Ken Dryden Tells it Like it is

[evolver115]

Legendary NHL goaltender Ken Dryden on head injuries in hockey - Grantland

His thoughts and opinions on this issue ring pretty loud and clear. I know, he wasn't a skater, only a goalie... but his words should speak louder then most.

Besides, even if you don't agree with him, he could probably kick your ass

 

[4thstreet]

I guess he's been away from the game too long and needs another 15 minutes of fame.

What exactly is he going to say,that we don't already know or have heard?

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Besides, even if you don't agree with him, he could probably kick your ass

I dont know about that ... maybe he'd stab me with a pen or something

 

[evolver115]

I guess he's been away from the game too long and needs another 15 minutes of fame.

What exactly is he going to say,that we don't already know or have heard?

I don't know, that is up for your own interpretation, I suppose. The joke I made about him kicking ass was more because of the imposing stance that was his trademark. He looks like a bad-ass, even though he had a calm and collected demeanor most of the time.

 

[4thstreet]

I dont know about that ... maybe he'd stab me with a pen or something

With his political background he could jab/talk you to death.

 

[evolver115]

I dont know about that ... maybe he'd stab me with a pen or something

You know what they say....





The pen is mightier than the hockey stick :pray2:

 

[jstewismybastardson]

With his political background he could jab/talk you to death.

well politically he wasnt a leader of men (couldnt even beat Stephane Dion) ... although he could philibuster by reading from one of his long long essays/books that he wrote and put his political opponents to sleep so hes always got that

 

[BlueandWhiteForever]

I wonder how long that convo took to record. Knowing Dryden, probably a day and a half.

 

[Eddie_Shack]

I don't necessarily agree with everything Dryden says, but I do respect his opinion. I disagree pretty heartily with his stance on fighting, but I did like this paragraph:

What is relevant here is whether fighting relates to head injuries. Is fighting dangerous or not? Once, hockey players did their own fighting. An elbow to the nose or a slash on the arm, and ***8212; big or small, good fighter or not ***8212; a player had to right his own wrong. Most players were bad fighters. On their skates, they wrestled, slipped, and flung themselves around. It was vaudeville. Now most fights are between designated fighters. Each such fighter knows what he's doing, and though usually well-matched enough to be able to protect themselves, these fighters are also skilled enough to hurt each other. And questions have now arisen: Why did postmortem studies on the brains of Reggie Fleming and Bob Probert, two brawlers of different eras, show brain damage? Why did three contemporary fighters ***8212; Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien, and Wade Belak ***8212; who were young, rich, and seemed to have everything to live for, die in recent months? We don't know the answers, but we know enough to know we need to find them.

I'm all for keeping fighting in the game, but I have no problem removing "staged" fights and goons.

Also, what the hell is he talking about here?

And in fights today, with fighters who can truly fight, what's the difference between being hit in the head by Niklas Kronwall's shoulder or Zdeno Chara's fist? This is about head injuries, not fighting's place in hockey. This is about the outrageous damage that hits to the head are doing to lives and to a sport.

Kronwall is only 5'10, his shoulder could NEVER reach anyone's head unless they were skating with their head way, WAY down!

 

[filosofy29]

Kronwall is only 5'10, his shoulder could NEVER reach anyone's head unless they were skating with their head way, WAY down!

.....or if he were to jump into his checks.....

 

[RangersReds03]

This
In such cases, a crushing hit to the head (e.g., Stevens on Lindros) is nothing less than an attempt to injure. The common explanations ***8212; "Because he deserved it" or "Because I can" ***8212; are not good enough in this age of concussions and dementia.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

This
In such cases, a crushing hit to the head (e.g., Stevens on Lindros) is nothing less than an attempt to injure. The common explanations ***8212; "Because he deserved it" or "Because I can" ***8212; are not good enough in this age of concussions and dementia.

If we had the rules we have now back then Stevens would be suspended for the entire season & the playoffs. After he hit Kariya in the finals, Paul actually came back & scored a goal. That never would have happened today because Kariya wouldn't be allowed back on the ice.

 

[Darkstone42]

That was a good read.

But he forgot to mention making players wear their helmets properly.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

That was a good read.

But he forgot to mention making players wear their helmets properly.

When is the NHL going to start using the M11? It's the helmet Messier has developed.

 

[Darkstone42]

When is the NHL going to start using the M11? It's the helmet Messier has developed.

Whenever they start using it, I hope the players wear it correctly.