Classic Posts: Edwards Sounds Off On Goalies

Goaltending in the league could almost be perceived as embarrassing pending you were an NHL fan from the 80s who was locked up for 25 years and did not get to the see the transition. Realistically, the rule changes have opened up a massive increase in the number of goals per game, and apparently ‘keep the fans on the edge of their seats.’ It seems as though there are a couple of things I need to cover here.

First off, the goalies have not gotten worse, so should they really get pulled after the traditional four to five goals? They will most certainly have the confidence stricken from their bodies after a few goals, but anymore, most of those goals are not their fault. I have personally noticed an increase in the number of games where the goalies have stayed in and finished a game that saw them get scored on seven or eight times.

So again I ask, when should you pull your goalie in the new NHL? The answer seems to be varied by every coach in the league, and it would not surprise me if this did not vary for quite a few years to come, and each team develops an understanding for the new style of play.

Next off, I want to know exactly how a game that has over ten goals scored combined really keeps the fans on their seats. Last night, I turned the Ottawa game on during the second period to find them winning 4-0. Sure, it was exciting to see, and it felt pretty good to know they had a commanding lead, but the rest of the game was really unimpressive hockey. Not only did they sit back, they allowed Tampa Bay to score four basically meaningless goals to finish the game 8-4 in favour of my Senators.

So this ‘new’ form of entertainment… Does that get structured around each goal, or are fans actually expected to sit by and watch their team light the lamp one night, and get lit up the next, all the while being extremely interested? Frankly, I think the quality of play has been seriously called into jeopardy with the new style. I find myself wandering to other games even before my personal matinee has concluded, and that does not say much considering how much I prefer the Senators to other teams. Would you really want to watch your team play as though it was a scrimmage?

Those are the two issues that have really been ‘grinding my gears.’ I would love to see some of the older style of play come back and take over, with teams going into overtime knotted at one apiece. Until then, teams are going to continue to play close, and not so close games until the fans lose interest. Bettman is doing a rather efficient job of making the enjoyment of the NHL be open to both fans and not fans, but he is taking away some of the tradition and grit matches that made this league so much better than other sports.