Simon suspension a tough call for the NHL

I didn'tused to mind hockey all that much, in fact I used to be a fan. However, the extended season and CBC's constant freaking coverage REALLY makes me hate it.

Ron and Don please help us bring back the real game of hockey. Please I do not want to see no more Buffalo Sabre pond hockey games. And I would like too hear Don's opinion on this new tasteless game?????

I agree chris simon did wrong,but let us not forget ,he was hit from behind,if the play had been called,for a penalty,this would not have happened,the refs have to shoulder some blame,if this was a star player,you can rest assured,a checking from behind penalty would have and should been called here.keep telling it like it is grapes

That player that hit Simon overhit him because they grow up with facemasks and overhit, I didn't play with one in high school but I did overhit with a helmet , not playing like my favorite Bobby Orr, who was helmetless at age fouteen. Helmets and face masks have made the game that of football, get rid of them and the game is restored. Helmets and face masks are for toddlers and inexperienced adults. Frank and Peter Mahovlich were big and both played the puck as great offenseman. Playing the puck WAS the essence of the game, now contact is , and I like the old game, we will bring it back , through photos and videos, Henderson scored against CCCP because HE WAS HELMETED like his opponent.

Coaches Corner good although the ranting and raving is sometimes annoying re: Chris Simon - I like the Ron French comment of 3 options - let me get this straight- I've been banged into the boards from behind face first in a heated game - I bounce off the boards dazed - I get up and say well option one I'll skate away - option 2 leave it for another day - option 3 deal with it now - hey let's get real here - this is a fast paced NHL game - adrenalin is flowing one reacts likely in a retaliatory manner in some fashion - in this case a swing of the stick - not the best way to settle the issue but what is done is done - the suspension - was someone in the higher ups of the league "looking" for Chris Simon - what about the hit on Kaberle - the player was no where close to the puck - he had not administered a bad hit and his only mark as I see it is he's a terrific player as last nites' game against Carolina showed - so the New Jersey player administers a cheap shot and gets away with minimal repurcussions for it - yes Chris Simon should be suspended - fined or whatever else that needs to happen but 25 games? Chris Simon has even taken responsibility for his own actions in the media - no credit for that? Is the league "watching" out for Jordan Tootoo also and maybe Jonathan Cheechoo and who else? The show is good and does give credit where credit is due with players performances and also coaches. Miigwetch

Mr Cherry, I love to watch Coach's Corner on Canadian Hockey Night when I get CBC's feed on the satellite. But what I am writing to you about is you views on Hockey and the outstanding support you demonstrate about our boys and girls in Iraq and Afghanistan. I know I said "our boys and girls" because it is one-fight with one-team. The brave folks from the "Great White North and the in the United States stand as one on the fight for freedom. I was in the US Air Force and had the priviledge to be stationed at Happy Valley, Goose Bay, New Foundland, and had a GREAT time with all the Canadian military people and civilians. I even started to change my accent from a Texas-draw to ending my sentences with - eh!...

While I was stationed at Goose Bay, I got hooked on hockey and played on the open ponds near Goose Bay. What a thrill that was, however, I am retired from the service and the only thing froze in Texas or has any ice is the ice maker in the refrigerator.

I wanted to thank you for the TV entertainment that you and your side-kick, Ron, give me while I watch Canadian hockey. I enjoy watching ya'll, eh!!!!!

David Andrews Sr
14397 CR 451
Merkel, (Republic of) Texas
79536
325-669-2655

I gotta say that although I believe in allowing to men settle their scores, I absolutely disagree with Don about the 3rd man in. Brewer did not have to come in there, the goalie was not hurt, Brewer could have waited and leveled him legally - later on, or confronted him next shift. As it was, he jumped him and had to pay the price - a losing goal. Another thing, if you ask any player or team in the NHL they will tell you they are not intimidated one bit by other teams reaction to questionable hits. They say "we just play hard and take them as they come" or something to that effect. NHL players are not intimidated by physical confrontation so why put your team at a loss with a 3rd man in, reactionary penalty. The brain must function.

Don:

You are wrong about the Cooke play on Sanford in the St Louis game!

You called it a "slew foot". That wasn't a slew foot. Cooke was going for the puck.
A slew foot is when you either kick or push an oppenent's feet from under them......right?
If a goalie comes out that far from the crease he's should be game. (or should be)

Want to see a slew foot.... the king of the move.....keep an eye on your Darcy Tucker....dirstiest player in the league.

Len

I was just watching Hockey Night Canada and the first intermission of the Canadians-Leafs game.
Don Cherry was applauding attacks made 'protecting' star players. What an idiot!
This guy, as well as some NHL plaeyrs saying that fighting is a good thing, should be banned from TV.
I am trying to tell my son that it is never ok to fight and then you have these 'stars' telling it is ok.

Don,

Jordan Staal has done wonders for the Pens, but he isn't an offensive superstar like Malkin. Malkin plays more powerplay minutes because he can finish (as can Staal), but he also serves as another creator alongside Crosby. Staal doesn't create great scoring opportunities for his teammates like Malkin. By the way, you mentioned that Staal has not been a minus player in any game this year, but I believe he has finished ten games with a minus stat.

It is nice to see Canadian players leading the league in goals scored and points, but why are there no Canadian names leading the plus/minus stat - a stat that shows how well players play in 5-on-5 situations - a key to the Canadian style of hockey?

Enjoy the playoff drive!

Hi Don,

I really enjoy you and Ron on the Show, and often Coach's Corner is better than many of the games. But I don't see how you can take Staal over Malkin as Rookie of the Year. Malkin has 76 points, Staal only 38. Assists are just as important as goals and playmaking is a crucial part of the game. While players like Andy Bathgate and Adam Oates were never given full credit for their playmaking skills I believe Playmaking is a rare skill and needs to be taken more seriously.

I am a fan and regular viewer of Hockey night in Canada since its inception as well as a former player and native of Toledo. I am upset over how many of the NHL games are now deceided by questionable calls. nowdays back to back penalities giving a team a 5 on 3 advantage late in a game are a common thing and I think a game should not be deceided by a small pull on a jersey or touching another playing when there is no impeading or actual effect on the play. One other thing, now we have come the full circle from a couple of years ago when a player cold not go one inch inside the goal crease to now where the golies are regulary being hit, knocked down, impeaded and intimidated. The action now in and around the goal crease makes it a question of luck as to whether or not a puck will hit the goalie, the post another player or sometimes bounch into the goal. It is a plesure to see the occasional clean shot or well played deak, they are getting to be a rare thing. It looks like the league has determined that the fans like action and scoring so if the officials can pare the teams down to 4 aside so much the better. Well if thats the direction they want to go why not just reduce it to 2 forwards and two defense all the time ad really get so open ice and then the officials wont have to call so many penalities? In many cases it look like they are going the way of some places where the traffic cops have to pass out so many tickets to meet their quota. Anothr way to create more open ice would be to get rid of that extra ref. hey that would even save the league some money ! Don Cherry is the greatest single asset to hockey now and a feature I never miss.

Bonjour Don.I'm wearing my 'Support the troops' hat at the moment & have just read some of the comments posted & I have to tell you I agree with most of the critiques & kudos re Chris Simon.However the English written by some writers leaves a lot to be desired.Love your segment,hope the CBC continues to carry it forever on Hockey Night in Canada, best regards, Gilles

the simon incident is another example of players not taking "the body" first to throw their weight around... cris simon is a big guy who is not afraid to mix it up with hardly anyone that i am aware of. the use of the stick above the shoulders was almost unheard of back in the early 60s when hardly anyone wore helmets... why because of the respect players had for each other and the knowledge that someone was going to drop the gloves with you if you use the stick above the shoulders.. gordie howe was known for many things in nhl but he was not known for smacking opposing players above the shoulders with his stick... he was known to be a dirty player at times because of his elbows being in someones face... but not his stick...

thank you

ron parker

Dear Don. I am more upset with the reaction to the suspension for Simons stick work. What does the NHL want?? Simons had 3 choices to make. First, was to skate away, take the number and pay back later with a hard clean hit. Second, was to drop the stick and gloves and fight the player that checked him into the boards. Unfortunately Simons choose number 3. He took his ANGER out with an object.. his stick. HE should be kicked out of hockey, PERIOD. You have to set examples and the NHL dropped the ball on this one. Do not pass go, do not collect.. you are DONE. There is a big difference between hitting someone with your shoulder and slugging them with your stick. Maybe if they had a hard rule: swinging or using your stick above the chest area, automatic suspension of your contract to play in the NHL and a $1 million dollar fine. would they think twice then?

Attn: Don Cherry (Coach's Corner),
Can you please justify a call made by a referee on thursday night between St. louis and Vancouver Canucks. There was a minute left in the game and Matt Cooke tripped the St. Louis goalie and there was no call made. St. Louis player Brewer defended his goalie and started fighting with Matt Cooke and the ref. called 4 minute penalty to St. Louis player and nothing to Matt Cooke. The game was tied at the time this happened and St. Louis were coming on strong. St. Louis lost the game in overtime because they were shorthanded. This happened to St. Louis twice, once early in the season against the Canucks where St. Louis were leading 2-1? and St. Louis were given 2 man short with a minute left in the game and lost the game in overtime again because they were shorthanded. There were other 3 games earlier on in the season where the Canucks won the games because the ref. gave the other team penalties when there was 2 min. left in the game and the Canucks were losing and they won at the end in overtime.

Hi,
I just have a comment about my sons Little Ceasar House League Play-Off game. We were in the Semi-Finals with the winner going to play at the Joe Louis Arena (for the Finals). The opposing team was awarded a penalty shot (which our goalie stopped) then they were awarded a re-do because our bench was too loud!!!! (which our goalie stopped) then he was awarded another re-do because the crowd was to loud!! (which by now of course he scored) Have you ever heard of such a thing. Now the goalie has lost his confidence and the players are just mad. Of course we lost the game now, but it could have really gone the other way after our goalie made the first stop. We were just wondering if you had ever heard of such a thing. Re-shooting a penalty shot because of noise???? Thanks for listening, we love Coach's Corner.
Barb Gagnon
(Parent and Coach's wife of the Dearborn Demons Hockey Team)

Hey Don you need to get onto those ESPN guys not much coverage of the Leafs down here. Hey one thing these guys do love to show are the hits and the fights.
And I agree with your position on Jordon.

Retired soldier thanks for what you do.
Pro Patria

Dear Don,
I am a college student attending Red Deer College taking the Kinesiology and Sports Studies program. I've heard you talk about the length of sticks and their benefits and I thought to pursue finding the benefits in a Biomechanics project. I was just wondering what all your thoughts were on the benefits of a longer stick?
There are obvious beneftis such as reach and leverage in a shot and i plan on finding whether a longer stick or shorter stick is better, particularily for a forward.
Thanks for the time. Keep up the good work

Hey Don,

I love Jordan Staal, and the young players the Pens have, they are an exciting team to watch, and they have brought life back to the hockey fans of Pittsburgh. I also think Staal is a legitimate candidate for Rookie of the Year which you pointed out.

However, in your comparison between Rookie of the Year candidates I was surprised at how you left out Paul Stastny. I know the Avs are in the 9th spot right now, and I agree that standings & importance to your team are key factors when selecting a Rookie of the Year, but Stastny has played very well in the last two months and he is a big reason why the Avs are still in the race for 8th.

I believe Stastny should be considered as a serious contender for the Rookie of the Year race. He is a + player (like Staal), has 29 more points then Staal (as of March 15), and I have to mention his 19 game point streak.

I also want to add the Staal currently sits at only 10 assists, sure maybe thats because Sid is taking care of business in that department, but it is just as important to be a set up man, as it is a finisher.

I am not saying that Staal is undeserving of the award, but I just believe that you should have atleast mentioned Stastny's name. Rookie of the Year is a 3 horse race, Malkin, Staal, and Stastny, and it will be interesting to see what transpires come the end of the regular season

comments?

Cheers,
Bryan Munn
Fredericton, NB

GO LEAFS GO!

Finally got rid of that stupid real player!! OMG that drove me nuts... Coaches corner lives on!

What will take for the owners to get rid of Gary Bettman?

steroids + bad hits + bad refereeing = brain damage and retaliatory violent acts

There is no doubt that the bigger, better, NHL involves the use of performance enhancing drugs. Keeping this in mind, it is not surprising that many of the acts of the rage that we have seen in last 10 years have come from bigger players who loose it when a bad hit or cheap-shot goes uncalled.

A 25 game suspension will never fix this situation. What is required is a full inquiry into drug use (from junior hockey on up) as well as inquiries into the effects of concussions on player behavior. Players who loose their temper like Simon should be forced to undergo mandatory drug tests, psychotherapy, as well as physical testing to assess the health of their grey matter.

The refs also need to start calling hits from behind and to the head, instead of meaningless stick penalties: let’s keep clean fighting and clean hitting in the game for the health of the players, not just the enjoyment of the fans.

Uncle Don,

Thank goodness people are coming to their senses concerning the fighting in this great game. It is needed, as any student, player or fan (not fair weather) of the game does know. If this league wants to market the sport, then let it be the sport it has always been. In this day and age of Ultimate Fighting, some honest to goodness tussles would do the game well both on and off of the ice.

Long time fan of your program, all the best to you and Ron.

If I could choose rokie of the year it whould be Jordon Staal not Evgeni Malkin, even though he's one of my favorite players i whould still choose Jordon Staal as rokie of the year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you remember what you said last Saturday? i totally agree with you that Jordan Staal should win the rookie of the year. His +/- is realy good and I don't know why he is not going rookie of the year.

I like watching cbc hockey night in Canada but i also like coaches coner and if you could anwser my question it will be great. My question is: are people like Crosby, and Ovechkin, are they over rated?
Thank You for reading my letter.

Everyone "MUST" be held responsible and accountable for their actions.

This being said, the only exception to this which must be taken into consideration is in a circumstance were the individual uses this activity to earn her/his source of regular income. or example a skater, boxer, hockey, football, baseball or baseball professional. Hav we ever seen the likes of Gretzky, Lemieux or even Crosby find the need to for one be injured by a Chris Simon, I take it the answer is no. It is only the tough players, take Chris Simon for instance, and I can name about one per team of others tough guys who know how to play hockey, some better than others, who attempt to play a similar role as Chris, one that he is most effective at, in being the enforcer on his team.

Don, I am sure you can't disagree with the fact that these guys are always revered by hockey fans as being prize players on the team when they, once again Chris Simon, are the last man standing in any fisticuff event on the ice. Of any o the recent hockey wartime hero's, I must say that Mr. Simon, is possibly the most decorated in the past decade.

Anyhow, leave this to say that any player's team vs. Chris Simon's team, should know of Chris's multi-faceted role on his team, and that crossing any of Chris' thresholds may cost them, not a stick in the face but Chris' immediate reaction which may come on in one of many types of reaction, a goal, a breakaway, a check, a fight, a reaction to a bad hit on a player on his team. Chris Simon plays ockey like he owns the team, he plays like every game he plays is a Stanley Cup final game.

In summary Chris Simon plays hockey with heart like I could only wish more players had. Fact is he kind of reminds me of a Bobby Clarke, John Ferguson, or Gordie Howe in their days ..

Your thougts Ron ..

Any comments Don ??

The Chris Simon suspension does indeed fit the crime. Will it stop all acts of on-ice violence, likely not. Along with highlight reel goals, quick reaction saves and bone crushing hits, comes RESPONSIBILTY.

Fighting must be put back into hockey. The Simon incident would not have happened if the coward who hit him from behind would have felt the wrath of his teammates comming to his rescue. What pisses me off is that there was no call on the hit - the NHL has to get rid of these cowards who have to hit from behind. Simon's suspension is warranted but hits from behind should be penalized as well.

Richard D , you are a coplete moron to suggest that you would like to see someone else's child become paralyzed as the result of a hockey injury!! The NHL is NOT minor hockey. It is a pro league where sometimes violent things happen. To copare the two is just ridiculous.

To Don, and Ron. If the automastic icing rule, was implemented. These types of serious injuries, because of hits from behind, etc. would be diminished greatly. Ryan Hollweg, should have been penalized, on this play. As for Chrids Simon, if believe the suspention, was too harsh. It's about time, the N. H. L. woke up, on, or about, alot of things! I agree with Don. How, do they waer such hard equipment! Jordan Staal deserves aknowledgement, at awards time, as well! As Brett Hull said, fighting is part of the game. It serves some useful purposes, too. Thanks, to C. B. C., and Hockey Night in Canada, for letting us make these comments about these tbings avalable, to us here, etc.

FROM NHL.COM read last sentence.

Penguins reach agreement on new arena

Associated Press Mar 13, 2007, 9:29 AM EDT
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -The Pittsburgh Penguins reached a financing deal for a new arena that will keep the NHL team in the city where it has played since 1967.

Gov. Ed Rendell announced the agreement Tuesday at the Pennsylvania Gaming Congress. He said money from the state's new slot machine parlors would help fund the arena.

Rendell said he would fly to Pittsburgh later in the day to meet with Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, the team owners and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

"We will announce that all three governmental entities have reached an agreement for a deal that will keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh" for 30 years, he said.

The Penguins had threatened to leave Pittsburgh if they couldn't secure a new rink. Their lease at 46-year-old Mellon Arena, the oldest facility in the league, expires June 30 and the team is free to leave after that.

Team officials visited Kansas City, Mo., and Las Vegas to discuss a possible move. The Penguins were offered free rent and half of all revenues if they agreed to play in Kansas City's soon-to-be-completed $262 million Sprint Center.

The Penguins won Stanley Cup titles in 1991 and 1992. Their home attendance and local TV ratings are among the strongest of the NHL's 24 U.S. franchises.

To Don, and Ron. If the automastic icing rule, was implemented. These types of serious injuries, because of hits from behind, etc. would be diminished greatly. Ryan Hollweg, should have been penalized, on this play. As for Chrids Simon, if believe the suspention, was too harsh. It's about time, the N. H. L. woke up, on, or about, alot of things! I agree with Don. How, do they waer such hard equipment! Jordan Staal deserves aknowledgement, at awards time, as well!

The check Simon received clearly drove his head into the glass.His head movement afterward suggested to me that he was in reflex mode.Simon's recollection seems to bear that out.The description by some TV pundits "Simon gave him a two- hander" suggests a baseball bat or golf club swing .It was neither.Had it been then there certainly would have been serious injury even death might have been the result.
The verbal imagery ought to match the act as closely as descriptive language can do
In other words, "Call a spade a spade but don't call it a shovel.".

The suspension beyond the remaining games of the season seems harsh.Anything beyond that must be considered excessive. in this particular case.

Don's right..So is gretzky and for once i agree with Hull.
Fighting IS part of the game. It brings emotion, it fills seats, it brings ratings.
Don't get me wrong, it's only "part" of the game. Stop watering down the game and Getting the "core" fans unhappy.

Go Leafs Go..Mike from Downunder

WAKE-UP EVERYONE - Why has no one really focused on the initial hit that caused this fiasco? I invite all of you to run the replay in slow motion and see how both Simon's feet leave the ice as his head is drilled into the glass from the hit from behind. Also notice how Simon turned to the right at the last second and therefore Hollweg only caught the number 1 on the left side of his back. (had Si not turned that entire hit would have lined-up directly between the numbers as Hollweg had intended) Let's make a note that Simon is one of the biggest and toughest players in the game and he crumpled under this type of dirty hit. Just imagine what kind of damage this hit would have caused the average size NHL player. I'm not condoning Si's actions but when he finally kinda comes to his senses and sees NO CALL, he snapped, total reactionary move. He should have dropped the gloves and pummeled the middleweight but I'm sure Ryan would have turtled against the heavyweight. Had the correct call been made in the first place, none of us would be having this discussion. Now Simon has a major concussion (+ season ending suspension) and the Hollweg donkey didn't miss a shift and continues with his cheapshot tactics the following night in Pittsburgh. Facts are facts.

Mr Cherry

Why are you not promoting Paul Stastny?
He is not Russian you know.
Oh wait. May be because he is from Quebec City, QC, CAN

the suspension is too light, when you swing your stick at someone and strike that person with the force and intent that was done, then you have NO business on the ice, do that off the ice and you go to jail, perhaps this then should be the end result....

What Simon did was wrong, it was egregious, inappropriate and doesn’t belong in the league. It might be helpful if the ref’s were more consistent – after all, ref’ing is not a science, it’s an art, anyway … what Simon did is not the same as fighting, comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges …

Hi Don,

I think Simon deserves the suspension and much more!!! At some point in time the guys on the ice got to realize it's still just a game. So Simon got slammed into the boards. Bet it wasn't his first time. If he wanted to get even he should have just dropped the gloves and got into an old time kind of scrap.

Hollweg is not the innocent victim. Simon gets up and whacks him after being injured - are you even surprised? Simon deserves the suspension he got, and even he knows it. But Hollweg deserves a suspension for his own dirty hit, which also caused a serious head injury. The NHL never seems to do anything about the initital attacks, only the retaliations - this is why retaliation happens! No, the police should not charge Simon, nor Hollweg. If anything the NHL officials and execs should be charged with criminal negligence - their pathetic disciplinary system causes these incidents. Naslund injured by Moore, no NHL action, Bertuzzi retaliates, NHL embarassed and acts. Hollweg injures Simon, no official action, Simon retaliates, NHL embarassed and takes action. See the pattern? The NHL never seems to stop these things before they get out of hand, only afterwards.

i think chris got what he deserved,theres no room for that stick work in the new wimpy nhl or the old one as a matter of fact

Neil, I'm confused. How does Don Cherry being suspended for his promotion of fighting in the NHL save the taxpayers a lot of money?

I also think that Staal should get rookie of the year. no brainer.

agree the Simon was probably not in a normal frame of mind..that should be taken into consideration...I can't beleive my ears when people blame Kaberle for the hit THis is illogical reasoning....think about it....he makes the pass....he's not expecting a hit 3 seconds after the play....why would he...if you can't take your eyes off of the other man when you don't have the puck how can you try to watch and read the play? I believe that's what Kaberle was trying to do..instead he gets blindsided...bottom line..Jansen made a dirty play...it's the principle....

I think Don Cherry should be suspended for his promotion of fighting in the NHL and say the taxpayers a lot of money for nothing.

Wes, I am currently in the R&D stage of this technology. But your absolutely right, it would solve alot of the problems with goal confirmation. We're hoping to be proposing our technology to the NHL next year, as well as other minor leages and rink owners.

As far as the Simon incident goes, no one deserves to take a chop to the face. On the other hand..... when was the last time that Hollweg threw a clean hit? He landed the hit from behind on Simon causing a concussion according to medical professionals. Wheres the reprocussion? Was it ever ok to hit someone from behind? I cant say one day of minor hockey, college, juniors etc that it was ok to hit someone from behind. Its a cowardly move, a man cannot defend himself when he cant see it coming. Could Hollweg have let up? Of course, he didnt have to finish the check. Then 2 days later, he almost completes another check from behind in the Pittsburgh game. I guess he learned nothing from Thursday night. Then again I guess the NHL would have rather seen another Petrovicky incident on head contact with the ice during a fight opposed to the stick to the face. Again, high sticks arent justifiable in any manner, but in a certain way Hollweg deserved the retribution. Maybe instead of penalizing players with suspensions and lost wages, the NHL should consider distributing Checking from behind majors and relinquish the fire caused by the act. People want to say that fighting isnt part of hockey, well I say Checking from behind has no place in hockey whatsoever. I guess it will take another serious concussion or paralyzed player to instill a rule against it. Then again what do I know, Im not the one who let hockey leave Winnipeg or let the Penguins potentially leave Pittsburgh, Im sure that Bettman knows a lot more about hockey than I do. Ive just grown up starting at 8 and played, watched, reffed since then. Im 24 now, but heck what do I know.....

re/simon suspension/ mr simom should have been suspended for life, i think he got off lucky, parents spend thousands of dollars to keep kids in hockey so they will become better humans, call it daycare for teenagers. is this how you would want your child to act?not me thank you very much. if the nhl wants to send a message, it still has not been heard

The penalty meted out to Simon is appropriate. That aside, the NHL has to take a hard look at the increasingly mediocre state of its officiating. Referees are missing far too many serious fouls. They excel at punishing the borderline hooking. The 2 referee system has accelerated the promotion of young refs who years ago wouldn't be deemed close to ready for the NHL. Players will take matters into their own hands if violent fouls are overlooked.

Are you kidding me?! Detroit Red Wings have "no emotion"?!?! Try living here, Cherry!!! You have no idea what you're talking about. Yes, the Wings don't fight too much anymore, but you know what, we don't need goon fighters to strike emotion in our fans or the players. We've got an amazing record right now and it sure isn't because of fighting. We're doing well because we have players that can score, and pass and win hockey games. The Red Wings are such a good team that we don't NEED fighters. Fighting isn't what hockey is about. Getting the puck in the net is.

A "store security" system in net might stop Malkin from stealing the peanut butter off the top shelf but it wouldn't make detecting goals any easier.

The system would "detect" a goal any time the puck came close enough to the sensor. Whether it was across the line or not.

The latest goon incident that has caused a stir in our social conscience is the reason why I stopped watching hockey for over twenty years. Today's Chris Simon is yesterday's Dave "Tiger" Williams, et al. It's embarassing that this could be called a professional sport by any means. No other professional league would ever tolerate or even allow such madness to permeate a game that could be so much more. Thanks to the NHL I will never watch this game nor allow my children to participate in it. To the neanderthals out there that are too stupid or ignorant to see another perspective I hope it's your child that gets paralyzed or maimed one day. It would be interesting to see what your perspective will be then.

I feel this idoit should be banned forever , we don,t need this type of hockey inforcement passed on by some empty headed high paying so called inforcer passing sights like this to small ones coming up in the system of our game

Once again Grapes defends the goons. Simon has been suspended at least once before for similar fouls. He should be gone, period. They also need to make all suspensions when the fouled player is injured, last AT LEAST as long as the injured player is out, without any limit.

Don: You make some good points, you make some bad points but what you say about our Armed forces is right on. I, as a relative of the late Terry Sawchuk, appreciate your kind comments about him. He has been painted very badly since his death and I know those writing about him didn't know him. He was a great athlete and one of, if not the best goalie who ever lived. thanks from Terry's family and friends in Canada who grew up with him.

Don, while I'm a big fan of Jordan Staal (and Crosby, Malkin and all the other Penguins), you were completely wrong when you stated that he never a had minus game. In fact, he's had 11 of them, the most recent being his -1 against the Flyers on March 4th.

Malkin definitely deserves to win the Calder.

Enforcers are needed in the game no matter what anyone says. I totally agree with Grapes and have since I first laced up many years ago. The NHL has got soft. Think back to the 80s and of Gretzky. Had there not been McSorley and the other enforcers would Wayne posted the numbers and records he did? Even Super Mario who is a big guy had protection. It isn't they have to drop the gloves, they do when the need is there, but the presence is what counts. To remove fighting from the game would remove the emotion from the game. It motivates fans and players alike. It sends a message and to most who love this sport is fun to watch. I'd rather watch a couple of tough guys go at it on the ice then see a microwave title fight on pay per view.

I want to say how much I appreciate the new online edition of Coach's Corner. Being far away from home (Halifax)and missing out on Bob Cole and Harry Neale every Saturday is hard to handle. Having the soothing voice of Ron MacLean and the gnarling shout of Don Cherry at my fingertips eases the homesickness.
In terms of whether fighting in hockey is appropriate, I think it's a necessary evil. Fighting is still sport. It's a precurser to all organized sport in its most basic nature. The unwritten rules of fighting in hockey are engrained and defined. Hockey is a sport unlike most in that violent contact is the main deterent in preventing your opponent from scoring and winning. American football is a kindred sport but it can hardly be compared to the fast pace of ice hockey. In football the positioning is specfically designed to protect the superstar(quarterback) whereas in hockey, the truly skilled players are skating around unprotected at any given time.
A social higherarchy is formed when enforcers are allowed to protect and deliver retribution for acts against players their team holds in high regard. This allows certain stars to shine by virtue of the space their enforcers create for them which enhances the enetrtainment value through goals, big hits and fights.
Maybe a higher standard should be attained when scouting for enforcers so that they produce points along with penalty minutes eliminating the traditional unskilled goon stereotype.
To quote John Curry's post above:
"Dads don't need their kids to think, well I'm not a Hossa or a Crosby; heck I'm not even a Johnny Pohl. I can fight. That's my ticket."
What would you think if your son played football and said "Dad I'm not fast enough to be a running back but at 300 pounds I'd make a great offensive lineman." Is that protective role more valid than an enforcers? There should be a place on sports teams for many types of skill levels and I think the enforcer is a valid position on an icehockey team.

What Simon did was totally unacceptable. He is a repeat offender and clearly does not belong in this league or any league for that matter ! Get rid of this loser !

Hey Don, great watching you every Saturday on Coaches Corner. As a die hard Bruins & hockey in general fan, living in Phoenix and watching the Coyotes is a struggle. I recently met Phil Esposito at a game in Phoenix- what a treat. How does one go about getting an autographed photo of Don?

Grapes, I agree with all your comments, particularly the equipment. I think that if the league starts putting certain restrictions on the body-checking, (some poster on the G&M wanted penalties called if someone checked to hard!), there are going to have to be two sets of rules due to the wide range of players sizes: a Chara check on St. Louis will always be an elbow; a St. Louis check on Chara will always be a shot to the knee. So it is going to be hard for the league, referees and even the fans to figure out who can check who. Lots of people are calling for shots to the head to be penalized. The league already banned checking from behind into the boards, a no-brainer really. But now you see when a player has the puck along the boards and sees that he is going to be hit, he turns his face to the glass and the checking player has little or no time to stop. With the checks to the head, I foresee the same thing happening: players with the puck seeing that they are about to be checked lowering their heads in order to draw a five-minute major.

To John Curry, the league already goes above and beyond the promoting of the great passing, scoring and one-goal games of the new NHL. Unfortunately, there are people like yourself who only focus on the fighting, which is a very small fraction of the game.

Are you serious, Brett??? Are you serious Don for showing that clip of Brett promoting fight in hockey...how pathetic!

Alex

While I agree that you can't suddenly rachet up the punishment for an offence out of proportion to previous precedents without warning, the league could and should announce that IN FUTURE the minimum penalty for even first offenders commiting such acts will be one year minimum suspension, two years for second time offenders and lifetime bans for third time offenders. A mutually agreed upon fist fight is one thing, assault with a deadly weapon has no place in sport, even hockey.

Chris Simon in my opinion is using the only way he feels he can dodge a huge suspension by claiming he had a concussion from hitting the boards and didn,t know what he was doing.
He bounced up pretty quickly for someone who has a concussion!
He should get a suspension for a minimum of the rest of this year and all of next year. This was a malicious two handed attack with his stick. He is a professional hockey player getting great money for his play and as a professional he should control his temper. Perhaps anger management training should also be a part of his returning to hockey.

Hey Guys,

I was disappointed to here both of you blame Kaberle for the Cheap Shot he got from Cam Janssen that other night. You can look at the clip for proof. The hit was late, away from the play and to the head. You were off-base to say that it's Kaberle fault for noy keeping his head up. If he's playing the puck that is another thing. These late cheap shot hits to the head have no place in the game. It's not very exciting to see a guy get his head drilled into the boards and lay on the ice unconscious. This is not tough hockey. Janssen should have been suspended longer for what he did and the Ref who did that game should be suspended as well for standing there and not making a call.

Don hits it on the head. Wings miss Shanahan too. Too many euro players, Sweden especially. No grit, going to be tough at playoff time if the refs revert back to putting the whissle back in the pocket like in years past when the Wings were the class of the league.

I believe that if Todd Bertuzzi had been suspended for life that the incident with Chris Simon would have never occurred. Players need to know that retaliation and viciousness of that kind will not be tolerated but when you let one away with it the rest don't give it a second thought. I feel the league made a big mistake by not throwing the book at Todd Bertuzzi so Chris Simon will get the same punishment but how many other players have to suffer at the hands of these hot heads before something is really done.

Thanks for trying to wake up the Red Wing's brass and the rest of hockey league's head honchos. I believe that unless the Wings will play their younger, stronger, and greater energy players, they will most likely be eliminated before the conference finals. Talent alone will not win the Stanley Cup and nor will it draw viewers. People want to see a good honest game with some emotion, e.g. (Tampa Bay v. Calgary). Finally, I just want to let you know that you are the main reason I watched HNIC for many years now and thank you for having the guts to say what you think.
Hockey fans in both Canada and U.S. admire what you do for hockey.

Keep it up,

Hey Grapes! I love Hockey Night in Canada, but I'm so discussed with what the NHL has become due to Bettman's rule changes. The game was fine before the changes. Bettmen exchanged one type of fan (true fan) for another (one that has no clue). Only two years ago they (tv) had to put a tail on the puck so the new fans could follow the puck during the televised games. Now (with the rule changes) the game is even faster, so how are these new fans suppose to follow the new game. I don't watch hockey much anymore and I don't pay for the cable package, so I don't get to see you (grapes) on Hockey Night in Canada. I just go on the internet to watch CBC. PS: Get rid of the instigator/third man in rule, and add automatic icing.

I think what the people who are against fighting don't get...is that star players who can be bullied by physical play will be bullied by physical play...no matter how ideally you'd like to look at the game. There's a lot of pressure to win in the NHL and if winning means smashing the guy who's most likely going to prevent you from doing so, then you can be sure hits like the one on Drury and Kaberle are going to be part of the game...Without an enforcer, like it or not, those kind of hits would be nastier and be a lot more frequent...

After reading and listening to all the shock and awe of the last few days over the simon incident, I can't believe all the hypocrisy coming from all parties, media, fans, and the NHL itself. I agree it was a vicious and ugly use of the stick and it isn't something i like to see in OUR game. But i don't think chris simon is a monster. Unfortunately incidents like this will always be part of the game we love so much. The players are taught from a young age if you want to play at the nhl level you have to play physically with intensity with emotion not afraid to sacrafice your body for the team block shots, take a big hit to make a play, or dish one out, all of this happening at super fast speed with adrenaline at full throttle, and as fans this is what we expect from the players playing on the teams we cheer for. The players are super athletes but hockey is a tough game. Each team plays almost every second night guys playing injured getting hit taking whacks and are expected to show up big for every game. As fans particularly in canada we are very emotional when we cheer for our teams. To take the hitting and the fighting out of the game would be to take the emotion out of the game, And the people at the nhl know this, and we the fans don't want this. I think chris simon should get a long and significant suspension to send out a harsh message to the players you can play on the edge but there is a line you cannot cross.
To brand simon, bertuzzi, and mcsorely as violent goons is wrong they are only human and for guys to go out there every other night and play the game the way we love it, we have to accept the fact that things like this will happen time to time.

malkin will get rookie of the year
even though he doesnt deserve it
that how dumb commitees think

Why doesn't the NHL use an store security system in the nets to eliminate the need for "going upstairs" to see if the puck crossed the goal line or not. Once the embedded puck crossed the goal line the light would automaticaly go on, indicating a goal. Wow , would't that be easy, and no more questions about the valididity of the goals...The EAS system utilises radio frequency or acousto-magnetic detection, and once set-up, requires very little maintenance due to its advanced digital circuitry.

Oh yeah... if you use this idea, I think you should call it the "Shaw" system..

Wes Shaw
604.698.0622
Whistler

Hey there Don. I appreciate your support of our armed forces and police. Keep up the great work. I think your fantastic. And it wouldn't be the same with Ron. Few people have better wit then Ron.

Coach's Corner fails to mention one of the most inspirational stories in recent times in the NHL: the Jeff Cowan story. From waivers, to 6 goals in 4 games, a vertitable folk hero. Shame on you Don for not giving him even a mention. Wake up and start paying attention to events outside the Eastern Conference which (yawn) were one again the sole topic of Coach's Corner.

The Chris Simon incident was blown way out of proportion. I was very upset with the controvery surrounding Simon.I believe he was rendered concust on the hit that he received. He should be found innocent due to an inappropriate state of mind. I sympatize with Chris and other individuals of mohawk descent who are truly in the crosshairs of the nhl.

If someone could email me about how to contact Don and/or a representative that would be great. My father who coached hockey for years had an autographed copy of Grapes by Don Cherry that he loved dearly. He recently lost it in a house fire. I would love to replace it and have it signed by Don, so if anyone could help me, please let me know. Thanks.

Thanks Don for being the absoulte Best Ever on CBC, we appreciate all you continue to do and for every week being the only one to have the guts to really say the truth !!

Don Cherry is right a lot of the time, about hockey and life. "Winners never quit, quitters never win." Play hard, play fair. He promotes the Forces and the Police all across Canada. God bless him.

But on the killer hits and fighting I just disagree. And how lame to watch Brett Hull talk about the comfort of having fighters protecting him (sob). How equally lame to say the NHL needs fighting to get Americans to watch. (How about lower ticket prices?)

Are goal scorers wimps? Is hockey so dangerous that intimidation is needed to protect stars from thugs? Intimidation didn't spare Drury or Kaberle and sure didn't affect Chris Simon's insane lack of self-control.

Wake up, sports fans. In hockey you get points for goals, not punches. Dads don't need their kids to think, well I'm not a Hossa or a Crosby; heck I'm not even a Johnny Pohl. I can fight. That's my ticket.

How about promoting the great passing, scoring and one-goal games of the new NHL?

Does a man need to fight to prove his honour? How about proving it through hard work and peacemaking - by standing up for what is right? There is enough violence in the world as it is. We don't need broadcasters promoting more of it.

Ask our soldiers and police officers.

Thanks Mr. Cherry -
I've lived in the US for 6 years now and i miss HNIC badly. The new and improved coach's corner on the web is great. I really enjoy hearing your comments..i don't always agree with you but i do admire your honesty and your love of Canada. Please keep up the good work for many years (and thanks for honoring the troops and other canadian heroes)

-A French Canadian that appreciates you.

Simon should be suspended for the rest of the season

I agree with Don Cherry in that Chris Simon should not have swung his stick, but in my opinion, a penalty should have been called against Hollweg on his hit from behind and the play would have stopped and thus no stick swing by Simon

Hey Don!
I totally agree with what you said about Jordan Staal. He's an unbelieveable athlete with 7 SHG's and shooting percentage. I too think he should get rookie of the year, but as long as it goes to one of my penguin players. GO PENS GO!!!!!