13 Mayıs 2012 Pazar
Information for nhl standings 2009 5
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Why Hockey is Less Attractive and Admired When Taking a Comparison with Other Three Big Games 7
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Fighting In Hockey
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They utilised an appartment block of wood as a puck canucks store and desires have been fashioned by two poles with the help of flags on the judgment. Individuals crowded around the ice floor to look at as there was no established seating. At the deliberate on of the game, some brawl broke out among the field hockey players canucks store and a regional skating club ticked-off about injury to the ice. canucks store and so basketball was born.
The good news is, Tonya Harding is not about in the early days in hockey canucks store and brawls with ice skaters had been not even typical. Nonetheless, struggling inside of the sport does turn out to be a typical relative incidence. In order for a staff towards compete in this atmosphere, it grew to become necessary to employ enforcers - individuals whose primary succeed was to battle together with shield the experienced competitors.
135 years in the future. The sport has developed tremendously. The wooden neighborhood has been replaced with an important vulcanized rubber puck canucks store and stays with flags happen to have been changed with most suitable hockey nets. However , as significantly simply because fighting canucks store and physical violence go, we're even now playing in the Nineteenth century. Irrespective of the truth that there exists a lot of principles (a NHL rulebook features 87 multi-part entries) canucks store and the potential to take them (every NHL sports activity is staffed as a result of four on-ice officials supported by a group of video recording replay judges), we have been struggling to eliminate fighting through the sport of dance shoes.
Simply because we carry through to cling to this older school perception in which fighting canucks store and the function of the enforcer is crucial that will preserve affordable images to a minimal not to mention defend the knowledgeable players. Sad to say, this particular belief could not a little more from the truth. The idea that it by some means isn't going to use in hockey can be absurd.
In truth, empowering fighting in baseball only serves to get an atmosphere that encourages violence canucks store and disrespect on a fellow player's actual properly becoming.
In the March 2007 state entitled "Taking fighting using hockey would be wrong" Scott Morrison, Budgeting Editor for Field hockey with Rogers Sportsnet summarized the previous school mentality faultlessly when he published the subsequent:
"How do you legislate sinks into to the head out of one's game, but nevertheless to allow punches to the mind in fights? Fuss-free. Re-declare fighting portion of the game".
Primarily what Mr. Morrison is declaring is when each time a hockey footballer threw an not legal elbow to the venture, a person would just impact him the head, he would sooner or later quit casting elbows.
This is comparable to saying that if I hit my son with respect to biting my little, he will at some point stop biting her. At present I personally know that this doesn't perform. In reality, whatever transpired is that our daughter has started away smacking canucks store and hungry my son, my son now takes it okay to help smack me for a second time canucks store and my spouse comes with advised I look at alternate indicates regarding self-discipline. Consider from who what you will.
A far more hockey-applicable instance of enforcement gone bad is the all too well known Steve Moore/Todd Bertuzzi incident. Unfortunately, that's not precisely what occurred. What occurred had been additional violence. Inside stop, Steve Moore's discipline was above, Todd Bertuzzi has been dealing with criminal expenditures canucks store and my spouse possesses advised the little league try out alternate usually means of discipline.
Following common clearing brawls (don't forget these products?) became the rage around the 70's, it only took right up until 1987 to institute Rule 72 - an automatic 15 sport suspension to any participant leaving typically the bench in the course of a problem. In the 22 years considering that the inception involving Rule 72 there's only been a solitary bench clearing brawl. Doing it took one more 5 decades for the nfl to equate immediate attacks on various other gamers with severe injury canucks store and instate the instigator penalty. So no matter what professional-fighting advocates will tell you, key points can be applied to deter, suggestions can be employed to take, canucks store and 1 day regulations will be utilised to take the away fighting from the sport of dance shoes.
Today the planet of filking endures as basically accurate to make sure you its origins: sci-fi canucks store and fantasy lovers singing together with gatherings. They are drawn in the worlds about Star Trek, Battlestar Gallactica, Alien canucks store and games for instance Dungeons canucks store and Dragons. Song topics can cover up any facet of the particular sci-fi globe: computers, homesteads concerning Mars, area battles as well as time vacation. Persons gatherings might be entirely devoted to filking these days canucks store and can contain an complete range of talent, by highly accomplished guitar players towards the newbie science fiction supporter who solely wishes to boost their very own voice.
By means of mailing lists canucks store and websites, filkers now have opened up lines involved with communications canucks store and businesses that reach to other countries plus continents. The idea together with the musical item got expanded relatively, yet not without discussion. Melodies of an anarchic or nonsensical bent dealing with familiar social phenomena have been often known as filk tunes; there has been a continuing debate amongst purists regarding regardless of whether or not Unique Al Yankovic qualifies in the form of filker. An excellent source with respect to Filk FAQs along with other online websites could be found at electricpenguin.
The good news is, Tonya Harding is not about in the early days in hockey canucks store and brawls with ice skaters had been not even typical. Nonetheless, struggling inside of the sport does turn out to be a typical relative incidence. In order for a staff towards compete in this atmosphere, it grew to become necessary to employ enforcers - individuals whose primary succeed was to battle together with shield the experienced competitors.
135 years in the future. The sport has developed tremendously. The wooden neighborhood has been replaced with an important vulcanized rubber puck canucks store and stays with flags happen to have been changed with most suitable hockey nets. However , as significantly simply because fighting canucks store and physical violence go, we're even now playing in the Nineteenth century. Irrespective of the truth that there exists a lot of principles (a NHL rulebook features 87 multi-part entries) canucks store and the potential to take them (every NHL sports activity is staffed as a result of four on-ice officials supported by a group of video recording replay judges), we have been struggling to eliminate fighting through the sport of dance shoes.
Simply because we carry through to cling to this older school perception in which fighting canucks store and the function of the enforcer is crucial that will preserve affordable images to a minimal not to mention defend the knowledgeable players. Sad to say, this particular belief could not a little more from the truth. The idea that it by some means isn't going to use in hockey can be absurd.
In truth, empowering fighting in baseball only serves to get an atmosphere that encourages violence canucks store and disrespect on a fellow player's actual properly becoming.
In the March 2007 state entitled "Taking fighting using hockey would be wrong" Scott Morrison, Budgeting Editor for Field hockey with Rogers Sportsnet summarized the previous school mentality faultlessly when he published the subsequent:
"How do you legislate sinks into to the head out of one's game, but nevertheless to allow punches to the mind in fights? Fuss-free. Re-declare fighting portion of the game".
Primarily what Mr. Morrison is declaring is when each time a hockey footballer threw an not legal elbow to the venture, a person would just impact him the head, he would sooner or later quit casting elbows.
This is comparable to saying that if I hit my son with respect to biting my little, he will at some point stop biting her. At present I personally know that this doesn't perform. In reality, whatever transpired is that our daughter has started away smacking canucks store and hungry my son, my son now takes it okay to help smack me for a second time canucks store and my spouse comes with advised I look at alternate indicates regarding self-discipline. Consider from who what you will.
A far more hockey-applicable instance of enforcement gone bad is the all too well known Steve Moore/Todd Bertuzzi incident. Unfortunately, that's not precisely what occurred. What occurred had been additional violence. Inside stop, Steve Moore's discipline was above, Todd Bertuzzi has been dealing with criminal expenditures canucks store and my spouse possesses advised the little league try out alternate usually means of discipline.
Following common clearing brawls (don't forget these products?) became the rage around the 70's, it only took right up until 1987 to institute Rule 72 - an automatic 15 sport suspension to any participant leaving typically the bench in the course of a problem. In the 22 years considering that the inception involving Rule 72 there's only been a solitary bench clearing brawl. Doing it took one more 5 decades for the nfl to equate immediate attacks on various other gamers with severe injury canucks store and instate the instigator penalty. So no matter what professional-fighting advocates will tell you, key points can be applied to deter, suggestions can be employed to take, canucks store and 1 day regulations will be utilised to take the away fighting from the sport of dance shoes.
Today the planet of filking endures as basically accurate to make sure you its origins: sci-fi canucks store and fantasy lovers singing together with gatherings. They are drawn in the worlds about Star Trek, Battlestar Gallactica, Alien canucks store and games for instance Dungeons canucks store and Dragons. Song topics can cover up any facet of the particular sci-fi globe: computers, homesteads concerning Mars, area battles as well as time vacation. Persons gatherings might be entirely devoted to filking these days canucks store and can contain an complete range of talent, by highly accomplished guitar players towards the newbie science fiction supporter who solely wishes to boost their very own voice.
By means of mailing lists canucks store and websites, filkers now have opened up lines involved with communications canucks store and businesses that reach to other countries plus continents. The idea together with the musical item got expanded relatively, yet not without discussion. Melodies of an anarchic or nonsensical bent dealing with familiar social phenomena have been often known as filk tunes; there has been a continuing debate amongst purists regarding regardless of whether or not Unique Al Yankovic qualifies in the form of filker. An excellent source with respect to Filk FAQs along with other online websites could be found at electricpenguin.
Future of music and songs Wholesale Soccer Nhl jerseys therapy
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Free Real estate agents - That's Left
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With little more than 2 months remaining until the 2009/10 NHL year gets underway, plus some big-name free agents quit unsigned, there is certainly room for change. Topping their email list of unknowns is the ever-enigmatic Rugs Sundin. Sundin spent most of keep going season deciding irrespective of whether he wanted to gain, canucks store and finally signed the pro-rated $8.6 million contract using the Vancouver Canucks, to score mainly 28 points throughout 41 games. Sundin's enjoy improved in the 2010 nfl playoffs, where he managed 8 points around 8 games, nonetheless the Canucks were nevertheless taken away. Now Sundin is ever again undecided as to whether canucks store or not he will return. Any time a team picks your ex up, Sundin could be regardless of whether huge difference maker as well as a huge distraction in the course of negotiations. This is a challenging call, but if Sundin will return, I'm estimating he'll only engage in half a time of year... not to mention he will in all likelihood need to take a pay out cut.Next out there are former Habs Alex Tanguay as well as Mathieu Schneider. Both had Well seasons with the Canadiens last season, but after obtaining many new players, neither of the 2 looks to be a part of GM Bob Gainey's active plans. Schneider is a ready offensive denfenceman who can change the dynamic regarding teams lacking at the blueline, while Tanguay, though they hasn't reached your plateau yet, provides the calibre of a 30-goal, 80-point scorer.Avid gamers that may need to take a new pay cut to acquire a deal done seem to be Keith Tkachuk, Mike Comrie, Robert Lang, Maxim Afinogenov, canucks store and Miroslav Satan. All stated in excess of $3 million past season. Few, whenever any, of them garnered it. Among the lower priced free agents outstanding are Petr Sykora, Jason Williams, plus Todd Bertuzzi. Of his Tough luck NHL seasons, Sykora has have scored 20+ goals eight occasions, canucks store and reached 30+ two times. Though aging, Sykora 's still a dependable winger who could possibly bring an immediate bounce to any team's height chart. Jason Williams invested last season with Columbus, but rumours have him either going back to they who drafted the dog, the Detroit Red Wings, canucks store or perhaps signing in the KHL. The possibility of him staying in Columbus isn't actually excluded either, nonetheless looks unlikely. Todd Bertuzzi is a story in himself. A promising scorer in his novice season, Bertuzzi struggled by way of injuries canucks store and inconsistency unless playing some of his own best hockey inside Vancouver with Brendan Morrison canucks store and also Markus Naslund. After an episode which saw Bertuzzi fool punch Colorado focus Steve Moore in the back of the head, Bertuzzi never played a further game as a Canuck. Right after playing with the Panthers, Purple Wings, Ducks, canucks store and Fires, Bertuzzi is starting to get back his form canucks store and may also be a good add-on for a team looking for grit canucks store and supplementary scoring.As far as free-agent goaltenders have concerns, one name shines in particular - Manny Fernandez. In 325 games, Fernandez has 143 gains all the perks, 15 of which ended up shutouts, a .912 save per cent, canucks store and goals in opposition to average of mainly 2.50. With Tim Thomas not to mention youngster Tuukka Rask in Celtics, Fernandez was not offered a completely new contract.
The Florida Panthers complete a somewhat frustrating 37-34 last season--85 points. These people finished fourth (beyond five teams) in the Southeast Division. If they're scams going to have a golf shot at anything this year, they need to improve. All this time this off-season, the The southwest Panthers have made a few crucial signings.Deal One: Alex Auld as well as Stephen WeissTo kick off the off-season, any Panthers gave one-year deals for you to goaltender Alex Auld canucks store and center Stephen Weiss.Package Two: Craig AndersonLast season Craig Anderson became a goaltender for the Blackhawks. In mid-July, the Florida Panthers signed the pup to a one-year deal price $650,000.Deal About three: Ed BelfourThis was the most important big deal for the Florida Panthers this off-season. They had really been wooing Belfour for some time. Belfour is 41 years old now canucks store and then the NHL's second all-time winningest goaltender. He ok'd a one-year contract with all the Panthers. With the signing involving Belfour--canucks store and the other goaltenders--Florida believers their own goaltender issue is now settled.Deal Four: The author BouwmeesterOn July 26th, the California Panthers came to terms with the help of defenseman Jay Bouwmeester. Actually, arriving at terms is a bit out. The contract was granted through an arbitrator. That arbitrator honored with Bouwmeester a two-year contract. The sale is going to make Bouwmeester, who's sole 22, $2.1 million then season canucks store and $2.25 million in the 2007-08 summer. The third overall decide on in the 2002 set up made $946,000 previous season, so this come to terms doubled his earnings.Deal Five: Henry Van RynThe Bouwmeester ordeal definitely set up this cope. The Florida Panthers just weren't interested in going through one more arbitration. As a result, many came to terms with blueliner Mike Van Ryn plus signed him intended for four years. Mike Jeep Ryn is a great defenseman canucks store and the Panthers wanted to make sure they closed him up. They was a first-round pick the government financial aid 1998.The off-season is much from over for those Florida Panthers. They determine to make some more signings prior to all is said canucks store and then done.
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Wild's Old Sharks visit old team tonight in San Jose
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The Wild have won 5 straight and to the pleasant surprise of fans like myself the Wild are one of two teams averaging two goals allowed or fewer per game (I'm suprise, but not so pleasantly, that Edmonton is the other). Against most predictions, the Wild are overachieving, yet Yeo seems to be a good job of making sure the team doesn't stay satisfied where they can improve.
Tonight's game features the teams that made two big deals with each other, evaluate how the Wild did on this.
more after the jump
Heatley for Havlat:
Heatley may never live up to his hype, but there's no question the Wild are getting more out of Heatley than they ever would've out of Havlat (in case anyone forgot how Havlat played his way into the third line last October). That is the more obvious way in which this is a win. The concerns one would have with Heatley point to his pattern of throwing GM's under the bus, and if there could be ugliness beyond what went down with Havlat last year. But when you think about it, I don't think Fletcher plans to be in a position where signing Heatley is a huge priority after is deal is up. Heatley has played well, but probably not up to a level of his $7.5M a year contract (unless you're comparing to Gabroik's 13 goals in his injury riddled final season here, then by all measures, Heatley is shattering that). But I don't expect Fletcher is going to feel a need to overpay to resign Heatley, nor do I think he's going to be too bothered if Heatley ever demands out.
Setoguchi, Coyle, First Round Pick (Phillips) for Burns:
This is going to be a tougher trade to judge. I personally miss Burns a lot, but after some rough spots, the defense seems to have done a lot. But Burns should bring a lot to San Jose's defense and that's a lot of value the Wild let go. Setoguchi has played well on both Koivu's and Bouchard's lines. Either way he's going to get more ice time than he did in San Jose. Also he shoots really hard, one of these days he's going to go Fulton Reed on some goalie. Coyle is at Boston University, with 9 points in 7 games, and Phillips so far has 31 points in 17 games for St John of the QMJHL if both players can play well when they reach the NHL, I think Fletcher may have hit a "home run" here, to borrow from Pawn Stars parlance.
Still I will forever miss Brent Burns moments like this
(I was at this game, and it occurs to me I saw Gaborik score 5 goals against the Rangers that evening. I'm sure that's the last time Gabroik does anything that annoys the Rangers).
Tonight's game features the teams that made two big deals with each other, evaluate how the Wild did on this.
more after the jump
Heatley for Havlat:
Heatley may never live up to his hype, but there's no question the Wild are getting more out of Heatley than they ever would've out of Havlat (in case anyone forgot how Havlat played his way into the third line last October). That is the more obvious way in which this is a win. The concerns one would have with Heatley point to his pattern of throwing GM's under the bus, and if there could be ugliness beyond what went down with Havlat last year. But when you think about it, I don't think Fletcher plans to be in a position where signing Heatley is a huge priority after is deal is up. Heatley has played well, but probably not up to a level of his $7.5M a year contract (unless you're comparing to Gabroik's 13 goals in his injury riddled final season here, then by all measures, Heatley is shattering that). But I don't expect Fletcher is going to feel a need to overpay to resign Heatley, nor do I think he's going to be too bothered if Heatley ever demands out.
Setoguchi, Coyle, First Round Pick (Phillips) for Burns:
This is going to be a tougher trade to judge. I personally miss Burns a lot, but after some rough spots, the defense seems to have done a lot. But Burns should bring a lot to San Jose's defense and that's a lot of value the Wild let go. Setoguchi has played well on both Koivu's and Bouchard's lines. Either way he's going to get more ice time than he did in San Jose. Also he shoots really hard, one of these days he's going to go Fulton Reed on some goalie. Coyle is at Boston University, with 9 points in 7 games, and Phillips so far has 31 points in 17 games for St John of the QMJHL if both players can play well when they reach the NHL, I think Fletcher may have hit a "home run" here, to borrow from Pawn Stars parlance.
Still I will forever miss Brent Burns moments like this
(I was at this game, and it occurs to me I saw Gaborik score 5 goals against the Rangers that evening. I'm sure that's the last time Gabroik does anything that annoys the Rangers).
One SOH opinion: The "goalie should be fair game" crowd doesn't help themselves defending Lucic
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Editor's Note: "One SOH opinion" posts solely reflect the views of the author. This is to draw a distinction from the implication that this blog reflects the general views of average Minnesota Wild fans. Still what's the fun of maintaining a blog if you can't use it as a personal soapbox once in a while. All readers are welcome to submit "One SOH opinion" posts if you want to be published here. On twitter DM your email address @SOTSOHockey if you would like more details.
A lot of talk over the weekend about the Bruins' Milan Lucic hit on Sabres' goaltender Ryan Miller on Saturday. Video in case you missed it:
Lucic was penalized for charging on this play. Lucic did have a meeting with Shanahan about this, but no suspension came of it.
I believe that is the right decision. Don't get me wrong, I whole-heartedly agree with Miller's characterization that this was "gutless" and I love that he was willing to use the phrase "piece of s**t" to describe Lucic. Furthermore, I think Lucic is lying through his teeth with his justification of "I did everything I could just to brace myself. Like [Miller] said, I have 50 pounds on him. So that's probably why he might've got the worst of it."
On the debate of whether or not goaltenders should enjoy the protected status when roaming beyond their crease, I understand both sides of the argument. It would make for a simpler rulebook, and end the advantages goaltenders have against players with less equipment if it's clear to goaltenders their privileges end at the blue paint (doing this by changing the rules on "goaltender interference"). On the other hand, because goaltenders wear an extra 20 or so pounds of equipment, they will never be able to reach speeds of their skating counterparts (which is why goalie races are hilarious), so perhaps some added protection is in order.
But there is one thing I know for sure, Lucic's hit has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with whether or not a goaltender is "fair game" beyond the crease. Lucic could make a legal body check on an opposing defenseman in this situation, and if this were an otherwise legal body check on Miller, then perhaps the goalies-should-be-fair-game advocates could use this as an example.
But this is a textbook charging call. Lucic built speed for about 100 feet, Miller was to the puck before Lucic, by a large enough margin where he should've slowed down into the impact (as he would have to in order to avoid a charging or boarding call if hitting a defenseman). Lucic didn't stop his stride until he was just a few feet from the impact. All the elements of a charging call are clearly present. The goalies-should-be-fair-game folks would do well to not to use this incident to make their case.
And yet, these folks' reaction to this hit is probably why the NHL will never do away with the protections provided by goaltender interference rules. If the league ever did that, they just open the referees to too much criticism if they ever do have to penalize a hit on a goaltender that meets the standard of a penalty for a hit on any other player. Instantly, the penalized player will go straight to the "he's fair game" defense. If referees hesitate because of this, I'm afraid there will be a de facto higher standard on severity for penalizing hits on goaltenders in comparison to hits on skating players. If you don't believe me, there are many posts out there like this that don't recognize that this would've been a penalty against any player, not just a goaltender.
So to be like David from Seinfeld and ask myself questions and then answer them:
Did the refs get this right? Yes, a charging penatly was correct.
Was this cheap? Yes it was.
Should Buffalo have retaliated? Absolutely.
Is Lucic's explanation beliveable? Not in the least.
Should there have been a suspension? Probably not. Now on the other hand if Lucic had targeted the head, I'm sure he'dve been in for a 5 game Shanaban, but that's not the case here.
What did the wheel of justice say? "Paltry Fine: Milan Lucic has been fined the paltry amount allowed in the CBA as a result of his actions on Ryan Miller. In reviewing this play, we also took into consideration that Milan Lucic plays for the Colie's son's team, the Boston Bruins.."
Out of date because Gregory Campbell is now a Florida Panther, but still funny :).
A lot of talk over the weekend about the Bruins' Milan Lucic hit on Sabres' goaltender Ryan Miller on Saturday. Video in case you missed it:
Lucic was penalized for charging on this play. Lucic did have a meeting with Shanahan about this, but no suspension came of it.
I believe that is the right decision. Don't get me wrong, I whole-heartedly agree with Miller's characterization that this was "gutless" and I love that he was willing to use the phrase "piece of s**t" to describe Lucic. Furthermore, I think Lucic is lying through his teeth with his justification of "I did everything I could just to brace myself. Like [Miller] said, I have 50 pounds on him. So that's probably why he might've got the worst of it."
On the debate of whether or not goaltenders should enjoy the protected status when roaming beyond their crease, I understand both sides of the argument. It would make for a simpler rulebook, and end the advantages goaltenders have against players with less equipment if it's clear to goaltenders their privileges end at the blue paint (doing this by changing the rules on "goaltender interference"). On the other hand, because goaltenders wear an extra 20 or so pounds of equipment, they will never be able to reach speeds of their skating counterparts (which is why goalie races are hilarious), so perhaps some added protection is in order.
But there is one thing I know for sure, Lucic's hit has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with whether or not a goaltender is "fair game" beyond the crease. Lucic could make a legal body check on an opposing defenseman in this situation, and if this were an otherwise legal body check on Miller, then perhaps the goalies-should-be-fair-game advocates could use this as an example.
But this is a textbook charging call. Lucic built speed for about 100 feet, Miller was to the puck before Lucic, by a large enough margin where he should've slowed down into the impact (as he would have to in order to avoid a charging or boarding call if hitting a defenseman). Lucic didn't stop his stride until he was just a few feet from the impact. All the elements of a charging call are clearly present. The goalies-should-be-fair-game folks would do well to not to use this incident to make their case.
And yet, these folks' reaction to this hit is probably why the NHL will never do away with the protections provided by goaltender interference rules. If the league ever did that, they just open the referees to too much criticism if they ever do have to penalize a hit on a goaltender that meets the standard of a penalty for a hit on any other player. Instantly, the penalized player will go straight to the "he's fair game" defense. If referees hesitate because of this, I'm afraid there will be a de facto higher standard on severity for penalizing hits on goaltenders in comparison to hits on skating players. If you don't believe me, there are many posts out there like this that don't recognize that this would've been a penalty against any player, not just a goaltender.
So to be like David from Seinfeld and ask myself questions and then answer them:
Did the refs get this right? Yes, a charging penatly was correct.
Was this cheap? Yes it was.
Should Buffalo have retaliated? Absolutely.
Is Lucic's explanation beliveable? Not in the least.
Should there have been a suspension? Probably not. Now on the other hand if Lucic had targeted the head, I'm sure he'dve been in for a 5 game Shanaban, but that's not the case here.
What did the wheel of justice say? "Paltry Fine: Milan Lucic has been fined the paltry amount allowed in the CBA as a result of his actions on Ryan Miller. In reviewing this play, we also took into consideration that Milan Lucic plays for the Colie's son's team, the Boston Bruins.."
Out of date because Gregory Campbell is now a Florida Panther, but still funny :).
Objections to the new four conference alignment that don't make sense.
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It is a wonderful day is the State of Hockey.
Last night, the NHL's Board of Governors approved a realignment (story from Yahoo! Sports' Puck Daddy blog) which would group the Minnesota Wild with many of the rivals from the old Norris Division days. The Wild will even be grouped with that franchise that used to call Bloomington home, along with Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Nashville, St. Louis, and Winnipeg.
(For clarity, in the rest of the article I will be prefacing conference and division names with "current" if I am referring to the current alignment that ends this season, or "new" if I am referring to the approved change starting nest season.)
I have written extensively supporting a four-division/conference alignment as it would be beneficial to most current Western Conference teams, and beneficial to Detroit, Columbus, Dallas and Minnesota in particular. The proposal that passed is rather close to the split the southeast idea I posted about a month ago. It's not exactly the same, they put Florida-Tampa, and Carolina-Washington in different divisions from where I had them. Furthermore, they left both Detroit and Columbus in the "new Central," but these are points on which I do not want to quibble. This is a great day for Minnesota hockey fans, and I suppose for everyone in the current Western Conference.
The travel in the first two rounds of the playoffs are going to be cut as well, as four teams from each new conference will advance, pure and simple. Teams will face new conference opponents in the first two rounds, and then there will be some form of re-pairing (apparently still being discussed) for the NHL's "Final Four."
All of that said, I have been participating in a lot of comment sections through the blogosphere, and I see many frustrating objections in the comments sections in which I've participated. So here's my attempt to quell some of the issues.
(more below the jump)
1) Uneven Conferences
Yes, it isn't perfectly fair, but the amount of disparity here has been blown way out of proportion. Under the new format, teams in 7 team conferences will on average get one extra playoff appearance every 14 years. It's not that big a deal.
(WARNING: I'm about to show my work, skip ahead to 1a if you don't want to read math.)
If you use this handy-dandy fraction calcuator, you can subtract 4/8 from 4/7 and you'll get the result 1/14, which represents teams having an extra 1/14 (or 57% v 50%) chance of making the playoffs. Which manifests itself as on average one extra playoff appearance every 14 years.
If you compare the playoff changes in the new format to the current format, in which teams in each conference each have an 8/15 chance:
For new conferences of 7, subtract 8/15 from 4/7 and the result is 4/105 (or one extra appearance every 26.25 years)
For new conferences of 8, subtract 4/8 from 8/15 and the result is 1/30 (or one less appearance every 30 years when compared to the status quo).
NHL network mentioned last night the governors didn't see this as an issue an these numbers must be pretty much why.
1a) We need a crossover rule!
No we don't.
To quickly define what a crossover rule would be in the NHL (and the AHL used it before they realigned before this season), the idea is that a 5th place team in a larger division should have the opportunity to substitute for a 4th place team in a smaller division in the playoffs if the 5th place team has a better record. Now to tear that idea down...
Overall, larger groupings make it less likely that one division will end up that much stronger than another anyway. If there are or one or two bad teams in a division of five (or four bad teams in the case of last years' Northwest Division) it was easier to rack up points. If there's one or two bad teams in a larger grouping, it's harder to rack up points if everyone else is decent.
Still, the schedule is going to be very conference heavy and frankly comparing teams in different conferences will be apples and oranges. Take the new Conference B for example (where Minnesota will be). Hypothetically, what if Columbus and Winnipeg continue to be terrible, and the top 5 teams sweep all of their division games against the two minnows? Would the 5th place team in Conference B be more deserving than say a 4th place team in Conference C where it appears there are 5 legit teams that will all have many playoff appearances in their near future, but might not have as high a point total because their division is going to be more competitive?
Furthermore, I believe keeping travel down for the top seed should take precedence over accommodating bubble teams. For example, under the new alignment, if Boston wins their conference, and Anaheim is a 5th place finisher in their conference with more points than Toronto which is a 4th place finisher in the same new conference as Boston, is it more important to be fair to Anaheim as a bubble team? Or is it better to give Boston the matchup with considerably easier travel? What's better for TV?
Last point, the NHL got by just fine despite the fact there were 10th place finishers in the current Western Conference that had enough points to make the top 8 in the East in the past two seasons. But again, West and East play very different schedules, so the comparison might not prove which team is better. That factored in with travel considerations is why there wasn't a crossover before, and shouldn't be one now.
If your team can't be in the top four of either a group of 7 or 8, they don't deserve to go to the playoffs, try a little harder next year. This is how the Governors saw it.
1b) Realize this isn't set in stone
With the reclocation elephant having taken up quite comfortable residence in a room at Coyotes headquarters since the league took over that team a few years ago, there is obviously potential the new conferences of 8 and 7 will change. Just because a team is currently in a conference of 8 or 7 doesn't mean that will last for ever. In itself that somewhat balances out this minimal inequity. More on that in the next point.
2) Shouldn't we wait for Phoenix?
This argument makes no sense. The current western teams want this done now, and it's pretty easy to see there is space in a couple conferences for northeastern relocations. With this passing it's pretty obvious what to do if Phoenix goes to any of these rumored (and I do want to emphasize *rumored*) locations.
to Quebec/Hamilton/Southern Ontario - Simple move to the new Northeast*
to Kansas City - Either stay put or move to the new Central*, kicking Columbus or Detroit to the new Atlantic* or new Northeast*
to Seattle - They can just stay put
*names are mine as the new conferences don't have official titles yet
If they keep the six division alignment, where does Phoenix go? Who do you bump out of the current Northeast if it is a Quebec City relocation?
And more directly to this objection, what is really gained by waiting a year? Or another three years as that's as long as its been since the league took control of the team.
3) Playoffs will be boring
This objection might have some legs, but I say we just try it for a few years and see what we think. But keep in mind these are groups of 7 and 8 now, not groups of 5 or 6 like they were last time there were divisional playoffs ('92-'93, before Florida and Anaheim, also the North Stars last season, in which they missed), that in itself should lead to more matchup variety.
The original proposal form this summer suggested there would be a league wide reseeding after round 1, if boredom turns out to be an issue, perhaps this can be revisted, and this change would make it possible for ANY two teams to meet in any round after round 1.
4) Switching two teams is simpler
That may be, but it does nothing to address the horrible travel issues for Dallas, Minnesota, and whichever of Columbus or Detroit would've been left behind in the current Western Conference. The teams on the Pacific coast won't have to make so many trips to cities on the east end of the current Western Conference either, though they will be making more trips to the east coast under the new format.
Furthermore if they did the two team switch, again what happens if Phoenix moves to an eastern location? Do they still keep the same six division format? If so, do they just kick back west whichever team they just kicked east? If they keep six divisions, how do they align the three in the current eastern conference with Quebec City in the mix? I don't see good answers to any of these questions.
5) Bettman is ruining the game
This one makes me laugh, because it's the same argument people like myself have used in advocating for a switch back to a fourdivision, excuse me, conference setup. The four divisions with divisional playoffs are traditional, I look at it more as undoing tinkering he started in the first place.
As Roy at Wild Puck Banter put it on Twitter last night.
Well put, couldn't have said it better myself.
Now if we can just get rid of the shootout and the collusion point, I might have to take back about 96% of the mean things I've ever said about Commissioner Bettman.
(Don't worry, I'm never going to take back the mean things I said about Colin Campbell.)Sotso Hockey!
Last night, the NHL's Board of Governors approved a realignment (story from Yahoo! Sports' Puck Daddy blog) which would group the Minnesota Wild with many of the rivals from the old Norris Division days. The Wild will even be grouped with that franchise that used to call Bloomington home, along with Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Nashville, St. Louis, and Winnipeg.
(For clarity, in the rest of the article I will be prefacing conference and division names with "current" if I am referring to the current alignment that ends this season, or "new" if I am referring to the approved change starting nest season.)
I have written extensively supporting a four-division/conference alignment as it would be beneficial to most current Western Conference teams, and beneficial to Detroit, Columbus, Dallas and Minnesota in particular. The proposal that passed is rather close to the split the southeast idea I posted about a month ago. It's not exactly the same, they put Florida-Tampa, and Carolina-Washington in different divisions from where I had them. Furthermore, they left both Detroit and Columbus in the "new Central," but these are points on which I do not want to quibble. This is a great day for Minnesota hockey fans, and I suppose for everyone in the current Western Conference.
The travel in the first two rounds of the playoffs are going to be cut as well, as four teams from each new conference will advance, pure and simple. Teams will face new conference opponents in the first two rounds, and then there will be some form of re-pairing (apparently still being discussed) for the NHL's "Final Four."
All of that said, I have been participating in a lot of comment sections through the blogosphere, and I see many frustrating objections in the comments sections in which I've participated. So here's my attempt to quell some of the issues.
(more below the jump)
1) Uneven Conferences
Yes, it isn't perfectly fair, but the amount of disparity here has been blown way out of proportion. Under the new format, teams in 7 team conferences will on average get one extra playoff appearance every 14 years. It's not that big a deal.
(WARNING: I'm about to show my work, skip ahead to 1a if you don't want to read math.)
If you use this handy-dandy fraction calcuator, you can subtract 4/8 from 4/7 and you'll get the result 1/14, which represents teams having an extra 1/14 (or 57% v 50%) chance of making the playoffs. Which manifests itself as on average one extra playoff appearance every 14 years.
If you compare the playoff changes in the new format to the current format, in which teams in each conference each have an 8/15 chance:
For new conferences of 7, subtract 8/15 from 4/7 and the result is 4/105 (or one extra appearance every 26.25 years)
For new conferences of 8, subtract 4/8 from 8/15 and the result is 1/30 (or one less appearance every 30 years when compared to the status quo).
NHL network mentioned last night the governors didn't see this as an issue an these numbers must be pretty much why.
1a) We need a crossover rule!
No we don't.
To quickly define what a crossover rule would be in the NHL (and the AHL used it before they realigned before this season), the idea is that a 5th place team in a larger division should have the opportunity to substitute for a 4th place team in a smaller division in the playoffs if the 5th place team has a better record. Now to tear that idea down...
Overall, larger groupings make it less likely that one division will end up that much stronger than another anyway. If there are or one or two bad teams in a division of five (or four bad teams in the case of last years' Northwest Division) it was easier to rack up points. If there's one or two bad teams in a larger grouping, it's harder to rack up points if everyone else is decent.
Still, the schedule is going to be very conference heavy and frankly comparing teams in different conferences will be apples and oranges. Take the new Conference B for example (where Minnesota will be). Hypothetically, what if Columbus and Winnipeg continue to be terrible, and the top 5 teams sweep all of their division games against the two minnows? Would the 5th place team in Conference B be more deserving than say a 4th place team in Conference C where it appears there are 5 legit teams that will all have many playoff appearances in their near future, but might not have as high a point total because their division is going to be more competitive?
Furthermore, I believe keeping travel down for the top seed should take precedence over accommodating bubble teams. For example, under the new alignment, if Boston wins their conference, and Anaheim is a 5th place finisher in their conference with more points than Toronto which is a 4th place finisher in the same new conference as Boston, is it more important to be fair to Anaheim as a bubble team? Or is it better to give Boston the matchup with considerably easier travel? What's better for TV?
Last point, the NHL got by just fine despite the fact there were 10th place finishers in the current Western Conference that had enough points to make the top 8 in the East in the past two seasons. But again, West and East play very different schedules, so the comparison might not prove which team is better. That factored in with travel considerations is why there wasn't a crossover before, and shouldn't be one now.
If your team can't be in the top four of either a group of 7 or 8, they don't deserve to go to the playoffs, try a little harder next year. This is how the Governors saw it.
1b) Realize this isn't set in stone
With the reclocation elephant having taken up quite comfortable residence in a room at Coyotes headquarters since the league took over that team a few years ago, there is obviously potential the new conferences of 8 and 7 will change. Just because a team is currently in a conference of 8 or 7 doesn't mean that will last for ever. In itself that somewhat balances out this minimal inequity. More on that in the next point.
2) Shouldn't we wait for Phoenix?
This argument makes no sense. The current western teams want this done now, and it's pretty easy to see there is space in a couple conferences for northeastern relocations. With this passing it's pretty obvious what to do if Phoenix goes to any of these rumored (and I do want to emphasize *rumored*) locations.
to Quebec/Hamilton/Southern Ontario - Simple move to the new Northeast*
to Kansas City - Either stay put or move to the new Central*, kicking Columbus or Detroit to the new Atlantic* or new Northeast*
to Seattle - They can just stay put
*names are mine as the new conferences don't have official titles yet
If they keep the six division alignment, where does Phoenix go? Who do you bump out of the current Northeast if it is a Quebec City relocation?
And more directly to this objection, what is really gained by waiting a year? Or another three years as that's as long as its been since the league took control of the team.
3) Playoffs will be boring
This objection might have some legs, but I say we just try it for a few years and see what we think. But keep in mind these are groups of 7 and 8 now, not groups of 5 or 6 like they were last time there were divisional playoffs ('92-'93, before Florida and Anaheim, also the North Stars last season, in which they missed), that in itself should lead to more matchup variety.
The original proposal form this summer suggested there would be a league wide reseeding after round 1, if boredom turns out to be an issue, perhaps this can be revisted, and this change would make it possible for ANY two teams to meet in any round after round 1.
4) Switching two teams is simpler
That may be, but it does nothing to address the horrible travel issues for Dallas, Minnesota, and whichever of Columbus or Detroit would've been left behind in the current Western Conference. The teams on the Pacific coast won't have to make so many trips to cities on the east end of the current Western Conference either, though they will be making more trips to the east coast under the new format.
Furthermore if they did the two team switch, again what happens if Phoenix moves to an eastern location? Do they still keep the same six division format? If so, do they just kick back west whichever team they just kicked east? If they keep six divisions, how do they align the three in the current eastern conference with Quebec City in the mix? I don't see good answers to any of these questions.
5) Bettman is ruining the game
This one makes me laugh, because it's the same argument people like myself have used in advocating for a switch back to a four
As Roy at Wild Puck Banter put it on Twitter last night.
Well put, couldn't have said it better myself.
Now if we can just get rid of the shootout and the collusion point, I might have to take back about 96% of the mean things I've ever said about Commissioner Bettman.
(Don't worry, I'm never going to take back the mean things I said about Colin Campbell.)Sotso Hockey!
It's time the NHL fines divers...
To contact us Click HERE
In last night's game against Los Angeles, Minnesota's Kyle Brodziak was ejected for this hit on Anze Kopitar.
The replay shows that this was a pretty clean, shoulder to shoulder hit. The hit did take place that magical 6 to 10 foot range from the boards in which anyone going down will fall hard, and it will probably draw a boarding call.
What is disgusting is that Kopitar stayed down, and it appears the longer he stayed down, the more the referee felt he needed to make this a major penalty. Then, of course, Kopitar managed to skate just fine on the ensuing 5 minute major. This is incredibly reminiscent of Coach Gordon Bombay teaching the Mighty Ducks how to cheat with the mantra "Take the fall, act hurt, get indignant."
The Wild were victims of another poor ejection decision earlier this season against the Calgary Flames. In this clip Jerome Iginlia "used his influence" (to paraphrase Michael Russo) to get a headbutt call that never happened against Nick Johnson (head to the shoulder at :36 doesn't count). Johnson also got a major and a game misconduct.
I believe the time has come for the NHL to at least fine players that try to deceive referees.
I think the league is hesitant to take any action that is seen as undermining referees. However, in the recent case of Mark Fistric, the NHL did (rightfully) offer supplemental discipline on a play that had no penalty called on the ice. So my idea to fine (and maybe suspend repeat offenders) players for instances with no penalty recorded is not without some precedent.
Players who dive (rightfully) assume they are in the clear if their deception works on a referee. Once they fool the ref, nothing is going to happen to them. (UPDATE: See bottom of post, apparently rules for supplemental discipline for diving do exist, just not often enforced.)
If supplemental discipline were involved, players would have to realize their fakery will not only have to trick a referee at full speed, but fool the Department of Player Safety as well, which has the benefit of instant replay, countless angles and considerably more time to make a call. That seems like a far better way to deal with the league's divers than putting all the pressure on game officials, as seems to be the case right now.
If players were up against the scrutiny of replay, I think instances like this would disappear real quick, and referees would have one less thing to worry about catching. Referee's are already hesitant to call embellishment because when they make a mistake it's pretty darn glaring. If the league puts this pressure under the Department of Player safety instead of on referees, hopefully the already difficult job of being a referee would become just a bit easier.
UPDATE: While looking for stories to see if any players have actually been fined or suspended for diving, I stumbled on the NHL's rulebook where it appears rules regarding fines and suspensions exist under Rule 64 - embellishment.
So lets just say I would be for removing the warning letter stage and start with the fine after the first incident. At the very least, the NHL should make public the players it warns, I think that threat of shame might just bet good enough to curtail the manipulation of game officials.
I also would be in favor of stiffening the fine to something like $5000 for first offenses.
Either way, I don't think the NHL is using this section of the rulebook nearly enough. At the very least I for one would like to know if Iginla or Kopitar at least received/will receive the warning letters specified.
What do you think?
The replay shows that this was a pretty clean, shoulder to shoulder hit. The hit did take place that magical 6 to 10 foot range from the boards in which anyone going down will fall hard, and it will probably draw a boarding call.
What is disgusting is that Kopitar stayed down, and it appears the longer he stayed down, the more the referee felt he needed to make this a major penalty. Then, of course, Kopitar managed to skate just fine on the ensuing 5 minute major. This is incredibly reminiscent of Coach Gordon Bombay teaching the Mighty Ducks how to cheat with the mantra "Take the fall, act hurt, get indignant."
The Wild were victims of another poor ejection decision earlier this season against the Calgary Flames. In this clip Jerome Iginlia "used his influence" (to paraphrase Michael Russo) to get a headbutt call that never happened against Nick Johnson (head to the shoulder at :36 doesn't count). Johnson also got a major and a game misconduct.
I believe the time has come for the NHL to at least fine players that try to deceive referees.
I think the league is hesitant to take any action that is seen as undermining referees. However, in the recent case of Mark Fistric, the NHL did (rightfully) offer supplemental discipline on a play that had no penalty called on the ice. So my idea to fine (and maybe suspend repeat offenders) players for instances with no penalty recorded is not without some precedent.
Players who dive (rightfully) assume they are in the clear if their deception works on a referee. Once they fool the ref, nothing is going to happen to them. (UPDATE: See bottom of post, apparently rules for supplemental discipline for diving do exist, just not often enforced.)
If supplemental discipline were involved, players would have to realize their fakery will not only have to trick a referee at full speed, but fool the Department of Player Safety as well, which has the benefit of instant replay, countless angles and considerably more time to make a call. That seems like a far better way to deal with the league's divers than putting all the pressure on game officials, as seems to be the case right now.
If players were up against the scrutiny of replay, I think instances like this would disappear real quick, and referees would have one less thing to worry about catching. Referee's are already hesitant to call embellishment because when they make a mistake it's pretty darn glaring. If the league puts this pressure under the Department of Player safety instead of on referees, hopefully the already difficult job of being a referee would become just a bit easier.
UPDATE: While looking for stories to see if any players have actually been fined or suspended for diving, I stumbled on the NHL's rulebook where it appears rules regarding fines and suspensions exist under Rule 64 - embellishment.
"The first such incident during the season will result in a warning letter being sent to the player or goalkeeper. The second such incident will result in a one thousand dollar ($1,000) fine. For a third such incident in the season, the player shall be suspended for one game, pending a telephone conversation with the Director of Hockey Operations. For subsequent violations in the same season, the player’s suspension shall double (i.e. first suspension – one game, second suspension – two games, third suspension – four games, etc.)"However, this same search turned up only a Sean Avery incident from 2005 as an example of a fine for diving ever being made public (I didn't go too deep in the results, but if you know others please comment below or tweet me @SOTSOHockey). So this means either a) it's happening but not often made public, or b) (more likely) this rule has gone the way of "crease violations" (the cousin of the NBA's travelling rule), in that it is rarely enforced.
So lets just say I would be for removing the warning letter stage and start with the fine after the first incident. At the very least, the NHL should make public the players it warns, I think that threat of shame might just bet good enough to curtail the manipulation of game officials.
I also would be in favor of stiffening the fine to something like $5000 for first offenses.
Either way, I don't think the NHL is using this section of the rulebook nearly enough. At the very least I for one would like to know if Iginla or Kopitar at least received/will receive the warning letters specified.
What do you think?
A response to the Puck Daddy article...
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Some of you may have noticed, Yahoo! Sports' Greg Wyshysnki wrote a response to my piece on supplemental discipline on Puck Daddy on Friday.
First and foremost, it is always a pleasure when the folks at Puck Daddy link to my posts. I thought Wysh wrote a very good piece and made some very good points even though we aren't quite in agreement on a couple things.
I'll point out a couple differences...
1) The Department of Player Safety
I love his closing point of "Is anyone really comfortable with something called the Department of Player Safety telling an NHL player his pain isn't real?" And I'll admit, that felt a little awkward when I wrote it. However, I look at "Department of Player Safety" as a euphemism for "Department of discipline" (or "Department of suspending your ass") so in that sense, my intention was only to call the department where I believe this decision should fall by it's proper name.
Still it is quite funny when you think about it.
2) "Calling Out" on-ice officials
As far as "calling out" the on ice officials, I actually meant that more from the perspective of the front office than from the perspective of referees themselves. (Again I was using the recent Fistric incident as an example.) I think the hesitation is on the part of front office to do this unless supplemental discipline is involved, I am not privy to how NHL referee's respond to these instances.
I hope referees would see increased discipline for embellishment as supporting their role, not undermining it. Removing this judgement from what they're required to look for I think would only help them focus on the actual acts that should be penalized. I would hope even the best referees realize there are going to be games where 18,000 people see something the ref just completely misses. It happens, and is something I've just had to learn to accept as I become more my mature as a fan. Also, I have experienced what happens when I miss something as a youth-level referee, in front of crowds of just dozens and an angry coach. It happens more than anyone cares to admit.
Other points)
I do agree with the first two points Wysh made about playing doctor through television and balancing illegal acts. Nobody wants to call anyone a diver based on replay unless it's obvious. It's going to take a bit of extra courage to do what I propose.
To the point of balancing illegal acts however, I think it's worth noting the two instances I cited that involving the Wild this season did not involve acts worthy of supplemental discipline (I do get the case for a boarding minor in the Brodziak incident, but there's no way that play should rise to the level of "intent to injure" and probably wouldn't have if Kopitar didn't stay down). So supplemental discipline for diving would not be balancing an illegal act in these cases because nothing worthy of supplemental discipline happened.
So I would propose that supplemental discipline for embellishment only be considered in incidents where no other act requiring supplemental discipline took place. In other words, if there is a fineable/suspendable offense against the diver, the diver gets to slide (by the way, if the power to call embellishment penalties stays with referee's I think they should look at it the same way, either a penalty or a dive, never both).
And I'm willing to concede there are more blatant incidents than what happened in the Kopitar/Brodizak deal, so perhaps the bar does need to be set higher that that for what dives are fineable/suspendable at first. But this needs to be looked at before we start to have games that look as shameful as soccer matches.
Furthermore, Wysh is completly right about how this won't change until "diving and embellishment become an "epidemic," which is to say when coaches in the playoffs bitch enough about it."
Right now, no coach or GM in the league gives a damn about what's fair to Kyle Brodziak other than Yeo and Fletcher.
First and foremost, it is always a pleasure when the folks at Puck Daddy link to my posts. I thought Wysh wrote a very good piece and made some very good points even though we aren't quite in agreement on a couple things.
I'll point out a couple differences...
1) The Department of Player Safety
I love his closing point of "Is anyone really comfortable with something called the Department of Player Safety telling an NHL player his pain isn't real?" And I'll admit, that felt a little awkward when I wrote it. However, I look at "Department of Player Safety" as a euphemism for "Department of discipline" (or "Department of suspending your ass") so in that sense, my intention was only to call the department where I believe this decision should fall by it's proper name.
Still it is quite funny when you think about it.
2) "Calling Out" on-ice officials
As far as "calling out" the on ice officials, I actually meant that more from the perspective of the front office than from the perspective of referees themselves. (Again I was using the recent Fistric incident as an example.) I think the hesitation is on the part of front office to do this unless supplemental discipline is involved, I am not privy to how NHL referee's respond to these instances.
I hope referees would see increased discipline for embellishment as supporting their role, not undermining it. Removing this judgement from what they're required to look for I think would only help them focus on the actual acts that should be penalized. I would hope even the best referees realize there are going to be games where 18,000 people see something the ref just completely misses. It happens, and is something I've just had to learn to accept as I become more my mature as a fan. Also, I have experienced what happens when I miss something as a youth-level referee, in front of crowds of just dozens and an angry coach. It happens more than anyone cares to admit.
Other points)
I do agree with the first two points Wysh made about playing doctor through television and balancing illegal acts. Nobody wants to call anyone a diver based on replay unless it's obvious. It's going to take a bit of extra courage to do what I propose.
To the point of balancing illegal acts however, I think it's worth noting the two instances I cited that involving the Wild this season did not involve acts worthy of supplemental discipline (I do get the case for a boarding minor in the Brodziak incident, but there's no way that play should rise to the level of "intent to injure" and probably wouldn't have if Kopitar didn't stay down). So supplemental discipline for diving would not be balancing an illegal act in these cases because nothing worthy of supplemental discipline happened.
So I would propose that supplemental discipline for embellishment only be considered in incidents where no other act requiring supplemental discipline took place. In other words, if there is a fineable/suspendable offense against the diver, the diver gets to slide (by the way, if the power to call embellishment penalties stays with referee's I think they should look at it the same way, either a penalty or a dive, never both).
And I'm willing to concede there are more blatant incidents than what happened in the Kopitar/Brodizak deal, so perhaps the bar does need to be set higher that that for what dives are fineable/suspendable at first. But this needs to be looked at before we start to have games that look as shameful as soccer matches.
Furthermore, Wysh is completly right about how this won't change until "diving and embellishment become an "epidemic," which is to say when coaches in the playoffs bitch enough about it."
Right now, no coach or GM in the league gives a damn about what's fair to Kyle Brodziak other than Yeo and Fletcher.
Wild thing of the month - November 2011
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So between the wonderful realignment news and having a post picked up by Puck Daddy it's been a busy week here at State of the State of Hockey, and so I'm quite late with naming SOTSO Hockey's "Wild Thing of the Month" for November.
First an honorable mention to the Minnesota Wild's defense. They have improved on what was already near the top in the league on goals against average. But it's efforts like these that make it seem that the GAA isn't just about the excellent goaltending. Defenders are helping when they need to get to the line in a pinch.
(video after the jump)
I hope to continue to see this effort on D. If we do, the Wild will be an incredibly tough team to score against, and this should help them stay near the top of the league.
But there can be just one Wild Thing of the month in November, and the winner is Mikko Koivu for his shorthanded goal against St. Louis.
Koivu would go on to score the game tying goal in the final 2 minutes in this game, and score in the Shootout with Matt Cullen to pull this victory out for the skating W's. Before this game, Koivu only had one goal and 9 assists in the first 19 games, since (including this game) he has had 6 goals and 9 assists, in 11 games.
Koivu has turned his slow start around the league is on notice.
Congrats to Mikko Koivu! The SOTSO Hockey Wild Thing of the Month for November!
First an honorable mention to the Minnesota Wild's defense. They have improved on what was already near the top in the league on goals against average. But it's efforts like these that make it seem that the GAA isn't just about the excellent goaltending. Defenders are helping when they need to get to the line in a pinch.
(video after the jump)
I hope to continue to see this effort on D. If we do, the Wild will be an incredibly tough team to score against, and this should help them stay near the top of the league.
But there can be just one Wild Thing of the month in November, and the winner is Mikko Koivu for his shorthanded goal against St. Louis.
Koivu would go on to score the game tying goal in the final 2 minutes in this game, and score in the Shootout with Matt Cullen to pull this victory out for the skating W's. Before this game, Koivu only had one goal and 9 assists in the first 19 games, since (including this game) he has had 6 goals and 9 assists, in 11 games.
Koivu has turned his slow start around the league is on notice.
Congrats to Mikko Koivu! The SOTSO Hockey Wild Thing of the Month for November!
Quick thought on the Bogosian hit on Bouchard.
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Last night was a wonderful game to watch between Winnipeg and Minnesota. It was a tough one for the Wild to lose on a delay of game penalty, but both goaltenders really wanted it, and both teams were quick and generated plenty of changes. For 58 minutes, this was among the two or three most entertaining games to watch this season, and it is what hockey should be. Then of course one of the ugliest injuries I have ever seen happened behind Winnipeg's net.
Hockey Wilderness already has a good piece and the videos up, and makes a good case for why Zach Bogosian should be suspended for his cross-check on Bouchard, so please click there to get the background and the videos if you haven't already seen it.
I don't completely agree that Bouchard had his back turned to Bogosian at the time of the hit. Contrary to what most Minnesota partisans are saying, I believe Bouchard was still in the process turning his back to attempt to secure the puck, but I don't think he is turned long enough to show his numbers to Bogosian to prevent the hit.
All of that said, the fact is Bogosian led with his stick, and made an illegal cross check. Furthermore, like the Brodziak hit against Koptiar on Thursday, Bouchard is that seemingly magical 6 to 10 foot distance from the boards which makes a boarding call likely. Just because Bouchard hasn't established position, does not mean he has opened himself up to a cross check. I have a huge problem with people like NHL network's Kelly Chase saying "that's how you're taught to play," and people that make the case that since Bouchard was turning into it, he got what he deserved. Basically, people making this defense are saying that players turn their backs are open season.
This is such an asinine attitude. This is tantamount to saying once a player turns his back, the hitting player can take any action he wants and blame it on the player that turned his back. It's "fair game" to borrow a phrase from Sabres coach Lindy Ruff.
(On an aside, I played full check hockey as a youth, I was taught to finish hits, but by using shoulder contact, using the side of the whole body, not by cross checking in the back. I have no idea what foolishness Kelly Chase was taught).
Players turning their backs do share responsibility, and I think that's a pointdiscipline czar Head of the Department of Player Safety Brendan Shanahan, to his credit, is making sure it is considered. But that consideration ends once the contact is illegal, if it doesn't than players will be able to not only justify cross-checks, but spears, swinging sticks a the head, and all they have to do is recite this foolish old guard mantra of "it's his fault, he turned his back."
If Bogsian makes a legal shoulder check here instead of a cross-check to the back, the injury to Bouchard probably isn't this severe. Even with the severity of Bouchard's injury, if Bogosian made a legal shoulder hit, even to Bouchard's back, because of the way Bouchard was turning I would be content that Bogosian did what he fine if he gets by with no suspension. That should be the extent to which a player putting himself in a bad position takes responsibility, the player in a bad position, should under no circumstances, ever, take responsibility for an illegal act by an opposing player.
But Bogosian decided to use his stick, there must be discipline for that. He commit a reckless act that could've been penalized in two ways, and an injury resulted on the play. That seems like all the Shanahammer needs. Especially if Bouchard can get suspended two games for Calvert high sticking himself.
(For what it's worth, I spun one game on nhlwheelofjustice.com)
Hockey Wilderness already has a good piece and the videos up, and makes a good case for why Zach Bogosian should be suspended for his cross-check on Bouchard, so please click there to get the background and the videos if you haven't already seen it.
I don't completely agree that Bouchard had his back turned to Bogosian at the time of the hit. Contrary to what most Minnesota partisans are saying, I believe Bouchard was still in the process turning his back to attempt to secure the puck, but I don't think he is turned long enough to show his numbers to Bogosian to prevent the hit.
All of that said, the fact is Bogosian led with his stick, and made an illegal cross check. Furthermore, like the Brodziak hit against Koptiar on Thursday, Bouchard is that seemingly magical 6 to 10 foot distance from the boards which makes a boarding call likely. Just because Bouchard hasn't established position, does not mean he has opened himself up to a cross check. I have a huge problem with people like NHL network's Kelly Chase saying "that's how you're taught to play," and people that make the case that since Bouchard was turning into it, he got what he deserved. Basically, people making this defense are saying that players turn their backs are open season.
This is such an asinine attitude. This is tantamount to saying once a player turns his back, the hitting player can take any action he wants and blame it on the player that turned his back. It's "fair game" to borrow a phrase from Sabres coach Lindy Ruff.
(On an aside, I played full check hockey as a youth, I was taught to finish hits, but by using shoulder contact, using the side of the whole body, not by cross checking in the back. I have no idea what foolishness Kelly Chase was taught).
Players turning their backs do share responsibility, and I think that's a point
If Bogsian makes a legal shoulder check here instead of a cross-check to the back, the injury to Bouchard probably isn't this severe. Even with the severity of Bouchard's injury, if Bogosian made a legal shoulder hit, even to Bouchard's back, because of the way Bouchard was turning I would be content that Bogosian did what he fine if he gets by with no suspension. That should be the extent to which a player putting himself in a bad position takes responsibility, the player in a bad position, should under no circumstances, ever, take responsibility for an illegal act by an opposing player.
But Bogosian decided to use his stick, there must be discipline for that. He commit a reckless act that could've been penalized in two ways, and an injury resulted on the play. That seems like all the Shanahammer needs. Especially if Bouchard can get suspended two games for Calvert high sticking himself.
(For what it's worth, I spun one game on nhlwheelofjustice.com)
Passive Play against the Flames...
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The second period last night was just brutally bad. The Wild were extremely passive against the Flames the in their own zone.
It looked like they were content to let the Flames move the puck without any attempt to force turnovers, and when they finally did get the puck, all they could do was chip it out, hoping they didn't ice it to change lines. This made a team with a 16.8% powerplay conversion rate look outright competent 5 on 5. The Flames had the first 9 shots of the 2nd period including what would be the game winning goal.
After that horror of a period, it did seem the Wild got the message, and there is some positivity to take from the game last night.
1) Josh Harding
In his return he was quiet, but played well enough to keep that second period from becoming a laugher. I'm glad to see he appears to be okay and hope he is able to stay in the lineup.
2) Third Period
The Wild did seem to turn it around in the 3rd. Even though they weren't rewarded with a tying goal, the Wild fought hard and drew a couple penalties. They had their chances, it just didn't go their way tonight.
3) Bouchard
Bouchard had a goal and looked like he is okay after the incident in Winnipeg that made Brendan Shanahan dead to me. Slowly the Wild are getting healthier and hopefully.
4) Brodziak
While leading the team in goals, it seems apparent he is not going to be as effective when he gets 2nd line minutes. So why is this a good thing? First, when the Wild get healthy, he will return to a role where he has been more successful, and he will draw the defensive matchups that are more favorable (weaker) to him.
Second, this seems to reduce the risk that the Wild will end up overpaying him when he becomes a free agent. I like Brodziak as a player very much, I think he's effective at what he does for the role that he plays as a depth forward. I was hoping more minutes might mean even more goals and would be a huge help during this rash of injuries, but that just doesn't seem to be the case. That's okay, though, the Wild will be deep again soon.
The State of Hockey may be down right now. Losing streaks suck. But try and remember, streaks are only observations that can be made about past events. The games are over, the Wild can only move forward. If the Wild are still near the top at the end of the season, no one is going to remember the two points from five games in December. The Wild are getting healthier, and everyone that's come back so far looks good doing it.
It looked like they were content to let the Flames move the puck without any attempt to force turnovers, and when they finally did get the puck, all they could do was chip it out, hoping they didn't ice it to change lines. This made a team with a 16.8% powerplay conversion rate look outright competent 5 on 5. The Flames had the first 9 shots of the 2nd period including what would be the game winning goal.
After that horror of a period, it did seem the Wild got the message, and there is some positivity to take from the game last night.
1) Josh Harding
In his return he was quiet, but played well enough to keep that second period from becoming a laugher. I'm glad to see he appears to be okay and hope he is able to stay in the lineup.
2) Third Period
The Wild did seem to turn it around in the 3rd. Even though they weren't rewarded with a tying goal, the Wild fought hard and drew a couple penalties. They had their chances, it just didn't go their way tonight.
3) Bouchard
Bouchard had a goal and looked like he is okay after the incident in Winnipeg that made Brendan Shanahan dead to me. Slowly the Wild are getting healthier and hopefully.
4) Brodziak
While leading the team in goals, it seems apparent he is not going to be as effective when he gets 2nd line minutes. So why is this a good thing? First, when the Wild get healthy, he will return to a role where he has been more successful, and he will draw the defensive matchups that are more favorable (weaker) to him.
Second, this seems to reduce the risk that the Wild will end up overpaying him when he becomes a free agent. I like Brodziak as a player very much, I think he's effective at what he does for the role that he plays as a depth forward. I was hoping more minutes might mean even more goals and would be a huge help during this rash of injuries, but that just doesn't seem to be the case. That's okay, though, the Wild will be deep again soon.
The State of Hockey may be down right now. Losing streaks suck. But try and remember, streaks are only observations that can be made about past events. The games are over, the Wild can only move forward. If the Wild are still near the top at the end of the season, no one is going to remember the two points from five games in December. The Wild are getting healthier, and everyone that's come back so far looks good doing it.
A World Juniors confession from a Minnesota hockey fan...
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I try to be a good blogger, but the truth of the matter in my time as a Minnesota Wild fan, I have largely ignored the prospects.
The NHL draft (and MLB draft as well for that matter) is different than its NBA or NFL counterparts. Usually, outside of the first 2 or 3 picks, most of the players selected are not NHL ready, and they will be sent back to their college teams or to their Junior teams. So it's easy to see why there isn't the casual interest in the NHL draft as there is in the other sports, where those players are expected to be with the big club right away (there isn't really a "farm system" for the NFL and NBA like there is in baseball and hockey).
The other reason is that frankly, from a Wild perspective, there just hasn't been a lot to be excited about among the Wild's prospects under Riseborough's leadership. First Round Bust is more than happy to document Wild prospects being rushed into the NHL like James Sheppard.
I do try and take a peek at what is going on in the AHL with the Aeros, and I have made a point to check out the Aeros in all 3 of their Xcel Energy Center apperances. But that's because it's pretty easy to see those players are soon to be in Wild jerseys, at leas as all ops. Beyond the AHL, though, I never focused on the prospects in college or in Juniors.
But this is the season I change that. We now have DirecTV in my household and I just love having NHL network, and the World Junior championships are yet another reason why. Again, First Round Bust has a great primer for Wild fans about the prospects to watch (most seem to be on team USA or Finland), so read that I won't try to duplicate it. Read it and get excited!
Team USA takes on the bottom seed Denmark tonight at 7pm, Finland takes on hosts Canada in the tournament opener at 2:30pm. Then on Wednesday at 2:30pm is the US v Finland, a chance to see so many Wild prospects in one place.
I'm getting excited for this.
What do you think?
The NHL draft (and MLB draft as well for that matter) is different than its NBA or NFL counterparts. Usually, outside of the first 2 or 3 picks, most of the players selected are not NHL ready, and they will be sent back to their college teams or to their Junior teams. So it's easy to see why there isn't the casual interest in the NHL draft as there is in the other sports, where those players are expected to be with the big club right away (there isn't really a "farm system" for the NFL and NBA like there is in baseball and hockey).
The other reason is that frankly, from a Wild perspective, there just hasn't been a lot to be excited about among the Wild's prospects under Riseborough's leadership. First Round Bust is more than happy to document Wild prospects being rushed into the NHL like James Sheppard.
I do try and take a peek at what is going on in the AHL with the Aeros, and I have made a point to check out the Aeros in all 3 of their Xcel Energy Center apperances. But that's because it's pretty easy to see those players are soon to be in Wild jerseys, at leas as all ops. Beyond the AHL, though, I never focused on the prospects in college or in Juniors.
But this is the season I change that. We now have DirecTV in my household and I just love having NHL network, and the World Junior championships are yet another reason why. Again, First Round Bust has a great primer for Wild fans about the prospects to watch (most seem to be on team USA or Finland), so read that I won't try to duplicate it. Read it and get excited!
Team USA takes on the bottom seed Denmark tonight at 7pm, Finland takes on hosts Canada in the tournament opener at 2:30pm. Then on Wednesday at 2:30pm is the US v Finland, a chance to see so many Wild prospects in one place.
I'm getting excited for this.
What do you think?
The forgotten mantras of the Department of Player Safety
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Sorry, I'm going to be opening some wounds to State of Hockey fans, but this needs to be said about the Head of the Department of Player Safety.
Remember when this rule meant something...
From NHL Official Rules - Rule 41.1 - Boarding (emphasis mine)
1) Bogosian on Bouchard (click here for Hockey Wilderness' breakdown on this incident and video)
The Department of Player Safety didn't even make a formal statement regarding the Bogosian hit on Bouchard. An anonymous Departement of Player Safety rep told the Star Tribune's Michael Russo they felt Bouchard turned into it. Does it get any more vague than that? No justification for why Bogosian can use his stick there? This lazy statement is certainly not enough to show the onus shifted from Bogosian to Bouchard regarding who was responsible for this incident (again, as in the first underlined part in the rule quoted above).
I thought this era was supposed to be about transparency. I thought it was about following the words in the rulebook above and using video to show how this should apply, not about lazy statements from a nameless lackey.
Punishing recklessness is another mantra that the department of player safety has given up on. The fact that Bogosian led with his stick is apparently no longer considered reckless.
Bouchard misses two weeks as a result of an ILLEGAL hit, and the only explanation is one sentence from an anonymous source, and no suspension. Pathetic.
[two more examples follow the jump]
2) Petrell on Zidlicky (video from YouTube, stick tap to user Fel0096)
At least in this incident the Head of the Department of Player Safety had the decency to issue a tweet.
I'll admit I'm not as outraged by this one as the other two examples in this post. Petrell definitely shoves him, though it doesn't look like much of a shove. To be honest, I almost buy no need for a suspension here, but then the Head of the Department of Player Safety insults Wild fans excusing this by mentioning a "toe pick."
Look again at Rule 41.1 above. Look carefully in case I missed it, but I don't see the "Toe Pick" exception anywhere. If he is implying that Zid tripped over his feet, the video doesn't show that. If it did it would be impossible to determine whether or not it was a result of Petrell's reckless shove.
3) McLeod on Spurgeon (story from Russo in this morning's Star Tribune)
...
I'd hate to think this disregard of the rules as written is because of the jersey these three players wear. But the Wild have had three players miss time with preventable injuries, and no more than four sentences of explanation from the Department of Player Safety. That's not transparency, that's the voodoo of his predecessor (which inspired nhlwheelofjustice.com, and of course Down Goes Brown's famous suspension flowchart). I guess I should be grateful he was kind enough to produce a three minute video explaining why Bouchard needed to be punished for an action the Blue Jacket's Calvert completely brought on himself, though.
Excuses like "toe picks," and vague "he turned into it" claims are unacceptable. Now with the Spurgeon hit, he has demonstrated blatant disregard for the latter clause in rule 41.1 (2nd underlined part) requiring a turn to be immediately prior to the hit to change the onus demonstrates a willingness to bend the written rules to fit his instincts.
I know Mr. Leipold and Mr. Fletcher, can't say so publicly, but I certainly hope they are chirping the hell out of Bettman to get this guy removed. He has turned his back (pun intended) on transparency, he has turned his back on using the new rules written as was his mandate. The optimism about player safety that I expressed before the season died after the Bouchard incident, I just wonder how many more players the Minnesota Wild will lose to reckless acts without any response?
Remember when this rule meant something...
From NHL Official Rules - Rule 41.1 - Boarding (emphasis mine)
The onus is on the player applying the check to ensure his opponent is not in a defenseless position and if so, he must avoid or minimize the contact. However, in determining whether such contact could have been avoided, the circumstances of the check, including whether the opponent put himself in a vulnerable position immediately prior to or simultaneously with the check or whether the check was unavoidable can be considered."The onus is on the hitter." had been the so-called Department of Player Safety's mantra in the dozens of suspensions so far (as indicated by the first part I underlined). It appears they have given up on that, at least where the Minnesota Wild is concerned. There are now three well known examples...
1) Bogosian on Bouchard (click here for Hockey Wilderness' breakdown on this incident and video)
The Department of Player Safety didn't even make a formal statement regarding the Bogosian hit on Bouchard. An anonymous Departement of Player Safety rep told the Star Tribune's Michael Russo they felt Bouchard turned into it. Does it get any more vague than that? No justification for why Bogosian can use his stick there? This lazy statement is certainly not enough to show the onus shifted from Bogosian to Bouchard regarding who was responsible for this incident (again, as in the first underlined part in the rule quoted above).
I thought this era was supposed to be about transparency. I thought it was about following the words in the rulebook above and using video to show how this should apply, not about lazy statements from a nameless lackey.
Punishing recklessness is another mantra that the department of player safety has given up on. The fact that Bogosian led with his stick is apparently no longer considered reckless.
Bouchard misses two weeks as a result of an ILLEGAL hit, and the only explanation is one sentence from an anonymous source, and no suspension. Pathetic.
[two more examples follow the jump]
2) Petrell on Zidlicky (video from YouTube, stick tap to user Fel0096)
At least in this incident the Head of the Department of Player Safety had the decency to issue a tweet.
I'll admit I'm not as outraged by this one as the other two examples in this post. Petrell definitely shoves him, though it doesn't look like much of a shove. To be honest, I almost buy no need for a suspension here, but then the Head of the Department of Player Safety insults Wild fans excusing this by mentioning a "toe pick."
Look again at Rule 41.1 above. Look carefully in case I missed it, but I don't see the "Toe Pick" exception anywhere. If he is implying that Zid tripped over his feet, the video doesn't show that. If it did it would be impossible to determine whether or not it was a result of Petrell's reckless shove.
3) McLeod on Spurgeon (story from Russo in this morning's Star Tribune)
Shanahan said, "We didn't feel there was any extra force behind the hit. It was more of a big man coming in on a forecheck and colliding with another man that stepped in front of him to try to stop and shield the puck."I don't know what the head of the Department of Player safety sees here claiming Spurgeon stepped in front of McLeod. As the video shows (again stick tap to YouTube user Fel0096) Spurgeon turns toward the end board at the top of the circles for gosh sakes! A good 30 feet away! There is no way in hell this meets the standard of Spurgeon putting himself in a vulnerable position "immediately prior" to the hit. (If it truly were a case of Spurgeon turning at the last moment that would be a case of the onus shifting to Spurgeon, not McLeod). McLeod had plenty of time to minimize the contact, or target an area other than the numbers, he chose not to. There was a time the head of the Department of Player safety would have deemed this reckless, and therefore requiring supplemental discipline. Again, this seems to be a forgotten mantra.
...
I'd hate to think this disregard of the rules as written is because of the jersey these three players wear. But the Wild have had three players miss time with preventable injuries, and no more than four sentences of explanation from the Department of Player Safety. That's not transparency, that's the voodoo of his predecessor (which inspired nhlwheelofjustice.com, and of course Down Goes Brown's famous suspension flowchart). I guess I should be grateful he was kind enough to produce a three minute video explaining why Bouchard needed to be punished for an action the Blue Jacket's Calvert completely brought on himself, though.
Excuses like "toe picks," and vague "he turned into it" claims are unacceptable. Now with the Spurgeon hit, he has demonstrated blatant disregard for the latter clause in rule 41.1 (2nd underlined part) requiring a turn to be immediately prior to the hit to change the onus demonstrates a willingness to bend the written rules to fit his instincts.
I know Mr. Leipold and Mr. Fletcher, can't say so publicly, but I certainly hope they are chirping the hell out of Bettman to get this guy removed. He has turned his back (pun intended) on transparency, he has turned his back on using the new rules written as was his mandate. The optimism about player safety that I expressed before the season died after the Bouchard incident, I just wonder how many more players the Minnesota Wild will lose to reckless acts without any response?
Torres suspension only exposes flaw in NHL discipline.
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The word is out that Raffi Torres has been suspended 2 games for a hit on the Wild's Nate Prosser.
Here's the Department of Player Safety's video:
I'm glad the NHL decided to punish this hit, but I must bring up the Eric Johnson attempt to hit Matt Cullen in the Wild-Avs game on November 17. Click over to Hockey Wilderness to find a good animated gif of this hit.
(more below the jump)
The only difference between the two is Torres connected on his hit attempt. Johnson attempted to do the exact same thing to Cullen, but missed. Nothing happened to Johnson. Why should Johnson be rewarded with no suspension just because he missed?
The NHL needs to stop considering resulting injuries (I cringe every time I hear this was factored in a video), and start focusing on reckless actions.
(On an aside, anyone else worried that he mentioned Torres was fined earlier in the day multiple times? Makes me think that's the only reason there was a suspension here, and the only reason the Department of Player Safety overlooked the fact that Prosser shouldn't have been standing there #sarcasm).
Here's the Department of Player Safety's video:
I'm glad the NHL decided to punish this hit, but I must bring up the Eric Johnson attempt to hit Matt Cullen in the Wild-Avs game on November 17. Click over to Hockey Wilderness to find a good animated gif of this hit.
(more below the jump)
The only difference between the two is Torres connected on his hit attempt. Johnson attempted to do the exact same thing to Cullen, but missed. Nothing happened to Johnson. Why should Johnson be rewarded with no suspension just because he missed?
The NHL needs to stop considering resulting injuries (I cringe every time I hear this was factored in a video), and start focusing on reckless actions.
(On an aside, anyone else worried that he mentioned Torres was fined earlier in the day multiple times? Makes me think that's the only reason there was a suspension here, and the only reason the Department of Player Safety overlooked the fact that Prosser shouldn't have been standing there #sarcasm).
Wild thing of the month - December 2011
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(Editor's note: In October, when this feature debuted I listed the definition as "A new feature here at SOTSO Hockey! Shortly after the end of each month we will name one highlight, story, whathaveyou." I have decided on a definition that is a little more, well definitive. The Wild Thing of the Month is now going to feature the one story, performance, or event that, in the opinion of this blogger, made Wild fans the happiest. Feedback always welcome.)
So after returning from the family visits and what-not over the Christmas holiday, I realized there were only about five days left of the month, the Wild had lost six straight games, the Department of Player Safety has spit on the Wild three times, and nothing memorable enough happened to overcome that malaise. The Wild would go on to lose two more games, including a hard fought shootout defeat at the hands of the Nashville Predators. On the afternoon of Thursday, December 29, the word was out that Matt Kassian has been called up for the matchup against the Oilers.
I attended the game against the Oilers on November 25, and watched in disgust as Oilers goon Darcy Hordichuk, who called Brad Staubitz out in the media, hit Staubitz high twice, and then turtled when challenge. Hordichuk baited Staubitz into taking two double minors, and the grease had their way with the Wild that evening.
On the evening of Thursday, December 29, boy did Hordichuk pay. In the second period, Kassian did this.
And to open the third, again Hordichuk didn't have enough pounding from Staubitz...
(videos from hockeyfights.com)
I know it's controversial to support fighting in the modern NHL. But until the NHL gets its officiating and discipline house in order, I say it still has a place. Thugs like Darcy Hordichuk are part of the headshot problem and have no part of the solution if the solution is to some day have a safer NHL.
There is no denying the Wild played their best game of the month that night. And there is no question the effort that was lacking during the losing streak was cured. And Matt Kassian earned the number one star, because he took on the good on a team that had pushed the Wild around for the last two games. The Wild played better than they had during the whole losing streak that night.
I know he has since been sent back to Houston, but congratulations Matt Kassian, SOTSO Hockey's Wild Thing of the Month for December.
So after returning from the family visits and what-not over the Christmas holiday, I realized there were only about five days left of the month, the Wild had lost six straight games, the Department of Player Safety has spit on the Wild three times, and nothing memorable enough happened to overcome that malaise. The Wild would go on to lose two more games, including a hard fought shootout defeat at the hands of the Nashville Predators. On the afternoon of Thursday, December 29, the word was out that Matt Kassian has been called up for the matchup against the Oilers.
I attended the game against the Oilers on November 25, and watched in disgust as Oilers goon Darcy Hordichuk, who called Brad Staubitz out in the media, hit Staubitz high twice, and then turtled when challenge. Hordichuk baited Staubitz into taking two double minors, and the grease had their way with the Wild that evening.
On the evening of Thursday, December 29, boy did Hordichuk pay. In the second period, Kassian did this.
And to open the third, again Hordichuk didn't have enough pounding from Staubitz...
(videos from hockeyfights.com)
I know it's controversial to support fighting in the modern NHL. But until the NHL gets its officiating and discipline house in order, I say it still has a place. Thugs like Darcy Hordichuk are part of the headshot problem and have no part of the solution if the solution is to some day have a safer NHL.
There is no denying the Wild played their best game of the month that night. And there is no question the effort that was lacking during the losing streak was cured. And Matt Kassian earned the number one star, because he took on the good on a team that had pushed the Wild around for the last two games. The Wild played better than they had during the whole losing streak that night.
I know he has since been sent back to Houston, but congratulations Matt Kassian, SOTSO Hockey's Wild Thing of the Month for December.
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