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2. Buffalo SabresPreseason prediction: The Sabres should keep rolling this season with a young, fast team. Ryan Miller is the best goalie in the Northeast Division. Why they gave Tim Connolly a three-year contract and let Jay McKee go, I'll never know. I'm sure they saw the Hurricanes raising the Cup last June and said to themselves, "That could very well be us next June."
Preseason player projection: Chris Drury, 35-41-76. Current projection: 44-32-75.
Here and now: One point off on Drury isn't too shabby. We'll have to see how long he will be out. With all of the Sabres' injuries, they have to watch out for New Jersey taking over the East's No. 1 spot. But I think the Sabres will figure a way to get it done. As time passes, it seems more apparent this is the Sabres' year in the Eastern Conference. A special, magical year. If they can get and stay healthy, I just don't see anyone beating them. I don't see a need to make a deal here and I would keep Martin Biron.
Also,
Bucci,Tell us what you think about Chris Neil's hit and the Sabres' reaction as a whole. With so many of our guys out for a while, who do you like on the market that the Sabres might trade for? Do you think all the rookie forwards who are going to play a handful of games will be a good thing for this team's depth going into the playoffs? On a related note, you need to get a copy of legendary Sabres play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret's "Top Shelf" DVD. My roommates and I watch it before every Buffalo game to get pumped up.
Justin Wild
St. Bonaventure University
Olean, N.Y.
Robert Laberge/Getty Images/NHLI
Bucci asks, do we really want to see more of these pictures from NHL games?
I don't understand why a shoulder pad to the head is not equivalent to an elbow to the head. This is a hit that needs to be outlawed in the NHL. Chris Neil had plenty of time and space to make a decision on how to hit Chris Drury. That alone tells you the hit was a late hit. It was superfluous, unsportsmanlike and excessive. How many stories have we read of players being seriously hurt after hitting their heads on the ice? It is why USA Hockey now mandates all coaches wear helmets during practice.
The force of Drury's head hitting the ice was frightening. It could have killed him. We have situations and circumstances where injuries will occur during the course of a hockey game. We all know this going in. Part of the game's appeal and zest is its danger. The soul of the game might very well be the fear. The fear creates concentration. The fear creates chemicals in the body that result in a state of pleasure and ecstasy. Hockey, because of fear, is our Chemical Romance. Most NHL players don't play scared, but there is an underlying fear. This is good. For kids, it teaches them to overcome fear and pain and rise above. But there are instances that cross the line. The reason why the NFL mandates a strict policy against helmet-to-helmet shots is because quarterbacks and receivers are DEFENSELESS. They can't defend themselves while attempting to perform their task.
The NHL needs to implement this standard NOW. Hitting defenseless players in the head with shoulder pads is hockey's equivalent to helmet-to-helmet hits in the NFL. In Drury's case, it is even more dangerous because of the whiplash effect of the brain slamming into the wall of the skull. It might be difficult for NHL officials to see some of these hits throughout the course of a game. I would not put too much pressure on them.
But, after the fact, there are hits that can be reviewed. A review can see if players had intent. It is a fast game with collisions. Those collisions are thrilling and exciting. But when a player is hit two seconds after he shoots or passes the puck, like Drury or Paul Kariya in the 2003 Stanley Cup finals, these hits are unnecessary because the intent is clearly to injure.
In studying Brian Campbell's hit on R.J. Umberger in last season's playoffs, Campbell was anticipating Umberger receiving the pass on the breakout. He was making the right play. His left foot was planted on the ice as he set to hit Umberger. Because Umberger missed the breakout pass and was lunging forward to gather in the puck, he lowered his body. As a result, Campbell's shoulder pad caught a lot of Umberger's head. But I would not have penalized Campbell. He was planning on hitting Umberger in the torso. The late move made it a head hit. The NHL can look at hits in this way.
The NFL still has hard hits, the hardest hits in its history, because of the speed and athleticism of its players. The NHL still will have big hits. But the NHL and NHLPA need to work together and figure out the difference between a hockey-play hit and a superfluous hit. Neil should have received a two-game suspension. Again, I wouldn't put pressure on the on-ice officials unless the hit is as clear as day.
Justin Wild
St. Bonaventure University
Olean, N.Y.
Robert Laberge/Getty Images/NHLI
Bucci asks, do we really want to see more of these pictures from NHL games?
I don't understand why a shoulder pad to the head is not equivalent to an elbow to the head. This is a hit that needs to be outlawed in the NHL. Chris Neil had plenty of time and space to make a decision on how to hit Chris Drury. That alone tells you the hit was a late hit. It was superfluous, unsportsmanlike and excessive. How many stories have we read of players being seriously hurt after hitting their heads on the ice? It is why USA Hockey now mandates all coaches wear helmets during practice.
The force of Drury's head hitting the ice was frightening. It could have killed him. We have situations and circumstances where injuries will occur during the course of a hockey game. We all know this going in. Part of the game's appeal and zest is its danger. The soul of the game might very well be the fear. The fear creates concentration. The fear creates chemicals in the body that result in a state of pleasure and ecstasy. Hockey, because of fear, is our Chemical Romance. Most NHL players don't play scared, but there is an underlying fear. This is good. For kids, it teaches them to overcome fear and pain and rise above. But there are instances that cross the line. The reason why the NFL mandates a strict policy against helmet-to-helmet shots is because quarterbacks and receivers are DEFENSELESS. They can't defend themselves while attempting to perform their task.
The NHL needs to implement this standard NOW. Hitting defenseless players in the head with shoulder pads is hockey's equivalent to helmet-to-helmet hits in the NFL. In Drury's case, it is even more dangerous because of the whiplash effect of the brain slamming into the wall of the skull. It might be difficult for NHL officials to see some of these hits throughout the course of a game. I would not put too much pressure on them.
But, after the fact, there are hits that can be reviewed. A review can see if players had intent. It is a fast game with collisions. Those collisions are thrilling and exciting. But when a player is hit two seconds after he shoots or passes the puck, like Drury or Paul Kariya in the 2003 Stanley Cup finals, these hits are unnecessary because the intent is clearly to injure.
In studying Brian Campbell's hit on R.J. Umberger in last season's playoffs, Campbell was anticipating Umberger receiving the pass on the breakout. He was making the right play. His left foot was planted on the ice as he set to hit Umberger. Because Umberger missed the breakout pass and was lunging forward to gather in the puck, he lowered his body. As a result, Campbell's shoulder pad caught a lot of Umberger's head. But I would not have penalized Campbell. He was planning on hitting Umberger in the torso. The late move made it a head hit. The NHL can look at hits in this way.
The NFL still has hard hits, the hardest hits in its history, because of the speed and athleticism of its players. The NHL still will have big hits. But the NHL and NHLPA need to work together and figure out the difference between a hockey-play hit and a superfluous hit. Neil should have received a two-game suspension. Again, I wouldn't put pressure on the on-ice officials unless the hit is as clear as day.
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