Tuesday 15 March 2011
Friday 11 March 2011
Hits to the Head (Max Pacioretty Injury)
There has been a tremendous amount of discussion recently regarding hits to the head in the NHL. This has been fueled by a media which is all too pleased to show clips over and over again of a player being injured.
Injuries in hockey are not a new concept. They have always been there and will continue to be there. Hockey is a full contact sport. Just like football, rugby or lacrosse. Is their a higher proportion of injuries in the NHL as compared to the NHL. I don't really know but I would suggest that they are most likely similar with the NFL possibly even higher. Its not very often I watch a football game and don't see a player leave the field at some point due to being injured.
The injury Max Pacioretty of the Montreal Canadiens suffered the offer night was quite severe. Yes I feel for the young guy. But there is an implied consent given by every player that steps on the ice. The reality of possible injury is present and ever player knows this. This is why you will not often see cases of injuries on the ice prosecuted by criminal courts. The player who caused the injury has to do something really extraordinary for it to qualify as a criminal offence. The act must be something not generally acceptable within the game. The hit Chara put on Pacioretty hardly qualifies. The fact that the Montreal Police are investigating this issue to me is insane. It is an attempt to placate the Montreal public. The outcry has been so large that the police feel they need to do something for fear of more riots like in years passed. One thing we know for sure is that French Canadians are passionate about their hockey.
Should the league crack down on hits to the head? Yes. I don't think there is anyone that would disagree with that statement. Should hitting be taken out of the game? Should fighting be taken out of the game? No, I don't believe so. Then it is not the same game. There are many things that can be done which will not drastically affect the game that we all so much love. New developments in equipment. Pads, helmets etc, are being design which will hopefully better protect players. Rule changes. Stiffer penalties for gross misconduct. Abolishment of the touch icing rule. A specific penalty for hitting players from behind. More education among players. Most professional hockey players are not out there to deliberately injure someone. They are reasonable people just like everyone else. Give them some training on how to check safely. When to and when not to check someone.
These ideas are not rocket science, but, for whatever reason the NHL has failed to implement any of these strategies. Yes the injure to Pacioretty was gruesome and I wish him all the best in his recovery. Was it committed with intended malice? I don't think so. Lets let the players play hockey and leave the courts out of it.
Saturday 5 March 2011
Leafs vs Hawks. Too little too late.
Saturday night the Leafs took on the eight place Chicago Blackhawks. 4 points out of a playoff berth themselves, each game has become a do or die situation for the Leafs.
The Blackhawks jumped out to an early 3-0 in the first period due to some lack lustre play by the leafs in particular the tender James Reimer. Allowing two more goals in the second Reimer would not start the third period. J.S. Giguere was summoned from the bench to close out the game.
In the third period the Leafs started to shine. If only the Leafs had played the entire game like they did in the third, this one would have been a true delight. Unfortunately, even with a multitude of chances in the final frame, the Leafs would go down this night by a final of 5-2.
There are some things I would like to note regarding the Leafs performance. In particular, the goal tending. I have had enough time to thoroughly evaluate James Reimer and his worthiness as an NHL starting goaltender. I have come to the conclusion that he may not be entirely ready for the spot he has been thrown into. Yes his play has been decent and yes he does seem to have the maturity and poise to be a valid starter. However, I have some concerns regarding his glove hand and his ability to sustain the constant pressure which the media and Leaf nation pour down on any main role Leaf player. Does Reimer have what it takes to bring the Leafs into the post season? We will have to wait and see.
Secondly I have a concern regarding J.S. Giguere and the Leafs coaching/managing group. It is well known that Giggy is nursing an injured groin yet he remains the back up tender sitting on the bench. Knowing what I know from high school physiology, a injured groin like Don Cherry stated, is going to take a long time to warm up. Any physical activity while cold will increase the chances of further injury. This add the fact that Giggy is an aged goalie in his thirties says to me that a back up role may not be the best fight. If you notice whenever he is put in to replace Reimer it is always following a period intermission. Is this because he requires extra time to warm up? If this is the case I would argue that a back-up role which requires constant readiness is not the most responsible role to be put in. Yes I know he makes 6 million a year and the Leafs are not likely to have him next year but why not bring up another youngster like Ben Scrivens who is at the beginning of his career and can use the NHL exposure?
Food for thought.
The Blackhawks jumped out to an early 3-0 in the first period due to some lack lustre play by the leafs in particular the tender James Reimer. Allowing two more goals in the second Reimer would not start the third period. J.S. Giguere was summoned from the bench to close out the game.
In the third period the Leafs started to shine. If only the Leafs had played the entire game like they did in the third, this one would have been a true delight. Unfortunately, even with a multitude of chances in the final frame, the Leafs would go down this night by a final of 5-2.
There are some things I would like to note regarding the Leafs performance. In particular, the goal tending. I have had enough time to thoroughly evaluate James Reimer and his worthiness as an NHL starting goaltender. I have come to the conclusion that he may not be entirely ready for the spot he has been thrown into. Yes his play has been decent and yes he does seem to have the maturity and poise to be a valid starter. However, I have some concerns regarding his glove hand and his ability to sustain the constant pressure which the media and Leaf nation pour down on any main role Leaf player. Does Reimer have what it takes to bring the Leafs into the post season? We will have to wait and see.
Secondly I have a concern regarding J.S. Giguere and the Leafs coaching/managing group. It is well known that Giggy is nursing an injured groin yet he remains the back up tender sitting on the bench. Knowing what I know from high school physiology, a injured groin like Don Cherry stated, is going to take a long time to warm up. Any physical activity while cold will increase the chances of further injury. This add the fact that Giggy is an aged goalie in his thirties says to me that a back up role may not be the best fight. If you notice whenever he is put in to replace Reimer it is always following a period intermission. Is this because he requires extra time to warm up? If this is the case I would argue that a back-up role which requires constant readiness is not the most responsible role to be put in. Yes I know he makes 6 million a year and the Leafs are not likely to have him next year but why not bring up another youngster like Ben Scrivens who is at the beginning of his career and can use the NHL exposure?
Food for thought.
Thursday 3 March 2011
Leafs Squeek Out Win Against Pens
Wednesdays night game against Pittsburgh was truly an enigmatic one. The Pens ravaged by injury have some how managed to keep their playoff hopes afloat. Missing the likes of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Brooks Orpik for example would be enough to sink most teams, but this has not been the case. On Wednesday Pittsburgh and half the Wilkes/Scranton AHL affiliate rolled into the ACC for what was hyped to be some good hockey.
The Buds fell down by one early in the first but rallied back on a goal by Nikolai Kuleiman to finish the period tied at one. Kulemin notched his career high 23 of the season. This makes him the second highest scoring Russian born plaayer in the NHL this year. The highest scoring, Alexander Ovechkin with 25 so far.
The end of the first period saw the Leafs best hockey of the night. They looked like a real playoff contender. It was exciting and joy full to see such a young vibrant team working their butts off to get the job done. This enthusiasm however did not return for the remainder of the game. The second and third periods were full of defensive scrambles and giveaways. At one point I wasn't sure if the Leafs would ever get the puck out of their own end.
Although they floundered for the last two periods the Leafs somehow managed to pull off a tie and the game went into overtime. The overtime would not need to go into a shootout as Mikhail Grabovski scored his first in 7 games to give the Leafs two much needed points in the standings.
The Buds fell down by one early in the first but rallied back on a goal by Nikolai Kuleiman to finish the period tied at one. Kulemin notched his career high 23 of the season. This makes him the second highest scoring Russian born plaayer in the NHL this year. The highest scoring, Alexander Ovechkin with 25 so far.
The end of the first period saw the Leafs best hockey of the night. They looked like a real playoff contender. It was exciting and joy full to see such a young vibrant team working their butts off to get the job done. This enthusiasm however did not return for the remainder of the game. The second and third periods were full of defensive scrambles and giveaways. At one point I wasn't sure if the Leafs would ever get the puck out of their own end.
Although they floundered for the last two periods the Leafs somehow managed to pull off a tie and the game went into overtime. The overtime would not need to go into a shootout as Mikhail Grabovski scored his first in 7 games to give the Leafs two much needed points in the standings.
Tuesday 1 March 2011
NHL Trade Deadline
Having made all his big moves already Toronto Maple Leafs G.M. Brian Burke was almost inactive on the NHL Trade Deadline day. One trade was made however. John Mitchell was traded to the New York Rangers for a 2012 7th Round Draft Pick.
Mitchell has played his entire career with the Leafs organization having spent most of it in the minor leagues. Drafted in the 5th round of the 2003 draft, Mitchell became a career minor leaguer. He did have some bright moments with the Leafs during a few call ups, but ultimately failed to realize any real potential. Possibly a trade to a new team will be good for the still young player. As for the Leafs, receiving a 7th round pick sounds about right. It would have been nice to see some gain for Mitchell but at this point I think Burke is lucky to get what he can. This is a backroom trade with very little media play and even less affect on the organization. In 159 games with the Leafs Mitchell had 20 goals and 35 assists.
The real story for the Leafs on the deadline day was the trades that didn't get done. Rumors that Clarke MacArthur who is currently in the midst of contract negotiations was likely to be dealt. Other names including Mark Komisarek were also floating around. Although Komisarek's massive contract and lack lustre performance as a Leaf likely drove his price down. MacArthur however is having a career high year with the Leafs. He has 19 goals and 29 assists so far this year with the Leafs.
Another interesting story involves the Florida Panthers Stephen Weiss. Weiss was rumoured to be one of the more valuable assets up for grabs during the run up to trade deadline day. Weiss however has a No Trade Clause and is being quoted as saying he would only lift it for a spot in Toronto. For whatever reason, most likely salary size, Weiss never ended up being traded.
Some of the more notable trades on the deadline day were:
Dustin Penner to Los Angeles for a prospect plus a 1st rd and a 2nd pick
Jason Arnott acquired by Washington for David Steckel and a 2nd rd pick
Mitchell has played his entire career with the Leafs organization having spent most of it in the minor leagues. Drafted in the 5th round of the 2003 draft, Mitchell became a career minor leaguer. He did have some bright moments with the Leafs during a few call ups, but ultimately failed to realize any real potential. Possibly a trade to a new team will be good for the still young player. As for the Leafs, receiving a 7th round pick sounds about right. It would have been nice to see some gain for Mitchell but at this point I think Burke is lucky to get what he can. This is a backroom trade with very little media play and even less affect on the organization. In 159 games with the Leafs Mitchell had 20 goals and 35 assists.
The real story for the Leafs on the deadline day was the trades that didn't get done. Rumors that Clarke MacArthur who is currently in the midst of contract negotiations was likely to be dealt. Other names including Mark Komisarek were also floating around. Although Komisarek's massive contract and lack lustre performance as a Leaf likely drove his price down. MacArthur however is having a career high year with the Leafs. He has 19 goals and 29 assists so far this year with the Leafs.
Another interesting story involves the Florida Panthers Stephen Weiss. Weiss was rumoured to be one of the more valuable assets up for grabs during the run up to trade deadline day. Weiss however has a No Trade Clause and is being quoted as saying he would only lift it for a spot in Toronto. For whatever reason, most likely salary size, Weiss never ended up being traded.
Some of the more notable trades on the deadline day were:
Dustin Penner to Los Angeles for a prospect plus a 1st rd and a 2nd pick
Jason Arnott acquired by Washington for David Steckel and a 2nd rd pick
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