Hockey Night in CanadaGoalie mask changes needed, plus 30 Thoughts

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It's been almost a decade since a shot off Mike Richter's head ended his NHL career and teams are still fighting with their goalies over mask safety.

"Someone could go out there wearing Jacques Plante's mask from 1960, and there's nothing we can do about it," one GM said last week. That's true. The league and its netminders built consensus on pads, chest protectors and gloves but there is no agreement on masks.

That is going to change. And, this is one situation where the GMs are correct. In the last 10 months, $118 million worth of goalies (Rick DiPietro, Ryan Miller and Jonas Hiller) were injured by shots off the mask. (And Pekka Rinne was very lucky to escape serious damage when his was smashed in the preseason.) I understand that these goalies want to be comfortable in their equipment, but there has to be a sensible solution.

It's the most important position on the ice. And, they fought equipment changes for years, saying that the new one-piece sticks made their existence more dangerous. It defies logic, then, to allow below-standard protection around the head.

DiPietro wore one of the newer-style masks until his ill-advised decision to fight Brent Johnson last February. DiPietro's face was so damaged by the punch that he had to switch to one of the old-school Osgood/Healy masks. (The newer-style ones sit on the cheekbones and, with the plates installed into his face, it was too uncomfortable for him.)

The Islanders deny this, but word is that they tried everything to dissuade DiPietro from wearing it. Ironically, a new one with thicker interior padding was ordered, but hadn't arrived by the time Brian Rolston's shot hit him in the helmet. (Rolston's pretty dangerous. He also hit Miller.)

The NHL and its GMs want three things: an inability for sticks/pucks to get through holes in the cage; proof that the forehead/jaw of a mask can withstand the force of a Zdeno Chara blast; and a minimum of 1/2-inch foam inside the shell.

None of those things is guaranteed now. For example, it's believed goalies are shaving the foam down to as little as 1/4-inch so their eyes can be closer to the puck.

The league could also suggest approving several prototypes that goalies would be allowed to choose from. Much of the dispute surrounds the makers themselves. For example, the masks we showed on Hotstove came from Eddy Schulz, the Toronto-based maker of "Eddymasks." His product is very well-respected. Hiller's mask is made by a Swiss friend of his, and that's a real concern, because no one really has an idea of the quality control.

"This should not be about comfort," the above GM said. "This should be about safety first, and then comfort."

The GMs are determined to get this into the new CBA. but it shouldn't get to that point. The goalies have resisted change over the past several years. That attitude, however, no longer makes sense.

Their position is too important to allow improper protection.

30 THOUGHTS

1. It's not only masks that will be an issue. The GMs also want players wearing gloves with lengthier wrist protection and Kevlar-protected socks. Reason: skate-blade cuts, like the one to Mike Cammalleri in Winnipeg.

2. Plenty of rumours that Columbus ownership is considering forcing a change behind the bench -- bringing back Ken Hitchcock. The team is paying him $1.3 million on a deal ending after this season. Don't see how this would be anything but a lose-lose for everyone involved -- the players, Hitchcock, GM Scott Howson, everybody. They didn't mesh before and it's hard to see that improving in a difficult time. Good ownership would not make this kind of decision. If you're going to make a change, find a fresh voice.

3. Tough spot for James Wisniewski. Guaranteed to come under scrutiny because of the big contract, now he's coming back with the team at rock bottom. Fans will be praying for a saviour. I've written this before, but the best thing about him is that he's supremely confident in his own ability. It's clear Columbus needs that right now.

4. Anaheim/Phoenix played Sunday night with only one referee, as Steve Kozari's eyes swelled up due to an allergic reaction. (Ugh, sounds gross. Get well, Steve.) As a result, Brad Watson did the game alone. Apparently, the players loved it.

5. Take a look at David Booth's goals. You'll notice he's a catch-and-shoot player (and he's got a great shot). He rarely carries the puck, unless he's doing so to drive the net. There was a feeling in Florida that he was overthinking -- trying to do other things instead of getting it and firing. The key for the Canucks will be getting him back to that.

6. As for Booth breaking down and crying, that's not uncommon. Patrick Kane teared up when Denis Savard was fired; didn't stop him from winning a Cup with Joel Quenneville. Aaron Hill cried when traded from the Blue Jays, then hit 90 points higher in Arizona. It'll be fine.

7. Florida is trying to spin this as a trade for now, but one thing this does allow is one of their high-level prospects to play in a top-six position next year. Jonathan Huberdeau is tearing up the Quebec League and Nick Bjugstad has five goals in six games at the University of Minnesota. (Quinton Howden is another possibility, although he is battling a concussion now.)

8. Believe there was one other team sniffing around Booth. That's got Toronto written all over it, but the Maple Leafs say, "No sir."

9. October is consistently one of Roberto Luongo's worst months of the year, statistically. (Exception: his first season in Vancouver. That October was pretty good.) That's the main reason the Canucks aren't getting caught up in this early season anti-Luongo firestorm.

10. If Mike Gillis really wants to get back at The Vancouver Province, maybe the Canucks website should start running classifieds.

11. Highest phone bill in Canada? Got to be Jay Feaster's. Here's the problem: the guy who everyone would love is not available. Even if Mark Giordano didn't have a no-move clause, the Flames wouldn't trade him.

12. Remember one thing about first-year players as the 10-game mark approaches: It's about the player's 10th game, not the team's. Senators GM Bryan Murray may sit Mika Zibanejad to delay a decision. That's why it's not the end of the world if Edmonton sits Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for a night or two (and I'd be shocked if he went back to junior). If the player benefits by watching a little while being able to practice with pros, why not?

13. Only Flyers with more penalty-kill time than Sean Couturier? Kimmo Timonen, Max Talbot and Chris Pronger. He's earned trust.

14. Here's the deal with Oren Koules: Koules was involved in Matt Hulsizer's attempt to buy the Phoenix Coyotes before that deal fell apart. There are some serious questions as to whether or not the St. Louis deal will happen. "No guarantee," two different sources said. But, if it does, Koules will be a partner.

15. Koules really wants back into the NHL, but there were two concerns in Tampa. First was that he couldn't support the losses on his own. That won't be addressed until more about the partnership is understood. Second was his choice of GM. If he does take over here, he'd be smart to leave the current group in place.

16. Once in a while, Jacques Martin drops the comatose act and let's you know what he really thinks about a player. Saturday night, be snapped at a reporter who asked why Mathieu Darche was on the power-play instead of Erik Cole. "If you look at your stats last year, how many goals did Erik Cole score on the power play?" he said. (Answer: 3) Darche had two, in 23 fewer games.

17. Cole said a few weeks ago that Montreal's forecheck was an adjustment for him. The second forechecker in Carolina's system is supposed to be aggressive. Not so much in Montreal. Don't know if that's still problematic, but it's clear Cole is not having the hoped impact.

18. Two years ago, Martin had the Canadiens in the Stanley Cup semifinal. Last year, they went seven games in the first round with the eventual champion. Firing him is way too premature. But, he does have to calm down PK Subban and Josh Gorges. Their hearts are in the right place, but with the injuries on defence those guys are trying to do everything.

19. That is Montreal's biggest issue -- the beaten-up blueline. Problem is, there are so many teams looking for defensive help and, after what happened last year in Vancouver, teams want to keep their depth. St. Louis is looking and Tampa was too, especially when there was doubt about Eric Brewer's health. And, when you're drowning, other GMs are happy to throw you an anvil.

20. Totally agreed with Shea Weber being fined without a suspension. He came up with two boarding penalties in two nights before his hearing. Now, he's been warned. When you're as physical a player as he is and have no prior history, you deserve slack.

21. A member of the Avalanche organization sat down with Paul Stastny after last season and advised him to improve his foot speed. "He told me I'd be a more dangerous player," Stastny said, being better prepared to do things like charge in behind the play to create scoring chances. Stastny listened, spending the summer doing plyometrics.

22. Who was this advisor? He smiled and wouldn't say. But I'd bet his name rhymes with  Moe Trakic.

23. More Gabriel Landeskog love: "You'd think he's been in the league five years," said one teammate.

24. The Red Wings showed a really interesting five-on-three power-play look last Friday against Columbus. As Niklas Kronwall held the puck at the left point, both Henrik Zetterberg and Nicklas Lidstrom lined up to his right along the blueline. Kronwall passed once and Zetterberg shot it. They tried it again, and Zetterberg let it go to Lidstrom, who shot it. Didn't score there, but it's creative and going to cause a lot of problems. Jeff Blashill, one of the new assistants, used that setup at Western Michigan.

25. Last weekend, Detroit followed the Toronto model of putting your starter against the team you should beat. The Red Wings used Jimmy Howard against Columbus and Ty Conklin in Washington. The Maple Leafs had James Reimer against Winnipeg and Jonas Gustavsson in Boston. Both won at home and lost by a combined 13-3 on the road.

26. There's some real debate about that strategy -- the biggest complaint being that you put your backup in a situation where he can't succeed. Carolina did this last year with Cam Ward. The eight games he didn't start featured six playoff teams (Kings, Flyers, Penguins, Lightning, Blackhawks and Capitals.) Of course, they rest him in Winnipeg on Saturday and blow a 2-0 lead.

27. Tomas Vokoun really showed his value in that win over Detroit. Two huge saves: one on Pavel Datysuk with the game still scoreless, one on Daniel Cleary during a Red Wings 5-on-3. It was 3-1 Washington at that time, and a Cleary goal changes the complexion of the game.

28. Capitals fans were annoyed that Detroit being on the rear end of a back-to-back was used as an excuse. Remember this: the rematch is March 19. Washington plays in Chicago the day before. Detroit plays no one.

29. Hard not to be impressed with Tim Erixon in Calgary. Played 18:12, his most this season. Booed every time he touched the puck. Didn't get rattled. If I was a Calgary fan, I'd boo him too, because I'd wish he stayed.

30. Read Steve Simmons' book on David Frost and Mike Danton (The Lost Dream) in one day. Every minor-hockey parent should, too.

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