Last of the Brave or Extremely stupid...is the NHL to blame?

[Mr. TBS]

Quick when you hear the name Andy Brown and Craig MacTavish what do you think of?

Last of the Brave or extremely stupid?


For those of you who don't know these players, please see below:


Andy Brown


Craig MacTavish


You have probably guessed by now that they were the last players in the NHL to wear a face mask and a helmet.


Now, quick, who are Jacques Plante and George Owen?



Jacques Plante


Yep first players to wear a mask and a helmet.

Rumor has it that when Plante was in Montreal...he kept his mask hidden for a time before he wore it because he knew of the "weakness" stigma and frowned upon practice of wearing a mask.


So, which side do you look at as the hero and which side the clown?
Do you look at these guys that were grandfathered in as really "the dying breed" or just an old man who didn't want to let go?


Improving equipment for safety purposes (while keeping it aerodynamic and light) is a constantly evolving thing.

There was an uncharacteristic number of skate accidents to players and referees this year.
Hank Tallinder had a neck guard sowed into his jersey this year after Zednik's accident and a number of other players are following suit.

...but the league isn't making anything mandatory about neck guards - they are looking at these accidents as "isolated incidents"

Shouldn't they be at least trend setting or proactive when injuries due to improper equipment protection happen? I mean, if it happened once, logically you can assume it will probably happen again.

Instead, the league is actually thinking about cutting down on goalie pads - not for safety reasons...but to get more goals in the net. Which...don't you think safety studies should be performed first to assess risk before talk is even put on the table?

I'm not sure who I blame more - the players or the league that is supposed to be ensuring their safety.

[Patrick!]

That was a neck guard for Hank?

I just thought it was an under armour ripoff turtleneck.

[slowpokemcgee]

It's better to be safe, and a pussy than it is to have balls, but be dead. Zednik could have easily died. I think precautions should be taken.

[Thumper]

That was a neck guard for Hank?

I just thought it was an under armour ripoff turtleneck.

Yes, it's supposedly made of Kevlar. So it's pretty thin, and would save the skin from getting sliced. The only issue is that it doesn't allow your skin to breath. But it's probably just a small piece covering from his collar bones to the top of the turtle neck.

[The Common Man]

If Zednik was wearing the neck guard Hanks wears I don't know if it would have helped...hanks doesn't go up high enough to realy prevent much.

Aside from having a neck guard that covers up to your jaw bone I don't really see how these types of accidents can ever be 100% avoided.

IMO Hanks neck guard isn't really protecting much.

[Sabres244]

Players are bigger and stronger now than they were back in the day. Playing it safe is the way to go.

Remember Miller vs Nashville? He'd be dead.

[Thumper]

If Zednik was wearing the neck guard Hanks wears I don't know if it would have helped...hanks doesn't go up high enough to realy prevent much.

Aside from having a neck guard that covers up to your jaw bone I don't really see how these types of accidents can ever be 100% avoided.

IMO Hanks neck guard isn't really protecting much.

While that neck guard doesn't go up as high as Zednik's scar does, it still could have protected a good two inches down of where he was sliced. Would it have prevented it completely? No. But it definitely would have given Zednik's neck some damage control.

[RileyMason]

The Sabres had one of those.

[RileyMason]

Players are bigger and stronger now than they were back in the day. Playing it safe is the way to go.

Remember Miller vs Nashville? He'd be dead.

If Miller were playing back in the day he would have ducked. i heard him say once that sometimes a goalie has no choice but to make a save with his face. If he was wearing Gary Bromley's mask, he might still be in the hospital

[Smashingt]

Better safe than sorry. I'm still surprised that they're havent been as many fatal or horrible bad accidents in the nhl, its arguably the most dangerous sport.