NHL Reverses Course On Symbolic Tape Ban, Shows League's Embarrassing Lack Of Spine

The NHL has announced that it is reversing course on its ban on players' use of Pride tape, in the latest of the league's habit of gutlessly trying to please everyone.

The league revealed over the summer that it had done away with Pride Night jerseys after they became a major distraction last season, and a ban on rainbow tape made news right before the season.

This was part of a ban on supporting any causes on the ice, but, of course, the focus was on the Pride tape, because... well, it always had to be the center of everyone's attention all the time.

Personally, I thought the ban was a little unnecessary since the tape was only really used on Pride Nights once a year. Furthermore, it seemed to me that allowing players the choice not to celebrate something meant allowing those who wanted to take part to do so.

That said, I thought an across-the-board ban on that kind of thing was a perfect idea in that it was the league saying, "Look, we're going to stick to hockey."

Perfect. Wonderful. Now let us never speak of this again, and let's enjoy some hockey...

Nope. Enter Travis Dermott of the Arizona Coyotes.

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Travis Dermott was not fined by the NHL after breaking its ban on symbolic gestures. (Photo by Zac BonDurant/Getty Images)

NHL Dropped Ban After Refusing To Fine Arizona's Travis Dermott

A few days back, Dermott became the first player to skirt this ban.

Fair enough, if he wants to pay the fine, that's his problem.

Only several days after Dermott threw a little rainbow tape on his stick in what is ultimately a harmless gesture, there was no fine.

That was rather conspicuous, and sure enough, just days later the NHL announced that it was doing away with the ban.

"After consultation with the NHL Players' Association and the NHL Plaver Inclusion Coalition, Players will now have the option to voluntarily represent social causes with their stick tape throughout the season," the league wrote in a statement.

The NHL really should be embarrassed. They got bullied into submission in a display of spinelessness rarely seen outside of mollusks.

They made a rule, progressives got mad, and the league panicked.

It would've been less embarrassing to get pantsed at center ice.

This Opens The Door To Other Symbolic Gestures, Perhaps Some That Progressives May Not Like As Much As They Like Pride Tape

Progressives harped on the Pride Tape aspect of this while conveniently leaving out a key point. That the ban was on symbolic tape full-stop.

An outright ban would've allowed everyone to just focus on hockey, but nope, progressives couldn't stomach the thought of not seeing their causes du jour acknowledged on ice, because God forbid, sports stay a respite from the insanity of Left-wing propaganda.

Well, there you have it folks. You got the Pride tape you wanted so badly. Enjoy it. But we better not hear a peep if a player hits the ice with a tape job you don't like

What's interesting is that this edict opens the doors to other uses of symbolic tape. So how will progressives react if a player hits the ice with a thin blue line tape job to support law enforcement? What about some camo tape to support the military?

If this is the way the NHL wants it, so be it. I don't think it is, but again, they're not willing to stand up to people.

So, I hope we see a tape job supporting law enforcement. Maybe some supporting Israel, supporting veterans, and — something that would certainly make the wokesters squirm — the United States.

The NHL could've killed the entire tape discussion had they just stuck to their guns. Instead, potentially opened Pandora's box, and that will make the issue even more irritating than it already is.

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