GDT: HFBoards GDT | 5/5/21 |9 games today

[Ovie's Neighbor]

If you go back to the start of this inane argument, it was me saying this was Bettman's nightmare.

I didn't think it was a controversial statement. I am not a Bettman fan. But he has pretty clearly worked to take nights like tonight out of the game and try to make it a more family viewing experience.

I don't have evidence that it wouldn't grow if there were more nights like this, but there is evidence that the current commissioner has worked to reduce this kind of thing, and that the game has massively grown. I know that correlations does not equal causation, but that was not even my initial point.

Bettman is likely not happy because a lot of the public relations work he's been doing over the years to make hockey more family friendly will get undone when shows that don't usually cover hockey show the line brawl and make jokes about hockey. That's all I was saying.

I completely agree with this. I don’t think he is happy at all and I’m honestly surprised all the players in the line brawl didn’t get tossed from the game. I would have expected Bettman to instruct the refs to do that.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

This is fair.

It's also possible that the NHL intervened or strongly hinted they'd like the game to settle down, which is best accomplished by Wilson no longer playing.

I strongly believe this is very likely.

 

[TRASHCAT]

i just hope hes okay

#prayfortom

me too

 

[Random schmoe]

The Caps have a significant cap issue right now with injured players. They can't afford to call anyone up to replace regulars for a game or 3.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

I completely agree with this. I don’t think he is happy at all and I’m honestly surprised all the players in the line brawl didn’t get tossed from the game. I would have expected I Bettman to instruct the refs to do that.

In all honesty, thank you for responding in a civil manner so I could get my hackles down and get back to my initial point.

That's all I was trying to say. I didn't think it was controversial.

I'm a little surprised that Bettman or someone from the league wasn't in attendance.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

I don’t recall it ever getting this much attention before Tom Wilson did it.

I don't recall it happening enough times for there to be much to compare it to. And when it does, a lot of guys can get the benefit of the doubt. Wilson has used his up.

 

[patrick kitchin]

On one hand, it's smart for the Caps to take Wilson out of the game (they have the playoffs coming up

Yeah they are gonna need him to injure some key players in the playoffs. Especially now that we know there will be no consequences.

 

[The Assclown]

Seriously impressed with Ottawa. This team is going to do damage as soon as next year if they can keep that intensity and momentum going.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Seriously impressed with Ottawa. This team is going to do damage as soon as next year if they can keep that intensity and momentum going.

Ottawa is very close to being a respectful team.

 

[Chips]

If you go back to the start of this inane argument, it was me saying this was Bettman's nightmare.

I didn't think it was a controversial statement. I am not a Bettman fan. But he has pretty clearly worked to take nights like tonight out of the game and try to make it a more family viewing experience.

I don't have evidence that it wouldn't grow if there were more nights like this, but there is evidence that the current commissioner has worked to reduce this kind of thing, and that the game has massively grown. I know that correlations does not equal causation, but that was not even my initial point.

Bettman is likely not happy because a lot of the public relations work he's been doing over the years to make hockey more family friendly will get undone when shows that don't usually cover hockey show the line brawl and make jokes about hockey. That's all I was saying.

This is correct. More chance people will watch sports loyally that they played, more chance kids will play a sport they were introduced to, more chance parents will take their kids to a game that isn’t frequently a violent shit show lol (similar to expanding to new random cities, they’re banking on new generations of grown kids expanding it long term. The hype we saw when Matthews was drafted)


He’s definitely wanted to make the game more family friendly. It’s similar to why they’ve mandated refs step in early in most series when rough stuff starts between whistles, they try to tame it because they don’t like the optics of Bruins-Canucks shenanigans

 

[The Assclown]

Ottawa is very close to being a respectful team.

I think they already are a respectful team. They certainly have the talent to be.

 

[c9777666]

Seriously impressed with Ottawa. This team is going to do damage as soon as next year if they can keep that intensity and momentum going.

and next year they won't have to play EDM 9 times

 

[troyerlaw]

I think it depends on Ovi's situation.

I would be surprised if 8 plays any of the remaining games. Groin injury takes time. They shouldnt have let him play last game. Dumb

 

[The Assclown]

and next year they won't have to play EDM 9 times

I could see them doing very well against the Bruins, Leafs, Habs, and Sabres. Enough to be top three in the division? Probably not but perhaps playing for the final two playoff spots.

 

[c9777666]

The Caps have a significant cap issue right now with injured players. They can't afford to call anyone up to replace regulars for a game or 3.

Similar thing happened with the 09 Flames late in the season

 

[The Grim Reaper]

I think they already are a respectful team. They certainly have the talent to be.

Sorry, by respectful I meant close to being a playoff contender. It's hard to gauge how they would have done this year if they got to play outside of the North. I think they're going to be really good.

 

[patrick kitchin]

It's also possible that the NHL intervened or strongly hinted they'd like the game to settle down, which is best accomplished by Wilson no longer playing.

Then why didn't b they suspend him when they should have?

 

[The Assclown]

Sorry, by respectful I meant close to being a playoff contender. It's hard to gauge how they would have done this year if they got to play outside of the North. I think they're going to be really good.

Ahhh, understood. Completely agree.

 

[lottster14]

How chippy was the 2nd compared to the 1st, people? Missed it.

 

[c9777666]

the rangers finally scored

 

[Shesty31]

he showed up, won a fight, what more do you want?

Him not to be a dirty POS?

 

[WingsMJN2965]

Shifting goalposts. Well played.

Outside of this season due to teams playing each other over and over, current rivalries are a pale comparison to the 80s and 90s. Games with line brawls like tonight are rarer and rarer events. Yet revenue has something like quadrupled (at least) during that same time.

But your argument is apparently that if there were more games like tonight it would grow even more? And that Bettman is excited about a game like tonight?

Get that shifting goalposts crap out of here. You claimed that the growth of the game was tied to removing brawls and claimed you had evidence, and then walked it back when you were challenged for your evidence.

You have jack squat for evidence that league growth has any correlation to removing brawls, and yet claimed that you did.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

I would be surprised if 8 plays any of the remaining games. Groin injury takes time. They shouldnt have let him play last game. Dumb

As a Pens fan, and I'm not going to try to dig up my post from the Pens GDT, but I was f***ing bewildered why the Caps brought back Ovi before the playoffs. There was zero need. Seeding doesn't mean shit if you don't have your generational player. Sure, maybe he would have been rusty sitting longer, but that's doubtful, and if it were true, it would take like one game for him to find his wheels again. I would have been pissed as a Caps fan. He made it like what, a period, if that in that game? Not good.

 

[sansabri]

Sens got away with the most obvious penalty

 

[WingsMJN2965]

Sens got away with the most obvious penalty

Don't you complain about the Sens winning. Detroit needs that win!