Retired NHL enforcer criticizes Oilers and Canucks for diving
Photo credit: Sportsnet
A retired NHL tough guy has called out the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks for embellishment, something that's been common since the playoffs began.
Powerplays can greatly impact playoff games, as teams competing for the Stanley Cup have excellent powerplay units that can change game outcomes. Unfortunately, players are doing whatever they can to ensure the opposing team spends as much time as possible in the penalty box.
Embellishment, while present in all sports, has always been widely criticized in hockey.
During the intermission of Saturday night's game between the Oilers and the Canucks, former NHL enforcer Luke Gazdic shared his thoughts on what he calls an "embellishment epidemic":
"I think we officially have an embellishment epidemic on our hands in the National Hockey League. It's not just this series it's all across the National Hockey League."
"It's every single player honestly on both teams. As soon as anyone is getting touched here it's straight down to the ice."
"There's just flopping all over the ice. It's honestly tough to watch at this point."
"It's every single player honestly on both teams. As soon as anyone is getting touched here it's straight down to the ice."
"There's just flopping all over the ice. It's honestly tough to watch at this point."
Even though he believes this issue is league-wide, Gazdic singled out a few players he thinks often embellish: Brock Boeser, Nikita Zadorov, Connor McDavid, Conor Garland, and Zach Hyman.
While embellishing might be a strategic move, it unfortunately makes the sport less enjoyable.
Are you tired of seeing NHL players embellish to get a power play?
As seen on markerzone
Retired NHL tough guy calls out Oilers and Canucks for embellishment
Retired NHL tough guy calls out Oilers and Canucks for embellishment
| POLL | ||
MAI 19 | 246 ANSWERS Retired NHL enforcer criticizes Oilers and Canucks for diving Do you think the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers have been diving too much? | ||
| Yes | 163 | 66.3 % |
| No | 26 | 10.6 % |
| Only the Oilers | 28 | 11.4 % |
| Only the Canucks | 29 | 11.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
