As mentioned in last week's BucketofPucks Quick Hit's NHL Fantasy Injury Report, injuries are starting to pile up at an alarming rate this first month of the season. Where injuries are a part of every sport, there is a disturbing trend emerging. That is the increase of concussion related injuries.
In the last few years, there has been a rise in concern and some action related to concussions in most of the major sports. In hockey alone, we've seen an improvement in head gear for both goalie and skater to better protect players but has that been enough? In the NFL there has been rule changes penalizing players for blows to the head, not unlike hockey rules relating to stick fouls. You must always be responsible for your stick, whether it be intensional or not. With recent injuries to Toews, Tucker, Souray and Booth, it might just be time to consider similar action.
Hits that injure anyone almost always have a debate to them, whether it was dirty and/or intentional. But with the NHL's "always responsible for your stick" rules in mind, coupled with League offices monitoring all the games for instant replay. Maybe it's time for the NHL to combine the 2 for a safer game, in an effort to reduce this rising problem.
I watched the replay of Richards hit on Booth and I didn't feel it was dirty. I did however feel Richards could have made more of an effort to avoid hitting him as he did. Richards has a bit of a reputation for hitting players in vulnerable positions. The NHL should look to force players into avoiding these vulnerable hits that expose players. Whether it been a passing shoulder to the head or a hit forcing a player head first into the boards, like Souray being tripped or Tucker being checked. What I'm suggesting is have the NHL "War Room" add to it's responsibilities keeping an eye on hits to the head and making players more responsible for their contact.
All this injury talk leads us right into our Waiver Wire picks for the week. See who we've got on tap for you, after the break:
Continue reading "Waiver Wire Report: NHL Fantasy Free Agents, Week of 10/26" »
Waiver Wire Report: NHL Fantasy Free Agents, Week of 11/2
As most hockey fans know, it was 50 years ago this past weekend that Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacques Plante brought us the hockey mask for the first time. In honor of this historic hockey moment, BucketofPucks Waiver Wire Report will kick off this week with a "Hat Tip" to this game changing event.
To begin with TSN has a fun Gallery of the Best Goalie Masks of the Year, check it out and see who you think has the most awesome mask of this season. Ranger's goalie Henrik Lundqvist just had a new mask made to honor this great hockey moment. It has the original hockey mask on it, along with a ticket to the actual Montreal-New York stub in which Plante had his nose broken by Ranger forward Andy Bathgate's shot.
Hockey commentator Stan Fischler, also known as "The Hockey Maven" recently recounted this great hockey story. Upon breaking his nose on the Andy Bathgate shot, Jacques Plante skated right off the ice and went to the lockeroom to get patched up. Causing a 21 minute delay in the game. After receiving some medical attention, Plante broke out the mask, as he'd been toying with it and using it in practices. Canadiens coach Toe Blake would have none of it and was furious at Plante for even suggesting it. Given the fact that Blake had no backup goaltender he eventually relented. Emerging from the locker room the revelation was shocking to those who first saw it. The Canadiens rallied around their goalie and won the game 3-1.
What I find to be a particularly fun fact, that not everyone remembers, as Fischler tells the story: Toe Blake was so against the mask, he insisted the Plante play the next game without it. A game in which Montreal got trounced. So Blake said to Plante he could wear the mask until he was healed. It was then that the Canadiens went on a 10 game winning streak and the game of hockey was changed forever.
Now let's get to this week Waiver Wire pick, right after the break:
Continue reading "Waiver Wire Report: NHL Fantasy Free Agents, Week of 11/2" »
Posted by Scott Levy on November 02, 2009 at 01:33 PM in Anaheim Ducks, Analysis, Atlanta Thrashers, Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Centers, Colorado Avalanche, Commentary, Defense, Draft, Florida Panthers, Goaltenders, Injury, LW, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, NHL, Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, Rookie, RW, Trade | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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