Kukla's Korner Hockey
Next entry: Report- Brad May To The Leafs
Previous entry: Your Western Conference Reserves
No To Helmets In The NHL
by Paul on 01/07/09 at 12:09 PM ET
Comments (9)
from Steve Rosenbloom of Rosen Blog at the Chicago Tribune,
I wish the NHL could do away with helmets, and guys such as Burish are the reason.
Here comes a rant, but I think the helmets kill the additional color and public appeal the game is missing. Get rid of them. Ban them. Suspend guys who want to wear them.
This has nothing to do with manly man stuff. This has everything to do with the game’s appeal, which comes down to the players’ appeal....
‘m telling you, helmets have been killing the NHL for years. Yeah, I know, the league mandated helmets in the name of safety, but only after parents and youth coaches messed up, and here’s how:
Parents started putting all kinds of armor on their kids, head to toe, especially head—helmet, cage, mouthpiece, everything except Capt. America’s shield. Kids thought they were bulletproof, invulnerable, untouchable, and they were.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Hockey Equipment | KK Hockey | Permalink
Comments
While we’re at it, get rid of curved stick blades, goalie masks, and replace the Plexiglass with chain-link fence. Oh yeah, and let’s go to black-and-white TV coverage, too.
Posted by Forechecker from Nolensville, TN on 01/07/09 at 12:39 PM ET
This article is asinine. Not surprised it comes from the Chicago media who are still in that period where they’re remembering what exactly hockey is again.
Posted by Nathan from Jonny Ericsson's ice cream truck on 01/07/09 at 01:16 PM ET
Go back to covering the Cubbies and Bears, Rosendork. Maybe the Bears should do away with helments, too, because I sure as heck can’t tell who’s who there...and I can neither see the baseball or football enough, you know…
Even better, how about you take up an offer from some of us to take part in a game where you don’t wear a helmet, and we do? Who’s up for a little tutorial on head injuries by example?
Oh, wait, too late…
Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 01/07/09 at 01:22 PM ET
What a moron. Really, there’s not much more to say in response to him than that.
Posted by Alan from Atlanta on 01/07/09 at 01:50 PM ET
So, risk catastrophic head injuries because he thinks a guy has cute hair?
Oooookay ....
I think he’s taken a few blows to the head himself.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/07/09 at 05:33 PM ET
I love it when a spots “expert” says something that flies in the face of common sense and then pats himself on the back. I oughta make a drinking game out of it.
Posted by Mojo Tooth on 01/07/09 at 11:35 PM ET
“sports” rather than “spots”. I love it when a typing “expert” does something really stupid and then hits “submit” instead of “preview.” I oughta make a drinking game…
Posted by Mojo Tooth on 01/07/09 at 11:35 PM ET
You know what league has a horrible time marketing itself and drawing fan interest and TV contracts? The NFL.
Oh, wait…
Posted by PRC. on 01/07/09 at 11:40 PM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Most Recent Blog Posts
Leafs Can Improve During Free Agency Period
Early Options For NHL Teams Traveling To Europe Next season
Niklas Kronwall Out After Knee On Knee Hit By Laraque
Brian Mullen’s Heart Still With The Rangers
Dealing With A Make-Shift Lineup
Sutter Trying To Find The Fire In The Flames
Cory Stillman Out With Knee Injury
About KK Hockey
Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.
From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.
Email Paul anytime at
Kukla’s Korner is always a free service for readers, but it costs some money to maintain. If you’re ever in a position to donate a few dollars to help out, we’d be very appreciative.
Hockey Links
hey Steve, put your skates on and stand in front of the net. I’ll be at the blueline firing some shots your way and ask if you still don’t want the NHL to use helmets.
I get the argument, but he’s missing how much faster the game has become (including puck speeds), and how erratically it can move sometimes thanks to speedy defenseman deflecting shots in all sorts of different directions.
He also misses, or doesn’t sufficiently pay attention to, the way that fans can and do identify their players despite the armor; e.g. skating stride. You pay closer attention to the details when the larger, easier, cues are missing.
Posted by Osrt on 01/07/09 at 12:30 PM ET