Don starts off by promoting the "Prospects Game", as he does every year he talks about how it is much more competitive than your average all-star game.
Don moves on to complementing "Yammy Jagr" - this was well timed as Jagr has really been looking like an unstoppable machine on the ice. Interesting to see Don complement the guy.....
They move on to this big segment on the instigator rule. Don shows a pile of clips of Gretzky getting bashed (from recent years) while promoting abolishing the rule. (Kevin must have loved this segment). They show a clip from a game earlier in the week where Muckalt (Canucks) really nails Gretzky with a check and nobody did much, as Cherry said "Graves kinda comes in and says 'hey what'd you do that for?'"
Personally, I can't understand why Graves didn't drop 'em, or drop the guy with a punch glove on style - instigator or no instigator rule you can't allow Gretzky to get hit like that!
Don and Ron both say the league has discussed the rule (wow!) and that it may change. Don talked about the time Suter nailed Kariya with the stick (still can't believe nobody really went after Suter) and the time Ludwig nailed Selanne. However the time Selanne got it as I recall there was a brawl, they finally drop the puck and they all start fighting again, and then it happened again! Now that was with Kariya already out, I still think guys can and will go regardless of the instigator rule but changing it may make the role of the enforcer more pronounced and make them more feared. I still can't figure out why Graves didn't pop Muckalt for that hit on Gretzky??? I would have, it should be automatic - someone nails Gretzky his nearest team-mate should get the guy - instigator rule or not.
Anyway, this segment was a little repetitive (meaning we've heard Don preach this for years) but in light of the fact the league may be considering changing / abolishing the rule it was well done. Don mentioned some good teams (re: scorer - enforcer: Kariya and Grimson, Modano and Churla, Sundin and Domi....etc.)
I personally don't think the instigator rule has decreased fighting (which may have been it's goal) but concussions seem to be up so maybe the league feels why have a rule that doesn't clean up the game but removes all vigilante justice and may increase the liberties some guys take against the more highly skilled players?!?!?
So I could argue this from a player-socio-psychological persective or just say: The odd fight is good so get rid of the rule. Either way I can discuss NHL rules and stuff all day long so I better end this.
8.5 out of 10 - way to go guys. I hope tonights (Last Call at the Gardens) is really good. Gotta go, got some partiers coming over :)
E-mail Scott Comments:spapp@ptbo.igs.net
Kevin
Ok working on mine. Get them up soon.
E-mail Comments:kevin.messervey@sympatico.ca