Originally Posted by PR_Glen

a couple of things are different in the euro leagues... bigger rinks and less 'north/south' collisions.

There used to be a rule in the NHL, not sure if its still there and ignored or was taken out, that one can not check an opponent unless you are skating in the same direction as them or close to it. I watched hockey all through the eighties and 90's and north/south hitting almost never happened in games.. Sure if a winger tried to go to the outside on a defenseman he would get hammered into the boards but he wouldn't come across on a full out stride like a wrecking ball either. It's not considered charging because they didn't stride directly into them but if the speed is the same what's the difference?

Everyone makes the argument that players are bigger and stronger and faster now... but is that even true? Equipment hasn't improved that much and training has gotten more technical but I wouldn't say its enough to make this much of a difference in injuries. Scott Stevens was mostly known for his career ending hits, often resulting in head injuries.. yet he went 85% of his career before that dishing out hard hits and not injuring anyone before that.. at least not that brutally anyway. Why is that? Something changed in the league that allowed this style of play and it needs to be corrected.

also fix the damn helmets.. they wear those things like fuckin ball caps.