If we are talking about NHL safety aside from the obvious officiating issues has the NHL spent a great deal of time or money on upgrading helmets?

I don't recall reading anything about helmet safety etc. Half of the guys in the NHL don't even wear their helmets properly. Hayden's helmet is flopping all over the place most of the game.

Better buckets on the players heads would be a start. Can't trust the NHL to officiate heads shots out of the game unfortunately.

If we are talking about NHL safety aside from the obvious officiating issues has the NHL spent a great deal of time or money on upgrading helmets?

I don't recall reading anything about helmet safety etc. Half of the guys in the NHL don't even wear their helmets properly. Hayden's helmet is flopping all over the place most of the game.

Better buckets on the players heads would be a start. Can't trust the NHL to officiate heads shots out of the game unfortunately.
- bhawks2241

How much of it is about helmets, though? Whiplash effect can be sufficient, no?

How much of it is about helmets, though? Whiplash effect can be sufficient, no?
- 333inthe3rd

Whiplash is a thing, absolutely. Neck strengthening is your main remedy to try to minimize those impacts, but there isn't a ready-made exercise for that. Not even sure one you do outside of a specific machine.

I'm not seeing whatever everyone is seeing here. He sounded like Toews.
- JRoenick97

I'm not hearing much of a difference in his speech but too hard to say. Maybe his diet went too plant based and the dude needs a steak! In all seriousness do you guys/ gals recall when he got hit into the open door? I keep flashing back to hit and realizing that something like that could wreck someone back for a lifetime. Something surgery, PT, and rest will never correct. I guess the mystery continues.

How much of it is about helmets, though? Whiplash effect can be sufficient, no?
- 333inthe3rd

True. It doesn't take a blow to the head. Just a 30 mph collision.

McD working on a big plan -

Dual pressers - 1 to announce Hossa as coach, and 1 to put Toews on LTIR.


Next day, McD is named commish.

If we are talking about NHL safety aside from the obvious officiating issues has the NHL spent a great deal of time or money on upgrading helmets?

I don't recall reading anything about helmet safety etc. Half of the guys in the NHL don't even wear their helmets properly. Hayden's helmet is flopping all over the place most of the game.

Better buckets on the players heads would be a start. Can't trust the NHL to officiate heads shots out of the game unfortunately.
- bhawks2241

I don't think that it is even possible to develop a helmet to take care of the issue,no helmet can stop the brain from moving and slamming around due to an abrupt inpact.

I don't think that it is even possible to develop a helmet to take care of the issue,no helmet can stop the brain from moving and slamming around due to an abrupt inpact.
- eagle50

I understand that but a better helmet can help protect the players. The technology in an NFL helmet is probably 10 times better than an NHL helmet. It is not a solution but better technology can lessen the damage.

Toews is an all-time great Hawk and his number will most likely hang from the rafters of the United Center. I would never deny his great career and what he has meant to this organization and if people are crapping on his career then that's wrong.

That being said he has seriously regressed and for whatever reasons he is no longer producing at the level he should be based on his salary.

That factor and the money tied up in Toews is hurting the depth and one of the reasons the team has slipped in the last two years plus.

It's Business at the end of the day....hey Gretzky got traded so it can also happen to Toews....maybe a change would be good for both sides if ever we could find a dance partner?

Hopefully he's not seriously hurt....I saw that commercial.....hmmm was worrisome.
- Hawkster

I’m getting a bit tired of hearing about “...if Gretzky could be traded...if Chamberlain could be traded...if Jabar could be traded....”:

Gretzky was traded (much like Babe Ruth by Harry Frazee) because Poklington needed money to support his non-hockey venture - and he got $15MM cash in the deal; and the league wanted a star draw in Los Angeles.

None of those mentioned were traded because of hockey/basketball issues - all financial (not cap) and / or player requested.

@mirtle

If NHL revenues are as robust as Bettman said today, the salary cap will go way up next summer. Plausibly $80- to $82-million. Pretty interesting.

Just finished watching "ice guardians " on Netflix. Interestingly I picked up at the concussion segment. The game really needs some simple changes imo. Retro shoulder and elbow pads, made for protection not for use as weapons. Get rid of the instigator penalty so guys don't get run. Maybe even put the red line back in the game. And if Cappy Toews needs a year off for brain issues, he should take it. Look what it did for Sidney.

God bless these guys. Long live hockey.

GO HOCKS!!!!
- hocktock

Well said .The elbow pads and shoulder pads would be a start .Never though they should have taken out the red line . They could get rid of that stupid trapezoid also, goalie playing the puck is a skill

@mirtle

If NHL revenues are as robust as Bettman said today, the salary cap will go way up next summer. Plausibly $80- to $82-million. Pretty interesting.
- DarthKane

And should that occur, only one year left before collective bargaining agreement must be done. So if a work stoppage or half season, teams might be aggressive signing free agents or holding their candidates for expected future buy outs allows them to gamble and, later, back out (opt out). If this indeed, is the scenario which unfolds, then Chicago does compliance buyout with Seabrook and Toews. If Hossa remains on the books, he does not count due to health issue forced retirement. But I do not know if a Toews body parts break down in any fashion reported on a medical form would be accepted as the same situation as Hossa. I guess we cross the bridges when the time comes

@mirtle

If NHL revenues are as robust as Bettman said today, the salary cap will go way up next summer. Plausibly $80- to $82-million. Pretty interesting.
- DarthKane

Rising Looney (US$.78) seems to be the cause.

Rockford plays Saturday and Sunday - Wolves at Rockford Sunday afternoon so some may be able to access the game via cable. Let's watch and hope Fortin gets on a roll. There are several players whom conceivably could get a quick cup of coffee. Sometimes that is a reward for playing well and to whet the appetite of a prospect. Let the prospect see he is close and what he needs to work on

Rockford plays Saturday and Sunday - Wolves at Rockford Sunday afternoon so some may be able to access the game via cable. Let's watch and hope Fortin gets on a roll. There are several players whom conceivably could get a quick cup of coffee. Sometimes that is a reward for playing well and to whet the appetite of a prospect. Let the prospect see he is close and what he needs to work on
- jhawk59

I get the impression Fortin will play better with better players. When he finally does get the call I think he does well.

I get the impression Fortin will play better with better players. When he finally does get the call I think he does well.
- 6628

How ironic I was thinking same but did not think thought would be interesting enough to blog about. He played a proto typical power forward game in junior. He is talented enough to make a play or score. Fast but not a burner, reportedly he bulked up over summer without loosing speed. Said to be able to play fast. He complements and is productive with skill players, but not a stand alone and still be a star.

My impression

How ironic I was thinking same but did not think thought would be interesting enough to blog about. He played a proto typical power forward game in junior. He is talented enough to make a play or score. Fast but not a burner, reportedly he bulked up over summer without loosing speed. Said to be able to play fast. He complements and is productive with skill players, but not a stand alone and still be a star.

My impression
- jhawk59

Do Jimmy Stewart.

@mirtle

If NHL revenues are as robust as Bettman said today, the salary cap will go way up next summer. Plausibly $80- to $82-million. Pretty interesting.
- DarthKane

I read a report a couple of months ago suggesting $80m. That would help!

Panarin seems to have found his stride in CBUS. More interesting was to see a PP where the players all continued moving and swarming after the initial shot from the point.

https://twitter.com/NHL/status/931712390378422272

[quote=StLBravesFan]Do Jimmy Stewart.

Ah ah well ah ah ah JJJjjimney CCcrickets

@mirtle

If NHL revenues are as robust as Bettman said today, the salary cap will go way up next summer. Plausibly $80- to $82-million. Pretty interesting.
- DarthKane

So then Toews and Seabrook go from really bad deals to bad deals?

I read a report a couple of months ago suggesting $80m. That would help!
- matt_ahrens

Lets look at the numbers at a high level. 80M would give the hawks about 7.5 for next season after most of the RFA and UFA slots are filled. Note Rutta and Kempny are on UFA's this season.

The "beloved" Blues would sit around 10M +. Would that give an in division rival the chance of landing lets say Taveras? Preds would be 9+ with a tight roster

A rising cap actually may hurt the hawks as it helps the competition - as much if not more.

Panarin seems to have found his stride in CBUS. More interesting was to see a PP where the players all continued moving and swarming after the initial shot from the point.

https://twitter.com/NHL/status/931712390378422272
- pdx2ord

Sweat shot and can't say i could be happier seeing Kevin Hayes Fail.

[quote=StLBravesFan]Do Jimmy Stewart.

Ah ah well ah ah ah JJJjjimney CCcrickets
- HamiltonHawk

Thank you - we’ll get back to you.

Lets look at the numbers at a high level. 80M would give the hawks about 7.5 for next season after most of the RFA and UFA slots are filled. Note Rutta and Kempny are on UFA's this season.

The "beloved" Blues would sit around 10M +. Would that give an in division rival the chance of landing lets say Taveras? Preds would be 9+ with a tight roster
A rising cap actually may hurt the hawks as it helps the competition - as much if not more.
- riozzo

Well said agree
That's what I've been thinking . Cap hike a few years back would have been good for Hawks, now it will help out teams like Toronto and Edmonton ect a lot more as they will be able to sign there you talent with room to add secondary players.