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Hamhuis out with Concussion- anyone play defense?

February 11, 2011, 8:33 PM ET [ Comments]
Peter Tessier
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Well more bad news hit the Canucks today as it is announced that Dan Hamhuis is out with a concussion from the hit he sustained from the elbow and lifted feet of Getzlaf.

At some point if the league is serious about concussions they are going to have to make a paradigm shift in thinking about the game and how they want players playing it. AV said something along the line of this, "if it's Henrik or Daniel Sedin you can turn your back after that pass but not on Getzlaf". He still doesn't think the hit was dirty but I don't think anyone is arguing the point of 'dirty vs clean'.

Getzlaf decided, with ample time, to launch his forearm/elbow into the back of Hamhuis and use his full body force by leaving his feet to do so. Is that the kind of hit players should make, especially when the target has given up the puck already? Something's gotta give here as there are way too many players out with concussions. You would think that having Crosby out would be a wake up call for the league, nope. The NFL figured it out, don't hit the head, EVER. End of story. NHL don't hit a player without the puck EVER. End of story.

I'm upset about this and it is completely because it is a Vancouver player, but Boston fans are upset, Pittsburgh fans and more.

Now in other news of the stupid and ignorant, never let an opportunity for Tony Gallagher to t say something dumber than Sarah Palin. Gallagher fired off a good one (and that's saying a lot with his track record)on Twitter about the Sedins after AV's comment. "What's with AV's uncalled for shot at Daniel and Henrik Sedin, saying it's okay to turn away from their hits but not a player like Getzlaf" Thanks for that one Tony. It reminds me of a time where my favourite moment in Vancouver sports media ever happened. The show was called "Sparring Partners' and it was on CKVU with Don Taylor. He had Gallagher and Tiger Williams on and I remember this like it was yesterday...

After one of Tony's famous 'kermit the frog' soliloquies Tiger looked at him and said, "it amazes me you have a job writing about sports". It's so true and after that one today it still rings as true as it did some 20 years ago.

So what are the Canucks options should they need another d-man? There is the trade route but the price just got much higher for Gillis. There is Parent but he has to clear waivers to come up from Manitoba. There is then Oberg and Sauve as last resorts too. Preferably it would be Oberg as he has some experience but going into a stretch drive with heated battles from many teams it seems more likely a trade for another Alberts type is appropriate and to be expected.

Certainly this all depends on the condition of Dan Hamhuis, and all we know is 'out indefinitely'. Hopefully this is short lived and Dan is back but if it isn't the continuing saga of Canucks' defense misfortunes continues...stay tuned.


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