Trades and Potential Trades

Silly season is getting close. So, I'll contribute by commenting on a rumor I read. It was something to this effect: Buffalo is 100% done with E. Kane. And, that Boston really wants him.

The only thing that gives me pause is that Kane would seem a great fit in Boston, and Boston has young D currency (not Carlo or McAvoy) to tempt Buffalo.

 

I don't know where this belongs so I'll toss it in here.
PIT GM Rutherford is pretty steamed about the constant abuse that Crosby receives. He points out that other sports actively protect star players, but the NHL just claims "that's hockey".

I'm no Crosby fan and I can see how he's polarizing with some of his rhetoric. But, it is absurd how much abuse he takes. I also, begrudgingly, give him credit for taking the abuse and then stating that winning is the ultimate vindication.

Well, it looks like PIT has had enough and will add one or two tough guys before next season. Obviously no one expects a return to 1970's style goonery, but a spot or two will open up for a John Scott type of player. PIT is close to doing something we hardly ever see anymore in the NHL; back-to-back SC Championships. They've done it by defining the modern era's style predicated on skating & speed.

It's too bad that they need to regress from a successful formula because the league won't take care of their business.

 

• They will never take a larger chunk of the pie until they learn how to better market the sport.[/*]

• You can't market the sport without star talent.[/*]

• If you don't protect the stars they end up sidelined instead of showcasing the sport.[/*]

This is pretty basic math that for some reason the NHL doesn't understand and it infuriates me.

My head is in the analytics of football from player evaluation through progression, Xs and Os, coaching decisions and details that are far too many to list. It totally dominates my thinking for the better part of a year and there is very little that I dislike about the sport. I love me some football.

But, if I had to choose between a professional player at either football or hockey, I'm lacing up the skates. The pace of the game and the way it forces you to improvise, attack with tenacity and react to situations on the fly is the biggest adrenaline rush you can get from any of the major sports IMO. It's just a different mindset to play this game. The greats can see the ice unfold in front of them and make a pass in their own zone in such a manner that sees the puck move through several steps before coming back to them in front of the opponents net. No one else knew, but somehow they did and at the speed hockey moves it is nothing short of wizardry.

The fact that the NHL refuses to clean up the sport and make the other necessary changes to see it evolve into one of the most anticipated events each week of the regular season is a testament to just how damn stupid old money can be.

Sorry for the quick rant, but every NHL post-season I'm reminded just how pissed off I can get at the way they have bullheadedly refused to accept that there are some changes that have to be made.

 

Crosby is taking a lot of abuse and at the same time, he dishes it out.

I was PO'd that Crosby didn't get squat for mutilating an opponents finger too.

One thing that would help the sport in a gigantic way would be to call a penalty when they occur. There is too much open for interpretation kind of stuff the officials call or don't call. The rules when utilized properly could protect and satisfy the stars of the game, imo.

Playoff hockey when they put away the whistles is crazy too. I would like to see more penalty's called when they happen and its always fun to see the special teams play...PK and PP are always exciting.

The NHL has a long way to go in order to protect the integrity of the game and they seem to have their heads buried in the sand. Bettman needs to wake up and address these issues that are under his watch.

Too sum up - A penalty is a penalty is a penalty... call them or fix the rule book.

 

Dan-what should the league do about the Crosby abuse and how do you stop it? To me, you're a pro athlete and like all pro athletes, you take the cheers with the boos! If you're a Dallas Cowboy and come to Philly, you are getting harassed and so is your Mother ! Not saying it's right, but it's the nature of sports. Athletes get cheered and boo'ed going back to the gladiator days. It's part of the game. Like the WWE- you gotta have the hero and the heel. You gotta cheer for the hero and harass the heel. Crosby is no different.

 

I believe you missed his point

 

Cat, both Tim and Will posted responses that point out the problem the NHL has with how star players are treated.

We are not talking about booing, or even fan harassment*. We are talking about abuse by other players, and the fact that officials appear to be turning a blind eye to penalties. (* I, for one, do not accept the notion that the price of admission entitles anyone to harass anyone.)

 

really? you're speaking for Dan now? Im asking him. He says the league won't take care of their business with the harassment of Crosby. Im asking - how do you stop it? Im not missing his point at all ! I don't care about the Pens hiring 2 goons. Im asking how do you stop the fans from harassing the leagues best player?

 

this is nothing new Dan. Player favoritism goes back a long time across all sports. The price of admission allows you to be a fan and watch a sporting event. harassing players, throwing items, using profanity chants at the players and other fans is wrong.

 

Dan-i saw their responses. they point out the problem - not how to fix it. i saw your post and im asking you - how do you fix it or stop it?

 

Cat, I thanked all-pgh for the simple reason that I do think he correctly speaks for me (and the others who commented) when he states you're missing the point. This is not being pissy; it is just an effort to turn the discussion in a positive direction.

The intent of this discussion has nothing to do with the fans.

In other sports star players are coddled and sheltered. They are less likely to get a call against them, and "minor" players will get very little benefit of the doubt.

That may or may not be right, (but it is in the leagues' best interests). In the NHL there appears to be a willful denial that one of their star players is being abused on the ice. So much so that it's an embarrassment to the league.

 

There's a principle known as Ockham's Razor; it states that the simplest response is usually the best. Will provided the solution - call the penalty.

 

My simple answer as how to fix this is; (1) Enforce the rules all the time as written. (2) Bettman calls a summit with his colleges and all the GM's to come up with a fair solution.

There are cheap shots and slashing galore going on and I believe stiffer punishment and enforcement of the rules would be a good starting point to curtail those cheap shots. Start issuing Game Misconducts might help eliminate a lot of stuff too.

The game is faster, more skilled and violent of course, but the cheap stuff can be eliminated or at least drastically cut down in. Seems to me the Refs ought to be getting a letter from Bettman to remind them to call penalty's.

On a side note; 'star' players need to learn not to dish it out because what goes around usually comes around. Players will take your number and when given an opportunity they will getcha back.

 

exactly. i don't think it's the "leagues" problem. it's on the players. you wanna slash other players or spear them, you better expect to get it back. for all of the "abuse" of Crosby, he dishes out PLENTY in return! Malkin is even worse. Malkin has no qualms of spearing players, hitting players late and being cheap on the ice. Players have no problems going after him in return too. That's hockey. Malkin and Crosby don't hide behind the Refs. They dish it out and take it. I give them a lot of credit for that.

 

And, if every time these guys you mentioned did that and they were penalized, I would think it would cut down the stuff going on.

 

true but we all knows refs and umps are different. MLB has a standard strike zone that doesn't change, but Umps do change it to their preferences (Eric Gregg 1997 NLCS). Same for hockey refs. Some call games tight with a lot of penalties. Some put the whistles away and let them play. The blatant ignored penalties regardless of player is a problem. It's not the abuse of a player, but the ignorance of the refs to make a damn call.

i will quote Dean Youngblood's brother Kelly from the movie Youngblood "Call it Hannah, call it you meathead!"

The video is not of that scene but ANOTHER botched missed ref call !

[video]https://video.search.yahoo.com/sear...=fc23a5a04d60844ac24c75c2972d16d9&action=view[/video]

 

playoff hockey, sit back and enjoy!

 

The Blackhawks and Golden Knights could be closing on a deal for Trevor van Riemsdyk & Marcus Kruger...

 

Damn you Stan!

 

Report: Canucks receive Blue Jackets? 2017 second-round pick for Tortorella hiring
That would be the 55th overall selection.