BobbyMac reports from GM meetings

[puckhead]

Bettman outlines 5 step plan:
1. Brendan Shanahan working with NHLPA to expedite equipment modifications.
2. Revised concussion protocol. If player is suspected to have had one, must be removed from the bench for assessement in quiet area. That assessment must be done by a medical doctor, not the team therapist, using standardized SCAT testing.
3. Fines and/or suspensions for clubs and coaches of players/teams that rack up high number of suspensions. No details yet.
4. Safety engineers to make sure all NHL arenas conform to safe standards and to come up with ideas to "soften" environment.
5. Special committee of Shanahan, R Blake, Yzerman, Niuewendyk to continue investigating this issue.
GMs weigh in tomorrow with their thoughts/recommendations.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

These are 5 good objectives.

I have a problem with number 3. Seeing as the disciplinary actions of the NHL seem to be arbitrary and, quite honestly, fucking terrible, then #3 means jack and shit.

Jack has left town.

 

[mattola]

they need to also investigate the size of the fine. these max fines of $2500 are a joke in this NHL. they need to make the players accountable for more money ALOT more money. that will help as well

 

[puckhead]

These are 5 good objectives.

I have a problem with number 3. Seeing as the disciplinary actions of the NHL seem to be arbitrary and, quite honestly, fucking terrible, then #3 means jack and shit.

Jack has left town.

corollary to Matt's point, the NHLPA haven't clamped down on fines for coaches and teams, so a $10k, $25k, $100k fine might get their attention a bit more than a maximum $2,500 fine to a player.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

corollary to Matt's point, the NHLPA haven't clamped down on fines for coaches and teams, so a $10k, $25k, $100k fine might get their attention a bit more than a maximum $2,500 fine to a player.

For sure. The pocketbook and making people at risk of losing their jobs because of cheapshots is the way to go.

 

[TiLoBrown]

Wait...thats the max? Oh yea, its time to update that

 

[puckhead]

Wait...thats the max? Oh yea, its time to update that

for players, the choices are $1,000 or $2,500.
there is also a rule in the books still (2nd altercation in one stoppage) that call for a $100 fine to the player.
the referee's have a strong union, too. which is why the can NEVER be criticized.


other news from GM meetings:
the GM's were shown a video of about 100 hits to discuss.... the Chara one was not among them

 

[dash]

I understand Kevin Lowe tried to slip the "Welcome to Oil Country" DVD into the meeting, but the GM's were focusing on hits, not misses...

 

[puckhead]

I understand Kevin Lowe tried to slip the "Welcome to Oil Country" DVD into the meeting, but the GM's were focusing on hits, not misses...

must spread rep. that there is some funny shit, though.

 

[puckhead]

GMs recommendations: 1. Re-define a tougher standard on existing boarding and charging rules, starting next season.

2. Longer suspensions in general for illegal head hits and much longer suspensions for repeat offenders.

There was little or no appetite for blanket head-checking rule where any hit to head, accidental or otherwise, is penalized.

Committee of Shanahan, Blake, Yzerman, Nieuwendyk, in conjunction with hockey ops, will re-define boarding and charging standards.






GMs, BTW, overwhelmingly viewed Chara-Pacioretty as "hockey play" I'm told vote was 24-6 on it as a play that didn't require discipline

 

[KennyBanyeah]

GMs recommendations: 1. Re-define a tougher standard on existing boarding and charging rules, starting next season.

2. Longer suspensions in general for illegal head hits and much longer suspensions for repeat offenders.

There was little or no appetite for blanket head-checking rule where any hit to head, accidental or otherwise, is penalized.

Committee of Shanahan, Blake, Yzerman, Nieuwendyk, in conjunction with hockey ops, will re-define boarding and charging standards.






GMs, BTW, overwhelmingly viewed Chara-Pacioretty as "hockey play" I'm told vote was 24-6 on it as a play that didn't require discipline

Seems like a lot of common sense. I like the boarding and charging stance.

I also (although I won;t be popular here I suspect) the no move to blanket head shots. We all saw the crap that results from that with Kassian in the WJHC.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

GMs recommendations: 1. Re-define a tougher standard on existing boarding and charging rules, starting next season.

2. Longer suspensions in general for illegal head hits and much longer suspensions for repeat offenders.

There was little or no appetite for blanket head-checking rule where any hit to head, accidental or otherwise, is penalized.

im putting on the foil (hat, that is) ive heard the following before ... that there is a "gentlemans" unwritten agreement between the league and the NHLPA that they keep suspensions light. The reason its not in the cba is because it obviously doesnt cast the players in a favorable light. The NHLPA doesnt want anybody in its membership to lose money via suspension even if the hit was illegal.

And if they do have a longish looking suspension in the near future, the next one after that will be less severe, and after that, less severe again. The saying on rules enforcement edicts is "they're on top of it in October, they start looking the other way in December and they forget about it by February"

I will believe it when i see it (longer suspensions). Too me it sounds like one of Bettmans "NHL investigations". They supposedly occur but you never hear the results of these numerous "NHL investigations"

smacks of lip service to placate media/fans who have been asking too many questions lately

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

they need to also investigate the size of the fine. these max fines of $2500 are a joke in this NHL. they need to make the players accountable for more money ALOT more money. that will help as well

corollary to Matt's point, the NHLPA haven't clamped down on fines for coaches and teams, so a $10k, $25k, $100k fine might get their attention a bit more than a maximum $2,500 fine to a player.

For sure. The pocketbook and making people at risk of losing their jobs because of cheapshots is the way to go.

Keep in mind that the suspended player loses his salary for the games that he's suspended, so that's essentially equivalent to a fine.