Ritter's Rant: Observations From Around The NHL

Written By: Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter


Net, “Nyet”

Dear Lee Stempniak,

The net is the thing painted red that was eight feet in front of you when you had your breakaway, you know, when you shot the puck five feet wide and into the boards. That’s some nice shooting there “Tex”, remind me not to go hunting with you!

Pass the Tylenol

When it comes to head shots, nobody seems to have a good read on what the NHL standard is. There are several criteria that the NHL considers, amongst them, was the hit late? Does the player have a history of this kind of hit? And was the hit intentional?

How about we just make it easy for everyone, if a player gets nailed in the head by his opponent and he goes off the ice on a stretcher, the opposing player gets suspended, terms and fines contingent on the NHL’s criteria?

Time, after time we are stuck debating the validity of a hit with no real consensus ever reached as to whether, or not the suspension, or lack thereof was warranted. No hit to the head is warranted, whether by mistake, or with the intent to injure. The NFL “gets it”, why doesn’t the NHL?

If a tree fell in the forest, would anybody care? If Jason Blake never played another game for the Toronto Maple Leafs, would anybody care?

Statastic!

Anze Kopitar—NHL scoring leader with 21 points...Andrew Raycroft—1.13 goals against average, leads the NHL...Craig Anderson—eight wins, leads the NHL...Phoenix Coyotes—6-4 through 10 games...Rookie forward Ryan O’Reilly—plus-10 rating...all true stories.

Leafland

Is it just me, or is Leafs' head coach Ron Wilson incapable of cracking a smile? This guy looks more uptight than an anorexic at a Chinese buffet. Come on Mr. Wilson, I know your team stinks right now, but surely you have something to smile about...then again...

For Leaf fans, the Phil Kessel era can not start soon enough. Here’s a thought, what if Kessel flops? How many Leaf fans can we expect to jump off a cliff? One thing's for sure, given the Leafs slow start, the Boston Bruins management team has some pretty sore hands right about now, you know, with all the high-fives going around.

Quick thought: Even though he has started off slowly, coming off last night's 6-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks, does anyone think Jonas “The Monster” Gustavsson will win 20 games this season? Any comments?

Crystal Ball gazing

Hindsight is everything, especially when it comes to signing free agent NHL players. I bet there are more than a few GM’s that wished they’d took a closer look at Marian Gaborik. With 10 goals and 18 points, Gabby is proving his worth.

Nazim Kadri update—Through 11 games, Kadri has five goals and four assists, which nets out to nine points. That puts him 98th overall amongst all Ontario Hockey League forwards. He’s not ready Leaf fans...

In the battle for first overall at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, through 16 games, Windsor Spitfires forward Taylor Hall leads the OHL with 16 goals and 34 points. Comparatively, through 14 games, Plymouth Whalers forward Tyler Seguin has 17 goals and 30 points, clearly, it’s neck and neck right now.

Which injured player hurts his team the most? Ilya Kovalchuk (Atlanta)? Sergei Gonchar (Pittsburgh)? Daniel Sedin (Vancouver)? Marc Savard (Boston)? Let your opinion be known in the comment box.

Until next time,

Peace!