Canadiens: Are the Dangers Definitely worth the Rewards?

Chatting with the media on Friday morning, new Montreal Canadiens ahead Patrik Laine was requested if he wish to play the [then] remaining three pre-season video games, and he replied:

Yeah I believe so, I believe we have had good conversations with the coaches, type of what they’re in search of and what I need to do. I’d most likely favor to play all of the video games left since we have no back-to-backs or something. Simply making an attempt to get as many video games underneath my belt as I can. You may’t replicate a sport in follow, so attempt to get in sport motion as a lot as I can earlier than the opener.

After what transpired final evening, it is now apparent it will not occur. Whichever manner you take a look at it and nevertheless optimistic you need to be a few attainable prognostic, a knee-to-knee hit just like the one we noticed on Saturday evening at all times comes with a keep on the damage record.

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After lacking a lot time as a consequence of damage and private points, it is comprehensible that Laine desires as many alternatives as attainable to shake off the rust and get his marks again, however hockey is a high-speed contact sport. Everytime you step on the ice, you run the danger of wounding your self.

A Essential Evil?

Is it value working that danger for meaningless pre-season exhibition contests? No, most likely not. There must be a greater manner. All too typically, accidents sustained by NHL gamers within the pre-season come from AHL gamers hoping to go away their calling playing cards. That ought to not occur.

Whereas Laine is correct that you would be able to’t replicate sport motion in follow, you possibly can maintain scrimmages. A profession AHLer who attends his group’s coaching camp is aware of he has nothing to realize by injuring their staff’s star. If something is in scrimmage, they’re pressured to carry again on the tough stuff and present how they will truly play hockey.

Related: Déjà Vu: Canadiens Lose Patrik Laine Four Minutes Into Saturday Night Game

After all, scrimmages involving fringe NHLers and AHL journeymen won’t ever supply the identical caliber of hockey as a correct NHL sport and, due to this fact, will not enable probably the most proficient gamers to get correct reps, however that might nonetheless be executed.

Attainable Options?

If the pre-season sport necessities had been modified within the subsequent collective bargaining settlement and the definition of “veteran” was reviewed, there may very well be a safer surroundings for NHL stars to shine in. One X person suggests maybe the A model of a staff ought to at all times simply play the A model of its opponent, and the B variations ought to play one another.

How would we then know if a participant is able to make the leap from the junior leagues or the AHL to the NHL? Effectively, maybe the staff ought to be allowed to maintain their finest prospects with the staff longer than they’re now. Give these guys auditions in common season video games and make the entry-level slide circumstances completely different. As an alternative of being a most of 9 video games earlier than sending them down, make it 15. I do know this solely applies to a small minority of 18-19-year-old gamers, however I consider it could assist, and I am not alone.

You needn’t audition profession minor leaguers whose greatest abilities are grit and physicality; what they bring about to the desk. Seeing them in motion in opposition to different AHLers is sufficient to assess their strengths and weaknesses.

Related: Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs: Let’s Get Ready to Rumble

The gamers who present promise throughout camp might then be given their shot in actual sport motion as soon as everybody is definitely on the ice to win and to not make a reputation for themselves as enforcers.

What’s Subsequent?

Whereas what occurred to Laine is past unlucky, he isn’t the primary NHL participant to undergo a critical damage within the pre-season, and the principles have by no means been modified due to that, however that does not imply they need to by no means be.

The present CBA will run till the tip of the 2025-26 season; now could be the time to contemplate what must be modified and/or improved. If I run the present, the best way the pre-season works is on the prime of my record, carefully adopted by the wage cap loophole that plagues the playoffs and basically quantities to circumventing the principles. Loopholes are supposed to be fastened, there is a purpose why legal guidelines will be amended, as a result of folks discover their manner round them and a CBA is not any completely different.

Associated

Patrik Laine Speaks With Members of the Montreal Media Following Trade to the Canadiens
Canadiens: GM Kent Hughes Discusses Laine Trade Acquisition
Canadiens: About the Harris-Laine Trade

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