Habs Players Weigh In On Downie Hit

(Robert L Note: Quotes and discussion are from Le Journal De Montreal. The opinions spoken out here are all mine.)

Philadelphia Flyers rookie Steve Downie made no friends among NHL players with a violent check delivered to a vulnerably positioned Dean McAmmond of the Ottawa Senators in an exhibition game earlier in the week.

I have always been of the opinion that as long as a proper deterrant is not in place, such incidents will continue to proliferate the game. Sadly, the league remains quite spineless when it comes to such things. After blowing the opportunity to instate more severe penalties in light of the Todd Bertuzzi mess a few years back, certain players might feel as though they have a free reign on committing such stupidities.

Bertuzzi will earn $4,000,000 this year, while Steve Moore, still deals with the after effects, trying to make it through his day.

Justice was never served, and players have taken advantage of it, hardly fearing any repercussions. The Chris Simon and Cam Janssen incidents from last season testify that nothing much will change until the league gets serious about banning player for seasons and careers in order to bring back a semblance of respect to the game.

The subject was brought up to Canadiens and upon being asked they unanimously condemned the gesture by Downie, who was a catalyst of previous incidents while playing in the OHL. If you recall, he was involved in an intiation razing of team rookies and was fined and suspended by the league.

"He has shown the type of individual he is", Chris Higgins said testerday morning.

"His intentions were clear when you watch the replay of the incident. He jumps in the air to hit McAmmond. He was going for the big hit."

Mike Komisarek compared the hit to a football tackle and likened Downie to a defensive tackle in full flight lunging over linesman to bring down a running back.

"There's no place for such things in hockey. It's unacceptable."

Bryan Smolinski said that he feared for McAmmond's health, knowing he had suffered a previous concussion just months before. McAmmond was knocked out of the playoffs after receiving a blow to the head from Chris Pronger in the third game of the finals. Pronger was given a one game suspension.

"I thought he was dead, seeing him lay motionless on the ice", said the veteran forward. "You could see that he was really in distress. Hits are a part of hockey, but this one was particularly viscious. It's always difficult to watch a player be hit this way."

Fortunately, most players have more respect for their opponants than Downie has.

"During last years playoffs, Corey Perry of the Ducks, could have levelled me a good one", said Smolinski, who was a member of the Canucks at the time.

"I was in a vulnerable position, but instead of delivering a hit that could have seriously injured me, he just settled for taking me out of the play. I thanked him afterwards."

Higgins doesn't go easy on Downie, saying that "he is preventing McAmmond from earning a living now."

"He has to be one strange person to do what he did. Players have to respect each other more than this."

Unfortunately, those accusing Downie of the worst of crimes are often less heavy handed when deciding his fate in regards to fines and suspensions.

Smolinski doesn't agree with the notion that Downie should be suspended for the duration of McAmmond's injury.

I have always be a proponant of such an idea. I think it makes for the perfect suitable deterrant that would make every player think twice before such incidents happen.

"We can't do that", Smolinski simply states.

Komisarek shares a different take on it.

"Recently, it was brought to our attention that the size of shoulder pads and elbow pads could be reduced. We were also advised that officials will be paying greater attention to hits aimed at the head."

The question always remains whether the NHL and its players can react before it's too late?

The NHL Needs To Finally Get It Right

Watching these clips of incidents involving late hits, sucker punches, swung sticks, and body blows to the head from this season, it becomes very clear that the NHL has a growing problem on their hands.

These clips I've featured here have all been controvercial for one reason or another, and have ignited furious passions among hockey fans with opposing arguments.

At a recent NHL Board of Governors meeting, the league has set out increase the number of instigator fighting calls a player can receive before warranting a suspension. Anaheim GM Brian Burke, whose team has the most fighting majors in the league his season, not coincidentally, led the charge for altering the ruling.

It's my opinion that the NHL simply do away with the instigator call altogether. It might have more of an effect on cutting down on instances such as those seen in these clips, than the NHL's present policing and sentencing policies currently in place.

I would help a great deal, if the four on ice officials could actually get a call correct for once.

In several of these incidents, no call on the initial plays were made at all. Infractions have gone unpenalized as the officials claim that they did not see, or have a clear view, of the play. I find this quite odd, in fact. Going back to last seasons high stick to Saku Koivu's eye by Carolina's Jason Williams, I have become increasingly irritated by how the league folds its arms and closes it's eyes to such things. It is completely unthinkable that 4 of the so-called members of what should be the best hockey officials in the world, can continuously blow calls like these. In the aftermath, the league tends to back up their incompetance repeatedly.





The suspensions handed out to qualify the severity of these abhorrences are equally lucridous.

Each of these incidents are seemingly rendered with degrees of unacceptability, with all the expertise of an amateur figure skating judge looking at what makes a perfect triple axle.

The mounting problems and increase in incidents are a call for stiffer rulings and sentencing that will act as a deterent. Since the league cannot depend on the on ice officials to get things right and control much of the game, the imposed suspensions and fines will have to do the talking.

Since the Bertuzzi-Moore catastrophy of three years ago was fumbled in major proportion by the entire league, a certain on ice frontier justice is being tolerated. If what Bertuzzi ultimately received in accordance to his acts, is supposedly the new standard of fines ans suspensions, it is little wonder why the incidents continue.



I feel it is time for the league to impose benchmark fines and suspensions that call for longer and stiffer expulsions as well as complete removal of earned salary for the duration of a players purgatory.

I believe that standard numbers of games for certain fouls be set without flinching. If a players actions lead to a long term injury, such as a concussion, then the player committing the fouls must remain out of hockey for the same duration as the hurt player. If the injured players career is ended as a result of a hit ruled inapropriate, then the committing player is done with as well.

Furthermore, in lesser cases, a suspended player should not be allowed to participate in games against that opponant, or his team, for the balance of one season and the entirety of the next - including playoffs. This would cut down completely on any incidents of vengence and retribution that could follow.

Blows to a players head would need to be qualified as such that the only tolerated incidents, involve two willing participants in a fight - both dropping the gloves simultaneously. If a player refuses to drop the gloves and go, the player throwing punches would be liable for suspension.

I feel it is time for the league to impose benchmark fines and suspensions that call for longer and stiffer expulsions as well as complete removal of earned salary for the duration of a players purgatory.



I believe that standard numbers of games for certain fouls be set without flinching. If a players actions lead to a long term injury, such as a concussion, then the player committing the fouls must remain out of hockey for the same duration as the hurt player. If the injured players career is ended as a result of a hit ruled inapropriate, then the committing player is done with as well.

Furthermore, in lesser cases, a suspended player should not be allowed to participate in games against that opponant, or his team, for the balance of one season and the entirety of the next - including playoffs. This would cut down completely on any incidents of vengence and retribution that could follow.

Blows to a players head would need to be qualified as such that the only tolerated incidents, involve two willing participants in a fight - both dropping the gloves simultaneously. If a player refuses to drop the gloves and go, the player throwing punches would be liable for suspension.

In the matters of hit to the head using sticks or elbows, a minimum 41 game suspension for causing injury should be put in place. In the instances of shoulders making contact, degrees of acceptability should be considered in respect to the players sizes versus one another. Only what is clearly defined as a clean hit should be tolerated.

When the league initially ruled on Steve Moore's hit on Markus Naslund, it should be recalled that Moore was not penalized for the gesture. Upon many reviews afterwards, it was clearly shown that Moore hit Naslund just as the Canuck player slouched to extend himself in reaching for a puck that had slipped away. The officials in this case made the correct call on the play. It is however, debatable that had a minor or major penalty been called on Moore, it would have diffused the entire incident that followed in the coming weeks.


Of course, all rulings would have grey area's that would require much clarification. In regards to the Kaberle and Drury incidents, there is little doubt that the boards and the ice, respectively, caused the players injuries in these cases. However, such facts do not absDrury's case, a helmet that was poorly strapped down, resulted in a more significant injury that the hit itself. The Simon and Emery fouls involved sticks swung at an opponants head or face, and should be dealt with in an intolerant fashion.

In respect to Scott olve the idea that illegal hits provoked such falls. In the Cam Janssen hit on Kaberle, the contact on the play was extremely late. In Nichol's sucker punch directed at Jaroslav Spacek, the league again blew the call by not nailing the true perpetrator. Spacek received nothing for his trip of Nichol into the goal net - an act that should have been as harshly dealt with. Had an an official stepped in and made a call, leading Spacek away, Nichol may not have been so enraged as to seek revenge immediatly following the deed.



What this column is essentially getting at, is that the penalties invoked upon each incident should not merely penalize the said infractions committed, but act as deterrents for future incidents. The level of the suspensions and fines made mandatory ought to make players think more than twice on what they are about to do.

While my suggestions are quite harsh, I feel that this is the required track considering all that has been seen this season. If players have lost respect for one another to such a high degree, it is now in the leagues hands to deal with the growing problem.

The next Bertuzzi - Moore incident is frighteningly right around the corner if the NHL continues to fail and turn a blind eyes to such a reality.

One black eye was enough. I feel the league needs to have a summit session on this issue as soon as possible.

The Difference Between Winners And Losers

Sun Media's Robert Tychkowski has a perceptive rant in today's paper on late season rent a players such as the newly Predatored Peter Forsberg. He writes:

"Does Peter Forsberg really deserve a Stanley Cup ring this year? Does Todd Bertuzzi? Or Keith Tkachuk?"

"They've accomplished nothing for their teams, aside from getting a couple of coaches fired, but now, thanks to the NHL's Rent -A-Player System, they are perfectly situated to win a championship."

(Note - Bertuzzi and Tkachuk have yet to be dealt. Robert)

"Deadline deals will always be a part of hockey, and it's incumbant on any GM to bolster his team for the playoffs, but I lose a lot of respect for the $5 million veteran who "wants to go to a contender." The reason his team paid him $5 million in the first place was to make them a contender."

"Tkachuk hasn't won a thing since....ever. Would going to Anaheim for a Cup of coffee suddenly make him a winner?"

"No. Just like going to Carolina last year doesn't make Doug Weight a winner. He has a ring with an asterisk on it, and if Forsberg, Bertuzzi, or Tkachuk get a ring this year, theirs will too."

Pointed words, to be sure. I agree for the most part, except that the Stanley Cup isn't won in the regular season. These Rent-A-Players do make valid contributions. Tychkowski is right in the sense that it is kind of like falling into bed with Rosie O'Donnell and waking up with Jessica Alba.

In another corner of Tychkowski's 2 page Sun spread, he relates this little ditty:

"Vote Early, Vote Often"

The Hockey News appears to be the latest victim of internet nerds having fun with a vote. How else do you explain the hideous Carolina Hurricanes sweater winning the coolest jersey in the eastern Conference poll, by a 12,000 to 700 margin over the second place Montreal Canadiens?

Said THN's web editor Ed Fraser: "I think we've been Rory Fitzpatricked!"

Koivu Shoots For 500

With one more goal or assist, Saku Koivu will reach the 500-point milestone he surely should have passed long ago.

With his skill and battling attitude on the ice, who knows how many points the Montreal Canadiens captain might have piled up in his 11 NHL seasons had his career not been beset by injuries and a battle with a cancer?

Certainly a lot more than the 499 - 152 goals and 347 assists in 608 games - he takes into a game Thursday night against the Capitals in Washington.

Not that Koivu loses any sleep over the 244 games he has lost to injury and illness in his career.

"That's all in the past," Koivu said Wednesday. "I want to set new goals.Whatever happened, happened. Now I'm enjoying hockey and my life and there's no reason to look back."

Koivu was drafted 21st overall in 1993 and has done comparatively well against that years draft class considering the injuries and the fact he remained in Finland until 1995. Only two players chosen before Koivu have surpassed his point totals and both have appeared in an additional 200 games. Paul Kariya with 831 and Jason Arnott with 667, lead the group that included the highly touted Alexandre Daigle. Other norables taken that year include Todd Bertuzzi and Darcy Tucker, 151st by the Canadiens.

This season, Koivu has been on a point per game pace - 15 goals and 24 assists in 39 contests - and is set to beat his career best totals from 2003, 21 goals and 71 points.

That is despite off-season surgery to repair a detached retina in his left eye from being clipped under the visor by Justin Williams stick during a playoff game against Carolina last spring. Koivu was left with a blind spot and a small cataract that is to be removed after the season. He said it hasn't interfered with his performance.

"It hasn't got better or worse, but now, when I lose the puck, I don't think about it," he said. "The cataract bothers me more than anything, but we can fix that after the season."

Koivu hasn't missed a game this season, and has been injury-free for most of the three seasons since his bout with cancer, which he credits mostly to better training methods.

It hasn't always been so.

He was leading the NHL in scoring in his sophomore season when he suffered his first major knee injury in December 1996 and missed 32 games, ending the season with 56 points in 50 games.

Shoulder and knee injuries limited him to 24 games in 1999-2000, the year he was named captain. More injuries held him to only 54 games the following season, but the worst was still to come.

En route to training camp before the 2001-02 campaign, Koivu fell ill with what was later diagnosed as non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a type of cancer of the abdomen.

After a hellish season of treatment, Koivu returned for the final three regular season games and tied for the team lead in playoff scoring as he led Montreal into the second round. That earned him the Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance, dedication and sportsmanship.

Now 32 and healthy, Koivu centres Montreal's top line and is scoring more than ever.

Coach Guy Carbonneau said his worth is judged by more than career point totals.

"He came through a lot with cancer and injuries, but he has a passion for the game, the city and the team and it shows in his play."

Along with his NHL achievements, Koivu has also shone in international play. He was captain of a Finnish team that won silver at the 2006 Winter Olympics, to go with bronze medals in 1994 and 1998. He also led Finland to gold at the 1995 world championships and silver at World Cups in 1996 and 2004.

Just as his injury in the playoffs sank any hopes an upset of the eventual Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes last spring, his presence has had much to do with the Canadiens' 23-11-5 start this season.

And later this month, he is to undergo his fifth annual test for cancer - the one that should show whether the disease has been beaten for good.

It will be taken on a CT/PET scan machine at Montreal General Hospital that he helped pay for by setting up the Saku Koivu Foundation in 2002, which raised $2.5 million toward its $8 million price tag.

Koivu seems as proud of that as he does of his 499 points, with one more to go to for that nice round 500.

"Sometimes you don't realize you're getting close to milestones," he said. "But I'd like to get it over with sooner rather than later.

"Hopefully, it will come Thursday night."