Official 10-11 NHL Eastern Conference Regular Season Thread

[philou21]

You don't seem to understand why sponsers want to left. It's not just because that hit ( Cahra on Pax ) They are like us, Thornton, Sedin etc....they are all tired of this. The NHL is dangerous for players now and the sponsors don't want to be associated with this and that's normal. For Bettman it's nothing for sure, he doesn't care because he think he owns the world, he is getting more and more arrogant. I really hope everything will fall apart for him. If the players continu to stand up, with maybe some other owners, the sponsors could just be another allied for them so I do care when a sponsor is saying this. Now there's 2 of them, maybe more to follow who knows?

[DJP19]

Just adding Bettman signed a 5 year extension for 7 mil a year. He does nothing and gets paid like a king.

[dave1927p]

philou, what do you mean the game is dangerous "now". Like it wasn't 5-20 years ago? If anything, it's safer now then it was! Line Brawls, dirty stick plays etc etc were a regular thing.

Here is an interesting fact: The ohl banned all headshots and concussions have NOT declined. Oh well, i'm sure you're thinking "that's because they don't have respect for each other"....i assure you that hasn't changed. But what do you propose they do in the NHL? Bettman says most concussions are caused from incidental colisions. The NHL are one of many conducting several studys and putting alot of money researching trying to help the number of concussions and injuries go down.

you do realize that this is a fast game...a physical game. People are going to get hurt. That's not only the nature of this game but all games. It happens. That's why they get the big bucks too. Isn't it intereesting football is going through the exact same issues...

And to be honest I've always hated bettman, but i gotta admit, the way he has handled all this #$@@- because that's what it is for the most part, %$$@- is not bad. Not bad at all. Everyone saying "change this" "change that" without really thinking about how to do it, or not having real idea at all is really making me sick.

Oh, and here's betting VIA Rail and Air Canada won't pull there sponsors. That little extra publicity will be nice for them as well...
And i think it's safe to say michael ignatieff will be getting a majority of Quebecs votes. It seems to me that most people have their hidden intentions for the things they say. Maybe for some people it's just they need to get people going and viewers to tune in (michael landsberg)


I thought this was an excellent read:
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/3 ... ockey.html
I'm really a fan of Rory, unfortunately he doesn't write a whole lot.

Far from the NHL turning me off the game, it’s this kind of tunnel-vision whining and proclaiming from all corners that sometimes makes me tired of being a hockey fan.

That's what i find myself saying alot these days...

[dave1927p]

sorry broken link the first time.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/3 ... ockey.html

Even in womens hockey there are alot of concussions too. And as we know there is body checking.

I do find it funny though how the canadian major junior leagues made it illegal to make any contact to the head so the number of concussions would go down...and it hasn't. And as Rory Boylen menioned, how the NHL gets rid of all obstruction and now they want to add alittle back because they now say "maybe the game is TOO fast". Interesting. isn't it?

There. That's all i'm going to say about this. People just keep going on and on about this rubbish...but i'm done.

[bruins72]

I was watching TSN and a fan with a bruins cap even said it was a dirty hit, but your right bruins fans are staying silent even though they were also upset over the savers hit a while ago. I personally don't like Montreal so that make me a bit biased

Honestly, most Bruins fans here in the Boston area haven't been silent. Most expected Chara to get a few games because the hit was late but they didn't think it was a "dirty" hit. Some (not all) think Paccioretty also should have been aware of where he was going. It's a common spot that guys get caught when they're trying to get around the defense. There have been numerous examples of other players on other teams (including Montreal) making this same hit. It was just unfortunate that Paccioretty got hurt so badly this time. It's something where 99 times out of a hundred, nobody gets hurt. This time somebody from Montreal got hurt and their fans are turning it into a witch hunt. This is totally different from the blind side headshots that they've been trying to do away with.

[philou21]

philou, what do you mean the game is dangerous "now". Like it wasn't 5-20 years ago? If anything, it's safer now then it was! Line Brawls, dirty stick plays etc etc were a regular thing.

Oh yeah really? I'm done talking about this you just don't understand my point and I'm tired to write about it again and again. 20 years ago there wasn't as much career broken by concussions, yeah you're absolutely right, it's safer now.

[batdad]

1. 20 years ago noone really knew what a concussion was. Well they did, but it was called being "greyed out" I cannot count the number of guys I know played with a headache or a little dizziness after a big hit or incidental contact. The injury was there, it was just not treated as seriously, nor was it ever called a concussion. At least very rarely. It was only 20 years ago it started being talked about.

2. If there is indeed a rise in concussions, which I believe there is not--just a rise in diagnosis of an injury that was just as frequent but not as serious-there are several things to blame.

a. bigger and faster
b. coach tactics
c. players not being as aware of what doing because have soooo much better and more equipment. Think are armoured cars.

This last point is the one I want to speak about. Mommy and daddy of kids want their kids wearing body armour to protect them from getting hurt. Good..I like that and agree. So little minor hockey players should wear as much protection as they can. But...there comes a point where the kid is not a kid, and the kid is choosing to play hockey at an elite level. This is the time where you stop allowing kids to wear the KEVLAR, and you have them wearing lighter weight, smaller, less (no) hard plastic caps on shoulders, elbows etc. JUNIOR and COLLEGE. So Junior A, College, and Major Junior players...do not wear the gear.

Now..this is simple to deal with. In the WHL, OHL and QMJHL they have a rule about cages vs visors. Kids who are NOT full time on the team, and are still playing Minor hockey...and come to camp or play during the season wear their full cage during the Junior Game they play. Same for the other two Major JUnior leagues and I am sure the other Junior A Tier two leagues.

Put the same rule in for shoulder and elbow pads and when you wear them. Once full time Junior B, Junior A, Major Junior or college player you have to stop wearing that gear.

Now...kids still get the concussion problems...so maybe you have to say if you play Elite Rep hockey you cannot have that gear. But then...kids in house still have that problem, but mom and dad won't let them play without full hard and best protection there is.

It is a tough situation but the rules need to be changed on the gear.

Also there needs to be a higher punishment rate for bad hits.

Concussions are caused accidentally as well...but the ones that are not need to be dealt with severely.

[Loosie]

I thought the cage related to age, but I guess that also is in relation to playing time. I though 16 and younger had to wear cages.

As for the hit on Pacorietty. Don Cherry had a good segment on it. And even showed several clips of similar hits. I agree with him that maybe a reformat of that section of the glass is needed. Hey, maybe his slanted turnbuckle idea has merit.

And for the comment of not being as dangerous 5-20 years ago...20 years ago helmets were still optional.

[philou21]

For one time I can agree with Cherry is that. Is idea wasn't that bad for me.

Though I need to say that back 20 years ago players were fighting instead of trying to take out the opponent by ripping his head off when the wanted to "explain" themself. I think the new instigator rule is for something in all this.

[dave1927p]

philou, what do you mean the game is dangerous "now". Like it wasn't 5-20 years ago? If anything, it's safer now then it was! Line Brawls, dirty stick plays etc etc were a regular thing.

Oh yeah really? I'm done talking about this you just don't understand my point and I'm tired to write about it again and again. 20 years ago there wasn't as much career broken by concussions, yeah you're absolutely right, it's safer now.

The reason it may be more dangerous now is simple. The game has opened up. No longer can a defenceman block the forward going into the corner to slow down for his d-partner. Now that forward goes untouched and just levels that defenceman in the corner. If it's too dangerous it's not because a lack of respect. It's the rules that has changed the way the game is played. People said this would happen. Some hockey people (noteably Keith primeau) said the new rules were too drastic. That speeding up an already quick game is great in the neutral zone but can be very dangerous is opened up to much in other zones. But people wouldn't listen. NOW there are more hits to the head because these guys are going faster then they once did.

Perhaps it's a warning...for every rule that is proposed that sounds great (like banning all hits to the head) there are ALWAYS going to be negatives as well. Sometimes the negatives are far worse...

So is the game more dangerous now? I guess, yes. You're right. But it's got nothing to do with the lack of respect for their opponents and more to do with the rules of the game.

[dave1927p]

The instigator rule sounded great at first. It would help get rid of some fighting they thought and it would stop fighting after "clean" hits. Well, it's done alot more then that. Now one can argue guys are running around throwing big hits (some head shots) and hiding behind this rule. Say what you will....one thing is quite clear: you and i share very different opinions...as do the rest of the hockey world. The one thing i think we can agree on is .......the leafs will make the playoffs and are better then MTL . No, i'm not biased and my views are skewed. GO LEAFS.

[philou21]

Maybe we share different opinions but still we probably want the same thing, a more "clean" sport or at least more severe sanctions. I'm not saying this just because of all that thing around Chara-Pax ( I just can't hear about that anymore they're still talking of that here in Quebec ) I'm thinking this for years.

No comment about the Laffs. I think they woke up to late.


On a side note did someone have saw that Gabriel Dumont of the Hamilton Bulldogs as been suspended 10 games for a hit from behind? That's want I'm talking about, the AHL doesn't mess with that. The NHL should take notes on them.....

[dave1927p]

Games isn't everything. It's the money. a 2-4 game suspension can be 80,000 depending on the contract. That's ALOT! Before longer suspensions happen the NHLPA will do something about that...they have to.

hmm, A more cleaner sport? I suppose butttt...and i don't mean to be even more confrontational (or maybe i do )....but i'd say a cleaner NHL moreso then a cleaner sport. This sport is fine at most levels - of course it can improve but overall is getting safer and safer which is great. Pretty sure lower levels have banned all hits to head..that i do agree with - Especially in junior and minor hockey.

But, I still think all these "new" rules have caused this and knowing bettman he's to big of a man to add back some obstruction like i mentioned above. Heck, even in b-ball you can do that! Too much focus on getting more goals to get more american viewers has caused this in my mind....AND now i hate bettman again

[philou21]

Games isn't everything. It's the money. a 2-4 game suspension can be 80,000 depending on the contract. That's ALOT! Before longer suspensions happen the NHLPA will do something about that...they have to.

That's what we need to see. when players will start losing alot of money they will think about it.

....but i'd say a cleaner NHL moreso then a cleaner sport.

I like this sentence. You nailed it for me. I clearly thinking the same thing. The NHL is corrupted from the "upside". When I say I want a "safer" sports it's more about suspensions then the hits. Hits will always be a part of the sports but if they don't give suspension when some bad hits happen then more will happen for sure.

But, I still think all these "new" rules have caused this and knowing bettman he's to big of a man to add back some obstruction like i mentioned above. Too much focus on getting more goals to get more american viewers has caused this in my mind....

Some people are even starting to wonder if he want the NHL to be a little more violent to attrack more Americans. It's stupid to say but violence can paid off. I know it's not the same but why Nascar is so popular in the States? For spectacular accident.

[dave1927p]

Games isn't everything. It's the money. a 2-4 game suspension can be 80,000 depending on the contract. That's ALOT! Before longer suspensions happen the NHLPA will do something about that...they have to.

That's what we need to see. when players will start losing alot of money they will think about it.

my point is they already do! And yet a majority of people don't seem to understand that part of it. So they say in a rage, "why did he only get 3 games for that!?" when again, it's not so much the games that the player cares about but the money he loses which is substantial. Football players how alot more then nhlers and yet when they get fined they complain like crazy...and it's on average is a fraction of what the NHL fines/suspends.

Some people are even starting to wonder if he want the NHL to be a little more violent to attrack more Americans. It's stupid to say but violence can paid off. I know it's not the same but why Nascar is so popular in the States? For spectacular accident.

I think everyone deep south would disagree with you on that one...although that seems to be correct according to the simpsons!

The Americans, and everyone else love rivalries. Hatred. Intensity. Skill. Toughness. Boston and Montreal have that. That is what they market. It's one of the only true rivalries that comes to mind. Not because of the line brawls, although they do add to it , but you can tell they fight in front of the net for position (if the refs allow it and don't call weak penalites) and they all HAVE to win against each other. A rivalry my leafs and sens once had but seems long lost. Oh, how i miss those days...

I hate how the NHL is trying to make a rivalry between Crosby and Ovechkin. Sure they want to beat each other but that's a b-ball rivalry, not hockey. A true rivalry in hockey is between teams not players. That's how the NHL is trying to market the league to americans....

[dave1927p]

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/3 ... y-hit.html

investigating for criminal charges for a collision because of a concussion? This is getting ridiculous! (although that can't be the entire story. There has to be more to it...)

[philou21]

LOL If it's just an accident it's OK. If someday a police case will happen it really need to look like the player want to kill the other guy for personnal reasons, other than that .

I miss too the old rivalries like Avs/Wings, Tor/Ott and even Mtl/Philly is less intense IMO. Pitt/Philly and MTL/Boston are good ones for now. I always thought the fact that there's too many teams in the NHL reduce the rivalries.

[dave1927p]

this is an UGLY. I can see charges happening here if there is a major injury and it would be shocking if there wasn't.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmGguT7TREc

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=358288

[philou21]

Ouch that was really a stupid one. Deserves to got a police case? Maybe yes, just like Cormier's hit last year. I think they said 40 games suspension? Great!

[dave1927p]

i'd suspend the guy from the league....i guess it depends how old he is though.

[Loosie]

If I read the article right the team the idiot played was eliminated so it'll be the first 40 games of next year. and it is also a junior league. So depending on his age, and length of a season, he very well might be suspended from the league.

[McQwak]

If I read the article right the team the idiot played was eliminated so it'll be the first 40 games of next year. and it is also a junior league. So depending on his age, and length of a season, he very well might be suspended from the league.

Unless he will play in different league due to his age next season.

[philou21]

That happenned with the crazy hit in the OHL last year. The guy was young and when he got suspended by the OHL he played in inferior junior league. I think this suck bad. At least they should suspend for every junior league so you're sure he can't play anywhere.

[philou21]

I got good news from Max Pacioretty. He will start training again in two weeks, with no contact obviously. They said that in maybe 4-6 weeks he'll be able to receive hits and he can even return for the playoffs is the Habs goes past the first round but I don't think it will be a good idea though. If he really have a severe concussion he should take a break until the next season.

[Manimal]

That happenned with the crazy hit in the OHL last year. The guy was young and when he got suspended by the OHL he played in inferior junior league. I think this suck bad. At least they should suspend for every junior league so you're sure he can't play anywhere.

No, the guy with the long suspension in the OHL, Mike Liambas, turned pro