It's Here! The Thread For the 2003-04 NHL Regular Season!

[bbor]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Ooh! For the sake of my fantasy team's plus/minus, please move Gonchar

SI

Won't help if he goes to the rangers

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by bbor

Won't help if he goes to the rangers

I dunno. With a -22, he can't be any worse.

SI

[bbor]

He could be on the Pens

[moore4807]

Philly press reports Clarke is looking at Caps goalie as replacement for Hackett -Great another washed up goalie we'll overpay for too - just trade Gagne next!

Team Schizo- shitso- phrenia strikes again!
Somebody get Clarke away from the trade phones before we drop to 7th seed like Bill Clement said tonite!

[Maple Leafs]

Well, TSN is reporting that the Jagr deal is done, pending league approval.

[bbor]

Details?

If it needs leag ue approval it must mean assloads of cash exchanged hands.

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by bbor

Details?

If it needs leag ue approval it must mean assloads of cash exchanged hands.

Apparently it's for Anson Carter. The Caps pick up $20M of the $44M left on the rest of his contract. Jagr also defers $1M a year for the rest of the deal.

[cincyreds]

Yep, it is a done deal pending league approval.

The Rangers are so loaded....and watch. I bet they don't even make the playoffs.

[klayman]

As if being a Capital's fan wasn't bad enough...

Link


Capitals' Owner Clashes With Fan at Game



By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 27, 2004; Page A01

Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis was involved in a physical altercation with a season ticket holder at MCI Center on Sunday night after being taunted and jeered by fans during the team's loss to Philadelphia, the Capitals' first home game since Leonsis traded all-star winger Jaromir Jagr to the New York Rangers.

The fan, Jason Hammer, 20, a resident of the District, said Leonsis grabbed him by the neck and threw him to the ground after he had led a mocking chant of Leonsis during the game and hoisted a sign chiding him. Some witnesses explained the confrontation differently, offering varying accounts of the severity of the clash.

Even so, Leonsis called Hammer yesterday to apologize for putting his hands on him and invited Hammer to join him in his owner's suite for the team's next home game. Leonsis declined to comment publicly on the matter. Hammer said he would not press charges against Leonsis.

"Ted called me personally to apologize and was very honest and gentleman-like, and I appreciated the call," Hammer said. "I think both he and I are going to drop it and continue on and have it be like that."

The incident is out of character for Leonsis, 48, a gregarious team owner who routinely speaks with fans during games and responds to hundreds of e-mails from Capitals' followers -- many of them critical -- each day. But Leonsis has been under increasing pressure, on and off the ice, this season as the Capitals have skated to the second-worst record in the National Hockey League and are projecting losses of close to $30 million. He traded Jagr on Friday largely to partially ease the burden of his $11 million annual salary.

Hammer sits across the ice from Leonsis's box at MCI Center and Sunday night carried a sign to the arena saying, "Caps Hockey; AOL Stock -- See a Pattern?" to the game. Leonsis is vice chairman of America Online, whose stock value has dropped precipitously since Leonsis bought the Capitals in 1999.

Hammer was also among those in his section chanting at Leonsis through the game, cheering, "Thank you, Ted, Thank you, Ted, You Suck," to voice their displeasure over the Jagr trade.

"I will admit we were jeering him," Hammer said in a telephone interview. "But it wasn't just me, I'll put it to you like that."

Various fans who said they were seated in the lower bowl at MCI Center said they saw Leonsis respond to their chants by standing and waving them over, as if inviting Hammer into his box to talk.

"I thought it was kind of a gesture like, 'Bring it on,' " said Elliot Golden, a college student who said he witnessed the taunting as well as the confrontation between Leonsis and Hammer.

Hammer said he did not intend to venture over to Leonsis's box and did not think much of the situation, and left the game with his father and some friends. As he walked through the concourse Hammer said he was holding his sign above his head, but not chanting at Leonsis. He said Leonsis then approached him.

"The next thing I know we're near the owner's box exit [to leave the arena] and Ted comes running up," Hammer said. "I didn't even know he was on me until his hands were strangling me. He was saying he was going to 'kick my [butt].' . . . The security guards came and broke it up, and pulled me away to the side, but Ted was still trying to come at me again."

Capitals sources offered a different version. They said Leonsis was outside his box talking to fans and signing autographs when Hammer thrust his sign near Leonsis's face and derided him. Leonsis then shoved Hammer aside, the sources said.

MCI Center security personnel and spokesmen said they were aware of an incident between Leonsis and a fan after the Capitals' 4-1 loss, but declined to comment further. Frank Brown, an NHL spokesman, said he was unaware of the incident and declined to comment.

Richard Hayden, a 20-year season ticket holder and area attorney, said he saw the incident from the onset and recalled that the scuffle ensued after Leonsis tried to take Hammer's sign. "Ted tried to grab the sign out of [Hammer's] hands and at one point the security guards had to pull him off," Hayden said. "Ted was livid like you wouldn't believe; he was like a bulldog. He really went after him. Ted was really, really agitated."
Golden, who said he has never met Hammer before, said that Leonsis pushed his friend, Cyrus Tavaria, aside to get to Hammer.

"Ted grabbed [Hammer] and threw him across the concourse," Golden said in a telephone interview. "He grabbed him, it looked like around the collar, and had him by his jersey and drove him backwards and pushed him down. . . . That guy wasn't trying to hit Ted at all, and the security people came in and the victim was saying, 'I didn't hit him, he pushed me, he pushed me.' Ted made at least a half-dozen lunges at the guy and was escorted back to his suite."

In a separate telephone interview, Tavaria said: "I didn't catch what they were saying, but Ted and this guy [Hammer] started going back and forth [verbally]. They were pretty close to each other -- within 10 or 15 feet -- and the guy showed Ted his sign and then all of a sudden Ted shoves me aside -- he didn't shove me hard but he moved me aside -- and then he went at the guy.

"The thing I remember most is they were pushing and shoving back and forth trying to knock each other over and the guy got shoved back into the wall. There were a whole bunch of security guards and it took about three of them to restrain Ted. They really had to hold him back."

Tavaria said Leonsis never put his hands on Hammer's neck. "I definitely would remember if I had seen that," he said.

Hammer said he explained to security personnel that he did not instigate the contact and that he was allowed to leave after deciding not to press charges. Hammer said he has a cut on face and a bruise on his knee, which Hammer said he used to break his fall.

Sources close to Leonsis said they expect the Capitals' owner will significantly alter his relations with fans in the wake of the incident and anticipate there will be more security personnel outside his box during games.

[JonInMiddleGA]

ESPN.com news services
NEW YORK -- The NHL has suspended Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis for one week and the team has been fined $100,000 following an incident between Leonsis and a fan.




Jason Hammer told The Washington Post that Leonsis placed his hands on his neck and tossed him down to the ground after the Capitals' home loss to Philadelphia.

Leonsis, a vice chairman of America Online, later apologized to Hammer, a 20-year-old Caps season-ticket holder who had taunted the owner.

In issuing the penalties to Leonsis and the Caps, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said, "I have been briefed by NHL Security on the incident and understand that Ted Leonsis and Jason Hammer have amicably put this matter behind them.

"Nevertheless, as in other instances involving players, coaches or managers, we hold all members of the NHL family to a higher standard than the general public. Even in those cases when there were instances of alleged provocation, we have made it clear that NHL personnel need to do everything possible to avoid a confrontation with fans and the failure to do so is not acceptable."

Leonsis can have no contact with the team, including attending any games or other team functions, for a week.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=1721387

[JonInMiddleGA]

Meanwhile, watching Blues-Thrashers on TurnerSouth.

Heatley looks better than I anyone could have hoped at this point, although it seems to me that he's only 85-90 percent at most. Not so much the injury itself, IMO, more an issue of looking like he's not really in game shape just yet.

And in the 2nd intermission, there was tape of some classy comments by various Blues players (I caught Pronger & Weight, there were a couple of more before that I believe) about the respect they have for Heatley's rapid rehab, wishing him well (just not tonight) and so forth. I don't know exactly how to explain why the short clips made an impression with me, they just seemed very sincere in their comments & I thought it showed some class on their part.

[timmae]

There was nothing but respect while Heatley was in Madison. The way that I look at it is that the whole accident was just that, an accident. I don't think it reflects on his character overall. Just a truly horrible accident. He was correct in showing remorse and trying to piece his life back together even though his friend was no longer there. I hope Heatley continues to improve.

[sachmo71]

Glad to see Heatly back. I hope he can put everything behind him, because he is one of the most exciting players I've ever seen.

Also glad to see the Stars score 4 in the third to beat the Senators! #1 GPG vs. #28 GPG and they lose 5-3. Check it out on Sportscenter if you get a chance...total meltdown.

[bbor]

Dear Stars..

thx for the help

yours in hockey
the leafs

[sachmo71]

Well bbor, if you can't beat 'em, let someone else do it! Poor Lalime...he's getting raked over the coals up there in capitol of leaf-land, isn't he?

[bbor]

I hope so...the more turmoil in Ottawa the better...But ...ya know..Alfredsson has already "Guarenteed" the Sens a cup...so the rest of us may as well not even try.

[Maple Leafs]

I can confirm that fans here in Ottawa are flipping out.

Which is odd, because Lalime is the same goalie he's always been, and two months ago they all thought he should be on Team Canada.

[bbor]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

I can confirm that fans here in Ottawa are flipping out.

Which is odd, because Lalime is the same goalie he's always been, and two months ago they all thought he should be on Team Canada.

Is Ottawa turning into Toronto?

We go through this with Belfour/Quinn/Sundin almost daily.

[Maple Leafs]

Not good times up here in Ottawa after Saturday night.

If you missed the game... well, the Leafs did everything short of pee on the Sens bench, and Ottawa didn't fight back at all. Just a pitiful performance. But the way folks up here are taking it, you'd think they just lost game seven of a playoff series. They want Muckler to trade for George Laraque, call up the minor league goons, bring Rob Ray out of retirement... you name it. With the Leafs in town on Thursday, the normally docile Ottawa media is calling the Sens' manhood into question.

With the way Saturday's game ended, and with the two teams playing again so soon, and with all the hype, this one looks like a bloodbath. Which, if you've watched hockey for any amount of time, you know can mean only one thing: nothing at all will happen.

[bbor]

JD was on the radio in Toronto today saying Muckler has been burning up the phone lines trying to get a tough guy in Ottawa before Thursday.

The Oil want a 1st round DP for Laraque.Kinda steep for him i'd say.

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by bbor

The Oil want a 1st round DP for Laraque.Kinda steep for him i'd say.

That is steep. But if I'm Ottawa, I might pull the trigger.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

That is steep. But if I'm Ottawa, I might pull the trigger.

Far too steep. If they just need someone to fight, they have to be able to get someone servicable in the minors, off the street, or for a very low pick. Hell, they should talk to those idiots putting together that Gladiators On Ice nonsense and see if anyone is available. Tony Twist? Link Gaetz?

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Far too steep. If they just need someone to fight, they have to be able to get someone servicable in the minors, off the street, or for a very low pick.

That's the problem. They have guys who can fight. Shane Hnidy can fight. But he got his ass kicked by Domi on Saturday. Chris Neil can fight. But when trouble broke out in the third, he was nowhere to be found (even though he was on the ice).

It's clear that the Leafs, among other teams, don't respect the Sens in the toughness department. This is a case where perception is reality. Nolan ran Spezza, and nobody did anything. McCabe bloodied Hossa, and nobody did anything. Martin put Hnidy and Neil on the ice at the end of the game on Saturday to stop Domi and Perrot from causing trouble, and they went ahead and did it anyways. It was as if Neil wasn't even there.

They have minor league goons they could bring up. What would that solve? One more guy to be a punching bag for the Leafs? They need a top heavyweight, and they need one now.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

That's the problem. They have guys who can fight. Shane Hnidy can fight. But he got his ass kicked by Domi on Saturday. Chris Neil can fight. But when trouble broke out in the third, he was nowhere to be found (even though he was on the ice).

It's clear that the Leafs, among other teams, don't respect the Sens in the toughness department. This is a case where perception is reality. Nolan ran Spezza, and nobody did anything. McCabe bloodied Hossa, and nobody did anything. Martin put Hnidy and Neil on the ice at the end of the game on Saturday to stop Domi and Perrot from causing trouble, and they went ahead and did it anyways. It was as if Neil wasn't even there.

They have minor league goons they could bring up. What would that solve? One more guy to be a punching bag for the Leafs? They need a top heavyweight, and they need one now.

That they may need, but for a first rounder? How much did Bashear go for a few years ago? A semi-skilled guy, if I recall. Hlavac or someone like that? I dunno.

A Scott Parker type would come cheaper and still get the job done, I reckon.

[Maple Leafs]

Brashear went for a second round pick, I believe. Keep in mind the Sens will finish in the top five of the league, so you're looking at a #25 at the lowest.

Now, given that the Sens are the favorite to win the Cup this year but have now been exposed as possibly lacking the toughness to do it, do you pay the steep price? If landing Laraque gives you a better chance to win the Cup, you do it. Don't worry about some first rounder who won't play for five years. You have a window now.

Remember, Muckler dealt a first rounder for Smolinksi last year. Right now the Sens need an enforcer a lot more than they need yet another talented, soft forward.

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

A Scott Parker type would come cheaper and still get the job done, I reckon.

I'm not sure he would get the job done. The bottom line is that the Sens have played like a team that's scared of Tie Domi. Twice in two years, Domi has gone after one of their players and nobody has done a thing. Neil won't go near him. Hnidy did, and got hammered. And because of that, the rest of the Leafs play a little bigger. They know their big dog is bigger than the other teams', so they run around.

Compare that to how the Leafs play against the Flyers. Domi has a tough time against Brashear, so he can't run around without being held accountable. The rest of the Leafs don't either. It sounds like caveman thinking, but sometimes that's the way it works.

So the question is: can the Sens get a guy who'll put Domi in his place? Laraque could. Simon probably still could. Parker is a maybe. Some minor leaguer won't. Rob Ray last year definetely couldn't.

[bbor]

I guess the Sens trade of Roy a few years ago is biting them on the @ss now.

Jeez..ijust feel dirty...a guy with a Maple Leaf handle trying to make the Sens a better team

If Braeshear went for a 2nd round pick then Laraque definatly is'nt worth a 1st.I find Braeshear a usable player that won't hurt you when he's on the ice.I can't say the same for Laraque.Having said that....as a Leaf follower i hope the Sens DO make that trade

Chara did a nice number on Mccabe on Saturday night...that was hilarious...he swung Mccabe around like he was a doll..that dude is STRONG!.

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by bbor

Chara did a nice number on Mccabe on Saturday night...that was hilarious...he swung Mccabe around like he was a doll..that dude is STRONG!.

Yeah. Would have been nicer if he hadn't hurt himself doing it.

[Karim]

I would try to get both Ryan Smyth and Georges Laraque out of Edmonton. Both would add a lot of toughness and character to Ottawa and neither would back away from the Leafs. I think Smyth might welcome a change and a chance to play for a legitimate cup contender.

It sure would be a better acquisition than Bondra, IMO.

[Honolulu_Blue]

And the answer is....

Todd Simpson.

Yes, Todd Simpson, rugged defensemen and one time Flame, Panther, Coyote, Duck and likely something else along the way.

I guess this is a start. It sure as hell beats bringing Rob Ray out of retirement. I've always liked Todd Simpson, seems like a solid, tought defensemen. There has to be some knock on him though, as he seems to get shipped around a lot.

Karim, any thoughts?

Should be interesting to see what happens. I reckon Simpson will go out and fight right away. A good sign for his new team and it was why he was brought to Ottawa.

[Maple Leafs]

Chief, can we get a scouting report on Todd Simpson?

[Draft Dodger]

Sens / Leafs and Avs / Wings tonight...and I have to work...

[Chief Rum]

Sure thing, guys.

Todd Simpson has the tough pedigree you excpect from a stay at home defensman who leans on a veteran career and associated savvy. He doesn't back down from the other toughs, he knows how to play dirty if he needs to, and he has a good functional understanding of defense and where he needs to be. He's also big and uses that size to block shots.

Now the bad, and the reasons I was deliriously happy to see him go. Guys, he wasn't even going to make the Yotes top six, you realize that? He only went to us in the waiver draft, because Carney broke his foot in the last exhibition game (setting off an endless stream of defense injuries that have kept Simpson in the lineup the whole season).

Anaheim's defense has been plagued by the horribly ill-advised turnovers at just the wrong time this year. Simpson was Exhibit A in why this was. The guy is a horrible passer out of the zone. I mean, really frickin' bad. And he can't skate out well either. He's too slow to beat an even mediocre forechecking forward, and his stickhandling is subpar. Speaking of his slowness, he also can't keep up with quick forwards (in fact, they make him look like a statue). He can get by doing the crease-clearing stuff, but as part of a moving defensive system, let's just say not all the parts are moving with him on the ice. This also causes him to make some dumb penalties, which isn't toughness but him trying to save his own ass.

He also contributes very little on offense. His slapshot isn't very good, and as noted neither is his passing ability. He checks good, and every now and then he steps forward and acts like a big forward (good, because he's good at that grunt forward type of thing; bad, because if he does it and it doesn't work, the other team practically has a full power play before he can get back to the defensive zone).

As I mentioned in another hockey thread, I went to the Kings-Ducks game last week. The Kings won in overtime because Simpson tried to skate a puck out on the right. He could have dumped it to the defensman on the left (I think it was Havelid, too, a much better puck-moving blueliner), but instead Simpson skated up on a forechecking Jozef Stumpel at the blueline instead and seemed to be trying to pass it forward to center ice. Instead, Stumpel poke-checked the poke away, got to it along the line, and fed a center-ice flying Joe Corvo, who blasted the winning score over Martin Gerber's shoulder before Gerbs likely knew that Simpson had turned the puck over.

And that was the fourth or fifth stupid turnover I saw Simpson make that night (although this was the only one that got the Kings a score).

I am extremely satisfied to see this guy gone and amazed we got a guy who seems able to put a point every two games for him (heck, this Russian winger is even relatively young at 24).

Ottawa loses a lot more in actual defensive skill and athleticism and speed than they make up for by adding Simpson's grit and savvy.

CR

[bbor]

Wow...Great Sens?leaf game....Sens score 13 seconds into the game.,..then go up 3-0...Leafs battle back to tie the game 4-4 with 5 minutes left.Then in OT Nolan scores on a 40 foot slapshot to win .Ottawa must be losing their collective minds right now.

[Ksyrup]

How about the end of the Avs/Red Wings game? Two 4 minute minors in the final 1.6 seconds! I hope Yzerman is OK - that was painful to watch. A 5 on 3 in OT...you knew the Red Wings weren't going to let that opportunity get away.

[Draft Dodger]

I hate both of you

[Draft Dodger]

so - do I read that right? two seperate high-sticking double minors in the last 2 seconds? how does that happen?

[bbor]

Ya...how does that happen?

[Ksyrup]

The first call appeared to be a BS call (they never did show a good shot of the high stick), then on the face off to get the game to OT, Adam Foote hit Yzerman squarely in the face. It didn't appear to be intentional, since he tried to help him as he went down, but it looked brutal.

[Draft Dodger]

lovely triple whammy - my Avs lose...to the Wings...and they injure the one Wing I have on both my fantasy teams...

[Honolulu_Blue]

Both calls were correct. The only bullshit aspect of the first call was that it was Kariya, and not Konowalchuk, who highsticked Draper. That and I think the linesmen called it. Kariya drew blood though. That's an automatic 4 minutes. Nothing BS about that.

The call on Foote was definitely the right one. Yzerman lost a tooth, got 8 stitches, and had some other teeth damaged. Oh yeah, blood was drawn. Another 4 minutes.

It was good to see. Class act by Avs fans (those on this board excluded of course, because they are cool despite the fact they support the Forces of Darkness), they once again as always show thier true colors.

[ice4277]

Yee-ha, go Wings

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Both calls were correct. The only bullshit aspect of the first call was that it was Kariya, and not Konowalchuk, who highsticked Draper. That and I think the linesmen called it. Kariya drew blood though. That's an automatic 4 minutes. Nothing BS about that.

I only said that because on the DirecTV feed, which I think was the Avs broadcast crew, they kept showing replays that showed nothing. By the time the game ended and DirecTV signed off, I still hadn't seen anything that looked like a penalty.

Doesn't matter though...they called it and we won!

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I only said that because on the DirecTV feed, which I think was the Avs broadcast crew, they kept showing replays that showed nothing. By the time the game ended and DirecTV signed off, I still hadn't seen anything that looked like a penalty.

Doesn't matter though...they called it and we won!

Amen to that, my brother!

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I only said that because on the DirecTV feed, which I think was the Avs broadcast crew, they kept showing replays that showed nothing. By the time the game ended and DirecTV signed off, I still hadn't seen anything that looked like a penalty.

Doesn't matter though...they called it and we won!

I must admit, I am only going off what I read from the Detroit and Colorado papers (good to get both sides). I cannot watch the game. I am in Belgium. This makes H_B sad and unhappy.

[Karim]

Chief's summary of Simpson was quite accurate. He's rugged, a hard worker, well-like by both teammates and fans, but he's at best a #5 or 6 defenceman. He's definitely not the answer to Ottawa's problems.

[Maple Leafs]

That Leafs/Sens game was... interesting.

If you only saw the highlights or the boxscore, you missed the real story: both teams were hit so badly by the flu that there were barely enough players left to finish the game. Players were going back and forth the dressing room to.. um... well, not for equipment problems. It was especially bad on the Ottawa side.

Which was nice, because for once the Sens were shitting themselves and it didn't have anything to do with Tie Domi.

[klayman]

Back to the theme of fixing the NHL...

Fixing the grand ole game

Hockey eggheads will meet once gain in hopes of finding ways of making the greatest game on ice even better. Or not.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (CP) -- With the NHL's 30 general managers meeting this week to explore ways to open up hockey, talk of `fixing the game' was the overwhelming topic of choice during the weekend's all-star festivities.

Most players, however, sounded less than enthusiastic about making major changes to the game, saying that it isn't quite as bad as everyone is making it out to be.

Then again, they're not the ones paying $150 a ticket to watch dull, defensive hockey.

"I'm a traditionalist," Vancouver Canucks winger Todd Bertuzzi said. "I like the way the game is. I don't want to see a lot of changes."

League commissioner Gary Bettman will also attend the meetings Monday to Wednesday at the Ritz-Carlton in Lake Las Vegas with the NHL's director of hockey operations Colin Campbell introducing a full slate of issues for discussion.

Among them:

-- Making the ice surface larger.

-- Reducing goalie equipment.

-- Eliminating the red centre-ice line.

-- Limiting the goaltender's ability to play the puck.

-- Moving the nets back where they were before 1990, 10 feet (three metres) from the end boards instead of 13 feet (four metres).

-- Making the blue-line wider as experimented in the AHL this season.

-- Resurrecting tag-up offsides.

-- Eliminating the instigator fighting penalty.

-- Playing a full two-minute power play regardless of whether a team scores.

And there's more, Bettman said this weekend, pointing to a large black folder every GM will have in their hands.

"Their mandate from me is to take a look at the game and to begin the discussion," Bettman said. "There are a whole list of aspects of the game that they are going to discuss."

The bottom line is to improve a game that has seen a steady decrease in scoring over the last few years.

"People want to see more goals but I wouldn't like 9-8 games. That's too high," said New York Rangers superstar Jaromir Jagr. "I do like the idea to play the full two minutes on a power play, whether a goal is scored or not. I like that a lot. That's the best thing I've heard so far."

Former superstar goalie Patrick Roy raised some eyebrows Sunday with his thoughts on goaltender equipment.

"I may not have a lot of friends after I say this but I think goalies should go back to 10-inch pads," said Roy, referring to today's 12-inch width on pads. "There's no more fear in goalies in today's game.

"The shooter needs to see a bit more of the mesh in the net."

Calls to reduce the size of goalie equipment was not welcomed by the men wearing the mask.

"I don't think they should only look at us as ways to improve the scoring," Montreal Canadiens netminder Jose Theodore said. "I just recommend not to change anything with goalies."

Forget the goalies, said Florida Panthers netminder Roberto Luongo, just call the game by the book.

"The main thing is the trap and the clutch and grabbing," Luongo said. "That slows the game down and brings down scoring."

The elimination of the centre-ice line, seen by some as a measure to open up the ice, wasn't a popular idea with most players this weekend.

"No, teams would adjust, the coaches are too good," Vancouver Canucks captain Markus Naslund said. "It shows in Europe (where there's no red-line). There hasn't been a drastic change in scoring there."

Fellow Swede Daniel Alfredsson, who like Naslund grew up playing without the red-line, also doesn't think it would have much of an impact.

"I don't think that's the key," the Ottawa Senators captain said. "Maybe short term it would open up the game but teams would adjust. In Europe you just move the trap back and you still have problems scoring."

Alfredsson's No. 1 priority would be to drop the two-referee system, a comment echoed by several players over the weekend. He feels the flow of the game would improve when players aren't confused by what two different refs consider to be penalties.

"I think it's easier for one referee to set a standard and the players know what his standard is," Alfredsson said. "You just know what's going to be called."

Never one to hold back with his thoughts on the game, Jeremy Roenick had the most radical idea of making the nets bigger.

"If you increase it by one inch, you'd see more goals," the Flyers centre said. "It wouldn't even be a visual thing for the fans, but to a shooter, it would."

Alfredsson says hockey may just be going through a low-scoring cycle and may come out of it on its own.

"Soccer went through the same problems in Europe a few years ago. People complained there wasn't enough scoring in soccer," he said. "There's always going to be trends in the league. The '80s were high scoring, the '90s were kind of half and half."

The success of the defensive-minded New Jersey Devils is a factor as well, Alfredsson said.

"We need a couple of offensive teams win the Stanley Cup," he said. "When New Jersey started playing really well defensively, teams looked at that. It worked. Now everybody knows how to play well defensively."

Philadelphia Flyers head coach Ken Hitchcock thinks the situation is not as bad as some think.

"I think everyone wants to make the game better," he said. "But when you start complaining about it so much, everybody thinks there's a lot that's wrong with that, and I don't agree."

The GMs' suggestions this week will be further re-examined this summer by a blue-ribbon panel of hockey experts including coaches, players, media and some GMs.

Any changes must be approved by the league's owners at a board of governors' meeting in September.

I gotta agree with Roenick with making the nets bigger. That will help a lot if they also widen the ice surface and get rid of the space behind the nets. Then we will be back to high flying 80's hockey.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by klayman

Back to the theme of fixing the NHL...
I gotta agree with Roenick with making the nets bigger. That will help a lot if they also widen the ice surface and get rid of the space behind the nets. Then we will be back to high flying 80's hockey.

A bigger net just doesn't feel right. The goalie pads, maybe, that might be an ok change. I agree with Luongo (and many others): call the holding penalties so people go away from doing it, then the game will speed up. If you do that, it negates the trap which is what slows the game down most. I'm not sure why the 2 minute penalty is met with such wide appeal but it always is whenever it comes up- I'm basically indifferent to that.

SI

[sachmo71]

Make it illegal to hold another player for any reason. Call it every time.

[klayman]

Originally Posted by sachmo71

Make it illegal to hold another player for any reason. Call it every time.

Might as well just reduce the number of players to 4 a side

I understand what you guys are saying, but I just don't see the NHL letting the game fall into an endless parade of penalties while the players get re-accustomed to how the game should be played, or worse yet, have the refs call it through the regular season, only to see it disappear in the playoffs. Bigger nets are easy to implement, don’t require interpretation from the refs, and are the same size in the 1^st period as they are in the 3^rd. It doesn’t fix the problem of holding, but it at least brings some offence back into the game.