FanNation - The Republic of Sport

What exactly does Bettman have against the sport's traditions? He destroyed the Conference and Division names by changing them to geographical names, which was stupid. Now he wants to fine the Wings for sticking with a 56 year old tradition? Dumb. Leave it be, it hardly affects anything, and if you tell me its gets gunk on the ice that stops players frm being able to skate, then why has that never been brought up before? 56 years is a long time to have never noticed that. This is a waste of time, and a stupid move by the NHL.

If you want more fans, don't take away the things that make being a fan that much better. This is the kind of tradition fans are actually a part of. Its not like growing playoff beards, or not washing undershirts, or having the same routine on game days, this is something between the fans and the players, and those kinds of traditions/opportunities to really be a part of the team just aren't really out there that much nowadays. Let the fans show their support!

Bettstein is a buffoon. We all know this.

What do you expect from a guy who cut his teeth on basketball?

I am not a born and bred hockey fan. For me it was an acquired taste. No Red wings fan but LOVE the traditions. love the octopus, love the handshakes, love the playoff beards. someone throw Bettman a jar of beans to count and keep him busy.

Its a Great Tradition Bettman should just shut up and leave it alone.

Shut up, Betty! You don't get it anyway.

What, no more rally monkey, thunder sticks, tomahawk chops, or chanting, too?

Bettman is a little weasel d!c k

i'm not against doing this by any means, buy you think you'd hear something from PETA about this.

Bettman is an **** and morphing the NHL into the WWE (just without the ratings and money they have). Its all staged from the bad officiating to the Pens being in the finals.

The only thing honest about the NHL these days it the Wings belong there.

betty should go play in traffic.

steelcurtain32, i'd welcome PETA in a minute, ya ever have octopi with PETA bread?, dipped in ranch dressing, man is it good!

What's next Bettman? Stop singing the Star Spangled Banner and Oh Canada before games? Banning whiteouts?

The traditions are among many things that make hockey great, and removing those will not attract new fans, and may turn away hardcore fans as well.

I could do without the anthems. Needless.

Hey commish, you took fans away when the lockout was going on. You want more to leave or something as stupid as this?

blah blah blah more paranoid rantings from a philly fan looking for excuses

People...there was actually a reason behind not allowing "the swinging of the octopi". Apparently...when the guy that swings it around....some of the gunk on it got into an opposing players eyes. I think it was a safety issue.

Bettman should get a clue and embrace the octopus. What's more, sooner or later we're gonna figure out a way to smuggle a live shark into HP Pavilion...

this is funny i like it

Why not sell rubber/fake octopus at the Joe? No gunk in fake ones.

Everyone is being too hard on Gary here. If he has issues with something that is a cold blooded, slimy bottom-feeder, who are we to judge? He is clearly the expert on that subject. Can you cross an octopus with a weasel?