Wednesday notes: NHL, players can't agree on new head shot rule

by Dirk Hoag on Mar 24, 2010 10:35 AM EDT

While there's no Predators game tonight, it's a big night for hockey in Nashville nonetheless - head over to Dave & Busters at Opry Mills for 2 hours of hockey talk, with Paul McCann's Hockeybuzz Radio running from 6:00-7:00, and the weekly Predators Player Show going from 7:00-8:00. ~~Joel Ward~~ Nick Spaling (just called up yesterday!) and Dustin Boyd will be this week's guests, and available for autographs.

If you can't be there in person, tune into WNSR, 560-AM in Nashville to hear both shows.

And now... your morning news & notes, which includes a regrettable squabble between the NHL and NHLPA over the imposition of a new head-shot rule.

First, this:

SB Nation is conducting a survey to learn more about our readers, and I'd appreciate your completing it by Thursday of this week. The blog which has the highest portion of its membership fill out the survey gets $500 to donate to the charity of its choice. Can we raise $500 for perhaps the Predators Foundation, folks?

Predators News

Preds Lulled to Sleep, Wake Up Seeing Stars " Pull My (Fang)Finger
AJ took in the game from an impromptu mini-blogger convention hosted by Mark from The View From 111.

The View from 111: Dallas Drops the Predators 3-1
Mark wants to see the Preds put their hard hats back on and get to work...

See Puck City: NHL Stars Of The Week Can't Handle The Ones From Dallas: Preds Lose 3-1
SPC looks ahead, not back, as two major Western Conference opponents are coming up next.

Preds On The Glass: Game Recap: Dallas Ends Predators Streak with 3-1 Win
Buddy's recap, as usual, has all sorts of audio commentary from players and Coach Trotz after the game.

Stellar Start to the 3rd Period Gives Dallas Stars 3-1 Win In Nashville - Brandon Felder
Brandon was almost lulled to sleep by the Stars tactics last night, as perhaps some of the Preds were as well.

Inconsistent effort by Preds produces first loss in 12 days… | Section 303
Jeremy's impression was that the Preds started off each period slowly last night, taking a few shifts to get their game going.

Predators victims of Dallas' defensive tactics - Nashville City Paper
David Boclair's recap includes an admission by Ryan Suter of a bad play that led to the winning goal for Dallas.

Jason Arnott defends absence - The Tennessean
This is just a bizarre article - why should Arnott have to "defend" not playing last night?

Around the NHL

Nothing new: NHL, NHLPA put politics above player safety - Puck Daddy
Something happened on the way to ratifying the new head-shot rule, as the players dig in their heels and the league then ignores them. Bizarre stuff...

Down Goes Brown: The NHLPA's very good reasons for stalling on the headshot rule
DGB explains why the players are dragging their feet, which includes this: "We're still studying several detailed proposals from Chris Chelios, who for some reason seems really interested in protecting the player's brains. Their tasty, tasty brains."

Leafs in the hunt for "Norwegian Hobbit" : Maple Leafs Hot Stove
Mats Zuccarello Aasen (5'7", 160 lbs.) impressed at the Olympics, and might have an NHL future ahead of him.

Darcy Tucker Suspended For One Game By The NHL - SB Nation
Tucker has moved on from career-threatening knee shots to boarding defensemen from behind as they touch up an icing. Stay classy, Darcy.

Greatest Hockey Legends.com: Red Wings Played Prison Hockey Team In 1954
The original Winter Classic? This is well worth your time reading...

Steroid investigators visit Capitals after local doctor arrest - Puck Daddy
A story from last spring comes back around again. There's no fire yet, but just a bit of smoke...

Patrice Bergeron Visits Injured 15-Year-Old Hockey Player In Atlanta Hospital - SB Nation
The Bruins forward checks in with a teenager who is recovering from a broken neck suffering during play.

Capitals and Canucks Players Dominate NHL Plus-Minus - NHL Digest
Tyler notes that two teams are monopolizing the top 10 in the Plus/Minus stat. The question becomes, does a guy like Jeff Schulz (2nd at +36) ride the coattails of his teammates?

Video: Volchenkov, refs are Enemies No. 1 for Philadelphia Flyers - Puck Daddy
I'm on the opposite end of the scale from Greg Wyshynski on this one. I agree with the Sportsnet commentary that Simon Gagne put himself at risk by turning his back to Anton Volchenkov as the Ottawa defenseman came in for a big hit along the boards. Check out the video here and judge for yourself:

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Comments

"Jason Arnott defends absence"

Strange choice of words….. Et tu, Glennon?

by hockeydekefreak on Mar 24, 2010 11:03 AM EDT reply actions

It was a fair question that Glennon asked, in view of Trotz’s announced expectation that Arnott would return. Arnott took himself out of the game so Glennon inquired about it. Talk to the editors about the headline.

by Hockey Hillbilly on Mar 24, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Considering The Tennesean’s history you can’t really blame me for being a little gun-shy, now can you? I know Glennon is one of the good ones. Just want to keep them honest.

by hockeydekefreak on Mar 24, 2010 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Anyone else think this head-shot stuff shouldn't have to be so complicated?....

- I like the way Don Cherry pointed out that the “intent to injure” rule is already in place. He also said that what these guys are essentially saying is that under the new rule it’s ok to poke someone in the eye because it’s not specifically listed as an infraction. Intent to injure is intent to injure whether it’s a head shot, biting, pulling hair, or a poke to the eye! I think they may have opened a can of worms here.

- Take away the instigator rule and all these cheap shots go away, because then, there is a real price to pay. I also don’t like how players sometimes use this rule as an excuse to not defend their teammates. Take the stupid penalty, and defend your guys if you have to!

- Also, changing the rules right before the playoffs is just plain dumb.

by hockeydekefreak on Mar 24, 2010 12:03 PM EDT reply actions