The Sheet Blog: Why fans should have a say in NHL’s neckguard debate

Last week I wrote and talked about the Dallas Stars and how they are planning to go ‘big game hunting’ since this is a go-for-it season. I still believe that’s the case, but something to consider one week later:

Injuries forced Lian Bichsel into the Dallas lineup earlier than the organization planned, but if he can be the defenseman they hoped he could become earlier than they thought, that’s one less position they need to address by the trade deadline. Early returns are good a couple of games in for the large Swiss defender. He’s physical, can chip in offensively, and if he shows he belongs in the NHL, then the Stars have solved an issue internally which is always a GM’s preference. And it frees up resources to bring in a forward.

Another close call with a skate cut

Thankfully Nashville Predators forward Michael McCarron is OK after getting caught by Bichsel’s skate on the side of his throat last week.

Always frightening to see, and many of us wonder what it will take to get players to put on neck guards and whether will they ever be mandated like helmets and visors. The debate continues, but one voice I think we need to pay more attention to is that of the fans here. When I think of some of the most horrific throat cuts, Adam Johnson’s death & Clint Malarchuk’s near-death experience, I think about all the paying customers in the arena who had to witness that and the profound psychological effect it must have had on them. Nobody should have to go to therapy after watching a hockey game, and no league wants this as part of the product they’re selling.

If the future now for synthetic ice surfaces?

As the costs of hockey continue to rise creating barriers to entry for many families, I wonder if one of the remedies here could be synthetic ice. Ice time costs have skyrocketed, adding hundreds if not thousands of dollars to each family’s expenses every year. Now, I’m not suggesting using synthetic ice for games, as too many people will revolt, but the technology is at the level now that it can replicate the experience of skating, so why not use it for some practices? Or skills training? No need for chillers or Zambonis, so surface rentals drop and in some cases significantly.

At this year’s World Junior Championship in Ottawa, Hockey Canada is creating a synthetic ice mini rink (30 x 60) at the Fan Fest for fans to try and various hockey organizations will run programs on throughout the tournament. Fan Fest is open every game day whether you have a ticket or not, so maybe bring your blades and try it out? I don’t see ice prices coming down anytime soon, so it’s time we looked at alternatives, no?

And speaking of ice costs, here’s a training a tip I got from a minor hockey coach last week that makes a lot of sense to me. Coaches, if you’re upset at the effort your team shows during a game, don’t bag skate them at the next practice. Make them run stairs at the rink. Ice time isn’t cheap. Don’t use it for punishment, use it for development.

Ullmark on track in Canada’s capital

This week’s ‘player I’m really happy for’ is Ottawa Senators netminder Linus Ullmark, whose save percentage is now up to .910 after posting games of .923, .912, .950, .973, .969 and a shutout against the Carolina Hurricanes. His skills are elite, and by that I mean he’s an excellent technician and his thinking is top drawer. Does he have it to grit out a tough game under pressure? Haven’t seen that yet, but I’m hoping he does, because he’s so damn likeable in his interviews and away from the rink. I can still recall getting texts in the 2017-18 AHL season during Rochester vs. Utica games when Ullmark and Thatcher Demko would go head-to-head, save-for-save. Anyone who was there will tell you, those were best goalie duels in hockey that season.

No picnic for teddy bears

This has easily been the most bizarre year for Teddy Bear Toss games in the OHL.

We’ve had Michael Misa’s one-game suspension for flipping a bear back into the stands, a line brawl between the Barrie Colts and Ottawa ‘67’s as the bears hit the ice and then yesterday in Brantford, the Bulldogs took on the Kingston Frontenacs and more bear drama. As Bulldog Jake O’Brien scored and the bears started hitting the ice, the referee waived off the goal thinking O’Brien had pitchforked Kingston goalie Nolan Lalonde.

A few minutes into the cleanup delay, Brantford decided to challenge and as the cleanup ended, it was announced the goal counted, prompting a fresh wave of bears. Great strategic use of the Teddy Bear Toss by head coach Jay McKee.

Here’s the kicker – this happened to Brantford last season as well. As Florian Xhekaj tucked it in, bears hit the ice only to have the ref waive it off for goalie interference.

I texted Bulldogs play-by-play voice Reed Duthie about it and here’s what he had to say

“Never would have guessed we’d have this situation once let alone back-to-back years. The drama of the moment, the fans amped up for the occasion tossing the bears, the delay for review and the celebration for an incredible cause after the goal was given. Truly an incredible scene and it’s what we all love about junior hockey, unpredictable fun.”

PWHL expansion to stay ahead of Europe?

A wise PWHL observer recently mentioned to me it might be beneficial for the league to announce expansion plans sooner than later as European teams are aggressively trying to lock up their players and the PWHL needs to keep their standard high.

Speaking of the PWHL, as the league gets back to action this week, if you can make it out to Saturday’s Montreal vs. Toronto game at Coca Cola Coliseum, it’s the Sceptres’ Cancer Awareness game. Sceptres netminder Erica Howe was diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer and has embarked on a fundraising initiative. If you’re able to donate, you can do so here (proceeds going to the Canadian Cancer Society and cancer research).

Remembering Erie Otters owner Jim Waters

I last saw Erie Otters owner Jim Waters a month ago at the Erie Insurance Arena, I was with my son at a hockey tournament. After the game, we went down to the room to say hi to head coach Stan Butler along with a couple of the Otters players, and one of the first people we ran into was Jim, outside the coaches office. He greeted us with a big smile, a firm handshake and detailed in some specifics the last conversation we had face to face – Memorial Cup 2017 in Windsor. He spoke about it like it was yesterday, his team, the players and the final game. That was Jim, quick to remind you how you mattered to him, and he remembered you.

Before hockey he was a radio guy, he ran CHUM radio for years, and that’s where I first met him. He knew that words, conversations and communication mattered. That’s one of the reasons why you’ve seen the outpouring of adoration since the Otters announced his passing late Friday afternoon at the age of 73.

He was loved by his family, his team (Otters defenceman Matthew Schaefer has dedicated his performance at the upcoming World Junior Tournament to his mother who passed away last year and to Jim) and everyone across the Canadian Hockey League.

He was a friend and mentor to many, and the OHL is poorer for his absence. Condolences to his family and the entire Erie Otters organization.

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The Sheet is live! Hosted by Jeff Marek, this brand-new show is your daily deep dive into the biggest hockey stories, trends, and insights across the NHL, PWHL, junior hockey, and beyond. Streaming every weekday at 3 PM ET on the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel, The Sheet features exclusive interviews with top hockey figures, from industry executives to Olympic champions. Don’t miss out—subscribe to Daily Faceoff on YouTube and follow @TheSheetHockey on social media to stay up-to-date with all the latest from the world of hockey.

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