Whenever the Stanley Cup Playoffs roll around, there are certain things fans can count on. Doc Emrick invents new terms to describe hockey plays. There are copious amounts of grainy footage of bygone dynasties and teams lifting the trophy. And there's an occasional homage to the great players of the sport.
Another tradition that has really gained a foothold in the sport is the tradition of playoff beards. Clean-shaven during the season, players and fans alike grow face-fulls of hair that either look epically awesome (see Brandon Saad) or like a 16-year old trying to impress his friends (see Patrick Kane).
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On Tuesday, Ed Sherman of the Chicago Tribune reported that NBC Sports Chairman Mark Lazarus wants to change that.
“The players won’t like this, but I wish they would all stop growing beards in the postseason,” Lazarus said. “Let’s get their faces out there. Let’s talk about how young and attractive they are. What model citizens they are. (Hockey players) truly are one of a kind among professional athletes.
“I know it’s a tradition and superstition, but I think (the beards do) hurt recognition. They have a great opportunity with more endorsements. Or simply more recognition with fans saying, ‘That guy looks like the kid next door,’ which many of these guys do.”
While Lazarus undoubtedly has a firm grasp on what is marketable in sports, it seems unlikely that players or fans would go for this change. What do you think?
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h/t to Greg Wyshynski at Yahoo Sports.
