If you don't like a thread, you have the option to stay out of it.
If a thread violates the site rules, you have the option to report it.
You do *not* have the option to derail threads.
Publicly complaining about a thread's worthiness nearly always derails a thread. While that is likely your intent, it makes a mess for the moderators, and it *is* a violation of the site rules. This includes "Cool story, bro", and similar posts.
Just because you disagree with the opinions of another poster, does not mean that said poster is trolling. Here is trolling defined:
Quote:
2) Trolling: Do not post topics with the sole purpose of starting a dispute. Note that a person disagreeing with your opinion is NOT trolling; keep it civil, even if you're sure the other person is wrong. When visiting the team forums please note that they are fan forums for that team and are here mainly for the enjoyment of that team's fans. Do not visit team forums to cheer against or demean their team, or cheer for their opponent. In other words, if you want to cheer for the Habs and criticize the Bruins, do it on the Habs board. And if someone is doing the opposite on the Bruins board, don't start flaming them to defend the honor of your team. Either ignore it respectfully disagree and move on. Wishing illness or injury on someone will almost always be regarded as trolling or offensive. We do not permit team forums to be used to demean/insult the fans of other teams. That is considered trolling. Copying posts from one HFBoard team forum to another for this purpose is considered trolling.
Also, keep this in mind: this is an open board to all 30 NHL teams and fans of the league. There WILL be differences in opinion over many subjects, and because this is a board open to all, some of the tighter restrictions on going into opposing team forums and posting (underlined in the above excerpt) are relaxed a bit.
Outright blatant trolling will never be tolerated, but differences in opinion aren't trolling and will be allowed to stand.
Comments about the Montreal police and the like are tired, worn, and have predominantly been used to troll more than anything. It is as bad as every time something happens in Vancouver someone makes a riot comment.
Please quit all of this. It's not funny, and it creates moderating headaches.
Lately an issue that has always been around on HF Boards has become more of a problem. Posters calling each other trolls for having differing opinions. Having an opinion, even one that absolutely everyone else would consider to be ridiculous, is not trolling. Furthermore, it is up to the moderators to decide if someone is a troll, not regular posters. Calling someone a troll is flaming.
Something I've noticed has been happening quite a bit lately is people creating threads in the incorrect forum. Specifically, people are creating threads in the NHL Talk forum that belong in the History of Hockey forum. Please keep in mind there are perhaps more appropriate forums for your topic before posting a new thread. If you are asking about things retired players did in their careers it does not need to be in this forum. If you are wanting to compare an active player to a retired player it is OK. Asking who the "best _____ of all time" is can be a bit trickier, but use your best judgment (ex: if you are asking for the top 10 defensemen of all time it is going to be a list mostly, or entirely, composed of retired players).
I have noticed a couple of site rules that are being violated often on this forum:
Commenting on other posters (flaming): This is against site rules. It includes namecalling, suggesting other posters are stupid, commenting on members posting styles. DO NOT comment on other posters, it has to stop.
Spamming the board: Using terms such as u mad bro, or just emoticons, or pictures in order to flame or incite other posters is also against site rules. If you are unwilling or unable to reasonably counter someones post with a well thought out counter argument, then move along.
This is not a place to bully people, it is a place to discuss the NHL and have intelligent debate. It is fine to be passionate and have heated discussions as long as site rules are not violated.
Warnings and infractions for the above 2 violations will be handed out without further warning.
Enough is enough. If you wish to voice your opinion on the Lockout discussion continuing on the Business of Hockey forum you are to follow the site rules in doing so. Private messages or emails to moderators, team leaders or administrators are the only acceptable avenue through which to provide us with this feedback.
ANY POSTER WHO COMMENTS PUBLICLY ON WHERE LOCKOUT DISCUSSION SHOULD BE WILL BE INFRACTED AND REMOVED FROM THE NHL TALK FORUM FOR NO LESS THAN 1 MONTH.
There will be no more thread warnings or slaps on the wrist. I have been more than accommodating to those who have chosen to follow the site rules. Those who continually ignore them will be dealt with using the above stated recourse.
Outlandish Analogies/Comparisons: Comparing players, those involved in the operation of the NHL or members of the media to murderous dictators (i.e. Hitler), their followers or anyone else generally thought of as evil is off-topic, outlandish and could be offensive to some. There is no need for such comparisons, nor will they be tolerated.
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