Seeing Lemieux lace up the skates and survive a NHL game was quite a sight indeed. But part of me wishes he never could have done it.

Why? Why would anyone, regardless of personal feelings towards that particular player, ever not be impressed and entertained by such an unbelievable comeback? Because they are a jerk, plain and simple. lol.

No no no...that can't be the reason.

It's that I feel the game of hockey changing. Slowly but surely bending to a league where intensity is diminishing. Where the "European" style of play is becoming more prevalent. Where players who are scared to get brushed along the boards are scoring 70+ points every season. A league where fighting and being scrappy are negatives. A league where a 43 year old guy can trot along the ice without getting obliterated.

If every team were a Calgary Flames, there is no way Lemieux survives more than one shift. If grit and determination, not referees and whistles, won games, Lemieux wouldn't have been able to keep up. If mental and physical toughness, even to a minimal degree, were irreplaceable and not 4th line attributes, Lemieux wouldn't have even been given the chance.

Now there are always freak phenomenons. And I'm for sure not saying there is no room for great hands and a more eloquent style of play (I obviously respect guys like 99 and 66 as much as the next guy). But...I just don't like what I'm seeing lately and I can guarantee in 10 years, the league will be nothing like what made it the great sport it is today.


Until next time...