@StapeAthletic
Not a surprise, but there will be no supplemental discipline -- hearing or fine -- for Jacob Trouba after his hit that concussed Jujhar Khaira last night.

Considered a clean hit despite head contact. Not all head contact is illegal under current NHL rules.

#NYR

@StapeAthletic
Not a surprise, but there will be no supplemental discipline -- hearing or fine -- for Jacob Trouba after his hit that concussed Jujhar Khaira last night.

Considered a clean hit despite head contact. Not all head contact is illegal under current NHL rules.

#NYR
- pdx2ord

At least Trouba chose his own path. Here's hoping he knows some day, some way, he will get his and he will NOT be able to whine about it when it happens. He is the sole owner of the path he has chosen.

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.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

In any contact sport hitting to hurt will always be part of the game. The only way I see avoiding injuries is to take contact out of the sport completely. Not sure if there’s an audience for non contact hockey or football?

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.
- SaskHawkFan

I agree that the hard plastic caps on shoulder and elbow pads are a big part of allot of injuries. When I played as a kid only shin pads had hard plastic caps. The shoulder and elbow pads were cloth stuffing with nylon covering. Although the shoulder pads did have small plastic caps. That were no where near the size or hardness of today’s equipment.

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.
- SaskHawkFan

Great post. I was actually against checking in the lower levels UNTIL my son got to first year Bantam. What an absolute clown show, kids running each other, out of control, most don't know how to check, or how to be checked. It was horrible and dangerous.

That year chased a TON of kids out the sport. Many kids left as first year bantams or even before it.

I saw more disgusting, terrible hits in 1st year Bantam than any other season since. And it's because of what you state above.

Trouba has to get lower, shoulder right to the jaw then the momentum is whiplash like and smacks his noggin on the ice. Football term, principal point of contact is the head.
- BetweenTheDots

Depends what your definition of “principal” is. If you mean “initial” point, then maybe…barely. If you mean “main” point of contact, I disagree. He grazes the chin first before driving his shoulder through his chest.

I think it was a legal hit. An unnecessary, predatory, and douchey hit, but legal as far as the current rules are concerned. The bigger issue in my mind is the lack of pushback from the Hawks. First the quick wrestling match immediately afterward, and then Stillman getting his ass kicked by Trouba. Embarrassing.

I agree that the hard plastic caps on shoulder and elbow pads are a big part of allot of injuries. When I played as a kid only shin pads had hard plastic caps. The shoulder and elbow pads were cloth stuffing with nylon covering. Although the shoulder pads did have small plastic caps. That were no where near the size or hardness of today’s equipment.
- paulr

Yup, and the rules should adapt to the heightened level of risk. They haven't really - just some lipstick on a pig.

ETA: Especially important now that there is no denying the connection between TBI and later cognitive and physical and psychological difficulties. Reminds me of the tobacco companies in the 80s and 90s.

I agree that the hard plastic caps on shoulder and elbow pads are a big part of allot of injuries. When I played as a kid only shin pads had hard plastic caps. The shoulder and elbow pads were cloth stuffing with nylon covering. Although the shoulder pads did have small plastic caps. That were no where near the size or hardness of today’s equipment.
- paulr

A large part for a couple of reasons. In the old days when shoulder and elbow pads were padding and leather/nylon, when you hit someone, not only did they feel it, but so did you. Now with all equipment being made of hard plastics and carbon fiber, not only are the hitting surfaces harder, they are lighter, meaning more speed and force can be applied. Its like the difference of a boxing glove vs bare hands or wearing brass knuckles.

Great post. I was actually against checking in the lower levels UNTIL my son got to first year Bantam. What an absolute clown show, kids running each other, out of control, most don't know how to check, or how to be checked. It was horrible and dangerous.

That year chased a TON of kids out the sport. Many kids left as first year bantams or even before it.

I saw more disgusting, terrible hits in 1st year Bantam than any other season since. And it's because of what you state above.
- kwolf68

When I coached we taught kids at the mite level how to play the body. Not outright check, but how to approach contact, protect yourself from contact, and respect the head. Not only was it good when they progressed to checking, but it taught them how to be better skaters as well as learn body position and leverage.

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.
- 35Tony0

Since we're debating enforcement of rules here, can you explain to me why it was that Stillman didn't get that 2 min. for instigating? When you hop the boards and go straight for a guy, giving him no choice but to drop the gloves, that is instigating by definition.

Since we're debating enforcement of rules here, can you explain to me why it was that Stillman didn't get that 2 min. for instigating? When you hop the boards and go straight for a guy, giving him no choice but to drop the gloves, that is instigating by definition.
- Tonybere

Trouba is a headhunter who headhunts. It was well established in the two games I saw him play.
I suspect rhoid rage is a factor, judging by how his own teammates gave him plenty of space on the bench.
My guess is he's proud he sent Khaira to the hospital.

Edit: you get to watch him all year to make your assessment.

Rarely am I the hardo in the room, but when a player has his head down and a puck at his feet, you hit him with everything you got. You're not hitting to injure. You're hitting for the rush, for the momentum a big hit gives your team, to unnerve and rattle your opponents. Fans and players alike love big hits, so tell me why Trouba should have pulled up? Cause he could?

It's unfortunate Khaira got injured and you can argue the hit was a little high. But, I don't understand people arguing that Trouba should not have delivered the hit. You can't take all injuries out of hockey, it's a physical sport.

Since we're debating enforcement of rules here, can you explain to me why it was that Stillman didn't get that 2 min. for instigating? When you hop the boards and go straight for a guy, giving him no choice but to drop the gloves, that is instigating by definition.
- Tonybere

Hey! you can't use that kind of logic here!

I'm guessing it wasn't called because the refs are human and realized it was going to happen regardless. Doesn't make it right, but I can see how it happened.

First Hawks winter classic, Seabrook sends Cleary over the boards onto the Hawks bench. I was at that game and it remains my favorite check of all time.

Rarely am I the hardo in the room, but when a player has his head down and a puck at his feet, you hit him with everything you got. You're not hitting to injure. You're hitting for the rush, for the momentum a big hit gives your team, to unnerve and rattle your opponents. Fans and players alike love big hits, so tell me why Trouba should have pulled up? Cause he could?

It's unfortunate Khaira got injured and you can argue the hit was a little high. But, I don't understand people arguing that Trouba should not have delivered the hit. You can't take all injuries out of hockey, it's a physical sport.
- Hawkeynation

We all love a good clean hit, but how would Nick Lidstrom have played that situation from Trouba's perspective?

Rarely am I the hardo in the room, but when a player has his head down and a puck at his feet, you hit him with everything you got. You're not hitting to injure. You're hitting for the rush, for the momentum a big hit gives your team, to unnerve and rattle your opponents. Fans and players alike love big hits, so tell me why Trouba should have pulled up? Cause he could?

It's unfortunate Khaira got injured and you can argue the hit was a little high. But, I don't understand people arguing that Trouba should not have delivered the hit. You can't take all injuries out of hockey, it's a physical sport.
- Hawkeynation

Agree

We all love a good clean hit, but how would Nick Lidstrom have played that situation from Trouba's perspective?
- 333inthe3rd

There's only been one Nick Lidstrom. There's also been a Scott Stevens.

There's only been one Nick Lidstrom. There's also been a Scott Stevens.
- 6628

And that could be part of why they enacted rules against head shots.

Just saying that there is another way to play besides making the big hit without much regard for playing the puck.

We all love a good clean hit, but how would Nick Lidstrom have played that situation from Trouba's perspective?
- 333inthe3rd

Everyone and their mother loved Buff when he was here dishing out big hits. I'm doubting there were many complaints.

It is obviously terrible that Khiara got knocked out and that was terrifying to watch. Trouba's hit was legal. I don't like the way the rules are written for head shots, but I have also never played the game and don't know how realistic my ideas would be.

There are many different types of player in this league. Teams need each type for different things. Kronwall was on the same team as Lidstrom for 8 years and they were both praised for different reasons.

And that could be part of why they enacted rules against head shots.

Just saying that there is another way to play besides making the big hit without much regard for playing the puck.
- 333inthe3rd

Put your head down like that and you're begging to get run. It's not soccer. I posted earlier that when the puck is at your feet look at the oncoming opponent. If he's looking down then that's most likely where the puck is. But if he's looking right at you look out. The thing is you have to have your head up to see him. Do not put your head down.

Everyone and their mother loved Buff when he was here dishing out big hits. I'm doubting there were many complaints.

It is obviously terrible that Khiara got knocked out and that was terrifying to watch. Trouba's hit was legal. I don't like the way the rules are written for head shots, but I have also never played the game and don't know how realistic my ideas would be.

There are many different types of player in this league. Teams need each type for different things. Kronwall was on the same team as Lidstrom for 8 years and they were both praised for different reasons.
- Chunk

I'm not saying don't hit at all. But that style won 7 Norris Trophies. It speaks for itself. You can't compare him to Kronwall or Konstantinov.

Put your head down like that and you're begging to get run. It's not soccer. I posted earlier that when the puck is at your feet look at the oncoming opponent. If he's looking down then that's most likely where the puck is. But if he's looking right at you look out. The thing is you have to have your head up to see him. Do not put your head down.
- 6628

It's not just about getting run. There can be real jarring effect without any contact to the head, especially when blindsided.

Andrew Shaw had some stuff to say about the hit, also: https://twitter.com/shawz15er/with_replies

Andrew Shaw had some stuff to say about the hit, also: https://twitter.com/shawz15er/with_replies
- 333inthe3rd

Kudos to him for engaging with the people responding to him. There need to be more players willing to talk about the toll the sport took on them and others.

I'm not saying don't hit at all. But that style won 7 Norris Trophies. It speaks for itself. You can't compare him to Kronwall or Konstantinov.
- 333inthe3rd

I understand that. The problem is that not everyone has the abilities that Lidstrom did. Also, if you have a team full of Lidstrom-type players your defense is likely going to be pushed around quite a bit.

It's not like all Trouba does is go out head hunting. He's actually a pretty good defenseman (and for what it's worth, he wears the "A" for NY). Keith is guilty of some actions that I believe are more egregious than what Trouba did last night (Slash on Coyle, Elbow to Sedin, etc) and we all think he's the bees knees.