Salo Not the Only Hurting Canuck

Everyone is talking about the loss of Sami Salo, who still remains doubtful for Game 3 (more like improbable) but Pavol Demitra and Alex Burrows also left Game 2 with some form of injuries.
Not sure what happened to Burrows, but Demitra tried to hit a Hawk defenceman and got the worst of it. I believe he got whacked in the head.
This is from TSN's Ice Chips. There are no further reports on any of those 3 Canucks.

There is further speculation that Jonathan Toews is playing with somewhat of a serious shoulder injury. If that's the case, the Canucks should be running him more, much like they did to Al MacInnis a few years back.

**UPDATE**Pavol Demitra was missing from practice today. Mason Raymond was playing with Kesler and Sundin, while Taylor Pyatt played on Line 3. Is Pyatt about to return? Stay tuned...

about 1 year ago Sean Zandberg 24 comments 0 recs |

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Um...

I can’t tell if you’re joking or not, but I hope that you’re not wanting to win so badly that you’re promoting seriously injuring a 21 year old kid and putting his career into jeopardy.

by DarrenM on May 4, 2009 11:00 AM PDT reply actions

um..

Its the playoffs, if his career is in danger from an injury then maybe he should sit out. Are there any teams out there that would lay off of Toews in a tight playoff series because he is playing with an injury? I don’t think so.

by seattlerich on May 4, 2009 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions

amen. I was just answering Darren as well :)

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on May 4, 2009 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions

I’m sure the Canucks will go out of there way to punish Toews even more. This is the playoffs, if its to tough to handle. Maybe you should go watch the NBA :) they sit out guys for broken nails there.

by Nuckels on May 4, 2009 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions

If he has a shoulder injury and he’s out there playing why can’t he be targeted? That’s part of the game. I’m referring to checking him cleanly into the boards, which is what happened to MacInnis.
Toews doesn’t get a free pass from being hit just because he has a shoulder injury. And yes, I do want to win that badly.

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on May 4, 2009 11:11 AM PDT reply actions

I have no problem with playing Toews like you normally would, and I don’t expect the Canucks to let up on him. However, you said “running him more,” which to me sounded like blind-side checks when he’s not looking.

I’m all for physical hockey, however, I’m not for doing it with the intent to injure, which is clearly what targeting an injured player is.

Maybe I’ll do up a post on Silver Seven about this topic.

by DarrenM on May 4, 2009 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions

I would fully intend to injure when delivering a CLEAN check. If Toews has a shoulder issue the Canucks have to play the body on the guy. NO FREE RIDES!

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on May 4, 2009 8:04 PM PDT up reply actions

The whole reason injuriy descriptions are so vague in the playoffs is because every team will put targeting the injury of an opponent in the game plan. It’s just how the game is played. Same as any other contact sport.

by kesrows on May 4, 2009 8:11 PM PDT up reply actions

And to quote the Hawks today...

“We saw that in the last series with Calgary,” said Chicago forward Patrick Sharp. “They had some injuries at the back end and I think it kind of affected their team game. You never want to see guys get hurt . . . but losing Salo should be a loss for them. It’s definitely a focus for us, to use our speed and be as physcial as we can on those guys.”

“We have to target some of the other D now,’ added Hawk winger Adam Burish. “Those other guys are going to have the bulls-eyes on their back . . .with Salo out, they are down to five of their main D. Now we are going to have to target more of their guys, we are going to have to try and hunt a few more of them down.”
LINK

Getting my drift, Darren? Players are full of shit. Those that actually hit want to hurt. Bottom line.

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on May 4, 2009 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions

I realize it’s how the game is played, and I’m not singling out you guys or the Canucks organization… all teams do it when the game is on the line, and like kesrows said, it’s done in all contact sports.

My argument is not that it is not done, my argument is that it should not be done. It’s a dirty tactic and one that I dislike seeing in hockey. I wrote up a piece at Silver Seven, it’ll be posted tomorrow morning. I’ll put a link here and you can Fanshot it if you want.

by DarrenM on May 4, 2009 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Sure, I’ll Fanshot it. And I will just disagree with you on this one. We can argue until we’re blue in the face but I’ll never change my mind. :)

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on May 4, 2009 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Heh, no problem – I don’t expect you to change your mind (just like I don’t expect to write an article that makes you a Sens fan!)

Here’s the piece:
http://www.silversevensens.com/2009/5/5/864999/targeting-injured-players-hurts

by DarrenM on May 5, 2009 8:58 AM PDT up reply actions

Give me time, I am a workoholic today and can’t post it for a while yet. I glimpsed over your post and it’s great!

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on May 5, 2009 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions

no rush! not a problem, and glad that you liked it!

by DarrenM on May 5, 2009 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions

There is a risk vs. reward on a team and a player basis there that needs to be considered. I agree with Zan that it’s a legit tactic, and a useful one. The counter of course is to seriously consider:
a) whether or not a player should be on the ice at all
b) disclosure of injuries
c) cost/benefit of a given player at less than 100%
d) risk of losing the player for game/series vs. long/short term injury concerns

For the team opposing a known injured player, the obvious choice is to finish checks properly and keep up the physical pressure within the rules. None of that stupid Burish headhunting comment type thing. Removing irreplaceable manpower on the other team for one or two periods in the playoffs can be a key point in a series.

This is a a part of the game. If you’re willing to play a player who’s less than 100% and who is obviously not going to be able to handle opposition pressure fully you are taking a risk. Risks must have consequences.

by rsm on May 5, 2009 4:20 AM PDT up reply actions

Burrows got caught up with the netting of the goal while flying around to chase a D-man. He kinda twisted and fell into the boards awkwardly. I’m sure he’ll play through it, though.

Based on nothing but intuition, I’m pretty sure Hordi will sit tomorrow.

by cyxj on May 4, 2009 3:39 PM PDT reply actions