Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I take it back about Smith looking down.. As I watch the sequence again, I don't even see his eyes look down. All I see is the natural change in body position as he winds up to take the shot. You do not stand straight up to take a shot; there is a natural change as you squat lower to get more power from your legs and midsection, and your shoulders rotate and head lowers (not looking down, just ducking) in order to get maximum power behind the shot. As far as I can see, Ben Smith is doing this as the hit is delivered.

This is the clip I've been watching and basing my thoughts from:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQBNgch6zYs

Specifically around 1:00

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

:thumbsup:thumbsup Yup. As I said, (half jokingly), do something, anything, but hit him like that. If it means you trip Ben, then you trip him. Just don't lead with your shoulder into his head like that.

A guy should never, ever lay motionless on the ice like Benny did.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Nice find. I take it back then. All the angles I was seeing this morning made it look differently.

I'll still say guys need to keep their head up because too many times are they looking down at the puck, but not in this case.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I love the game of Ben Smith so fucking much, which makes this even harder to swallow. Kid is going to be a legit top 6 forward extremely soon. Hate to enter the season without him.

Just hope the news comes back that he's ok sooner than later.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Yup, nevermind, I see nothing wrong with what Benny did there.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Yeah. You never know with something like that. It was more vicious than Crosby's hit but look at how long he has been out. But I've seen bad ones where a guy comes back quickly. Hope he's back soon. Hossa he can break a leg for all I care.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

There's almost always a clean way to stop a play, but yes, if you're only alternative is to take the penalty you do so. In this case, the fault would be more on Ericsson for getting caught out of position than it would be for Smith. Worst case scenario? No one gets hurt, Smith goes to the box, and Ericsson gets a tongue lashing from Babs back at the bench.
Like I said, to ensure puck position a player often does have to glance down. Ice can get bumpy and chippy real quick and there's no problem with taking a peek. It's all about focus; is the players focus primarily on the net, or on the puck? I think that's what you're referring to.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

The Rangers are looking good this pre-season. I can't wait to see what this team can do this year!

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I was thinking the same thing. They've always had some really good pieces, but they didn't always seem to fit together... i.e., Marian Gaborik is great to have on your team, but he's a scorer... who's gonna feed him the puck? They now have an answer: Brad Richards.

They've got a good top 6 and a decent bottom six, highlighted by skill guys like Richards and Gaborik, who have the potential to be a KILLER tandem (Placing Fedotenko on the other wing could also prove to be beneficial for him). I also really like their collection of skill+grit guys. Every team seems to have one or two, but the Rangers have a few really good ones in Callahan, Dubinsky, and Boyle.

Defensively, they are missing one piece in that they don't have a clear-cut, PP QB type guy to provide offense. I think the plan is for Del Zotto to grow into that role, but we'll see. However, a ton of skill defensively, highlighted by the underrated play of Marc Staal and Michael Sauer.

Then, or course, there's King Henrik. Quietly one of the most spectacular in the league, he should have some help this year from an improved offense, meaning all the pressure won't be on him to win games 1-0 or 2-1. Marty Biron is an aging but capable backup, but there's not a lot after that, so look for the Rangers to be on the lookout for a young goalie to develop in the system.

And I love Torts. I love the way he runs teams.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Lundqvist is my predicted Venza winner.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I think I hate the Rangers more than the Pens right now. I didn't think it was possible, but apparently it is.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I have to say Shanny's earning his money his first few weeks.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

It's been an action-packed, but kind of disappointing pre-season... The banana incident, Sean Avery/Simmonds, all the suspensions...

But I applaud Shanny for taking the tough stance. I think it's great what he and the league are doing both in severity of suspensions and the transparency they're displaying.

Anyone else notice Shanny's wearing the same thing in every vid? I'm guessing he just has a quick shirt and jacket on set he throws on right before filming. He's probably in shorts :lol

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Wild make the only waiver claim thus far, taking Nick Johnson from the Pens.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

It's a sad day in Pittsburgh.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Pronged is playing tonight. Really excited about this as I am going to the game tonight.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

:lol:lol

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Give him my regards. And by regards I mean the bird.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

:lol:lol I didn't think the Filthy Flyers could get dirtier...:)

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Smith is "day-to-day" but it is a concussion so who knows, he could be day-to-day until next season

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I was just thinking, with the whole body-positioning as he wound up for the shot, it's a good thing he's a right-handed shot. With his shoulders coming up and head ducking to take the shot, it prevented his head from taking the full brunt of the hit. If Smith had been a left-handed shot, he would've received that hit full force straight to the head.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

So the banana thrower claims he only wanted the skater on the ice to miss his attempt, and had no idea it could be construed as racist. You guys believe him or no?

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Have my first fantasy draft tonight, I am stuck with the 8th pick, I am tempted to take Henrik if he is available.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I'm gonna go no. He could have thrown a beer bottle or anything else. Anyone bring a banana to a hockey game and even if you do not eat it until the end of the game?

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

No chance in hell I'm buying that excuse.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

:lol:lol:lol

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

To play devil's advocate, if he threw the peel, he could have eaten it at any point during the game...but I agree.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Possible huge news from Malkin's Twitter account: "Sid spent first practice with contact..." Crosby might be closer than we think, or something was lost in translation.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Yeah, not buying the banana excuse. Along the lines of Tim's thoughts, who would even bring a banana to a professional hockey game? Come on. :rolleyes

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

He got the banana at the game. There is a smoothie stand and they allow them to sell fruit (for diabetics or something). Not saying it isn't racist just saying he didn't bring the banana with him from home. I heard there were actually two bananas but the first one didn't reach the ice.