Crackdown on Slashing has Turned Gaudreau Loose

[Torture]

I know we have other threads about the incredible season Gaudreau is having but it sure is nice to see some national attention and appreciation from the other teams.

“It’s just nice you don’t have to worry about that as much,” he said. “The refs have done a great job with harping down on that a little bit more. It gives us a little more space and time to make plays rather than worrying about breaking a finger or breaking a wrist or something.”

It amounts to good business for a league that celebrated the quarter mark of the season last week by trumpeting a 12.4 per cent increase in scoring.

“You can see less and less sticks around your wrists, your fingers,” said Gaudreau. “It was difficult [before]. I think a lot of skill players were getting it. When you have the puck on your stick that much in a game, players are going to start whacking and hacking.”

The Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland line tends to spend a lot of time with the puck. They’ve controlled 57.35 per cent of even-strength shot attempts while playing together – fourth best among NHL trios with at least 200 minutes played, according to Corsica.hockey.

Babcock gained a healthy respect for the Flames while breaking down tape before Tuesday’s game. In the Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland line, he sees “two real heavy guys and then a guy who is flat-out just fun to watch.”

“Actually, fun to pre-scout,” added the Leafs coach. “He’s doing a lot of good things out there.”

Amazing things happen when you let Johnny Hockey play.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/c...audreau-loose/

[Locke]

*Loose.

[CroFlames]

It's ridiculous the slashing was even a thing.

Why did there even need to be a 'crackdown'. You hack someone in the hands, auto 2 mins.

[Torture]

Originally Posted by Locke

*Loose.

OK, I feel shame.

[stemit14]

And yet I feel like the slashing is still happening. There is no reason for a stick to be swung near the gloves... we still see it every night with no call. I would prefer it called even more harshly. I can remember several times this season still where gaudreau has given up the puck because of a whack to the hands.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Torture

OK, I feel shame.

Its fair. Johnny Hockey doesnt lose...

[shogged]

ya, nevermind jagrs pep talk, this is the real reason for johnnys success this year. its night and day compared to last year

[PugnaciousIntern]

This clip still makes me wonder what the NHL was doing. Gio's OT goal in LA. Check out the hacking on his hands, with the ref staring right at them.


https://youtu.be/-smOGbIxIg4?t=130

[Itse]

Originally Posted by PugnaciousIntern

This clip still makes me wonder what the NHL was doing. Gio's OT goal in LA. Check out the hacking on his hands, with the ref staring right at them.


https://youtu.be/-smOGbIxIg4?t=130

It's also a good example of how allowing that hacking was enabling / encouraging lazy play and bad hockey. Carter doesn't even try to move his feet any more than it's necessary for him to keep hacking.

[IgiTang]

Hey NHL, imagine how much scoring would be up if your refs didn’t have a mandate to manage the outcome or flow of a game rather than just call a penalty when a infraction occurs.. strange..

Goalies wouldn’t have to reduce equipment size. Injuries would be much less which in turn reduces insurance cost and medical treatments. Fans would be more excited to go to an NHL game because they know they’re likely going to see something special from someone on the ice... etc...