Was that really necessary?

In a previous post, I noted that the NHL was looking into addressing the issue of head shots. This week, the NHL will have their chance to prove that they are, in fact, serious about removing this unnecessary part from the game.

Tonight, Dean McAmmond suffered a concussion while on the receiving end of a Steve Downie check. Downie, who is known as an "energy" player, delivered an overly dirty hit as he left his feet, launching his body like a missile, and hitting McAmmond's head square on with his shoulder. The Senators' forward was knocked out instantly and laid motionless on the ice as teammates came to the rescue. McAmmond, coming off a concussion from the Stanley Cup Finals, had to be taken off the ice in a stretcher.

Is a hit like this really necessary, especially in an exhibition game? This is a recurring problem in sports and it seems to be particularly an issue during exhibition games when players are doing anything to get noticed while trying to secure a roster-spot. Downie is a young player fighting to make the team and there is pressure for him to perform at a high level and show that he belongs on the Flyers. For McAmmond, he is already an established veteran trying to get ready for the season. It is a theme that will continue as long as exhibition games are around.

The NHL has suspended Downie indefinitely. If/When he returns to play for the Flyers this season he will be expected to face the wrath of Brian McGrattan, who, in Bertuzzi-like fashion, vowed to get his revenge on Downie.

"A guy can't defend himself and you take a 40-foot run and jump and hit him. Hopefully the league takes a look at it. Those are the hits we don't want in our game. He'll get what's coming to him. He'll get what's coming to him next time we play him, that's for sure."

Yesterday, I came across an article posted by Eric McElrain at the AOL Fanhouse that is definitely worth a read, titled "Is the NHL Ignoring a Concussion Problem". They definitely will not be ignoring the severity of this hit. McAmmond is likely to be out for a while and, with his history of concussions, could miss the entire season. In fact, at the age of 34, this serious concussion could force him into early retirement.

We can only speculate how many games Downie will receive. Cam Janssen recieved only three games for his hit on Thomas Kaberle. If Collin Campbell and the NHL are as serious as they claim about getting rid of these cheap head shots, then this is the time to prove it. Downie must receive at least a 15 game suspension. A clear message must be sent to the players.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Michael Remis

Unbalancing Act

When the lockout ended, the NHL implemented a new schedule format. The unbalanced schedule saw teams face division opponents eight times during the season, while facing only ten non-conference opponents. This upset the teams/fans that did not benefit from hosting stars like Crosby and Ovechkin.

Each year since, there has been growing support for changing the format to ensure that every team play against eachother at least once. It appears that the NHL has finally recognized the need to change the schedule as a new format was agreed on in principle at today's Board of Governors meetings in Chicago . The NHL Board of Governors need 2/3rds majority to adopt the new schedule format, but TSN reports that Gary Bettman was confident he would get those votes. (Bettman was also confident that Florida and Nashville were viable hockey markets, but I think he may be right this time). The voting will take place in November.

This move is long overdue. The new format will ensure that the league's stars, like Crosby, play in every arena at least once a season. As eight of the top ten scorers last year were from Eastern Conference teams, fans in Western Conference cities did not get the opportunity to see many of the elite players in the NHL.

In addition to schedule changes, headshots were also front and centre at today's meetings. Colin Campbell and the NHL announced that they will be monitoring headshots more closely this season. This can only be a good thing. Each year there are a number of hits to the head which are by definition "clean" hits, but, in my opinion, should have no place in the game. Last year, many players suffered severe head injuries as a result of direct hits to the head. To name a few; Pittsburgh's Colby Armstrong here and here and by Raffi Torres here. Players are getting carted off on stretchers with career threatening concussions. The NHL does not want retired players to end up like NFLers . It is inevitable that this year someone will get hit in the head by a "clean" check and suffer serious injuries. Unfortunately, it may take someone to die of head injuries for the NHL to finally take action on headshots. I hope for the safety of the players and the game that they start punishing players like Colby Armstrong for going for hits to the head.

In other news
In a contract year, the aging star Markus Naslund is looking to rebound. The Swedish winger posted an abysmal season last year recording 24 goals and 36 assists and looked lethargic at times. Hopefully he can rebound to his 48 goal season of 02-03. I mean, this guy was on the cover of NHL 2005 and has been on the decline since the lockout. The Canucks need him to return to form this year.

Dustin Penner is feeling the pressure in Edmonton. When you become overpaid in a desperate move by a desperate GM, he doesn't have much choice but to feel the pressure to perform at a high level. I'm curious what return Brian Burke will get out of all those picks in next years draft, if history repeats itself, it should be good a good move for Burke to have not re-signed Penner.

See you in the morning

-remis