Marc Staal takes a puck to the face

[wrangler 157]

Jacques Plante started that.

[chk hrd 164]

You might have to look at some of the past CBA's to see if it was added at sometime. The helmet rule was in 79 so it may have been added after that.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Jacques Plante started that.

I've seen the "Candian Heritage Moment" where Toe Blake is going on about "C'mon Jacques...you can't see down with that thing on..." but I figured that was kinda for the sake of the piece... I didn't realize how opposed Blake actually was to him wearing a mask...but back in those days...there weren't really back up goalies...and Plante refused to go back into the net without a mask.

[chippa13 1844]

Chadd, on 19 Mar 2013 - 19:54, said:

Players already wear gloves, the Rangers are simply putting additional padding on the back of the glove. Requiring a player to use a visor would be a CBA violation, any team doing that would likely have to pay a financial penalty for violating the CBA.

If the league would have wanted it, they would have fought for it when negotiating the CBA.

To me there isn't a difference between the two, in both cases you are simply taking a piece of equipment that players are already using and adding extra protection. I'd like to see something more specific than "CBA violation" as the counter argument. At some point, somebody needs to show some language that stipulates how workplace safety is trumped by union rights in this case. There are plenty of union shops where employees are required to wear safety goggles and that wasn't part of their collective bargaining.<br /><br />Player equipment is covered under the rules of play, voted on by the Board of Governors, and not the CBA.

[pizzakid13 5]

i dont think we have any hard evidence on any of these issues from either side of the argument. the anti-union guys seem to have sources stating the union is playing hardball against any changes being made. maybe they are, i dont follow that kind of stuff so if its true, you should be pasting links. that being said, i assume you guys are not making it up. so, for argument i'll just play devils advocate. if its not covered in the CBA, then go ahead and implement it. but if it is, then you have to abide by the rules.

[IPv6Freely 2092]

Jacques Plante started that.

I know that part - that's a significant piece of hockey history that everyone should know. I meant that at some point they made them mandatory.

[wrangler 157]

I've seen the "Candian Heritage Moment" where Toe Blake is going on about "C'mon Jacques...you can't see down with that thing on..." but I figured that was kinda for the sake of the piece... I didn't realize how opposed Blake actually was to him wearing a mask...but back in those days...there weren't really back up goalies...and Plante refused to go back into the net without a mask.

Old Time Hockey.

I know that part - that's a significant piece of hockey history that everyone should know. I meant that at some point they made them mandatory.

That wasn't after Andy Brown?

[RadioGaGa 162]

Does EVERY Ranger player, regardless of what gloves they use, have to add the extra protection, or is it just highly recommnded that they do.

I know a couple years ago...just about everyone in the Habs organization (Bulldogs included) were wearing extra foot guards/skate covers....but i don't think it was mandatory....just highly encouraged by the team and trainers. They had a few guys go down with foot injuries....and I think it was just a security blanket more than anything. There are still a few guys wearing them...but not like that season.

[jds 20]

I thought there was a post somewhere saying that Torts had mandated it after so many injuries.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Matheiu Schneider said the PA will canvas the players again about the idea of Grandfathering in a visor mandate. He said he is very much in favour of it....which is funny coming from a guy who played 17 season without a visor. Hopefully, the players do the right thing and think of their own safety.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=418669

[pizzakid13 5]

That would be the only way they would probably support it. Visor guys already care enough about their eyes to wear one. They see the other 30% as doing what they feel comfortable with and I doubt they would vote to force them to wear one.

Any news on Marc staal?

[RadioGaGa 162]

No one is forcing anyone already in the League to do anything. This rule would only effect new players who, for the most part, are already wearing a visor in Jr. or the AHL/ECHL

... They see the other 30% as doing what they feel comfortable with and I doubt they would vote to force them to wear one.

[zachary 2]

Am I the only one who isn't understanding this whole "hurts their vision" excuse? It's a clear visor, takes nothing away from your sight. As youth players most players wore cages as I know most players don't wear a fishbowl. That's alot worse than a visor.

[pizzakid13 5]

looking down at the puck is what the are talking about.

[bolt91 31]

Thanks to shoeshineboy for this article: Jordan Staal, Eric Staal to wear visors after eye injury to brother Marc

[chk hrd 164]

Mom has spoken

[arcsinice 6]

Some day players at all levels and spectators will ask what took the NHL, I mean Bettman Entertainment so long to get with the plan and institute full facial protection..............

No excuse for not instituting this as of years ago.

[hunt3rsean 44]

You have to eliminate fighting before full facial protection happens. And I don't see full facial protection happening in my lifetime. Anything can happen... But look how long it has taken the talk of mandatory visors to begin. Hockey is old fashion in a lot of ways.

[chippa13 1844]

With the NCAA considering visors, I don't think you'll ever see full coverage in the NHL, except for injury protection.

[arcsinice 6]

Hunt...........

Fighting will never "go out of style" (I hope). Very simple and quick to remove the whole kit and kaboodle helmet rig and go at it. Nothing wrong with trading punches as sadly, to many still need a godd bloodied nose and a bit more, but to get a blade, stick, puck or any number of items in the face - by openly inviting same - and the consequences needs to stop, once and for all.

No injury is a good injury.

[chk hrd 164]

Some day players at all levels and spectators will ask what took the NHL, I mean Bettman Entertainment so long to get with the plan and institute full facial protection..............

No excuse for not instituting this as of years ago.

It's the PA that is holding it back and Bettman doesn't call the shots, he follows the orders of the Owners

[kredmore 2]

When Staal was first injured without a shield, the discussions started about mandatory visors. I think it should be a players choice IMO, just as we do in adult league. If you are going to make it mandatory, how far do you go? Visors stop Staal's injury, but a cage stops Crosby's.....so do we talk about cages now? What about the next injury? Just thinking out loud a bit.

[chippa13 1844]

A jaw can pretty much always be screwed back together, an eye cannot. I think that is the distinction.

[TeamHonda401 54]

When Staal was first injured without a shield, the discussions started about mandatory visors. I think it should be a players choice IMO, just as we do in adult league. If you are going to make it mandatory, how far do you go? Visors stop Staal's injury, but a cage stops Crosby's.....so do we talk about cages now? What about the next injury? Just thinking out loud a bit.

Players have been getting their jaws broken for decades, and nothing has come of it because as chippa says, jaws are fixable. Wire it back together and the player wears the bottom half of the concept 2 cage till it's healed. Until someone creates a synthetic eye, two is all you get.

[Buccaneerfan 16]

Still no info on Marc Staal's status. Has anyone heard anything? Even his brothers didn't really say anything meanful in that video from TSN ...