NHL players should all wear visors

[Bearcats]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?id=2184036

It would cut down on tons of injuries and they look really cool too, especially Ovechkin's.

Couldn't find a good picture of his bucket with the Capitals.

[CC97]

I disagree... in fact I think they should bring back the "helmet optional" rule.

[NJTank]

You know in days before the helmets there were less injuries to the head. The problem is the players with the visors get brave and carless and thats what led to the Eye and Head injuries.

[Andy]

I think the rules now are fine. Requiring visors is stupid, but everyone should wear a helmet.

[DEAD!]

I disagree... in fact I think they should bring back the "helmet optional" rule.

even for goaltenders?

[NJTank]

Sure why not but I cant imagine any goalie not wearing one.

[jlucas4092]

Sure why not but I cant imagine any goalie not wearing one.

Belfour might.

[kingssss]

I think the rules now are fine. Requiring visors is stupid, but everyone should wear a helmet.

Agreed. Let the players make their own decision between a visor or not. I think helmets should stay a rule, but not visors.

[FiddySicks]

I wish that the NHL had an option where a player could wear a full face visor. Thatd save a ton in the dental bill

[pcgd]

I wish that the NHL had an option where a player could wear a full face visor. Thatd save a ton in the dental bill

I think the only thing stopping an NHL player from doing that is pride. Even when they injure their jaw they come out with the weird looking lower faceguard.

To me its stupid. I can't imagine getting hit in the face with a puck. I've had a baseball to the face and that was bad enough, but a frozen piece of rubber shot faster than 90mph? No thanks.

[Andy]

I think the only thing stopping an NHL player from doing that is pride. Even when they injure their jaw they come out with the weird looking lower faceguard.

To me its stupid. I can't imagine getting hit in the face with a puck. I've had a baseball to the face and that was bad enough, but a frozen piece of rubber shot faster than 90mph? No thanks.

A little bit of pride, a little bit of visibility. You have to understand it's pretty hard to get hit in the face with a puck, especially if you're good enough to play in the NHL.

[CJR]

A linesman went down from a puck to the face in the first period of Wings-Flames game today.

[DEAD!]

I wish that the NHL had an option where a player could wear a full face visor. Thatd save a ton in the dental bill

I think the only thing stopping an NHL player from doing that is pride. Even when they injure their jaw they come out with the weird looking lower faceguard.

To me its stupid. I can't imagine getting hit in the face with a puck. I've had a baseball to the face and that was bad enough, but a frozen piece of rubber shot faster than 90mph? No thanks.

I've been hit on the face with a baseball as well and that was bad enough for me as well. I don't think face guards should be mandatory, but perhaps there should be a provision that if you do not wear a visor and you get a facial injury that's bad enough, then you don't get paid for the time you are off. That's the same way I feel about the seat belt law, it should not be enforced, but you suffer the consequences if you don't wear it.

[winghaz]

I wish that the NHL had an option where a player could wear a full face visor. Thatd save a ton in the dental bill

But that would get rid of the image of a hockey player having fewer teeth than a hillbilly.

[ROCHitman]

I disagree... in fact I think they should bring back the "helmet optional" rule.

Agreed!

As a fan, I have trouble recognxzing players because they all wear helmets now.

But it's not about the fans, it's about the players and it should be their perogative.

I saw a quote from Alfredsson the other day and he thinks visors should be mandatory.

[pcgd]

I think the only thing stopping an NHL player from doing that is pride.  Even when they injure their jaw they come out with the weird looking lower faceguard. 

To me its stupid.  I can't imagine getting hit in the face with a puck.  I've had a baseball to the face and that was bad enough, but a frozen piece of rubber shot faster than 90mph?  No thanks.

A little bit of pride, a little bit of visibility. You have to understand it's pretty hard to get hit in the face with a puck, especially if you're good enough to play in the NHL.

Now when I was playing hockey it wasn't for very long and it was about 6 years ago, but I don't remember any visablity problems. I had a wire cage though, which I'm sure looked rediculous.

[Andy]

I disagree... in fact I think they should bring back the "helmet optional" rule.

Agreed!

As a fan, I have trouble recognxzing players because they all wear helmets now.

I don't dispute anyone's level of hockey fandom here, but I don't have any trouble recognizing players while they're wearing helmets.

Now when I was playing hockey it wasn't for very long and it was about 6 years ago, but I don't remember any visablity problems. I had a wire cage though, which I'm sure looked rediculous.

Same here, but I've also went to skate & shoots and not worn a helmet or worn a helmet with a clear visor, and like sex without a condom, it just feels better.

[DEAD!]

I disagree... in fact I think they should bring back the "helmet optional" rule.

Agreed!

As a fan, I have trouble recognxzing players because they all wear helmets now.

But it's not about the fans, it's about the players and it should be their perogative.

I saw a quote from Alfredsson the other day and he thinks visors should be mandatory.

It's about the players and the flow of game itself. If you have enough trouble recognising players with helmets in hockey, what about football? I realise the positions in football are more specialised than hockey, but would anyone's experience watching football improve if NFL players took off their helmet?

Now when I was playing hockey it wasn't for very long and it was about 6 years ago, but I don't remember any visablity problems. I had a wire cage though, which I'm sure looked rediculous. 

I've worn a catcher's mask and a hockey helmet with the wire cage. It feels weird at first, but after a while, you get used to it. I'm sure, for many players, wearing the visor or cage becomes second nature to them..

[BigMac12]

To those who think hockey should have a helmet optional rule, would you say the same with football?

[BBTV]

To those who think hockey should have a helmet optional rule, would you say the same with football?

Apples and oranges.