Torts Hates The New NHL And Called It A Big Hug Fest

The NHL is changing, there is no question about that. You may think it is for the better, you may think it is for worse, but there is absolutely no denying the NHL is a much different game than it was 20 years ago. If you believe that it is for worse, Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach John Tortorella is right there with you. Tortorella sounded off Thursday before the Bluejackets tilt against the Blues.

I love old time hockey and I think Torts makes a lot of good points. There is no hate in the league anymore. The league is giant hug fest. I mean, not to the NBA standards, but still, there isn’t anything like Marty Brodeur and Sean Avery anymore. But I also think the NHL is more fun than ever to watch right now. The game is so fast and skilled and every team has a star. So be pals after the game. Get a beer after the game and talk about things. Not on the ice. On the ice there needs to be some hate. And there definitely still is, I just think the NHL could use a little more.

I remember when I was real young I use to think college hockey was better than the pros because of how fast it was. I was also a stupid kid, but that is a story for a different day. I use to go to Bruins games and it seemed like they were all so slow and weren’t trying and would just get over the red and dump it in. But then there was a highlight goal or a big fight and I’d instantly forget. But the game is in a better place now, than it was 20 years ago and I’m pretty certain on that.

Every game, every night, you’ll see multiple stars play along with tons of good highlights. Maybe these guys are so nice to each other because half of these guys play together at the program or in international play before they get to the NHL, that is why they are all buddy-buddy.

There needs to be more hate in the game though. I’m not sure how they can be accomplished when the league takes everything into their own hands and players don’t have to answer for their actions like the old days. I think if the old NHL and the new NHL could find a happy medium of hate and skill, I think we’d see the numbers grow a ton and we’d see a ton of happy hockey fans.

Torts knows allllllll about the hate. Guy is a psycho.