hard not to complain paul, when the league is f@#!@!@ up! the game is less enjoyable to watch this year even compared to last year or the year before. here’s to hoping things shape up soon

Posted by skip on 03/16/10 at 10:22 AM ET

Skip, I really don’t see how it is less enjoyable.

Blaming the league is an easy thing to do, but shouldn’t the NHLPA be held accountable too?

I know the NHL enforces the rules and their response has been questioned, but if the players just used some common sense, the majority of these issues would not be popping up on a regular basis.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 03/16/10 at 10:25 AM ET

Well said, Paul.

NHL hockey is a great enjoyment for me.

Especially with HD and Tivo, where I can save the game, back it up, and replay a “dangle” in slow motion over and over till I see the magic that these athletes created in the blink of an eye.
Amazing.

And if human players, coahes, GMs, referees, commissioners, et al make a mistake while trying their best to do their jobs, that is OK, too.

Posted by w2j2 on 03/16/10 at 10:31 AM ET

I wish Hudler was back. I wish Sammy could have re-signed or not have been a 30 goal scorer for another team. Ovie should not have been suspended, it’s like the leagues trying to take contact out of the sport. Bettman. Ass. The wings go nowhere past the 2nd round with the Bertuzzi and Williams tandem. Don’t even get me started on the referring. Is Rafalski good or isn’t he, I wish he would make up his mind. The phoenix situation - one word -  .

Posted by Complainer from Complain City on 03/16/10 at 11:15 AM ET

Complain City, wishing is allowed, complaining is not.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 03/16/10 at 11:19 AM ET

Good blog Paul! Some people complain for the sake of it. Others complain because they love something so much. I love hockey, and want to see it in its best possible form. Sure, it’s not perfect, but I agree with you that this year has still provided lots of excitement, and it’s just warming up with the playoffs.

Posted by penguinsfan on 03/16/10 at 11:22 AM ET

Unfortunately Paul, I don’t think you can fight human nature.  Ask yourself why internet forums, blogs, etc. are filled with much more complaining than praise for anything and that is the heart of the problem.  I don’t think this is necessarily bad however as complaining leads to change which is the only way anything wrong will get fixed.  I think there is a lot right that the NHL has done but a lot wrong as well.  To be even minded and not just complain, I will list each.

Good:
1. Finally cracking down on obstruction, overall I agree much more with referee calls after the lockout than before.
2. Salary cap - Teams are on a much more even footing although I miss watching the Rangers spend $60 million to not make the playoffs year after year.
3. Finally bringing the NHL Network to the U.S.  This was long overdue.

Bad:
1. Overexpansion - The league will be paying the price for a long time for this, it should have made sure all franchises were secure before adding 4 in 4 years in the late ‘90s.
2. Discipline - There really needs to be a more consistent standard about what is and is not worthy of suspension and for how long.  I think something as simple as the soccer standard of suspending a player for three games if you get a game misconduct would be a good rule to implement as well.
3. The Shootout - I know everyone likes it but it has made the standings a joke.  Even awarding a regulation win 3 points would go a long way towards fixing them.
4.  No MSG HD on the Center Ice package - This is absolutely ridiculous and has been going on over a year now, the NHL claims HD is the future but allows this nonsense to continue.
5. Trying to be like the NBA and hyping individual players to a ridiculous extent.  As a Detroit fan, you may have noticed Pittsburgh getting away with murder in the last couple of Cup finals.
End of rant.

Posted by Mike from Idaho on 03/16/10 at 11:25 AM ET

Hockey fans are probably among the worst whiners in sports, and that’s a pity given the great quality of the game itself (despite real or imaginary shortcomings, and creative improvements). Now that I have access to NHL games than ever before, I have a hard time containing my pleasure of that fact.

On a day to day basis my hockey thoughts rarely touches upon negativity except when I discuss various topics here. The current state of affairs in hockey is an important aspect as well, of course, but one I can separate from enjoying the game on its natural premises without having the quality of league officials and disciplinary problems nagging at the back of my mind.

The hockey is great right now with plenty of stars and exciting games, and it’s only going to get better as the season approaches the climax.

Posted by Moq from Denmark on 03/16/10 at 11:36 AM ET

I’ve always thought that nobody hates hockey more than hockey fans do…maybe it’s that old saying that the one who you love the most hurts you the most…or maybe people are just whiners

Posted by kaygee830 on 03/16/10 at 11:45 AM ET

At the end of the day hockey is hockey, if that makes any sense to anyone!  The players still skate, pass, shoot, score, save and celebrate!  At the end of the season one lucky team gets to raise the cup above their heads and one lucky fan base gets to have bragging rights until October.  I don’t worry about blown calls or missed calls or rule changes.  I worry about lockout’s and strikes!  I truly feel that is the only real concern hockey fans should have, losing the ability to watch and enjoy this game we love.  I will never forget the 04-05 lockout.  I was like a lost little puppy.  I cherish every moment I get to enjoy the game of hockey because you never know when it could be taken away…

Posted by Mac on 03/16/10 at 11:49 AM ET

I also enjoy the game in it’s raw form.  No matter who’s playing or if the refs screw up (hey, we all do it) or whether or not someone gets suspended.  I may whine for a second then I forget about it and start enjoying it all over again.

I love this game!

Posted by Matt Fry from Winnipeg on 03/16/10 at 11:52 AM ET

Don’t complain. Don’t explain.

Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!

Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 03/16/10 at 12:03 PM ET

I agree, it’s time to stop whining and start appreciating.  It wasn’t that long ago there was a lockout and no NHL hockey, so I’m enjoying the ride myself.

That’s exactly why I learned all the rules to NHL hockey and I’m knee deep in the IIHF rulebook; because I love it. And I’ve learned a few things that keep me from complaining, even when I want to: 

1) Refs will never make the right calls all the time. Players will never do the right things in every game.  Period. End of story.

2) Nobody wins all the time. Teams will fall from grace, hit scoring slumps, struggle with power plays and get caught in limos with strange women in strange towns.

3) Sticking with a team no matter what might be painful in the short term, but it can yield long term rewards. My hometown team the Portland Winterhawks are about to enter the playoffs for the first time in four years after several dismal seasons. Our best games this year have been the ones where longtime fans sold out the Rose Garden, with full scale noise-making, glass banging, unbridled enthusiasm. 

So finally, here’s some food for thought: As fans, we play a significant role in hockey’s reputation. Look at Penguins fans; they are nearly as famous as the team for their loyalty, their passion and their unwavering love for their team. By complaining, we only serve to fuel the public misperception that hockey fans have no class, no intelligence and no respect for a game we claim to love.  By the same token, we can change that misguided opinion with a change in our behavior.  Thanks to an Olympic boost, hockey is back, with a capital B.  Enjoy the ride.

Posted by Samantha from Portland, Oregon on 03/16/10 at 03:52 PM ET

Reading a post about whining hockey fans on this blog is a joke.  Look at nearly any post on Ovechkin, or Crosby on this blog and then go to the comments and enjoy the whinefest.

Posted by old on 03/17/10 at 01:16 AM ET