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stuff99 · 03-11-2011, 08:54 AM

SAN JOSE, Calif. — During the NHL lockout, a concerted effort was made to create a new, better game.

This game would be faster and more wide open than the hockey that had been played for the previous decade because, well, it had to be. But, in opening up the game, the league’s stakeholders were aware they were creating potential problems.

These areas were discussed at both the general manager’s level and the competition committee level and a solution was reached. If the game was faster, and therefore more dangerous, the league would have to be vigilant in policing certain kind of hits with supplementary discipline.

Everyone agreed on this. Everyone left the matter with the league and, at first, the reaction wasn’t as strong as some might have hoped. Then, early last season, Mike Richards served up the perfect test case for the NHL when he obliterated the Panthers’ David Booth with a blindside hit.

The circumstances were almost ideal. Richards was a repeat offender. He received a major and a game misconduct on the play. Booth would miss most of the season with a concussion. And with a chance, once and for all to establish a clear precedent, this is what the NHL did.

Nothing. No suspension. No clear message. Nothing. And ever since, they’ve been trying to contain a problem that is now threatening to consume the game.

This is the story everyone in the league is talking about. This has taken over the hockey narrative. Zdeno Chara’s hit on Max Pacioretty has sparked yet another firestorm around the issue of head shots, but this time it is more heated, more intense.

It’s also become a huge national story. Pacioretty speaks from his hospital bed. Air Canada fires off a letter to the NHL threatening to pull its sponsorship. Gary Bettman, who’s had an interesting week, fires right back. There’s a police investigation. There’s a reaction on Parliament Hill. It’s in the newpapers. On the airwaves.

And this story isn’t being driven by the media. It’s everywhere in the game.

“The players are concerned,” San Jose’s Ryan Clowe said before Thursday night’s game with the Vancouver Canucks.

“I’m concerned about my teammates’ health, the health of the players around the league and I’m concerned about my own health. I don’t want to see players injured like that, and I don’t want to hurt someone like that, either.

“I think the guys care. Guys aren’t voicing a strong opinion because they want to be careful what they say. But talking to guys around the league, I know they’re concerned. In some positions you’re so vulnerable you don’t want someone hitting you like that.”

But still it continues.

Clowe, in fact, should be an authoritative voice on this subject. He plays tough. He plays with an edge. He’s also disturbed by what he sees, even as he recognizes the inherent conflict within the game he loves.

“It’s got to be on the players,” he said. “But it’s hard. If you’re not playing physically, you’re getting heat from your coaches and you’ll lose your job.”

So what’s to be done?

Well, something would be a start.

If you go back to the Richards hit and suspend the Flyers’ forward for eight games, what follows? Does Matt Cooke blindside Marc Savard knowing the precedent has been established? Does David Steckel alter his course to avoid Sidney Crosby? Does Chara ease up on Pacioretty as they near the stanchion? Does Pavel Kubina raise his elbow and deliver a blow to the head of David Bolland one night later?

More to the point, does a lengthy suspension to Richards change the way players think and react? That’s what has to happen here. There has to be a fundamental change and, as Clowe said: “It’s got to be on the players.”

But they need help getting there.

This subject will come up again next week when those same general managers meet in Florida and they have a chance to go back and right a wrong. This time they have to come out with a clear purpose. This time they have to enforce sanctions to their full extent.

This time they have to change the way the game is played. A lot is riding on their response.

ewilles@theprovince.com

© Copyright (c) The Province

Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Wi...#ixzz1GJZn5KTt

03-11-2011, 08:54 AM	#17607
stuff99 I subscribe to the Fight Club ONLY Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver Posts: 7,316 Thanked 212 Times in 79 Posts Failed 35 Times in 23 Posts	SAN JOSE, Calif. — During the NHL lockout, a concerted effort was made to create a new, better game. This game would be faster and more wide open than the hockey that had been played for the previous decade because, well, it had to be. But, in opening up the game, the league’s stakeholders were aware they were creating potential problems. These areas were discussed at both the general manager’s level and the competition committee level and a solution was reached. If the game was faster, and therefore more dangerous, the league would have to be vigilant in policing certain kind of hits with supplementary discipline. Everyone agreed on this. Everyone left the matter with the league and, at first, the reaction wasn’t as strong as some might have hoped. Then, early last season, Mike Richards served up the perfect test case for the NHL when he obliterated the Panthers’ David Booth with a blindside hit. The circumstances were almost ideal. Richards was a repeat offender. He received a major and a game misconduct on the play. Booth would miss most of the season with a concussion. And with a chance, once and for all to establish a clear precedent, this is what the NHL did. Nothing. No suspension. No clear message. Nothing. And ever since, they’ve been trying to contain a problem that is now threatening to consume the game. This is the story everyone in the league is talking about. This has taken over the hockey narrative. Zdeno Chara’s hit on Max Pacioretty has sparked yet another firestorm around the issue of head shots, but this time it is more heated, more intense. It’s also become a huge national story. Pacioretty speaks from his hospital bed. Air Canada fires off a letter to the NHL threatening to pull its sponsorship. Gary Bettman, who’s had an interesting week, fires right back. There’s a police investigation. There’s a reaction on Parliament Hill. It’s in the newpapers. On the airwaves. And this story isn’t being driven by the media. It’s everywhere in the game. “The players are concerned,” San Jose’s Ryan Clowe said before Thursday night’s game with the Vancouver Canucks. “I’m concerned about my teammates’ health, the health of the players around the league and I’m concerned about my own health. I don’t want to see players injured like that, and I don’t want to hurt someone like that, either. “I think the guys care. Guys aren’t voicing a strong opinion because they want to be careful what they say. But talking to guys around the league, I know they’re concerned. In some positions you’re so vulnerable you don’t want someone hitting you like that.” But still it continues. Clowe, in fact, should be an authoritative voice on this subject. He plays tough. He plays with an edge. He’s also disturbed by what he sees, even as he recognizes the inherent conflict within the game he loves. “It’s got to be on the players,” he said. “But it’s hard. If you’re not playing physically, you’re getting heat from your coaches and you’ll lose your job.” So what’s to be done? Well, something would be a start. If you go back to the Richards hit and suspend the Flyers’ forward for eight games, what follows? Does Matt Cooke blindside Marc Savard knowing the precedent has been established? Does David Steckel alter his course to avoid Sidney Crosby? Does Chara ease up on Pacioretty as they near the stanchion? Does Pavel Kubina raise his elbow and deliver a blow to the head of David Bolland one night later? More to the point, does a lengthy suspension to Richards change the way players think and react? That’s what has to happen here. There has to be a fundamental change and, as Clowe said: “It’s got to be on the players.” But they need help getting there. This subject will come up again next week when those same general managers meet in Florida and they have a chance to go back and right a wrong. This time they have to come out with a clear purpose. This time they have to enforce sanctions to their full extent. This time they have to change the way the game is played. A lot is riding on their response. ewilles@theprovince.com © Copyright (c) The Province Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Wi...#ixzz1GJZn5KTt __________________ ....