Originally Posted by kwings00

You could always start a new tradition in Montreal. Throw a dead horse on the ice. After all, you are beating a dead horse...."The dream is alive! 24 and counting!"

Rim shot please!

Originally Posted by Gary Bettman

When you swing the octopus around...octopus 'gunk' gets on the ice and occasionally has gotten on the players, the goaltenders, as it goes by. Occasionally, when it freezes on the ice, it creates a potentially hazardous situation for the players. It's not about interfering with a tradition; it's about making sure nobody gets it in their eyes, like a goaltender nearby, or that nobody blows out a knee getting caught on some frozen gunk.

Originally Posted by AMP85

ahahahaa!!! I'll give you that rim shot! hilarious!

I don't mind that the octopus is thrown on the ice and I don't care that it's swung around before being taken off the ice...just as long as none of that "gunk" gets into our dear NHL commissioner, Gary Buttman's eyes.

did I say Buttman...I meant Bettman...my bad...

Originally Posted by Snapcat

Wow, I never knew too much about the octipus, look them up on Wikipedia it's a pretty interesting read. Seems like a waste to toss them on the ice being as unique as they are. They are a great playoff mascot though. Males sometimes only live 6 months and die shortly after mating.

Less is more in this case I think. Seeing 8+ flying onto the ice during one game takes the originallity out of it.

Originally Posted by careyprice31

I kind of have a problem with this tradition, catching animals just to throw them on the ice at Joe.

Why dont Detroit fans throw fake octopus like the Florida Panthers threw fake, not real, rats?

anyone else have a problem with this?

Originally Posted by RedWingNut378

Its a tradition, you don't change it.