Comments on: Ex-Devil, Ranger Holik has some interesting ideas on how to curb shot-blocking

By: taytay099

taytay099 — Thu, 17 May 2012 04:20:02 +0000

I understand his point, but I don’t think shot blocking is hurting the game. A 1-0 game can be just as thrilling as a 6-5 game.

By: hockeyflow33

hockeyflow33 — Thu, 17 May 2012 02:34:37 +0000

maybe you haven’t seen many of the players in the female game…..

By: eigglesnosuperbowls

eigglesnosuperbowls — Wed, 16 May 2012 22:49:44 +0000

The communist team from jersey will be doing it next pre-season ! Their just mad they didn’t think of it !

By: hky15

hky15 — Wed, 16 May 2012 22:01:03 +0000

And who exactly cares what Holik’s opinion is?

By: chip56

chip56 — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:57:06 +0000

Not how I read it – what I see Holik saying is that if you want to teach shot blocking that’s fine, but cut back on the armor that you can wear and see how many guys actually do it. It’s an idiotic stance and if you look today everyone involved with the NHL has basically been laughing at Holik and Marty for complaining about it.

By: michiganhockey11

michiganhockey11 — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:17:28 +0000

You get rid of modern equipment, you will increase injuries. It’s a double edged sword. I completely understand your point. Today’s players are exponentially faster and stronger they they were 5,10,15, et al. years ago. Go back to equipments used 15-20 years ago and the guys will get career ending/life changing injuries just from a simple body check into the boards.

I get your point, but equipment was upgraded to match the increase of speed/strength in the game.

By: rpiotr01

rpiotr01 — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:16:43 +0000

and p.s. Rangers were #11 in scoring this year, more than NJ, PHO or LA. They’re no slouches either on the other end either, so what is anyone complaining about.

By: rpiotr01

rpiotr01 — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:13:08 +0000

The whole shot-blocking thing is over-rated. NYR happen to play some really good defense. Yes, they do a good amount of sliding and down on one knee kind of stuff, but it’s not all they do. They’ve been doing a great job of generally standing and getting sticks in shooting lanes, and knowing where the other guys on their team are in relation to themselves. That’s good defense and good team work. If one guy is out of position a big scoring chance usually results. What are they supposed to do, stand aside, let other players walk in? They don’t give an inch, I don’t don’t know what else to tell you. They’ve worked for a couple years now on getting that part of their game down pat and went through a bunch of growing pains to get there (how many years in a row did they just squeak into the playoffs?), now they’re reaping the benefits of their work.

By: chip56

chip56 — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:12:26 +0000

I had typed out a very long response to this, but in the spirit of Torts I will simply leave it as “Holik can bite me”

By: biffnasty

biffnasty — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:56:40 +0000

I’m glad that idiot isn’t playing any more.

By: esracerx46

esracerx46 — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:52:40 +0000

What Holik is trying to say is that they need to take equipment used 15-20 years ago and not allow the body armor used today. Today’s equipment causes more severe injuries than it protects (bruised shoulder then, concussion today for the recipient of the check). As a result of the new equipment we see boring hockey, because their is almost no consequences for blocking shots. Its a rarity to see long term injuries given how often shots are blocked and how hard the shots are coming

By: noisetheorem

noisetheorem — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:29:11 +0000

now if it was *womens*hockey…

By: jeffersonkostilnick

jeffersonkostilnick — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:14:04 +0000

I would totally enjoy watching that. Matter of fact, just thinking about that got me excited that I may have to dump Frank’s Red Hot on myself and have a good time in my cube. My Boss has to hate me….

By: noisetheorem

noisetheorem — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:54:27 +0000

So, by this logic, we should have the players out there just wearing skates and speedos? I don’t know if I could watch that, though I am pretty sure my wife could.