Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks Game Day: November 12 at Ottawa Senators The Vancouver Canucks will look to extend their winning streak to two games as they face the Ottawa Senators in the fourth game of their seven-game road trip on Thursday night.

Mike Richards skating with OHL team, I am surprised no one has picked him up for league minimum
- WhiteLie

The guy is facing potentially drug charges... why take the risk...

the guy was pretty useless in LA... no motivation(?) or worse.. drug related career decline.

stage 2 coming up?

The spark for this latest round of discussion on increasing scoring came from Toronto coach Mike Babcock's suggestion that the size of NHL nets should be increased—even though I'd argue that the Leafs' easiest route to more goals would be to add more talent to their team.

Carol, why not make a mention of the blue and white disease that takes hold of people associated with the team?

This guy sunk himself as soon as he signed over there. Now his comments just come across as whinging...

Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks Game Day: November 12 at Ottawa Senators
The Vancouver Canucks will look to extend their winning streak to two games as they face the Ottawa Senators in the fourth game of their seven-game road trip on Thursday night.
- Carol Schram

Thanks Carol.

more cowbell

Carol, why not make a mention of the blue and white disease that takes hold of people associated with the team?

This guy sunk himself as soon as he signed over there. Now his comments just come across as whinging...
- kaptaan

I thought it was funny that it only took 10 games before he started thinking that bigger nets were the only way the team he inherited would ever score goals...

I thought it was funny that it only took 10 games before he started thinking that bigger nets were the only way the team he inherited would ever score goals...
- Carol Schram

Lols, exactly...

I thought it was funny that it only took 10 games before he started thinking that bigger nets were the only way the team he inherited would ever score goals...
- Carol Schram

I don't want to see bigger nets, but the discussion around goalie equipment is as sensitive as a debate on religion. it would be easier to just increase the size of the net and continue to argue about equipment specs.

in protest of low scoring, I predict final score of 28-26 for Ottawa

Anyone know what will happen at this Burrows meeting? Do player agents attend, team rep- GM or union rep?

Can he be suspended, any sort of discipline?

I thought it was funny that it only took 10 games before he started thinking that bigger nets were the only way the team he inherited would ever score goals...
- Carol Schram

This isn't the first time we have heard people in the NHL say to make the nets bigger and I have no idea if this is the first time Babcock has said it.

I do think that Babcock is a very smart hockey person regardless of the fact he is coaching the Leafs now. Had this been Babcock saying this when with the wings would the comment be as easy to dismiss as sour grapes?

I think that bigger nets should be seen as an option, the reality is that goalies have gotten bigger as well as the their equipment to a large degree. Doesn't it make sense that the nets should be bigger as well ?

Goalies and the PA will fight smaller equipment or even standardized equipment and it might be easier to increase the size marginally. Will it be a shame to change something that has been the same for so long ?

Yes, but this is the reality of the evaluation of sport.

Anyone know what will happen at this Burrows meeting? Do player agents attend, team rep- GM or union rep?

Can he be suspended, any sort of discipline?
- hillbillydeluxe

Probably just gunna tell him to shutup for a bit.

Anyone know what will happen at this Burrows meeting? Do player agents attend, team rep- GM or union rep?

Can he be suspended, any sort of discipline?
- hillbillydeluxe

I don't think he can be suspended, this is more of a convenience meeting because the Canucks are going to Toronto to play Sat. they probably just want his side of it.

No.
It does not make sense to make the nets bigger.
Should basketball hoops be raised as players have gotten taller and become better athletes and are able to jump higher? Of course not.

Reducing the size of goalie pads makes the most sense. If we can make bullet proof/shark proof vests, then surely we can make slim fitting gear that protects the goalie without making him look like the michelin man.
I take Millers point that this should not be rushed and the league should go through proper consultation/testing procedures, but for Fs sake, do not change the net.
That would skew all future scoring stats and be a terrible decision imo.

This isn't the first time we have heard people in the NHL say to make the nets bigger and I have no idea if this is the first time Babcock has said it.

I do think that Babcock is a very smart hockey person regardless of the fact he is coaching the Leafs now. Had this been Babcock saying this when with the wings would the comment be as easy to dismiss as sour grapes?

I think that bigger nets should be seen as an option, the reality is that goalies have gotten bigger as well as the their equipment to a large degree. Doesn't it make sense that the nets should be bigger as well ?

Goalies and the PA will fight smaller equipment or even standardized equipment and it might be easier to increase the size marginally. Will it be a shame to change something that has been the same for so long ?

Yes, but this is the reality of the evaluation of sport.
- belcherbd

Sounds like that paragraph could easily be adapted to cover the argument to increase the size of the ice surface.

If the owners really cared about the game, player safety, they would give up the first row of seats and just make the ice surface bigger.

Anyone know what will happen at this Burrows meeting? Do player agents attend, team rep- GM or union rep?

Can he be suspended, any sort of discipline?
- hillbillydeluxe

I think it would be strange, the league already apparently looked at this and didn't discipline him. I think if he was going to be suspended, disciplined it would of already happened. They probably tell him that they will be watching him specifically from now on.

My guess is that Burrows did say something that was offensive but not racist or suspension worthy. I imagine this kind of thing happens a lot on the ice and I imagine it was " classless" much like Kesler and Burrows talking about Backes wife or Richards "alleged" cocaine use.

Sounds like that paragraph could easily be adapted to cover the argument to increase the size of the ice surface.

If the owners really cared about the game, player safety, they would give up the first row of seats and just make the ice surface bigger.
- hillbillydeluxe

I would not be opposed to increased ice surfaces, although i think the likelihood is slim that all nhl rinks would be adapted, resulting in lost revenue.

I think it would be strange, the league already apparently looked at this and didn't discipline him. I think if he was going to be suspended, disciplined it would of already happened. They probably tell him that they will be watching him specifically from now on.

My guess is that Burrows did say something that was offensive but not racist or suspension worthy. I imagine this kind of thing happens a lot on the ice and I imagine it was " classless" much like Kesler and Burrows talking about Backes wife or Richards "alleged" cocaine use.
- belcherbd

"Alex please be more sensitive about Tootoo's feelings"

Sounds like that paragraph could easily be adapted to cover the argument to increase the size of the ice surface.

If the owners really cared about the game, player safety, they would give up the first row of seats and just make the ice surface bigger.
- hillbillydeluxe

I agree that looking at making the ice bigger has been and should be considered but you hit the nail on the head. It would be a major change to all the arenas.

Adding a couple inches to the net wouldn't take the same investment.

Again I'm not even saying do it blind, but take a look at it, try it in the AHL or ECHL or whatever.

I thought it was funny that it only took 10 games before he started thinking that bigger nets were the only way the team he inherited would ever score goals...
- Carol Schram

No.
It does not make sense to make the nets bigger.
Should basketball hoops be raised as players have gotten taller and become better athletes and are able to jump higher? Of course not.

Reducing the size of goalie pads makes the most sense. If we can make bullet proof/shark proof vests, then surely we can make slim fitting gear that protects the goalie without making him look like the michelin man.
I take Millers point that this should not be rushed and the league should go through proper consultation/testing procedures, but for Fs sake, do not change the net.
That would skew all future scoring stats and be a terrible decision imo.
- dbot

Bulletproof vests and and kevlar type materials stops penetration but people still feel the full impact. So I don't think that comparison makes any sense.

I would be happy if goalies reduce their pads but think it will be hard to get them to comply.

As far as skewing future stats, why don't new sticks, goalie equipment count as skewing those stats?

I think it would be strange, the league already apparently looked at this and didn't discipline him. I think if he was going to be suspended, disciplined it would of already happened. They probably tell him that they will be watching him specifically from now on.

My guess is that Burrows did say something that was offensive but not racist or suspension worthy. I imagine this kind of thing happens a lot on the ice and I imagine it was " classless" much like Kesler and Burrows talking about Backes wife or Richards "alleged" cocaine use.
- belcherbd

Are you saying they should take the trash out of trash talk?

If they are going to bring Pronger in to the league office, may I suggest Claude Lemieux or ET to deal with the trash talk issue?

(couldn't remember if it was Esa or Essa...)

Probably just gunna tell him to shutup for a bit.
- SRam19

I don't think he can be suspended, this is more of a convenience meeting because the Canucks are going to Toronto to play Sat. they probably just want his side of it.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Makes me wonder how specific the code of conduct policy is? Sean Avery sort of comments made to the public on the ice, in game, it doesn't sound over the line, would still expect worse...

Wonder what would be the worst TooToo has said? Maybe TooToo will have a moment of revelation and forgive?

No.
It does not make sense to make the nets bigger.
Should basketball hoops be raised as players have gotten taller and become better athletes and are able to jump higher? Of course not.

Reducing the size of goalie pads makes the most sense. If we can make bullet proof/shark proof vests, then surely we can make slim fitting gear that protects the goalie without making him look like the michelin man.
I take Millers point that this should not be rushed and the league should go through proper consultation/testing procedures, but for Fs sake, do not change the net.
That would skew all future scoring stats and be a terrible decision imo.
- dbot

This.

Bulletproof vests and and kevlar type materials stops penetration but people still feel the full impact. So I don't think that comparison makes any sense.

I would be happy if goalies reduce their pads but think it will be hard to get them to comply.

As far as skewing future stats, why don't new sticks, goalie equipment count as skewing those stats?
-belcherbd

Exactly, the new sticks and pads are part of the evolution of the sport. Some of the shots and saves made wouldn't have been possible in a previous era. Its to promote the entertainment.

As for changes, I mentioned this in a Down Goes Brown mailbag entry: I would like to see NHL become more lax on its arena size requirements. Baseball has it, and rosters can be built to play to the stadium's strengths (like load up on lefties at Yankee Stadium). If the NHL gave broader requirements, a team could have the max size ice surface and the GM could build the fastest team. A team with the smallest rink requirement might build a bulkier team. I think the character of the old rinks allowed for the comfortable team to success more, all we see today are familiarity with board bounces.