Nick Kypreos is obviously a reader

Article

I understand that Nick Kypreos is a pretty passionate guy, but I don't think I'm whining.  Or am I?  It doesn't matter, I'm just proud of Nick that he could write an article - if you believe that he did it by himself.  I think he had help, he sure ain't (yes - i wrote "ain't") no Chris Shultz.

It's pretty obvious that Nick had somebody read some of these blog posts to him.  He doesn't come across as being somebody who would read a, um... anything. 

Here's a quick rebuttal to Nick, that he'll probably have that same person read to him:

The problems started with expansion.  The NHL started to expand in 1991, and continued to add teams over the next decade or so - Columbus joined the NHL in 2000 as the last expansion team of the era.  Prior to expansion, the NHL was ruled by speed, scoring and saves.  The NHL changed during the expansion years to allow the new teams to compete with the established teams.  Would an owner who just paid 50 or 80 million dollars want to have their new toy get broken 82 times every year?  Would they want to have their new hockey team lose every game by lopsided scores?  They dreaded becoming the 2009-2010 Toronto Maple Leafs.  So what was the answer?

Create conditions during gameplay that gave less talented teams the ability to keep the score close.  Sensible, except it makes for boring hockey.  What can we look at as evidence?
* Don't call so many penalties for obstruction.
* Game Management by referees.  See upcoming blog.
* Lou Lamouriello Lamerilo Lamorillo.  Damn! New Jersey Devils.
* Gary Bettman's repeated explanation that he believes exciting hockey is dictated by the score of the game.  He would smugly cite the close score of the game, instead of talking about the exciting plays or great flow.  That's because there were no exciting plays or great flow to games.  We're actually still waiting for that to return.

Nick, you apparently subscribe to the old adage "If something ain't (!) broke, don't fix it". It is 'broke'.  You just can't read the signs.

Goalies are Special

The Position of Goalie is a special position in hockey.  Goalies have special privileges, they have special rules, they have special equipment.  Even other hockey players will tell you that goalies are a special breed.  The position of goalie IS a special position and should be treated as such.  Here are just some examples of how Goalies are special:

Some Examples of how Goalies are Special

1. The position of Goalie is to ensure that goals are NOT scored.  All other hockey players are trying to score.  Goalies are the only players on the ice who think "scoring sucks".
   
2. They are allowed to stop the play of the game by 'covering' the puck.
3. They get to wear equipment that is specifically designed to protect them while they play the role of Killjoys.  
4. They have a really big stick.
   
5. They have their special 'blue ice'.
6. Opposing players are not allowed to interfere with Goalies at any location on the ice.  Its like "Roughing the Kicker", but with more equipment.

Here's the problem - Goalies can also kill forechecks.  That isn't their job.  Their job is to ruin the opposing team's party by stopping the puck from entering the net behind them.  Forechecking, as explained in previous posts is DESIRABLE.  By using their trapper on their stick to handle and pass the puck, they can essentially act as another defenseman - which gives the defending team an advantage of the attacking team.  Not exciting.  The first time I saw this was with Billy Smith in the '80s.  This is not a 'part of hockey'.  This is a modification made by players that was not curtailed at the beginning and now precedence has been set.

Now what?
OK, the cat is out of the bag.  What changes can we make?  It's simple - If a player on the ice uses their equipment for anything other than it was originally designed for, that player is assessed a two minute "Unsportsmanlike Conduct" penalty.

As soon as a goalie uses their trapper (aka CATCHING GLOVE) on their stick (which is designed for stopping pucks, not shooting them) they are assessed a two minute penalty.  Goalies can still stop pucks behind the net to aid their defensemen, or scoop pucks with one hand but this would put the end to the forecheck-killing goalie.  Goalies have the right to safe, reliable equipment and protection from interference, but they do not have the right to play as other players play.