So, typically I have used my blog to talk about salesforce.com, and every once in a while (especially the first post of the year) I talk about music. Another passion of mine is hockey – as a child I played hockey, as a dad I play hockey taxi dad and coach, and as a Canadian, I sit my arse down on the couch or the stands and watch a game when I can. I remember seeing a game in Phoenix – it was the Coyotes against the Florida Panthers, and the folks who took me were absolutely shocked that I knew players on each team, and stats, and basically any question they had, even though I was a self-titled Toronto Maple Leaf fan. It’s in my blood…it’s as simple as that.
Which brings me to today’s post – on Friday night, the NHL went retro, back to the rock em sock em days of my youth, with 380 plus minutes of penalties is one game – the New York Islanders and the Pittsburg Penguins. Now, the two teams had played back on February 2, 2011, a night when Brent Johnson knocked Rick DiPietro out with one punch for 6-8 weeks (facial fractures). Also forgotten in this game however was the check delivered by Maxime Talbot on Blake Comeau (which has left Comeau out of the lineup with a concussion). Friday night, the Islanders wanted blood – not just with a win (which they did 9-3) but also through punches and hits. They even brought up Mike Haley, who played 3 minutes and received 39 minutes. All can be seen here…
The Islanders were penalized after the game – Trevor Gillies was suspended for 9 games for his cheap hit on Eric Tangradi (a hit that deserved even more in my eyes), Matt Martin received four games, the Islanders were fined $100,000 and the Penguins’ Eric Godard was suspended for 10 games (a suspension I am sure his team does not mind, as he came off the bench to protect his goalie from Mike Haley). Was the fights too much? Yes. Was it a good indication of the league now? No. Did the Islanders send a message to the rest of the league? Definitely – the Penguins, at the beginning of this game we literally laughing at the ‘doormats’ of the league prior to the game. Would I want this type of game to happen on a weekly basis? Hell, no.
Which brings me to today’s news – Mario Lemieux, one of the greatest hockey players of all time, the saviour of Pittsburg hockey, and one never to voice his dislike the rougher, uglier tendencies of the NHL. Today, according to news releases, Lemieux stated that “If the events relating to Friday night reflect the state of the league, I need to re-think whether I want to be a part of it”. Mario Lemieux, owner and saviour of the Penguins, hall of fame player and ambassador of the game thinks the world is ending over one game. 850 games into the season (yup, there’s been that many), Lemieux is wondering whether he should leave because of 1. If I could, a personal message to Mr. Lemieux – your response is akin to a five year old who gets mad during a game on the playground, and decides he’s taking his ball and going home. The NHL is cleaning up it’s image, with fewer fights than five years ago, the removal of the clutch and grab of ten years ago, and a slowly growing fan base in the US. I realize the Penguins are hurting, with Crosby is out with a concussion (an unfortunate incident, but one that was accidental), Malkin has blown his knee and is out for the season and Matt Cooke (one of the dirtiest players in the league) is on your team and currently suspended. However, for Mr. Lemieux, a Canadian icon and a hockey powerhouse to make such a bold statement as to wondering if he wants to be part of hockey after one wild game is damaging to not only his personal character but could potentially be damaging to the game of hockey as a whole. Instead of whining about one game and basically yelling “IF THAT’S HOW YOU’RE GONNA BE, I’M GOING HOME!” to the fans of hockey, talk to your team, your colleague owners, GMs, and maybe even newfound hockey genius, powerhouse and change driver Brendan Shanahan and continue to drive changes to the league to make it better. The NHL made their decision, stop whining about it (would the league fine Lemieux as he has against Dean Lombardi for his comments), and continue to push for changes.
So, putting my money (thoughts) where my mouth is, here are my four ways to make the NHL even better.
1) Change the equipment: Hockey pads (especially shoulder and elbow pads) have become weapons these days, and I believe the increase in concussions are directly correlated to the equipment. Just ten years ago, the equipment was smaller, lighter and softer. The league NEEDS to force a design change for shoulder and elbow pads to make them much softer, just as they have done with goalie equipment (length and size of pads, size of chest protectors) to directly protect players from high hits and shoulder hits. Now, some will say they need the harder equipment to protect from shots. I call BS on that. Yes, Chara can shoot the puck at 105 miles an hour. One – during a game, you very rarely get to run up, step into and shoot the puck with such voracity. Two – anyone remember the name Al Macinnis? Or Al Iafrate? These guys were ripping shots way before you could use an elbow pad to hammer a nail into wood, and some players would try to block the shots, and goalies still stayed in the nets…
2) Change Overtime: There are a few changes here. First. Have two overtimes prior to a shootout. Do one five minute period 4 on 4, and one five minute period 3 on 3. The extra five minutes, with 6 skaters on the ice would be wide open, and free wheeling…fans would love it (just ask any minor hockey parent who has watched their child play in a double OT playoff game). Secondly, take away the overtime loss point. Two points to the winner, nothing for the loser.
3) Set mandatory suspension amounts for certain types of infractions: Eric Godard received the league minimum 10 games for leaving the bench to fight in Friday night’s fight filled game (I believe he only received the minimum as he went to the aid of a goaltender). Yet, for hits to the head, slew foots, attempts to injure, it is up to (right now) Colin Campbell and company. Set minimums, and it is used for all players, whether it be first time offenders or cheap shot artists like Matt Cooke, as the starting point. 5 game minimum suspension for a hit to the head (whether or not an injury occurred), five game minimum for slew foots, ten game minimum for an attempt to injure. Maybe this would help to harness in players from pulling bonehead hits, and playing maliciously.
4) Officials: Right now we have 2 on ice referees and 2 linesmen on the ice with twelve players. And we’ve all seen games where two conflicting types of officials seem to ‘ruin’ a game with calls, or just gotten in the way. I think we should go back to 1 on ice referee and 2 linesmen. Now, keep the second referee off the ice, and available as a second set of eyes, for conference on goals, major penalties (he would have the ability to call down and call a missed major, just as the linesmen currently can) or other missed activities. They could not call minor infractions. And would we need the refs to slow the play with having to go to the timekeeper and grab the phone? No. Take a page out of soccer, and utilize headset technology to allow all four officials to talk during the game.
5) Ice size: I know this will never happen, but it would be wondrous to see the whole league move to an international ice size for their rinks. The larger ice size would bring the NHL closer to being an international game, would allow for more skill and speed, and would also allow more European players to move as they had learned. How do we start? Well, first off, Hockey Canada and USA Hockey would need to mandate the change for minor league hockey, and time would need to be allowed for arenas to expand if possible. All new arenas would have to be built to international specifications. And of course, the NHL buildings would need to be changed to allow for the larger ice size (already possible in some arenas, however others would need seats removed). This could not happen overnight, but if the ground work was put in play, we could see the ice size be a norm within ten years. I truly believe the larger ice size would be a huge boon for showcasing the speed and skill of the game, something lost with ten behemoths playing in a zone these days.
So, there you have it – my very long thought on hockey, and little tweaks that in my humble opinion would make the greatest sport in the world even better. You have a take on my thoughts? Let me know! And on a snowy Sunday, there’s nothing better than talking hockey!
Nik