Paul Stewart: Engelland and Coach Accountability

there seems to be more of these hits now than 20 years ago.Why do you think this is more common?
Do you think the size of the shoulder pads are part of the problem?
Off topic what did you think of Thornton going after Orpik.
This could have been avoided if Orpik dropped his mitts and just held on or even turtled.

there seems to be more of these hits now than 20 years ago.Why do you think this is more common? Do you think the size of the shoulder pads are part of the problem? Off topic what did you think of Thornton going after Orpik.
This could have been avoided if Orpik dropped his mitts and just held on or even turtled.
- moe64

Discussed the equipment issue here: http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=55430

Talked about Thornton-Orpik here: http://www.hockeybuzz.com...r-the-Wrong-Guy/196/56276

Excellent point. I imagine if coaches have the possibility of getting suspended then players will play within the rules rather quickly.

This could have been avoided if Orpik dropped his mitts and just held on or even turtled.
- moe64

As they said on TSN earlier today, Moore took a fight in the game when Bertuzzi assaulted him. He thought the whole thing was over. I guess he was wrong.
I can not for my life understand why a player who plays 20-25 minutes should square off with a professional fighter who plays 5 minutes...nothing good can come from that..from Orpik's point of view. If it is a dirty hit, maaybe, but after a clean hit that ends unlucky

As usual I must say that your blog post is great, it is sooo nice to see someone that is not fanatic about one thing or another, but try to see it for what it is.
Keep the good posts coming

Can someone explain to me what's to stop players from being wreck-less with their heads down now? If Abelkeder doesn't lower his head we're not talking about a suspension.

As they said on TSN earlier today, Moore took a fight in the game when Bertuzzi assaulted him. He thought the whole thing was over. I guess he was wrong.
I can not for my life understand why a player who plays 20-25 minutes should square off with a professional fighter who plays 5 minutes...nothing good can come from that..from Orpik's point of view. If it is a dirty hit, maaybe, but after a clean hit that ends unlucky

As usual I must say that your blog post is great, it is sooo nice to see someone that is not fanatic about one thing or another, but try to see it for what it is.
Keep the good posts coming
- Lindeblom

Why should Orpik square off? because of James Neal that's why
if Orpik doesn't want the chance of fighting Thornton he's gotta tell his team mates to knock out the cheap shots

I have a daughter who is 7 years old and love skating. A couple of weeks ago I watched a NHL game with her, of course there was a fight and she asked me why they were trying to hurt each other. I really hadn't an answer for that.

I agree that what Neal did was disgusting but I can not for my life see how you in any way can defend Thornton OR put the blame on Orpik.

IF Thornton had pulled this off on Neal I could maybe see that he had it coming. But Orpik.

I like NHL as much as everyone else, but it disgusts me to see someone leave with a concussion in almost every game. I am not sure what to do about it though but I hope it can somehow be removed from the game.

Anyway, Merry Christmas everyone

As they said on TSN earlier today, Moore took a fight in the game when Bertuzzi assaulted him. He thought the whole thing was over. I guess he was wrong.
I can not for my life understand why a player who plays 20-25 minutes should square off with a professional fighter who plays 5 minutes...nothing good can come from that..from Orpik's point of view. If it is a dirty hit, maaybe, but after a clean hit that ends unlucky

As usual I must say that your blog post is great, it is sooo nice to see someone that is not fanatic about one thing or another, but try to see it for what it is.
Keep the good posts coming
- Lindeblom

Problem with that is players rarely admit to throwing dirty or bad hits so they would never feel like they have to fight because of it. Not everyone agrees on dirty/not dirty hits all the time. Maybe Thornton didn't think it was a clean hit like you do and felt he should fight for it. The Kronwall/Havlat hit from a few years ago was a bit similar to this Orpik hit and Kronwall got 5 and a game for it. Hits like those are not seen the same by everyone and some will cause incidents because of it.

What Neal and Thornton did most people will agree was wrong and has no place in the game but hits like Orpik's hit (and Kronwall on Havlat) will always be debated and might turn games ugly because they are borderline between clean and dirty.

Can someone explain to me what's to stop players from being wreck-less with their heads down now? If Abelkeder doesn't lower his head we're not talking about a suspension.
- 2Real

Well, for one thing, there's a real good chance of getting hurt if you put your head down. You are putting yourself at the mercy of the opposing player, and if you do too often, you're guaranteed to eventually pay a heavy price for it. A concussion is an awfully steep price to pay in exchange for getting a power play for your team.

Well, for one thing, there's a real good chance of getting hurt if you put your head down. You are putting yourself at the mercy of the opposing player, and if you do too often, you're guaranteed to eventually pay a heavy price for it. A concussion is an awfully steep price to pay in exchange for getting a power play for your team.
- bmeltzer

I know this but what if players start skating with their head down to fake head shots to draw a 5 min pp for their team. Maybe Shanny should also make videos how players can protect themselves from hits along with the suspension videos.

Good blog. The coaches do bear some responsibility for the actions of their players. I hope the powers that be are reading Stewarts blogs and considering following his advice.