My take:
I know that they do offer some level of protection, but I cannot for the life of me remember the last shot a guy took to the face that a visor would have protected against, or the last time a guy took a shot to the visor and said "thank god I was wearing this."

The last three shots to the face I can remember, Leopold this year, Laperriere last year, Vanek in 08-09, Drury in 06-07 would not have been prevented by a visor. In fact Leopold, Vanek, and maybe Drury were all wearing visors at the time.

I think you reach a point where the odds of an injury are so low that the additional protective equipment isn't of much worth. Sure you can take a better safe than sorry approach, but I'm fine with things staying as is and visors remaining optional.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

visors should remain optional. they're adults. if they're mandatory, it should be the owners saying so.

Doesn't matter to me. A cage obstructs your vision and the full poly cages get too hot. They only protect your eyes not your teeth or jaws anyways.

As pat said, they are adults and getting paid to play. Most wear them since they were forced to wear them in juniors anyways.

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Ehh, doesn't really matter, I would wear my cage even if it was optional or not, and I'm only 15, where the shots aren't nearly as fast or accurate as the NHL's

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Sophomore Bitches! Class of 2014!
R.I.P. Molly B. 5/28/96-5/23/11

I play with a full cage personally. I've contemplated playing with a visor, or without anything and it seems that I always get with something that erases that thought. The cage has saved my face on a few occasions.
As for the NHL, I don't think visor/no visor matters. As CV pointed out, the last bunch of notable shots to the face were not/ would not have been protected by a visor. I know Vanek had one when he broke his jaw and that Leopold wears one too. No visor may be slightly more risky, but it's not stupid.

Now, not wearing a cup, THAT'S stupid.
Right Sami Salo? (too soon?)

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Rest in Peace Nani. 10/3/10

Gerbacity



"Grier coming in over the line. He leaves it to Gaustad. The shot. THEY SCOOOREE!! RING UP ANOTHER ONE FOR THE GOOSE!!! HONK IF YA HEAR THE GOOSE!! 3-0 BUFFALO!"

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"I love that you know how to do that." Cheryl/Carol/Crystal

"And I love that I have an erection that doesn't involve homeless people." Kreiger

Saying that visors 'do nothing' is disingenuous. Just because you can point out some specific plays that a visor did not help doesn't mean that a visor never helps. There are high sticks in just about every NHL game that a visor stops from reaching a player's eyes.

It's still up the the player what they want to wear, and it should remain that way.

I personally play with a full cage because I pay my own dental bills. I find it to be a little warmer, but otherwise not bad at all. Was used to it after a game or so.

I personally hate the bars from the cage. But I have no dental insurance or a mouthguard so I play with one.

Had bertuzzi been wearing a visor last night he probably would not have had to leave the game after he ran right into heatleys helmet.

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I wasn't saying that they do nothing, was just saying that the odds of being injured while not wearing one are low enough that players' distaste for them can (and often does) override that fear of injury.

I agree, giving the players a choice is fine.

I play without any protection, but I do have a mouthguard. A pink one, like Jochen Hecht.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

I wear a visor in my hockey league, and you'd be surprised how many times it's saved me from being hit in the eye with a high stick.

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Wheelhouse

i dont even strap on my helmet when i play forward. i only wear it for show. if they were optional, i absolutely wouldnt wear one.

badass, this guy is.

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I wear a full cage because it's required.

When i'm just playing games at the college for fun, I don't wear anything and it feels free.

Mouthguards are mainly for concussion prevention. A cage isn't going to help you that much there. Yeah, the cage protects your teeth, but the mouthguard protects your head. Mouthguard is a good idea regardless of cage.

Personal use, I used to go either with or without visor. Really depended on the mood I was in when I was younger. Since my playing style has changed from back then and I do a LOT more shot blocking in both roller and street hockey, I'd likely flip for a full cage if I go back to playing ice this fall for safety and because of my new found (painful) habit.

As for the NHL, I'd say go with what ever they feel comfortable with. If they want to take a chance and go without any face/eye protection, totally should be up to them. As it has been brought up in this thread, they can afford the dental coverage if they take a puck in their pie hole. Doesn't really help if they take one in the eye and accidents do happen (see Manny Malhotra), but it should be up to the player, IMO.

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If it's a tight squeeze, spit on it! - NyI

He's a middling AHL player who had the good fortune of a drunk arbitrator. - The Squanto re: Tim Kennedy