[Æn7ropy]

Ok so it's not ground breaking and won't save the sport in the south but I'd like to see it none the less.

So the first time I thought about it is in 2 parts. First is during a habs game, I think it was against the leafs but I can't remember right. It was last year, and kovalev just having lost his helmet was streaking down the enemy's zone and when he crossed the blue line I felt weird, I had a guy lafleur flash back and I liked it. I started missing all those old videos I kept watching while younger where players had no helmet and the players seemed bigger then life instead of the armored automatons we have today (at least it's not football armor). Then I shrugged it off knowing there's no way helmet less hockey would come back aside from Canadian outdoors rink play.

Part 2; so after the game I'm enjoying me whiskey while watching the Mighty Ducks (yeah yeah I know but I was drunk, kinda like sleeping with an old friend only to regret it yet secretly relish it) then at the end when he's awarded the penalty shot the kid has his helmet off. Then it hit me! (now you're seeing where I'm going with this).

Conclusion; Why not allow the players the option to take off their helmets during the shootout. It's a small detail but for hockey cards, promotional\marketing commercials and so on they could use real in-game footage and it would rekindle an aspect that's been missing in the game ever since Mactavish retired.

Ok so the cons? I'm sure someone will claim the potential of an injury but really how much integrity does that argument have? We all play without helmets (or equipment at all) from time to time between friends. At times even though we play no contact we still let rip a quick one or push someone off the puck and seriously how frail must someone be?

I'm just saying it would be a nice addition and eye candy for the fans to get to see their favorite players streaking down the ice against the opposing netminder with HD cameras catching their every moves (except in Chicago of course).

It's not much but it's enough, there shouldn't even be a "debate" and "meetings" and all the crap that tags along with it. It's not changing any dimension of the games (such as the bigger nets crap), it's simply a neat-o idea that would show the fans that the league cares at least a little bit.


Opinions?

[panoo]

Why on earth would Bettman even consider doing such a thing?

I mean the fans would probably enjoy it too much, so that in itself would make him throw out the idea in a minute!!!!

It does sound like a nice idea for the fans though, at least for those who hate the dreaded shoot-out, and never thought that it should have been brought in to begin with.

[Canuck]

Its a nice little idea. But I dont think Bettman would allow it because the is that risk of potential injury. We have seen a few guys in the shootout loose an egde and fall back pretty hard.

[Briere48]

Does the goalie get included in having the option of taking his off?

[Bless_D_Mess]

Most players wouldn't take their helmets off during a shootout simply because they are so used to playing with them on that it would be a distraction.

I grew up playing & watching the NHL (mostly) without helmets. The worst thing about watching the NHL when helmets started to become more popular was that it was much harder to recognize players. But players are so much bigger now and elbow and shoulder pads are so much harder that playing without a helmet just isn't possible anymore.

[Æn7ropy]

Originally Posted by Bless_D_Mess

Most players wouldn't take their helmets off during a shootout simply because they are so used to playing with them on that it would be a distraction.

I grew up playing & watching the NHL (mostly) without helmets. The worst thing about watching the NHL when helmets started to become more popular was that it was much harder to recognize players. But players are so much bigger now and elbow and shoulder pads are so much harder that playing without a helmet just isn't possible anymore.

Oh please I have serious doubts that no helmets would be a distraction, I often play without my helmet when it's some no contact no hard shot game and I have to see I see no difference what so ever. I'm sure a lot of players would take them off. It's a small detail that wouldn't effect the game's outcome.

And I never said they should play without helmets.

We have seen a few guys in the shootout loose an egde and fall back pretty hard.

You mean back 30 years guys didn't lose an edge? Hell they even had to contend with opposing players crashing on them.




Bottom line is it couldn't happen because of the lower percentage, the few who will be against it often will end up having the biggest voice and coverage, god forbid a commissioner would put on his pants and do what teh majority wants.

Even here on an internet forums we get the "Yes but" and the "it might do this IF it might do this"