Hockey Capsules: NHL GMs looking to deal with head injuries
BOCA RATON, Fla. — NHL general managers are trying to find a way to deal with serious head injuries.
"I think we all care about the safety of our players, first and foremost," Philadelphia Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said Tuesday. "I think there’s been some hits this year that all of us feel uncomfortable with, so we’re trying to do what’s right, not only for the players but for the game."
For the second straight day, this was the main topic of discussion at the general managers’ annual meeting.
Dallas Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk said stiffer penalties must be handed out to players who repeatedly make hits to the head.
"Clearly, the blindside and the unsuspecting player is what we’re targeting," said Nieuwendyk, a three-time Stanley Cup champion. "I don’t think we’re trying to reinvent the wheel here — we have a great game. But in light of some of the hits — obviously the David Booth one is kind of the alarming one that everyone took notice of — I think it’s going to be for the good of the game."
Booth, a left wing for the Florida Panthers, was carted off the ice on a stretcher after an open-ice hit by Flyers captain Mike Richards on Oct. 24. He sustained a concussion and missed 45 games.
"It’s a rough sport, but we’re just trying to take the necessary steps to protect our players without taking hitting out of the game," Nieuwendyk said.
San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson suggested that the consensus favored supplemental discipline as a way of combating the problem. But he cautioned there was still fine-tuning to be done and it was "premature" to provide a definitive course of action that will follow from these meetings, which end Wednesday.
Any recommendations would be forwarded to the competition committee. Then the general managers would vote on any change before the matter goes to the board of governors.
"If you’re trying to address something that’s a concern to us, it involves both elements to make it be impactful," Wilson said. "I hope tomorrow we can put something in place to say this is how we’re going to play the game; what’s acceptable, what’s not acceptable."
On other matters, the New York Islanders proposed a series of elimination games among the bottom eight teams in each conference to determine the final playoff seed. Also discussed was giving coaches the ability to challenge plays, having two players select the all-star teams and experimenting with a different point format in the standings.
One potential change that seemed to have support was altering the tiebreaking format to favor teams with the highest number of regulation victories rather than total wins.
Penguins GM backs Sid the Kid on Letterman snub
BOCA RATON, Fla. — Hey, go easy on Sidney Crosby. At least that’s the message from Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ray Shero.
Crosby recently passed on an invitation to appear on the "The Late Show with David Letterman" and has been taking some criticism for the snub.
The NHL superstar led Canada to the Olympic gold medal with an overtime goal against the United States. Crosby was invited to read Letterman’s Top 10 list on March 4 when the Penguins were in New York to play the Rangers.
Shero came to the defense of his team’s captain. He says it should be noted how much traveling and playing Crosby has done since the Olympics and the many interviews he’s had.
Blue Jackets recall MacKenzie, Mayorov
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Blue Jackets have recalled forwards Derek MacKenzie and Maksim Mayorov from the club’s American Hockey League affiliate in Syracuse.
General Manager Scott Howson announced Tuesday that both players are expected to be in the lineup for the game Tuesday night at Anaheim.
Team captain Rick Nash left the Blue Jackets’ 6-0 loss at Los Angeles on Monday night because of a lower-body injury. The addition of MacKenzie and Mayorov may help offset his loss if he is unable to play against the Ducks.
MacKenzie has a goal and three assists in 17 games with the Blue Jackets this season. Mayorov was scoreless in three games with the Blue Jackets last season.
RW Kugryshev signs 3-year deal with Capitals
ARLINGTON, Va. — Right wing Dmitry Kugryshev has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals.
The 20-year-old Kugryshev was a second-round pick in the 2008 draft.
The Russian is in his second season with the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. His 83 points in 64 games rank seventh in the league, and his 55 assists rank fourth.
