Thursday, December 07, 2006

Shut Up and Play!

1) Some may be saying that about Devils goalie Martin Brodeur. According to a story on TSN today, the future Hall of Famer put in a complaint with the NHLPA concerning the manner in which players conduct themslves during shoot outs. Evidently, during a recent game between the Wild and Black Hawks a move unnerved Marty.
2) A spin-o-rama goal by Minnesota Wild winger Pierre-Marc Bouchard against Chicago Blackhawks goalie Nikolai Khabibulin Tuesday night had everyone talking. Bouchard made a spinning move and then kicked Khabibulin's right skate before scoring on his backhand in the shootout. The goal prompted Brodeur to send an e-mail to Gartner, saying the league needs to determine if a player can make contact with a goalie during shootouts.
3)Brodeur states he was concerned the shootout will become a "circus" where some players might start carrying the puck on their sticks for a lacrosse-style shot. Many may recall Brodeur was also the one who questioned Capitals sophomore star winger Alex Ovechkin's usage of a tinted face shield. Claiming it gave the shooter an advantage, as the goalie couldn't see the shooters eyes. Additionally, Brodeur as a player-member of the competition committee he lobbied to reduce the restricted area for wandering goalies as well as limit the reduction in goalie equipment.
4)While we believe Brodeur has every right to say what he believes, from a compilation of events we feel he is beginning to take on/acquire just abit too much sway/power. We grant that he is among the most successful goalies in NHL history, but that shouldn't give him the right to push for rules changes that may be detrimental to the game
5) Who cares if a player makes a unique move like carrying the puck on his stick in a shoot out? The shoot out after all is a spectacle for the fans. Additionally this and his other gripes would seem to go against the NHL's desire; To increase scoring/excitement. If a goalie can't see a shooters eyes, so what. Get over it. You already have a mask and pads that are 5000 times larger than your predecessors from 20 years ago(even after the modest reduction). Allow large curved blades again! Don't allow goalies to EVER cover the puck!
6) We agree with Marty that goalies SHOULD be allowed to play the puck where ever they want. No more silly shapes painted behind the nets, BUT we feel goalies should be fair game to be bodied off the puck if they are outside the crease.
7) Again its fine to have an opinion, but it seems Mr. Brodeur has more than the average player, and in our opinion he's all wet in most of them! To that we say: Marty, Shut up and Play!

13 comments:

Masked Rider said...

I have always admired Brodeur's professionalism on the ice(His off ice shenanigans with sister-in laws not withstanding)
All that said, I have to agree that he seems to be using his status as one of the games best goalies a bit too much. Its one thing to have an opinion, its quite another to be sending the league letters and calling the NHLPA.
Get back in your net and stay there Marty!

faux rumors said...

1) We don't particularly like the shoot out concept, but understand its primarily for the fans. As such, moves like as the one made by Bouchard and other unique moves should be encouraged
2) We saw the move live and on tape several times. Khabibulin was hit as the puck was entering the net anyway. It was incidental contact that if occurred during play, would not even be questioned.
3) As for input from players; That's fine, but it seems Brodeur has just a bit more to say(publicly) than almost all his peers. If this were his first foray into complaining, we wouldn't have reacted, but it seems to be a developing pattern.
4) For good or bad, most of Marty's suggestions are self serving. The silly tinted visor was really beyond a silly gripe. 5) The NHL wants more scoring/excitement, not to see more shut outs. Let's allow more not less!

Ducks for CHAMPS! said...

I disagree with faux and the masked guy here. Who better to have an opinion on a hockey rule than someone who plays the game?

faux rumors said...

1) OK, Norant and Chin ho, or is it Kam-fong? LOL Anyway guys, we have no problem with a player having an opinion
2) Our issues are the fact that Marty seems to have more than his share, AND we feel he is wrong on most of them.

Joseph said...

Marty is an arrogant ass..that said, i can't really argue with his assertion that p.m. bouchard's dragged leg interfered with bulin, and potentially stopped him from making a save...the visor thing whatever...that is cosmics on ovechkin's party, if he wants to look like a pretty boy so be it. Marty has a right to say whatever he likes..if he was spouting off at the mouth and not preforming on the ice i'd be the first one to tell him to "shut up and play"...he is one of the elder statesmen in the game,his opinion matters, let him yap, somebody has to stand up for the goalies in the "New NHL", shit from what I have seen they have been getting it in the azz.

faux rumors said...

1) Hey there Joe. We understand that Brodeur is now an 'elder statesman' and all. We don't want to discount his input, just seems to us that he's 'inputting' quite a bit, and in our opinion, wrongly.
2) On another note your Habs looked pretty good last night. Shutting down an Isles team that seems unable to beat any Canadian based clubs

Joseph said...

Marty is Marty...the NHL always has its loose cannons..see Hull, J.R. et al...hockey needs its characters, the game needs people to stir the pot, and provoke discussion...if not, buttman and his buddies, would have larger nets, glowing pucks, adverts on uniforms, no fisty cuffs, and a whole bunch of other nutty non hockey related "marketing" improvements.

Yeppers my Habbies took care of the Isles for sure. The fishsticks really aren't all that good, it's not surprising that they have trouble with the canadian teams...go saku (where is the messier trophy this month???)!!!

faux rumors said...

1) Messier trophy? Hmmmm, when do the Ducks play the rangers next? Pronger will probably get the nod next, but only if it takes place in N.Y.

Jedediah Jones said...

i frankly don't rightly know who might be right here. i recon that both of you here fellas might have a point or two that i can agree with.

Antzmarching said...

With regard to that SILLY Messier Trophy (thanks for reminding us PINKO), I feel it should go to either Teemu Selanne or Chris Drury this month - the best all around players on the two best teams...

Jedidiah Jones? Sounds an awful lot like Quinn Martin Productions are throwing their hat into the FAUX ring... This blog welcomes ALL comers, real or FAUX... Have a great weekend everybody!!!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Joseph said...

c'mon guys you have 3 contributors on this blog, and you haven't had a new post in 2 days...spit out some stuff, hockey related please.

faux rumors said...

1) Hey Joseph, not sure who the 3 contributors you mentioned are. From our tally there are quite a few more than that
2) We agree that the premise for some is silly, and some of their responses inane but their input/existance can't/shouldn't be discounted