12/22/24
August 25, 2005
Will the NHL succeed?: The NHL stopped its lock out a couple of months ago. Dany Heatley, a player involved in a car accident with a teammate that was killed, was traded to Ottawa for Martin Hossa. With characters like Dany Heatley and Todd Bertuzzi, will the NHL be able to succeed?
posted by redsoxthrowdown to hockey at 01:35 PM - 19 comments
The NBA succeeds despite having a former star who shot-gunned his driver in the chest. The NFL succeeds despite players dying in training camp or at a freakishly young age. I don't see how the NHL is any worse off.
posted by garfield at 01:47 PM on August 25, 2005
With characters like Ray Lewis how does the NFL succeed? With characters like Ron Artest how does the NBA succeed? Just fine I reckon. Though, truly, the link provided only points out the Heatly trade which is actively being discussed starting two days ago. on preview: d'oh (again)
posted by gspm at 01:48 PM on August 25, 2005
It should be noted that Heatley has been forgiven by the kid's family, and has grieved with them ever since the accident. You forgot about Bob Probert & Mike Danton in your list, and I'm sure there are other NHL troublemakers too. (Derek Sanderson? That's going way back, but I'm drawing a blank.) But to answer your question: yes. For the reasons already stated.
posted by chicobangs at 02:23 PM on August 25, 2005
To directly answer your question, I think hockey will be fine.
posted by garfield at 02:24 PM on August 25, 2005
I don't understand what the Heatley article had to do with the survival of hockey at all. If anything, it has to do with Heatley's mental and emotional well-being, and didn't seem to be about the overall health of the league at all. Dammit, I will not be misled by a link! I simply won't have it, I tell you!
posted by The_Black_Hand at 02:46 PM on August 25, 2005
Regarding Heatley, I opinion round the campfire here in Altanta is that his grief is one of the main reasons he requested a trade. I mean, he never had to really come to terms with it here, no matter what the fans here felt (and they were generally supportive). I can easily see where he'd just want to move on and continue with his life elsewhere.
posted by trox at 02:57 PM on August 25, 2005
As a fan of the 'Canes, I'm happy as hell that Heatley is not with Atlanta anymore. I know they have to play Ottawa still, and that Hossa is no slouch, it's just that I think Heatley is much more dangerous. I'd like to know how Waddell got two players for Heatley while Rutherford only got a conditional draft pick for O'Neill. Don't get me wrong, I'm not comparing Jeff O'Neill to the much brighter star that Heatley is, but jeez Rutherford, get bent over much?
posted by NoMich at 03:37 PM on August 25, 2005
no the NHL will not succeed because the only reason most people watch the NHL to start with is because of the fights. I would rather watch nascar, tennis and goolf before i watch a game of NHL. To me NHL stands for not hip leauge.
posted by marcusexpress@yahoo.com at 08:08 PM on August 25, 2005
Hi, marcusexpress@yahoo.com. Welcome to Sportsfilter. There are actual hockey fans here. Show some respect for their favorite sport, and they'll make the extra effort to respect yours. That way, everybody wins. I look forward to your constructive opinions in the next nascar or goolf thread.
posted by chicobangs at 08:24 PM on August 25, 2005
Is he talking about disc goolf or ball goolf? 'Cause I'm not standing for any ball goolf talk around these here parts. Dadgummit.
posted by NoMich at 10:14 PM on August 25, 2005
To me NHL stands for no hecklers, looser. The extra o stands for Ooooooh.
posted by mkn at 10:39 PM on August 25, 2005
Wham! George Michael is gay. Do not respond, please.
posted by Samsonov14 at 11:31 PM on August 25, 2005
Aw shit, the kids from down the street are on the lawn again.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:42 PM on August 25, 2005
I am still looking for a good potato sald recipe
posted by daddisamm at 01:28 AM on August 26, 2005
daddisamm, it took me a long time to grow to like you, but I'm definitely there.
posted by chicobangs at 01:58 AM on August 26, 2005
Thanks--oops I spelled salad wrong.
posted by daddisamm at 09:17 AM on August 26, 2005
doesn't anyone think the NHL was in trouble before the lockout? No one sees the ridiculously zelous expansion into the american south (where ice is...um... hard to find) overconfident, brazen and fiscally irresponsible? I hope they can survive. i fear what canada would do without.
posted by markovitch at 10:35 AM on August 26, 2005
NHL will succeed because of the rule changes. The game will speed up and the scorers will once again take over the game that has been dominated by the goons over the last decade. The days of Wayne Gretzky, you had prolific scoring and people loved it. It will happen again. And the NHL has a new star in Sydney Crosby..
posted by bluekarma at 10:10 AM on August 30, 2005
The NFL and NBA are doing well, and they have way more "characters" than the NHL, so I don't understand this line of questioning nor what it has to do with the above link...