HockeyTime to revisit the interference rule? Plus, Komisarek, mailbag and 30 thoughts

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After it happened, I had a chance to talk to a former player, a bright guy who now works in management. He was a depth forward, the kind of guy who had to finish his checks or find himself in the AHL. Seeing the hit reminded him of 1,000 similar situations from his own career, but this one was particularly dangerous for a retreating defenceman.

First, it was a quick shoot-in. Fanelli’s Rangers are headed up-ice before a turnover just outside their own blue-line, so he has even less time than normal before the forecheckers are on him. Then, for a split-second, the Kitchener goalie passes in front of Michael Liambas, the oncoming Erie forward. Anyone who plays hockey knows that losing sight of someone, even for such a brief time, can lead to danger. Especially when you’re preoccupied with the puck.

The difference? According to our former player, it’s not what you think.

“People say players have no respect for each other now, but we didn’t have any then, either. You were out there to kill the other guys,” he said. “The change is in what (Fanelli’s) defence partner can do. Before the rules changed, his partner would hold up the forechecker. One of the things we really worried about (after the changes), were situations like this, where defencemen would be defenceless.”

The tough thing about advocating this is that it’s a slippery slope. If you’re like me, and believe the game is better now than pre-lockout, re-introducing a legal kind of interference can lead to a more permissive feeling about it in general. Personally, I wouldn’t want to see forecheckers being hooked, held or waterskiied for five seconds at a time. And, I’m not in a favour of basketball-style non-moving picks, either.

But, what about a compromise?

What if defenders were allowed to angle attackers away from their partners/teammates? What if you were allowed a two-count (or, even a one-count) before you had to get out of a forechecker’s path? (No contact, though. If the other player engages, you must get out of the way immediately.) Would this make a difference?

Yes, it would.

Don’t like the idea of adding another subjective call to the rulebook. Refereeing is a tough enough job as it is. But, if we can prevent a repeat of this injury, isn’t that what’s important?

THE WHIPPING BOY

Admittedly, I was shocked by the hostility towards Mike Komisarek on Saturday night. No issues here with booing opposing players or Montreal’s fans. Games at the Bell Centre are among the best in the league.

I do believe, however, that the anger is somewhat misguided. There is a difference between Komisarek and Brett Favre.

Favre jerked the Packers around for several seasons, essentially crippling the front office every winter with his waffling. Recognizing his legend, the front office put up with it for a couple of years. Eventually, enough is enough, and you can’t fault Green Bay for needing to move on.

The QB goes to the Jets for a year, but he’s bitter. His season ended badly and he can’t deal with that. So what does he do? He joins their fiercest rival. It was as much motivated by spite as anything else.

Komisarek’s decision was not similar. You have to remember Bob Gainey’s policy of not discussing contracts during the season. You have to remember that several Canadiens were let go – Saku Koivu, Alex Kovalev, Tom Kostopoulos – without serious offers ever coming their way.

I do believe one proposal was made to Komisarek, approximately two weeks before free agency began. There are a lot of players who – short of an unbelievable contract – would turn it down at that point, just to see what was out there. Chad LaRose did something similar in Carolina, testing free agency before returning. LaRose is a rarity – most guys end up walking.

Canadiens’ fans are certainly aware that there is serious debate about Komisarek’s value. There are teams who would not offer him the same cash Toronto did because he’s not an offensive threat. But, I can never fault guys for taking the best deal. Athletes have a short shelf life, and you might never get one that good again. There was no malice, no desire to shove a red-hot poker down Montreal’s throat.

Gainey holds no grudge. He called Komisarek after the signing, wishing the best and telling him to call if he ever needed anything.

Boo the heck out of him, Canadiens’ fans. But, there’s no reason to despise the guy. Unlike Mikhail Grabovski, Komisarek played hard in Montreal.

WHY I AM AN IDIOT, REASON #3,783,921

During the broadcast Saturday night, I reported that Mike Cammalleri met face-to-face with Brian Burke on July 1 – but turned down the Maple Leafs for two reasons: 1) The Canadiens’ huge offer, and 2) he lives in the Toronto-area during the off-season and wanted to keep his summer locale separate from his “work” locale. (Not unusual, several players do that.)

All of that is correct, except for one thing: He met face-to-face with Dave Nonis, not Burke. Credit to a twitter user – TorontoMikeS – who asked, “Wasn’t Burke in Sweden that day?” Why yes, he was.

NON-HOCKEY NOTE OF THE WEEK

I don’t know how many of you are basketball fans, but Dwight Howard is something else. The Orlando Magic centre is one of those guys who understands that sports are meant to be both serious and fun. NBA rules are that the dressing room is open for 45 minutes beginning an hour-and-a-half before tipoff, but most players don’t talk during that time.

Technically, Howard doesn’t do interviews then, but he’ll chat. And he’s hysterically funny.

In a 10-minute span, he ripped the baby blue running shoes one sportswriter was wearing and pointed out how another looked like UFC fighter Forrest Griffin. That led to a hilarious debate about whether or not you would spend one minute in the ring/octagon with a gorilla.

For $5 billion.

It doesn’t affect Howard’s game. He’s a beast, a dominant force. But, it’s great to be around people who recognize that you’re supposed to enjoy life.

MAILBAG

Two this week:

Elliotte,

I am an avid follower of the NHL, but have yet to find the answer to this one question... Ever since the players came back from the CBA, the teams have worn their away jerseys at home and vice-versa on the road. Why is that? and Is there any plans to return to wearing white at home??

Awaiting reply... (advance thanks for clearing this up)

Signed, Confused Jersey Fan

Dear Confused (I feel like Ann Landers writing that),

Originally, NHL teams wore their darks at home and whites on the road. That was changed in 1970, only to be reversed in 2003. Why?

Two reasons – money and convenience.

Money: Teams were selling a ton of white jerseys, but not many dark jerseys. This was a concern, because many of the third/alternate jerseys are dark. By formally switching the rule, organizations could wear these jerseys at home and drive up revenues.

Convenience: Visiting teams had to carry two sets of sweaters/socks/etc. on road trips because there was the possibility of needing both. This change meant taking only the whites, although there are rare exceptions.
As for another philosophy shift, I haven’t heard anything.

Hi Elliotte,

I thought I'd send in a question for you (knowing you are also a Blackhawks fan ;-)

I was wondering if you had any inside scoop you could share on the Blackhawks GM saga over the summer? There were rumblings much of last season that there was a rift within Hawks management team with Tallon being the odd man out despite the Hawks having their best year in over a decade.

John McDonough is often pointed to as the culprit, effectively setting up Tallon with the late QO's, and was the main person behind the big dollar signings of Huet, Campbell & Hossa (that might hurt their chances of re-signing Keith, Kane & Toews).

Any insights you can share publicly?

Thanks very much,

Fred Schneider (aka Chico_hawk)

Fred/Chico,

It’s very difficult to determine exactly what happened, because in situations like this, you get a lot of he said/she said-type rumours, spin from both sides. The truth is somewhere in the middle.

When John McDonough took over, he was hailed as the man to bring the Blackhawks out of the dark ages. He gained huge popularity, and much of it was deserved. The Blackhawks made personnel changes all over the organization – advertising, public relations, media relations, everywhere. Even though Dale Tallon embraced the new direction, he was never McDonough’s guy. That, to me, was the biggest factor.

Without proof, I refuse to believe that Tallon was set up. I can’t imagine an organization intentionally doing something that stupid.

When McDonough brought in Scotty Bowman, it was only a matter of time. Did Bowman intentionally undermine Tallon? No. But, he has huge influence in the organization and is probably the primary decision-maker. In Detroit, where Ken Holland, Jim Nill and Steve Yzerman have huge cache with ownership, Bowman’s input was highly valued, but not the gospel. Tallon didn’t have that protection in Chicago.

Bowman doesn’t want to be GM, and I don’t want to paint the picture of Stan Bowman as some sort of puppet. He’s no dummy. But, there was no need to go outside, and no one better qualified inside.

30 THOUGHTS

Peter King rip-offs of the week:

1. Steve Yzerman meets with his Olympic selection committee – Holland, Doug Armstrong, Kevin Lowe – this week. I don’t understand how anyone not named Marc-Andre Fleury could be Canada’s starting goaltender. He deserves the first chance to play.

2. Ken Holland told The Calgary Herald he will propose banning hits to the head from the blind side. But, if the player is coming head-on, responsibility is on the puck carrier. Basically, Mike Richards gets a penalty (David Booth), while Willie Mitchell doesn’t (Jonathan Toews).

3. This is an interesting idea, and I’d love to hear the debate. But let me remind you once again, there are a lot of players and executives who agreed that Richards deserved no penalty and blamed Booth for having his head down.

4. I don’t know if there’s anyone in the NHL enjoying his new home more than Mike Cammalleri.

5. Rick Tocchet is really unhappy with Vincent Lecavalier. Dropped him to fourth line in practice. Showed a video of number four bailing out on contact. Things can’t possibly get as insane as last year, but will Lecavalier respond for Tocchet like he did for John Tortorella?

6. Ridiculous line of thinking: That Jarome Iginla’s rough night with Steve Yzerman in the house will cost him the Canadian captaincy. If it’s Iginla’s to get, he’ll get it. Yzerman saw enough as a teammate in 2002, or maybe in 2004, when the Flames kayoed Detroit from the playoffs.

7. Hockey’s biggest early season success story, Craig Anderson, still has his doubters. As one player said to me Friday, “Let’s see if he keeps this up.” Guy looks great, though.

8. How many defencemen do you think Alain Vigneault can dress in one night? Can he hit double figures? They lost another forward last night when Michael Grabner hurt his ankle before the game (soccer?). The Canucks might want to encase their players in bubble wrap.

9. It doesn’t say a lot for his confidence in Darcy Hordichuk, either. Mike Gillis brought Hordichuk to Vancouver because he wanted players with a positive attitude. This will test it.

10. Andrei Kostitsyn is getting very close to joining his brother in Hamilton.

11. Wonder if Georges Laraque will go too.

12. Great Quote I: Terry Murray on the shootout to LA Kings Insider. "It's a useless part of the game, the shootout, but the fans love it. For that, I like it, because the fans are excited. They're standing up and waiting for the next shooter. It is good for the game, but boy, do I hate it."

13. At Doug Favell’s house last week for Inside Hockey and saw a photo of him sitting atop the net. He told a great story: Playing for the Flyers, he was getting into too many fights. Then-NHL president Clarence Campbell wrote him a letter, warning he’d be fined $1,000 any time he fought from then on. This was around 1971, so that was a ton of money. That picture was snapped during yet another Philly brawl, as Favell jumped up there to avoid the fine.

14. The artist we showed in the piece – David Arrigo – said the most expensive mask he’s ever designed was worth $2,000. It wasn’t even for an NHL goalie, but a young boy from Calgary.

15. If you didn’t see the Carey Price Remembrance Day mask, check out Inside Hockey. Price will auction it off to benefit Canadian soldiers injured in Afghanistan.

16. In 2008, the Chicago Wolves wiped out the Toronto Marlies en route to the Calder Cup. Cliff Fletcher said then, “Remember the name Ondrej Pavelec.” No one’s forgetting it now, especially after making a save with his unmasked face in Ottawa.

17. Two weeks ago, struggling terribly, Luke Schenn called up an old junior co-billet. Shea Weber’s advice: “When I’m struggling, I try to get involved physically.” Now you know why Schenn picked a (losing) fight with Tanner Glass in Vancouver. He is, however, finding his game.

18. Glass, by the way, was working at a Pizza Hut when Florida drafted him 265th overall in 2003. His girlfriend’s father showed up to tell him, because no one from the Panthers could find him.

19. Even better was Ryan O’Byrne’s story. Same year, 79th overall. Was a bellhop. His mother showed up as he was dropping off bags at a room. Said, “Come home, you’ve been drafted by the Canadiens.” He got permission to leave his shift early. Glass finished his.

20. One Ontario-area scout said when the Doughty/Bogosian/Pietrangelo/Schenn careers are over – they were the second through fifth picks of the 2008 draft – Bogosian would be the best. Doughty and Schenn jumped fastest out of the gate, but Bogosian is charging. Long way to go, though.

21. Got to love Andrew Cogliano dressing up as Dany Heatley – in a Senators jersey, no less – for a team Halloween party. If Heatley had accepted a move to Edmonton, Cogliano was part of the return package.

22. Scott Gomez on his shootout goal against Vesa Toskala: “I asked Carey Price what to do, and he suggested high blocker. I went opposite (high glove).” Good choice. Mike Cammalleri went to the same spot. Toskala barely moved on either.

23. Sidney Crosby’s worked very hard at improving his on-ice demeanour, especially when it comes to officials. But he unravelled against Minnesota. He fought Marek Zidlicky, was infuriated when Brent Burns snapped his stick (he took a penalty earlier for the same thing) and made everyone aware of his displeasure. In retaliation, a linesman dropped a puck before he was ready and the Wild cleared the zone on a penalty kill. Strange stuff all around.

24. Great Quote II: Thomas Vanek to the Buffalo News after Saturday’s loss to the Islanders. "This one falls on me. I’m the goal scorer here, and I could have put the Islanders away in the first period myself, and I didn’t. From that end, it’s disappointing. I’ve got to be better. I’ve got to put those away. It’s my job, and I didn’t do it. It cost us the game."

25. The Spectrum hosted its final event Saturday – a Pearl Jam concert. Would have loved to cover a game there. Could listen forever to Bob Cole talk about the famous Flyers/Russia game – “They’re going home!”

26. If the Flyers really wanted to close the building in perfect style, the concert should have ended with Dave Schultz pummelling Eddie Vedder.

27. Real nice moment: Steve Tambellini getting to watch son Jeff’s first career hat trick in person. Ever better for dad that it didn’t happen against his team.

28. Alex Goligoski is a much, much better player than I realized. You can see how much Dan Bylsma believes in him.

29. Jacques Lemaire was about to select Niclas Bergfors as the Devils’ fourth shooter against Tampa. He told reporters that assistant Tommy Albelin suggested David Clarkson, instead. Lemaire listened, and Clarkson scored the winner.

30. Saw where Todd Richards benched Petr Sykora. Asked about it by Michael Russo, Richards said, “He is a proven scorer, but there’s so much more that goes to playing the game of hockey than just finishing.” This is a guy who’s played more than 900 games. That’s who he is. He’s not going to change now.

Have a question for Elliotte? Send an email to: CBCHockeyOnline@cbc.ca

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