Feel bad for Shaw, and others who got hurt, but NO rule change will stop hits in the fastest game on two feet. Hate to say it, but Shaw gave it much more than he received. A bit hypocritical
- rrentz

Agreed that the speed makes course corrections hard and unintentional injuries a reality.

Couple of (unrealistic) rule changes they could enact that would largely eliminate the life-altering injuries:
- no checks away from the puck
- all head injuries - checking player is out for duration of time the injured player is out or for 10 games whichever comes sooner

Almost every hockey player... past, present, and future at every level licks his chops when they can make a hard hit. Problem now is that slow motion makes fans think that the player can slow down, or take into account all of the factors before they go for the hit. If Trouba hesitated, even for a millisecond, the puck is past him and Chi. may of had an odd man rush. Sure....lets not make the hit and give the other team the advantage b/c I might maybe, kind of, sort of , might hurt the other player w/ a clean check
- rrentz

Actually, if he had held up, he would have had the puck, and the Rangers may have had an opportunity...

1. Khaira received a tape-to-tape pass coming out of the zone that he mishandled. Trouba stepped up to stop the breakout. Once the puck is mishandled (which took a millisecond) Trouba's split second options are finish his hit or let the puck go by him and potentially have an oddman rush going the other way.

2. Open ice hits are hockey plays. Stepping up at the blueline is a hockey play. Trouba playing a physical brand of hockey does not mean he's running around looking to cheap shot guys
- SkjeiStadium

I am not saying that because he made the hit, he was head hunting...it was stated on this board and on twitter before the game to watch out for Trouba. I was waiting for Trouba to do something just like that, and there we go, it happened.

Actually, if he had held up, he would have had the puck, and the Rangers may have had an opportunity...

- ToewsdNKanefusd

Maybe so, but to act like players, in real time, have the luxury to think in slow motion is kind of ridiculous.

Actually, if he had held up, he would have had the puck, and the Rangers may have had an opportunity...

- ToewsdNKanefusd

How fast do you think these guys can react? If Trouba played the puck when he was already braced for a hit, he would have smashed into Khaira anyway, possibly being hurt himself.
Not a single player in the league is making that choice.

@walsha
According to @Forbes, NHL franchise values are up on average over 32% from last year. Several teams are value at $1 Billion+. A lot of great info here including HRR projections thru 2024-25. https://forbes.com/sites/...eys-first-2-billion-team/

@walsha
With NHL franchise values exploding, see how important it was for Gary and the owners to impose a hard salary cap on the players. As you can see, the NHL lockouts were for the fans. Winking faceFranchise values up 32% while elite players making the same as they did in 2001-02. #GarysWorld

======

Soooo...about all those statements that they cannot afford to raise the Salary Cap...

Beginning to think the NHL might be the worst run professional sports league of the big four (or at least they have the greediest cadre of owners)
- pdx2ord

How poorly run is it?

The league got the only truly hard-hard cap in the "big four" sports, the franchise values (according to the above) have increased by 32% over last year (I haven't seen the Forbes article yet - if that's true, it's incredible that that happened during the pandemic).

No, it's a league that is well run for the people who it's well run for - which isn't the players OR the fans.

Nice to see and read from away supporters that conduct themselves respectfully and with a good rapport. The hit ended up being bad and should warrant 1-2 game suspension but there still was no malice in it.

How poorly run is it?

The league got the only truly hard-hard cap in the "big four" sports, the franchise values (according to the above) have increased by 32% over last year (I haven't seen the Forbes article yet - if that's true, it's incredible that that happened during the pandemic).

No, it's a league that is well run for the people who it's well run for - which isn't the players OR the fans.
- StLBravesFan

And the salary cap is based on 50-50 split of hockey related revenue which was collectively bargained and agreed upon by the owners and NHLPA. Cap has nothing to do with the value of the franchise, but as you say the owners are benefiting during these times if that article's numbers are correct.

How poorly run is it?

The league got the only truly hard-hard cap in the "big four" sports, the franchise values (according to the above) have increased by 32% over last year (I haven't seen the Forbes article yet - if that's true, it's incredible that that happened during the pandemic).

No, it's a league that is well run for the people who it's well run for - which isn't the players OR the fans.
- StLBravesFan

Good point and that's who I was thinking of when I said it was poorly run. Quite right that it is run very well for the NHL execs and the owners.

How fast do you think these guys can react? If Trouba played the puck when he was already braced for a hit, he would have smashed into Khaira anyway, possibly being hurt himself.
Not a single player in the league is making that choice.
- Tonybere

Except that Trouba went to make the hit when Khaira's head was down...hmmmm He didn't put his head down after Trouba was already going for the hit. Khaira's head was down for 2-3 seconds, plenty of time for him to pull up.

And the salary cap is based on 50-50 split of hockey related revenue which was collectively bargained and agreed upon by the owners and NHLPA. Cap has nothing to do with the value of the franchise, but as you say the owners are benefiting during these times if that article's numbers are correct.
- boilermaker100

It absolutely has an impact on franchise values: cost certainly for the biggest cost component would certainly have an important positive effect.

I hate to break it to some of you, but many guys don’t body check to separate the opposition from the puck, they hit to hurt. The purpose is to hit so hard the player rushes his next pass or shot to try to avoid another hit. Last night’s hit initially looked to be primary shoulder to chest but another slowed down replay showed that Trouba’s elbow may have made contact with Khaira’s head, that will be reviewed by player safety and we’ll see if there’s a fine or suspension. That aside players learn from six years old to skate with their heads up. Any practice at any age, be it skating, passing, stick handling or shooting drills, you hear coaches yell instructions and one of those is always … KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!

Except that Trouba went to make the hit when Khaira's head was down...hmmmm He didn't put his head down after Trouba was already going for the hit. Khaira's head was down for 2-3 seconds, plenty of time for him to pull up.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Lol, maybe on the slow motion replay. You aren't even being realistic.

Ranger fans, does Adam Fox make this kind of play routinely? I still can't believe he did this. https://twitter.com/hayyy.../1468414684676169729?s=20

What an embarrassing display by the Hawks last night on every level. Lol. FYI. Kirby Dach Is a third line Center, Nothing more.
- Shady1962

Not in the NHL, maybe in Rockford.

Ranger fans, does Adam Fox make this kind of play routinely? I still can't believe he did this. https://twitter.com/hayyy.../1468414684676169729?s=20
- 333inthe3rd

Maybe not quite of that caliber, but he's downright amazing at both ends of the ice.

I think it is pretty clear that the puck is by, or hit Khaira. It is also very clear that Trouba's elbow is up and the first point of contact is his head.
- Chunk

He had the puck and lost it in his skates...Hit was hard and clean for me..My guess is he gets a couple of games because he was "Defenseless".

I hate to break it to some of you, but many guys don’t body check to separate the opposition from the puck, they hit to hurt. The purpose is to hit so hard the player rushes his next pass or shot to try to avoid another hit. Last night’s hit initially looked to be primary shoulder to chest but another slowed down replay showed that Trouba’s elbow may have made contact with Khaira’s head, that will be reviewed by player safety and we’ll see if there’s a fine or suspension. That aside players learn from six years old to skate with their heads up. Any practice at any age, be it skating, passing, stick handling or shooting drills, you hear coaches yell instructions and one of those is always … KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!
- paulr

The bolded above is exactly what I want removed from the game...from all of sports. Don't teach players to hit to hurt. Teach them how to effectively play defense.

Lol, maybe on the slow motion replay. You aren't even being realistic.
- Tonybere

Actually, Trouba was about 15-20 feet away when Khaira received the puck. Trouba definitely saw Khaira's head was down but decided to hit him anyways. This wasn't a situation where Khaira ducked his head at the last moment to try and avoid a hit.

Plenty of time to pull-up or avoid the hit or play the puck. Trouba wasn't even moving that fast. He lined up Khaira and delivered a hit to the head.

Trouba also did not need to raise his arm right before the hit.

I hate to break it to some of you, but many guys don’t body check to separate the opposition from the puck, they hit to hurt. The purpose is to hit so hard the player rushes his next pass or shot to try to avoid another hit. Last night’s hit initially looked to be primary shoulder to chest but another slowed down replay showed that Trouba’s elbow may have made contact with Khaira’s head, that will be reviewed by player safety and we’ll see if there’s a fine or suspension. That aside players learn from six years old to skate with their heads up. Any practice at any age, be it skating, passing, stick handling or shooting drills, you hear coaches yell instructions and one of those is always … KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!
- paulr

Ya... Khaira needs to keep his head up but having it down doesn't mean its open season. Principal point of contract was the head. I can't tell if its shoulder or arm to the head. He was out cold instantly....before he hit the ice. That does not happen if the principal point of contact is the chest. He took that right on the jaw.

Ranger fans, does Adam Fox make this kind of play routinely? I still can't believe he did this. https://twitter.com/hayyy.../1468414684676169729?s=20
- 333inthe3rd

That was filthy....NHL guys can do that but can't avoid hitting someone's head on an open ice check...........

I hate to break it to some of you, but many guys don’t body check to separate the opposition from the puck, they hit to hurt. The purpose is to hit so hard the player rushes his next pass or shot to try to avoid another hit. Last night’s hit initially looked to be primary shoulder to chest but another slowed down replay showed that Trouba’s elbow may have made contact with Khaira’s head, that will be reviewed by player safety and we’ll see if there’s a fine or suspension. That aside players learn from six years old to skate with their heads up. Any practice at any age, be it skating, passing, stick handling or shooting drills, you hear coaches yell instructions and one of those is always … KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!
- paulr

This all started when they brought in the armour plated shoulder pads and elbow pads. i use to ref atom here when the little guys could hit and they were taught properly, to seperate the man from the puck. Then hockey Canada decided to move hitting up to Bantam. What a stupid decision. how do u teach ampped up teenagers to hit cleanly when one kids is 6f7 and another 4f5. bring hitting back in at a young age and teach it properly and bring respect back in the game.

Maybe not quite of that caliber, but he's downright amazing at both ends of the ice.
- Tonybere

That would have broken the 2-2 tie. And the assist that Zibanejad made to Panarin to tie the game just before that, another highlight reel play. Fun season in the making over there.

Ranger fans, does Adam Fox make this kind of play routinely? I still can't believe he did this. https://twitter.com/hayyy.../1468414684676169729?s=20
- 333inthe3rd

Did that hit the net after it hit Fox's stick? If not it should have been a DOG!

1. Khaira received a tape-to-tape pass coming out of the zone that he mishandled. Trouba stepped up to stop the breakout. Once the puck is mishandled (which took a millisecond) Trouba's split second options are finish his hit or let the puck go by him and potentially have an oddman rush going the other way.

2. Open ice hits are hockey plays. Stepping up at the blueline is a hockey play. Trouba playing a physical brand of hockey does not mean he's running around looking to cheap shot guys
- SkjeiStadium

I have to strongly disagree with your point #2.
Blackhawks played the Rangers last week. At some point early in the game in NY, I noticed Trouba was VERY liberal in dishing out elbows to heads away from the play. Also remember Trouba being VERY aggressive when punching Gufstason in the face with his glove still on.
It continued last night.
After headhunting Khiara to the hospital, before play resumed, I noticed him sitting on the Rangers bench. His own teammates were visibly separated from him.
And then, after Stilman did his job and took Trouba on, you could see Trouba wanting Stilman to get an extra two for instigating.
I'm thankful I only see him twice this year. But based on the body of work I've seen from Trouba, he's a headhunter looking to injury his opponents. A cheap shot artist.

But I did not see him spear anyone, so he's got that going for himself.