There are few subjects more controversial in hockey that fighting. The fact is the stats don't exactly punch you in the face either for or against getting rid of it. Nor does it confirm or deny how successful a team will be. Maple Leafs head coach as always wanted toughness and abrasive play and to his credit the Leafs are a much tougher team to play against than in years past and lead the NHL with 43, 10 more than Philadelphia another organization who favors the old fashioned game. The thing is one of these is a playoff team, barring an epic collapse, and Philly, barring a miracle, isn't. among the other league leaders are Boston, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Columbus and Tampa Bay. Several of these teams are either in the hunt or already have a spot while Tampa well, isn't. At the other end a team in Edmonton who many critics have derided as needing more girt are last with just 13 with one fewer than Detroit's 14. To counter that Chicago only have 16 and are doing just fine.
As I said, I don't have the answers and if they are to be found in the numbers, best of luck! There are those who will analyze the minutes after a shift to see what kind of impact it has and in fairness I've seen first hand on many occasions where it will pump a team up and get a sluggish outing turned around. However I've also seen it back fire by firing up the other team or taking an unnecessary penalty detrimental to the team.
Last nights Sens Hurricanes game was a fight filled affair and many of them were out of frustration but the first was between Jared Cowan and Chad LaRose after Cowan leveled Jeff Skinner, with a huge though clean hit, knocking him out of the game. LaRose gave up about seven inches and a lot of weight but stepped in to defend his teammate. I admire and applaud him for this, even if it didn't work out to his advantage. This is a part of the game that is needed to help police it. I get sick and tired of seeing it after every clean hit but when guys cross the line it's a great tool to help maintain law and order.
That said, I'm not a big fan of the staged fight or having some giant on the bench with hands of stone who's only out there to be a punching bag. I like the flow of the game and there are plenty of players with enough skill and grit to do both and those are the guys I'd want on my third and fourth lines. The main concern of course is injuries and when guys go out of their weight class they can get hurt but fights rarely result in serious injuries and while people argue players need to be protected from themselves it serves a deterrent from guys running around taking cheap shots where the real serious injuries occur. The players themselves see the game changing and I think the roll of the enforcer is slowly dying as the game gets quicker but there is still a place in the game for guys who are willing to drop them, and I say let'em at it.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Monday, April 15, 2013
Tragedy in Boston
There are certain moments in life that cause us to take pause and reflect. Today in Boston we were, in the most horrifying of ways, reminded of that. An attacker set off two bombs right near the end of the Boston Marathon and as of this time at least two people are dead and dozens more are injured. Authorities are still on the scene as there may yet be more explosive devices in the area.
There is a sad irony in targeting this event in that many see a marathon or a race of this nature as a sign of hope or choose to run in such an event for a cause. CIBC hosts the run for the cure in here in Canada in order to raise money for cancer research, and countless other events use this format to raise money and awareness for great causes. They bring communities and families together and reveal the true nature of the human spirit. The fact that someone would target such an event defies any explanation, and any here in wouldn't do justice to the tragedy of it. The gamut of emotions one is forced to deal with in such a situation is something I wouldn't wish on anyone and I hope the people of Boston are able to find the help and solace they will undoubtedly need.
The NHL immediately did the right, and really only thing it could, and postponed tonight's game in Boston between the Bruins and the Ottawa Senators. According to reports the Sens will try and fly home tonight as they play here tomorrow against Carolina but given all the commotion, understandably, this may take time.
No one is sure what the days ahead will hold, what will be revealed about the attackers or why this happened, but the endless litany of question will be just that. There is no answers for some, those who suffer a loss in such a circumstance may never have peace or be able to accept it. There is no way we can understand what prompts someone act out in such a horrible and senseless manner. I can't imagine what the families must be feeling and again it is a grim reminder of the world we live in. All I can say is be grateful for small mercies and those things and people in your life for whom you live, as we can all too often take them for granted.
In closing all I can say is that my thoughts and prayers go out to you Boston, may God be with you.
There is a sad irony in targeting this event in that many see a marathon or a race of this nature as a sign of hope or choose to run in such an event for a cause. CIBC hosts the run for the cure in here in Canada in order to raise money for cancer research, and countless other events use this format to raise money and awareness for great causes. They bring communities and families together and reveal the true nature of the human spirit. The fact that someone would target such an event defies any explanation, and any here in wouldn't do justice to the tragedy of it. The gamut of emotions one is forced to deal with in such a situation is something I wouldn't wish on anyone and I hope the people of Boston are able to find the help and solace they will undoubtedly need.
The NHL immediately did the right, and really only thing it could, and postponed tonight's game in Boston between the Bruins and the Ottawa Senators. According to reports the Sens will try and fly home tonight as they play here tomorrow against Carolina but given all the commotion, understandably, this may take time.
No one is sure what the days ahead will hold, what will be revealed about the attackers or why this happened, but the endless litany of question will be just that. There is no answers for some, those who suffer a loss in such a circumstance may never have peace or be able to accept it. There is no way we can understand what prompts someone act out in such a horrible and senseless manner. I can't imagine what the families must be feeling and again it is a grim reminder of the world we live in. All I can say is be grateful for small mercies and those things and people in your life for whom you live, as we can all too often take them for granted.
In closing all I can say is that my thoughts and prayers go out to you Boston, may God be with you.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Playoff Push
With most teams having about nine or ten games left the sprint that was the NHL regular season is down to its last few yards. While top contenders like Chicago and Pittsburgh (with Anaheim and Montreal not far behind) have already wrapped up playoff spots, others are still up for grabs. Even the Maple Leafs look poised to return to the post season. There is now a bit more separation from teams in tenth place and down but the bottom seeds in both conferences are still looking over their shoulders.
St. Louis Blues - The Blues have been getting better goaltending from Brian Elliott of late and with a at least one game at hand on the teams below them need to stay the course to make the playoffs.
Detroit Red Wings - The Wings grip on a spot is a little more tenuous. They currently sit in eighth spot in the west, three points up on Phoenix and four ahead of the Stars, Oilers and Blue Jackets. They can't afford a skid at this point.
Ottawa Senators - What a difference a week makes. Four straight losses have the Sens once comfy cushion fade away. They are four points up on the ninth place Devils with a game at hand but can ill afford to have this streak go any longer.
New York Rangers - The Rangers have underperformed this season but are in seventh in the East tied in points with the Islanders. They have been playing better hockey of late, despite last nights loss to the Leafs, and if Henrik Lundqvist can hold the for they may get it.
New York Islanders - One of the seasons biggest surprises finds the other New York team on the verge of a playoff spot. John Tavares and company have the slimmest of margins, just a two point gap on the Devils and Jets so it will come down to the wire here.
New Jersey Devils - Last years eastern conference champs have fallen off as predicted well, here, but are still a threat to go on a run and make the playoffs. Martin Brodeur is back and the Devils are never an easy out so look for them to push hard to the end.
Winnipeg Jets/Washington Capitals - The Jets and Capitals are in the odd position of possibly being the thrid seed or right out of the playoffs. The Capitals recent streak has them two points ahead of Winnipeg for the South East Division lead but should they falter they may find themselves out of the playoffs all together.
Who gets in? Who's ticket is left unpunched?
St. Louis Blues - The Blues have been getting better goaltending from Brian Elliott of late and with a at least one game at hand on the teams below them need to stay the course to make the playoffs.
Detroit Red Wings - The Wings grip on a spot is a little more tenuous. They currently sit in eighth spot in the west, three points up on Phoenix and four ahead of the Stars, Oilers and Blue Jackets. They can't afford a skid at this point.
Ottawa Senators - What a difference a week makes. Four straight losses have the Sens once comfy cushion fade away. They are four points up on the ninth place Devils with a game at hand but can ill afford to have this streak go any longer.
New York Rangers - The Rangers have underperformed this season but are in seventh in the East tied in points with the Islanders. They have been playing better hockey of late, despite last nights loss to the Leafs, and if Henrik Lundqvist can hold the for they may get it.
New York Islanders - One of the seasons biggest surprises finds the other New York team on the verge of a playoff spot. John Tavares and company have the slimmest of margins, just a two point gap on the Devils and Jets so it will come down to the wire here.
New Jersey Devils - Last years eastern conference champs have fallen off as predicted well, here, but are still a threat to go on a run and make the playoffs. Martin Brodeur is back and the Devils are never an easy out so look for them to push hard to the end.
Winnipeg Jets/Washington Capitals - The Jets and Capitals are in the odd position of possibly being the thrid seed or right out of the playoffs. The Capitals recent streak has them two points ahead of Winnipeg for the South East Division lead but should they falter they may find themselves out of the playoffs all together.
Who gets in? Who's ticket is left unpunched?
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Deadline Day
In what has more or less become a national holiday in the great white north the NHL trade deadline is upon us and this year may prove to be more intriguing than past for the simple reason that the shortened season has left so many teams still in it. Perhaps it should be deadline week as a number of the presumed trade bait has already snapped up but let's look at who may still be on the move.
The number of teams who don't have a shot at the playoffs is shorter than Brian Burke's temper and as a result the big moves that occasionally happen may not go down as teams aren't willing to tinker too much with their rosters. They may instead seek out depth for their roster as they make a playoff run or a rental to help push them over the top and into the playoffs rather than give up too much to go for it this year.
The salary cap falling next season will have an impact more a the NHL Draft in June, I believe, as so many teams are still in the hunt for a playoff spot that they don't want to risk missing it or send the wrong message to the players and they fans by trading away key players at a crucial time.
There are exceptions though like in Calgary where even mascot Harvey the Hound may not be safe. They shipped long time Captain and franchise player Jerome Iginla out to Pittsburgh and then sent Jay Bouwmeester to St. Louis, both for picks and prospects. It is clear they are building for the future and may not have got a lot in return for these players as of yet. GM Jay Feaster said he isn't done yet and it looks like they have more assets to deal so time will tell what they can bank moving forward. Goalie Mikka Kiprusoff has stated he will not report if traded which obviously handcuffs them but if a team can convince him they should get a decent asset in return.
The Dallas Stars are still in playoff contention but had to make some move ahead of the deadline to get rid of pending UFA'S they weren't likely to sign in Brendan Morrow, Jaromir Jagr and Derek Roy. Reports indicated that they tried and couldn't come to an agreement so GM Joe Nieuwendyk did what was in the best long term interest of the franchise and got some prospects for them. The Stars are not a big spending club and may shed more veterans in an effort to build for the future.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have made it clear they are going for it this year and despite the injury to captain Sidney Crosby who should be back around playoff time, they are a threat to win it all. They added veterans in Brendan Morrow, Jerome Iginla and douglas Murray to bolster an already loaded roster and if Marc-Andre Fleury can return to the form he displayed in their 2009 cup run they could again hoist Lord Stanley's mug.
The Anaheim Ducks are also rumored according to TSN tobe interested in making a substantial move in order to keep up with the Chicago Blackhawks in the west. GM Bob Murray is no stranger to deadline deals and so look for them to be active today.
Roberto Luongo remains one of the biggest names out there and apparently, somehow, there are four teams the Canucks are talking to, if you believe GM Dave Gillis. Whatever the situation it's clear over the last few weeks Cory Schneider has become their #1 goalie and they will roll with him into the playoffs. Where Luongo lands is still up in the air but they may wait until the summer to move him.
Where will your favorite team be standing when the dust settles?
The number of teams who don't have a shot at the playoffs is shorter than Brian Burke's temper and as a result the big moves that occasionally happen may not go down as teams aren't willing to tinker too much with their rosters. They may instead seek out depth for their roster as they make a playoff run or a rental to help push them over the top and into the playoffs rather than give up too much to go for it this year.
The salary cap falling next season will have an impact more a the NHL Draft in June, I believe, as so many teams are still in the hunt for a playoff spot that they don't want to risk missing it or send the wrong message to the players and they fans by trading away key players at a crucial time.
There are exceptions though like in Calgary where even mascot Harvey the Hound may not be safe. They shipped long time Captain and franchise player Jerome Iginla out to Pittsburgh and then sent Jay Bouwmeester to St. Louis, both for picks and prospects. It is clear they are building for the future and may not have got a lot in return for these players as of yet. GM Jay Feaster said he isn't done yet and it looks like they have more assets to deal so time will tell what they can bank moving forward. Goalie Mikka Kiprusoff has stated he will not report if traded which obviously handcuffs them but if a team can convince him they should get a decent asset in return.
The Dallas Stars are still in playoff contention but had to make some move ahead of the deadline to get rid of pending UFA'S they weren't likely to sign in Brendan Morrow, Jaromir Jagr and Derek Roy. Reports indicated that they tried and couldn't come to an agreement so GM Joe Nieuwendyk did what was in the best long term interest of the franchise and got some prospects for them. The Stars are not a big spending club and may shed more veterans in an effort to build for the future.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have made it clear they are going for it this year and despite the injury to captain Sidney Crosby who should be back around playoff time, they are a threat to win it all. They added veterans in Brendan Morrow, Jerome Iginla and douglas Murray to bolster an already loaded roster and if Marc-Andre Fleury can return to the form he displayed in their 2009 cup run they could again hoist Lord Stanley's mug.
The Anaheim Ducks are also rumored according to TSN tobe interested in making a substantial move in order to keep up with the Chicago Blackhawks in the west. GM Bob Murray is no stranger to deadline deals and so look for them to be active today.
Roberto Luongo remains one of the biggest names out there and apparently, somehow, there are four teams the Canucks are talking to, if you believe GM Dave Gillis. Whatever the situation it's clear over the last few weeks Cory Schneider has become their #1 goalie and they will roll with him into the playoffs. Where Luongo lands is still up in the air but they may wait until the summer to move him.
Where will your favorite team be standing when the dust settles?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)