NHL Offseason 2011

[Naples39]

Unfortunate details of the crash;

The charter plane carrying almost the entire Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team took off in perfect weather this morning, had trouble gaining altitude, clipped a radar tower and crashed 1.5 miles from the airport. It's the exact same plane that had been banned two years ago by aviation authorities from flying to Europe because it did not meet any of the international standards for safety.

The Yakovlev Yak-42 was developed in the late 70s, the first Soviet aircraft to use modern turbofan engines. This specific jet, tail number RA-42433, first flew in 1993 and saw heavy service as a commercial airliner.

http://deadspin.com/5838024/

[FifaInspected]

I watched Demitra play locally in his minor league days.

[toonarmy]

The plane crash is ridiculously sad news. I cannot even begin to imagine how that organization and its fans will deal with such a tragedy.

[10spro]

Very interesting press conference regarding Crosby' future. Maybe the league finally have learned a lesson or two that heads to the shots need to be taken out of the game. Even at 90% healthy, he's not about to start the season as his doctors are cautioning on the safe side. You wonder how many third line and fourth line players were rushed to the lineup even when they didn't feel 100%, yet were pressured by their team or just weren't knowledgeable enough about concussions. Marc Savard comes to mind immediately as he is about to miss the entire season and probably will cut his career short.

As important as Sid is to the game, I am glad that he's taking his time before he makes a comeback. Studies have shown that players come back too soon after having their bells rang on the ice.

[Naples39]

I didn't see the press conference, though I expected the main thrust of it would be "I'm getting better, but not yet."

It's interesting in that skeptics have always said it would take a serious injury to Ovechkin or Crosby before they take head injuries seriously. Is this serious enough? The longer Crosby is out the more pressure it puts on the league to do something.

[toonarmy]

Sid is young and he has zero to prove, so it is 100% proper to keep him out as long as it takes. I agree that lesser players probably rush back too soon because they are worried about losing their spot in the lineup or on the roster. Trying to eliminate head shots is not going to be enough -- tone down the damn body armor on the shoulders. Players would stop flying into each other high with no abandon as much if it meant risking shoulder injuries. With the NHL, though, it will probably take several more head injuries to star players before they truly address the issue.

[Jimmydeicide]

Damn right this is serious , whos gonna put their kids in hockey with concussions this rampant and its such a long drawn out process to get healthy again.
This head shot ruling could be the end to the NHL eventually. They better get their arse in gear.

[pk500]

Damn right this is serious , whos gonna put their kids in hockey with concussions this rampant and its such a long drawn out process to get healthy again.
This head shot ruling could be the end to the NHL eventually. They better get their arse in gear.

USA Hockey has banned checking this season for kids 12 and under, which is a joke. Stupid, stupid rule.

Kids need to learn how to check properly by age 10. Once kids are 12, they can be big enough to cause serious injuries if they check from behind or when a player is in a vulnerable position. My youngest son is 6 and in his fourth year of hockey. I would be comfortable if he learned how to check cleanly and properly at age 8.

My 10-year-old son has played indoor and outdoor lacrosse since he was 7, and he was allowed to hit from Day 1. It makes the game much more clean throughout junior high and high school, as the kids are taught how to check within the rules at a young age, so there is more comprehension.

Plus it has allowed me to mutter under my breath, "Son, nail that little f*ck," for the last three years.

[Jimmydeicide]

I cant remember but my lad wasn't allowed to hit until about then either and no one ever showed them how to hit when it was allowed the only thing i remember them being taught was about receiving a hit near the boards and how to roll off it or not leave yourself vulnerable.
Dont know if your lads are getting any but they should be dont you think by now.

I remember a hit my son did when hitting wasn't allowed he was about 8 or 9 and some big kid was gooning it up and was getting some home cooking from the refs my lad as a D man i could see him getting annoyed by it and so he waited for him to come across the middle and BOOM!! text book hit flattened him no call either i cheered out loud on that one as did most parents i think the ref was impressed too hence the no call.

Boy i do miss him playing, full of little moments like that and nice and cool inside those rinks right now.
Good times

[pk500]

Dont know if your lads are getting any but they should be dont you think by now.

Absolutely. My 10-year-old -- the lax player -- doesn't skate. But my 6-year-old does, and he's more aggressive than his older brother. I'd rather him learn how to hit properly now, or least by age 8, instead of delaying it long enough to where he can really hurt or be hurt.

Summer hockey was a delight this summer for my 6-year-old, for two reasons: One, he played with kids much better than him, which doused his red-hot ego stoked by tearing up his final pre-mite season last winter. Two, it was so cool and comfortable inside the rink, as you said. Now, as for 7 a.m. practice on Jan. 17, well, that's when your nuts shrivel into your abdomen when you sit on the dressing room bench and help the kid suit up!

[Naples39]

Kudos to Brendan Shanahan, laying the smackdown for some early preseason boardings. 5 games for Letourneau-Leblond, and 10 games for Shelley. Even more impressive, the attached video explaining the Leblond violation. Transparent, clear, and tough enforcement. A+ as far as I'm concerned so far.

[MizzouRah]

That is awesome, Brendan Shannahan is one of my favorite all time players and it's refreshing to see someone who cares about the safety of players put in a position to protect them.

[pk500]

How can any player not heed or respect Shanny? But will the zebras provide consistent enforcement? That's always the issue with any NHL rule change.

[pk500]

All of hockey should hang its head in shame:

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/70072 ... e-simmonds

I thought this kind of sh*t was reserved for imbeciles in the stands at Spanish soccer matches. Sadly, I guess not.

[greggsand]

All of hockey should hang its head in shame:

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/70072 ... e-simmonds

I thought this kind of sh*t was reserved for imbeciles in the stands at Spanish soccer matches. Sadly, I guess not.

I hope somebody put a beat down on the loser that threw it.

On another note... Since there will be no NBA Season, I'm thinking of throwing myself back into hockey(I bailed around the "work stoppage"). I'm thinking of ordering the Center Ice package so I can follow STL. Here's my question: are the blues going to worth a damn? Like "$172 Center Ice Package" worth a damn? I'd settle for a just a playoff spot...

[MizzouRah]

On another note... Since there will be no NBA Season, I'm thinking of throwing myself back into hockey(I bailed around the "work stoppage"). I'm thinking of ordering the Center Ice package so I can follow STL. Here's my question: are the blues going to worth a damn? Like "$172 Center Ice Package" worth a damn? I'd settle for a just a playoff spot...

I love hockey so much and I'm a Blues junkie, so to me yes.. hahah.. I might not be the best one to answer that question though.

Read this for an outlook on the 2011 season:
http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=588183

and this...

http://interact.stltoday.com/discussion ... 111497/all

[MizzouRah]

Trailer for, "Goon".


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DMLFOGv ... r_embedded

[Jimmydeicide]

Trailer for, "Goon".


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DMLFOGv ... r_embedded

If its as good as Gary the Tennis coach I'm in.

As usual Class response from Simmonds a real class act, I'm gonna miss him this season.

[toonarmy]

All of hockey should hang its head in shame:

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/70072 ... e-simmonds

I thought this kind of sh*t was reserved for imbeciles in the stands at Spanish soccer matches. Sadly, I guess not.

That fan is a POS, but I don't think all of hockey should hang its head in shame. That's a bit of an overreaction over a single fan who took it upon himself to be a complete jackass. I think hockey fans are by and large less racist than fans of other sports. The racist crap I've heard while sitting in the stands at other major sports is a lot worse than anything I've ever heard at an NHL game. It probably varies by locale though.

[toonarmy]

Kudos to Brendan Shanahan, laying the smackdown for some early preseason boardings. 5 games for Letourneau-Leblond, and 10 games for Shelley. Even more impressive, the attached video explaining the Leblond violation. Transparent, clear, and tough enforcement. A+ as far as I'm concerned so far.

Wow, hadn't seen this video until now. Always liked Shanny and am pleased to see him taking it upon himself to be clear about his decision. I hope he does this kind of thing all season long. The NHL definitely needs this kind of transparency and enforcement.

[10spro]

Good video find, Naples. Always respected Shanny myself, it is up to the zebras to be consistent with the message now.

[Naples39]

A new suspension, this time for a headshot;


I wrote more in depth on my blog, but I think this is really noteworthy because in the video Shanahan states that the onus was the checking player to avoid contact to the head. The new boarding rule explicitly states such an onus on the checking player to avoid hitting a defenseless player, but the current headshot rule does not contain the same language.

The only way the NHL is going to reduce head injuries long term is to provide stiff penalties and place the onus on a checking player to avoid preying on vulnerable targets, and things continue to move in the right direction.

[10spro]

Bertuzzi's SO goal against the Hawks last night.

[Naples39]

Heh, I haven't seen that variation before, going through the legs but bringing it back in front again.

[toonarmy]

Sick move. The goalie had to be thinking wtf was that.