Thread: Concussions and the CBA

Originally Posted by taz42

... ice and boards can't be softened.

Actually the boards can be. There is a company that makes boards that compress and give more during impacts. Probably expensive, but I think the NHL is looking at at least testing them. Ice you really can't do anything about.

Also let's not overlook the lack of respect that players seem to have for one another.
I'm not calling for an all-out lovefest between teams, but the kinda crap that the Andy Suttons and Matt Cookes of the world pull on opposing players should see them bounced out of the league.

Good hard hits with some respect for the other man's ability to function afterward is what I'm talking about.
I know I don't want to watch a league filled with Derek Armstrongs because everyone else has been concussed into retirement.

p.s. Remember that Scott Stevens hit on Kariya years back in the Stanley Cup? Kariya would not be allowed to return and win the game now.

Perhaps I am in the minority, but I do not think we have enough concussions.

Originally Posted by Noble Savage

Also let's not overlook the lack of respect that players seem to have for one another.
I'm not calling for an all-out lovefest between teams, but the kinda crap that the Andy Suttons and Matt Cookes of the world pull on opposing players should see them bounced out of the league.

Do not buy into the hype that respect levels have changed. In fact, I'd say they are at an all time high. Players in the 70s truly hated one another and did things that would be considered criminal by fans these days.

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I do not understand your PS moment. Scott Stevens would be suspended 30 games a year based on his play. Am I misreading something?

I love the fact that fringe hockey writers are bringing fighting into this debate. Check out that list that Nasti posted above - full of stars and not a single one caused by a fight.

You guys are missing the point. Teams and Owners have a serious problem on their hands if they have payroll tied up in guys that from their perspective there is no cost certainty of them ever returning. It's like trying to run a business when there's production problems at the factory. If you can't deliver the product you're paying for ****'s going to go downhill quickly. Owners don't want to have to deal with this and they are going to take measures in the next CBA.

Originally Posted by Blueline

Actually the boards can be. There is a company that makes boards that compress and give more during impacts. Probably expensive, but I think the NHL is looking at at least testing them. Ice you really can't do anything about.

Doing something abt the boards would indeed be some improvement but, it'd sure be a complicated matter. Can you picture bouncing off of them like flubber? haha, sorry I couldn't resist that picture in my mind.

The obvious solution is to get rid of the hard candy shell pads. When a guy can almost stop a bullet with his equipment it's almost impossible for him to not wax an opposing player each time he hits someone. Also, it's been argued that if the hitter had as much to lose(elbow/shoulder injury) they might not be so cavalier about the hits they throw. But yeah, the point of this thread originally was more about roster issues with regards to losing players to injuries. Easy to get sidetracked.

A big part of the concussion debate needs to fall back to youth hockey. The concussion process starts there. These kids compete hard and play through concussions all of the time. They will have 5 or 6 undiagnosed concussions before even making it to the minors/NHL. By this time, the damage is mostly done. The NHL needs to encourage youth hockey to keeps kids with head injuries out of the game and make sure they receive proper medical care.