in the day, it’s been a long suffering, and frustrating ride, watching the slo-mo erosion of both physicality, and fundamentals, from our once beloved NHL hockey games!
For me personally, the dilemma comes from two, main, contradictory thoughts, that often alternate occupancy in my brain, while watching an NHL game these days!
One side has hope for the game, watching with intense scrutiny, looking for little tidbits and proofs of gritty play, teamwork, hustle, and man to man physical competition! It sure soothes the soul!
The other side watches with a feeling of being “duped”, being forced into a choice of either grudgingly accepting what is now offered as the new NHL hockey “product”, OR, giving a fat middle finger to the entire thing, in the same philosophy as not accepting or purchasing an inferior product!
I resent having to accept this softer game, but on balance, it’s still better than no hockey, and lets be honest, Caps winning the Stanley, DOES help the situation, for me!👍
I’ve sadly, over the years, let go of the NBA, and MLB. The NFL is right on the edge of losing me too! Believe me, I’m quite aware of my insignificance, and ability to affect any real change. I’m just an older guy trying to preserve my peace of mind! LOL
FWIW, Maaco
Rush