Every now and then, we get a reminder of an opinion that feels like a fact: the NHL is really lucky that hockey is such an intoxicating sport.
Naturally, barely skipping a beat - heck, even posting record ratings in many cases - after the lockout is the easiest example. That the league could nearly bumble yet another season away to save percentage points is maddening, especially since we didn’t make them "pay" for it.
Still, the good news about the labor conundrum is that it isn’t likely to be a major concern for 8-10 more years. The larger nagging issue is the league’s broken “star system.”
LAGGING BEHIND PEERS
When you look at the NFL and NBA, you see leagues that know how to cater to and enhance their stars. For the most part, they find organic ways to open up space for their artists to work; I can’t help but giggle with envy at NBA fans who complain about stars getting calls late in game because NHL officials rarely whistle anything, especially in the closing minutes of the third period. Stars getting that kind of treatment would be a great problem to have in the NHL, if you ask me.
Think of it in a Hollywood way. Most productions would attempt to make actors look heroic and obscure that person’s flaws (usually his or her height), rather than putting too many obstacles in that guy's way. Meanwhile, the NHL is content to watch countless scenes where their leading men have to fight through quicksand.
(Just look at almost every non-breakaway highlight reel goal. How many times will you notice a star player fighting off hooks and bits of obstruction both obvious and subtle to score that goal? Imagine how many more highlights we’d see if defenses didn’t get away with that nine times out of 10.)
A STRANGE DOUBLE STANDARD
It almost makes you believe that the NHL roots against its stars, but that’s not true. Instead, stars get significant benefits, only it usually happens in the least productive way. Rather than making games more exciting, this league’s “star system” shields big names from being properly disciplined.
That much became clear on Tuesday night, when TSN’s Bob McKenzie revealed that Corey Perry will receive a phone call (not an in-person meeting) with the NHL’s player safety people, which means he’ll face a maximum of a five-game suspension for his vicious hit on Minnesota Wild forward Jason Zucker.
This is far from the first time that an ugly hit gets soft treatment because of the prominent name on the back of the perpetrator's jersey. While it’s by no means the worst crime I’ve witnessed this season, it’s difficult not to circle back to Taylor Hall’s two-game slap on the wrist for a knee-to-knee on Cal Clutterbuck. After that, it became clear: the NHL is going softer and softer on crime, especially when it comes to prominent players.
Losing Perry for any number of games hurts, although considering the Anaheim Ducks’ strong place in the standings and the fact that the power forward is in line to get a contract that will wipe up whatever tears come from his lost game checks, fantasy owners might be among the biggest losers.
Really, though, the biggest frustration is that the NHL seems just as likely to look the other way when a mediocre defender interferes with a star as they are when a star takes liberties with a mediocre player. The latter part seems inevitable, but it all points to a system that’s broken in all the wrong ways.
(And it also makes fantasy hockey a little less fun, albeit in subtle ways.)
Such lawlessness might circle back to the Spaghetti Western movies of Sergio Leone and Clint Eastwood. Sadly, though, it’s a weird mix of tedium and danger that turns the NHL into “The Mild West.”
Jump for more.
Every now and then, we get a reminder of an opinion that feels like a fact: the NHL is really lucky that hockey is such an intoxicating sport.
Naturally, barely skipping a beat - heck, even posting record ratings in many cases - after the lockout is the easiest example. That the league could nearly bumble yet another season away to save percentage points is maddening, especially since we didn’t make them "pay" for it.
Still, the good news about the labor conundrum is that it isn’t likely to be a major concern for 8-10 more years. The larger nagging issue is the league’s broken “star system.”
LAGGING BEHIND PEERS
When you look at the NFL and NBA, you see leagues that know how to cater to and enhance their stars. For the most part, they find organic ways to open up space for their artists to work; I can’t help but giggle with envy at NBA fans who complain about stars getting calls late in game because NHL officials rarely whistle anything, especially in the closing minutes of the third period. Stars getting that kind of treatment would be a great problem to have in the NHL, if you ask me.
Think of it in a Hollywood way. Most productions would attempt to make actors look heroic and obscure that person’s flaws (usually his or her height), rather than putting too many obstacles in that guy's way. Meanwhile, the NHL is content to watch countless scenes where their leading men have to fight through quicksand.
(Just look at almost every non-breakaway highlight reel goal. How many times will you notice a star player fighting off hooks and bits of obstruction both obvious and subtle to score that goal? Imagine how many more highlights we’d see if defenses didn’t get away with that nine times out of 10.)
A STRANGE DOUBLE STANDARD
It almost makes you believe that the NHL roots against its stars, but that’s not true. Instead, stars get significant benefits, only it usually happens in the least productive way. Rather than making games more exciting, this league’s “star system” shields big names from being properly disciplined.
That much became clear on Tuesday night, when TSN’s Bob McKenzie revealed that Corey Perry will receive a phone call (not an in-person meeting) with the NHL’s player safety people, which means he’ll face a maximum of a five-game suspension for his vicious hit on Minnesota Wild forward Jason Zucker.
This is far from the first time that an ugly hit gets soft treatment because of the prominent name on the back of the perpetrator's jersey. While it’s by no means the worst crime I’ve witnessed this season, it’s difficult not to circle back to Taylor Hall’s two-game slap on the wrist for a knee-to-knee on Cal Clutterbuck. After that, it became clear: the NHL is going softer and softer on crime, especially when it comes to prominent players.
Losing Perry for any number of games hurts, although considering the Anaheim Ducks’ strong place in the standings and the fact that the power forward is in line to get a contract that will wipe up whatever tears come from his lost game checks, fantasy owners might be among the biggest losers.
Really, though, the biggest frustration is that the NHL seems just as likely to look the other way when a mediocre defender interferes with a star as they are when a star takes liberties with a mediocre player. The latter part seems inevitable, but it all points to a system that’s broken in all the wrong ways.
(And it also makes fantasy hockey a little less fun, albeit in subtle ways.)
Such lawlessness might circle back to the Spaghetti Western movies of Sergio Leone and Clint Eastwood. Sadly, though, it’s a weird mix of tedium and danger that turns the NHL into “The Mild West.”
Jump for more.
GOALIE GAINS
Tuesday’s stacked schedule presented some promising developments for a wide range of goalies.
Backups and 1a/1b guys frequently looked intriguing.
To my surprise, Justin Peters - not Dan Ellis - has been the guy running with the ball in Cam Ward's absence. Peters has played in three of those four games, including notching a 26-save shutout last night. While it's wise to monitor the situation, Peters is a good guy to grab for at least short-term gains.
When it comes to risky guys, I'd stay away from Jhonas Enroth (Ryan Miller's grip is too tight) and probably Jake Allen (he's intriguing at least short term, though) while feeling fairly optimistic about Jonas Hiller's chances of an improved outlook. Viktor Fasth's upper-body injury (or "tweak") might not be too bad, but it opens the door for Hiller to gain more ground.
For more solidified starters, Sergei Bobrovsky's climb continues, Roberto Luongo remains useful, Devan Dubnyk's hard work paid off for once and Pekka Rinne notched his league-leading fifth shutout of the 2013 season.
FORWARD ONCE MORE
In one of Tuesday’s most surprising developments, injured San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns returned … as a forward.
Now, this decision isn’t as revolutionary as it might first sound. Most obviously, he spent time as a forward with the Minnesota Wild. He’s also the rangy type whose greatest contributions - whether he plays on the blueline or wings - come in the offensive end.
His return to his old position was successful, too, as Burns scored a goal and totaled three SOG in about 18 and a half minutes of work.
I’d recommend watching him continue solid output before scooping him up. The most enticing part for some is that he could join Dustin Byfuglien as a forward/D eligible guy, although that really only presents value if he remains at forward.
INJURY NOTES (full list) and QUICK HITS
While Jamie Benn sat out the Stars’ rough loss to the Predators, Ray Whitney did come back after missing 16 games … It looks like Kris Versteeg got injured (probably his right knee) on Tuesday … Zbynek Michalek is day-to-day with a lower-body injury … Nashville keeps taking body blows. Now Paul Gaustad is having issues … Vladimir Tarasenko skated for the first time with the Blues on Tuesday, although his team won’t give a timetable for his return and cautioned against “false hope” … Michael Grabner could miss 7-10 days with a shoulder injury … Alexander Steen is nearing a return from a shoulder issue of his own … T.J. Oshie left St. Louis’ win with what might also be a shoulder injury … Brandon Sutter’s probably a little short of true fantasy relevance, but it does seem like he’s a nice Jordan Staal replacement for Pittsburgh … Still no concrete word on Chris Kelly because the swelling hasn’t gone down in his knee … Chris Stewart’s two goals continues a fantastic redemptive season and really shows the power of a contract year mulligan.