Do you think wearing helmets should be an option in the NHL?
824230
I play hockey, coach hockey, and dream hockey. I could never imagine a player in todays age not wearing a helmet. I coach bantams (13-14 years old). Just yesterday I watch one of my players go head first into the board full speed. He was going for a loose puck when he got pushed the wrong way. He picked his head up just in time to see the boards. I have never seen this kind of damage to a helemt ever. The plastic boke in about 5 or 6 different places. Now just think of a Pro player hitting the boards with out a helemt, and now think of what hi head would look like...
123921
Why should society pay for health care for someone who wants to take risks? Statistics prove that helmets save lives.I think the insurance rates for someone who chooses to ride w/o a helmet should be outrageous. I personally have seen three guys die in the last 8 months, who would have probably lived, had they worn a helmet.
404788
4 on 4 for most penalties is correct. recent change is also correct, however thisisan oldrule RE-INSTATEDas well. those old gretzky oilers were so good 4 on 4 they stopped allowing it for a few decades
1076293
well wearing a helmet isn't going to prevent accidents...however it will definitely protect your head.  honestly, what was ben supposed to do when a 60 year old woman doesn't watch the road before making a turn.  but it's one of the most idiotic things to do ...not wearing a helmet.  people never think these accidents will happen to them...until they do!  bottom line is helmets help keep you alive when accidents happen whether it's your fault or not.  if i had millions of dollars and was QB of the superbowl champs, i'd go and buy a ferrari.  i have the greatest job right now and there's no way in hell i'm going to put myself in jeopardy riding a motorcycle.  \n\nonly way to prevent accidents....don't ride a motorcycle!  if ben is lucky enough to play again, i hope he realizes this.
1069942
There should be no law for or against helmets. Helmets only protect a person in a accident of 15-20 miles per hour. Any faster and the helmet could do far more damage. (Small pieces of plastic in the brains is not helpful).
440866
Only if the league introduces a salery cap like the NFL and the NHL
754327
Illegal, no\n\ndangerous, yes\n\nIt only takes one unfortunate blow to the head to cause a lifetime of terrible suffering. Always wear your helmet.
387576
I think that the dress code is a little out of control. However, I do understand why it was implemented. I mean these dudes make millions of dollars a year, and they show up to a game in a white t-shirt and some jeans.... I think that the sanctions included in the dress code are a bit too strict. I don't feel like the players should have to dress up in a suit and tie. A casual but professional look would have been just fine.
41038
The more equipment you put on a player, the less a player can move. The problem is no one thought that some of these players would end up being dump truck size monsters who could hit a stop sign and bend it forward. The players are just way to big to invent something to protect them better. The legs are quite fragile in that there isn't much protecting them. As for concussions, human heads were not meant to get that kind of contact. THe helmets have been improved to the point that hitters are now using there heads to hurt the opponent. So nothing will prevent these injuries unless you have 150 lb players playing the game.
655936
here is my opinion on it.  with hockey, the longer you play the harder and harder it is to maintain a level of excellence.  very few people can play hockey really well.  while the same is true for soccer, i think it is to a lesser degree.  i would chose soccer.
1151555
No, but they should be obligated to themselves to stay safe, or else they can't play or get paid.  \nStaying safe for the fans' sake would be very heartening, but honestly, that's not what they are thinking about when they hop on the motorcycle.\nDifferent activities should be specified in contracts, rather than prohibiting "potentially dangerous activities" and other vague terms.
433390
The answers are correct.  Craig McTavish was the last player to not wear a helmet.  There were several players who didn't wear helmets after the rule change came in and they were allowed to continue due to a grandfather clause that allowed any player who did not wear a helmet before the rule change, could continue without one.  It was discouraged though, as it was a liability issue.
1060655
I was rather fond of the old look. Maybe it's just nostalgia, but now that it's gone, I think it was pretty cool. I mean those were the colors they were when all the memories were made. HOWEVER, the more the team seperates themselves from the old Disney look, the better. The change will give the team more NHL credibility. You know, instead of being bashed for being the team named after a kid's a movie.  However, it's just not the same.\n\nI do agree with the earlier post. It DID remind me of the penguins. Is that a bad thing? I don' t know. The color scheme looks interesting, though. Instead of the scary Jason mask duckbill, now there is a webbed foot in the shape of a D. Is that a good thing? I don't know. I think the logo should have a cool symbol, like Boston, New Jersey, Detroit, or the neat looking Rangers Jersey. The word Ducks alone doesn't do it for me.\n\nAnyway, what I do appreciate is that the team listened to players and fans' input.
984643
Tough question.  I would probably not do it, since playing all sports, including hockey, is an absolute joy.  Unless it came with a salary of $10 million, then I would reconsider....
438942
i think this is a good idea if you look into the future..obviously, the leafs are (FINALLY) going through a youth movement and focusing on young player like pohl, coliacovo or steen..all these guys will play a big role in the leafs future...knowing that...it is important to have a coach who focuses on these young men....unfortunatly, Quinn was not known for this but for relying on old, veterans
1133029
You're right most of them are required not to engage in risky behaviors. But who defines what risky behavior is? And how risky can an action be if millions of adults engage in it everyday? How risky can it be to ride a motorcycle without a helmet if our leaders in the state legislature saw to repeal the law requiring them? How risky can it be if when the owners of your contract find out that you ride without a helmet, they don't tell you that your contract requires you to wear one, but instead suggest that you wear one?\n\nWhile the Steelers aren't to blame for his injuries and any way they affect his career, they share the blame if his loss affects their season. It was nearly a year ago that Kellen Winslow crashed and everyone made a stink about Roethlisberger not wearing a helmet. The Steelers could have said "This behavior violates your contract. You must wear a helmet." \n\nThat said, Ben Roethlisberger is an idiot. Common sense should tell him that riding a bike at high speeds with your head unprotected is dangerous. He should have even more incentive to protect his body since it's how he makes his money.
479207
Some leagues require it and some do not. I know I wore a visor for a while and took it off recently. I had a tinited one. It sucks when you stop fast and snow gets on it. The water spots bug me. Also Im a referee and I do not wear one so I am more used to not wearing one.