spezza's shootout attempt

[cch 0]

Very strange shootout last night during the bruins and sens game. Bruins were up one goal and spezza was the last shooter. Earlier in the game he pulled out a nasty forehand to backhand and put it top corner useing the sher-wood with the nasty toe curve. Then on the shoot out he comes out with what was probably one of smolinski's warriors, and tries the same move but much less smooth and his backhand had absolutely no hieght. He had about six sticks behind the bench during the game and they must have all been illegal, maybe its about time for the coachs to give some accountability to the players for using eqipment that is illegal. if I were a sens fan I would be pissed because they probably would have tied it up if spezza had a legal version or they had picked someone who uses a legal stick. I guess coaches are going to have to start picking their shootout line up base on which players use the tamest curve.

[Chadd 916]

If all the golie gear has to be measured before they can use it, why not player sticks as well? Obviously the wood users can still manipulate the curve, but the composite users will have a little more difficulty making major changes.

[cch 0]

I have no problem with the measurement, I just have to think that Bryan Murray was upset when the last shooter he picked to help his team win came out with composite stick when he uses wood and makes a move that could have been toped by chara.

[McCabe24 0]

The Leafs/Bruins shootout was the first time I was able to see the measuring of sticks before shots and it wasn't that bad, as long as there isn't a huge delay or many small ones that kill the atmosphere and make things go on forever then I am all for it.

If the only delay is the first shooter's stick combined with the choosing of players maybe they can make a rule where the first shooter has to be named before the other two are and the stick is measured while the ice is cleared and such, that or players could just use legal equipment.

[Chadd 916]

JD made a good point yesterday in that this summer the NHL needs to make sure that everyone is on the same page with this rule- refs, players, coaches, equipment guys.

He also proposed changing it to the slightly deeper Euro regulation curve, which I agree with. He was saying how we invite these guys for their skill to the NHL game and they enforcemcan't even use the sticks they grew up with.

I don't think the NHL should change their rules just to match the IIHF. What should the new limit be 5/8, 3/4, 1"? No matter what they change it to, someone will be over the limit and get a penalty for it. I just find it funny that teams are calling for measurements far more than ever before and suddenly the rule needs to go. I don't like the precedent of getting rid of a rule, just because they're catching more people breaking the rule.

[McCabe24 0]

Why not change the European league rules then? If they know they are good enough to come over and play in the NHL they should plan ahead, not being ignorant but the NHL rule has been around since these guys like Jagr and Kovalchuk were learning to skate.

[mik3 1]

There should be one set of rules around the world for sanctioned leagues if players from all these leagues are going to play in the world championships and wjc every year. Dude plays in the USA all year in his smaller pads/less curved stick then has to re-adjust or be at a disadvantage against everyone else that had been using their equipment all year.

[Chadd 916]

Because without the Euros the league would be garbage.

In JD's words "We invite them to bring their skill over here"

Lets make no mistake...Many of them come over for the $$, but the fact remains that they should be able to show their skill as much as possible.

Plan ahead...Its a nice concept, but totally unrealistic

If the Rangers weren't 80% European and Jagr hadn't been nailed a dozen times so far this season, JD wouldn't be saying anything. Goalies grew up with 12" leg pads, why can't they use them now? If we're going to change the rules for some people, why not let everyone use whatever they grew up using?

[TBLfan 25]

If all the goalie gear has to be measured before they can use it, why not player sticks as well? Obviously the wood users can still manipulate the curve, but the composite users will have a little more difficulty making major changes.

I agree, adopt the 3/4" curve rule(i think that's what the euopeans use) and measure before they get the equipment. If goalie's are expected to have legal equipment when they step on the ice; it's only fair that the skaters are expected the same.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Vermette got taken out of the shoot-out because his stick was deemed illegal. On the replay they clearly measure the middle of the blade, which I thought was the wrong way to do it. Vermette was pissed.

I think they should only measure the sticks after a player scores. If he doesn't it's pointless, plus the stick measurement can be done while the next player is setting up, so it doesn't slow it down as much. The Boston Toronto shoot-out measurements weren't bad, but the ones in Long Island took a while.

[Chadd 916]

Vermette got taken out of the shoot-out because his stick was deemed illegal. On the replay they clearly measure the middle of the blade, which I thought was the wrong way to do it. Vermette was pissed.

I think they should only measure the sticks after a player scores. If he doesn't it's pointless, plus the stick measurement can be done while the next player is setting up, so it doesn't slow it down as much. The Boston Toronto shoot-out measurements weren't bad, but the ones in Long Island took a while.

For USA Hockey, it's along the bottom of the blade.

[McCabe24 0]

Plus, if it was the Euros with huge curves and subsequent amazing skill that were the majority then NA's best would be going over to play in Europe, the NHL is the best league in the world for more than just European skill.

[Eazy_b97 1]

For USA Hockey, it's along the bottom of the blade.

Any idea on the NHL Rulings? I don't think they are using a standard to be honest. Tucker uses a huge wedge, that's legal, but measurement from the middle would say it's illegal (right?). He's been allowed to shoot all the times Quinn picked him. Then both Jagr and Vermette are measured in the middle and deemed illegal. They asked the one ref about Jagr and his answer was something along the lines of "I just had to look to know it was illegal".

[Chadd 916]

For USA Hockey, it's along the bottom of the blade.

Any idea on the NHL Rulings? I don't think they are using a standard to be honest. Tucker uses a huge wedge, that's legal, but measurement from the middle would say it's illegal (right?). He's been allowed to shoot all the times Quinn picked him. Then both Jagr and Vermette are measured in the middle and deemed illegal. They asked the one ref about Jagr and his answer was something along the lines of "I just had to look to know it was illegal".

I'm sure that's something the NHL is going to address with the officials. Some guys haven't had to do a measurement in years before this season.

[chippa13 1844]

Here's the NHL rule...........

The curvature of the blade of the stick shall be restricted in such a way that the distance of a perpendicular line measured from a straight line drawn from any point at the heel to the end of the blade to the point of maximum curvature shall not exceed one-half inch (1/2").

[hockechamp14 0]

Maybe the players are confused about the rule... if Jagr was using his "legal" sticks for the shootout that he thought were actually legal.

[jay 1]

Stupid ridiculous retarded lame rule. It was stupid ridiculous retarded and lame 10 years ago. Who gives two craps how much curve these guys use? It seems there used to be a bit of an understanding amongst teams of yesteryear but the occassional call in the last few years has probably increased because once a team calls it on you you're going to look for every opporuntiy to get them back. So now it has ballooned into a "problem." They just need to get rid of the damn rule already. IMO there's far far more important things for coaches and refs to be dealing with then silly stick measurements.

[Neal 41]

Why not just ID the first 3 shooters for each team before the game and have 2 sticks for each of them measured and approved and then set aside for just the shootout? No delay and no silliness with players getting kicked out. Plus it would give the refs more time to measure thoroughly.

[LetsGoWings13 0]

I dont see why they even have a curve rule in the first place. Who cares what they use? I know that when i use a big curve like an yzerman i cannot take a backhand or even pass right i see using a big curve as a disadvantage more than a advantage.

[Chadd 916]

Why not just ID the first 3 shooters for each team before the game and have 2 sticks for each of them measured and approved and then set aside for just the shootout? No delay and no silliness with players getting kicked out. Plus it would give the refs more time to measure thoroughly.

Some coaches want to see who has "it" that night before they pick their shooters.

[Edge 0]

Speaking of this, Ovechkin switched to an RBK OPS with a HUGE curve this shootout...shot it far over the net, if he had had his normal pattern then he probably could have hit the net with it.

[stix04 0]

Well back to Jason Spezza, I can see why he could not use one of his 6 sticks the other night against my beloved Bruins. I bought one of his sticks at Pure hockey yesterday. All I have to say is wow, I dont know how he uses it. Its just a straight blade until about 4 inches from the toe, and then it bends to about a 2" curve. I used it just to shoot around yesterday, and I could shoot with it as I'm used to straight blades, but that toe is insane. Sick for toe-drags though, which is why I'm sure Spezza has the dangles he has.