Is 2013-14 Becoming the Year of the Head Shots?

Before I get into this, let me just say that I have mulling over this idea for a week now. Every time I think about writing on this subject, something new comes up (& it's usually more disturbing). It's finally time to push this to the front of the list & blow some steam off.

We aren't even done with the first month of the 2013-14 NHL season, & we have more concussions & suspensions than stats & games to talk about. Everyday on SiriusXM they moan & complain about Patrick Kaleta & John Scott. Mike Milbury on NBC post game (or whatever station you're watching him on, doesn't matter) went off on Buffalo Sabres' goon, John Scott, for his hit on Boston Bruins' Loui Ericsson & on coach Ron Rolston for not having any sense of discipline or remorse for the actions occurring in the locker room & on the ice. Check out Mike going off:



For once, I actually agree with Mike. My favorite term I've heard over the past few days to describe the play & attitude of Buffalo is "dumpster fire". Whether its filled with excrement or not, "dumpster fire"is the exact term I'd use for the Sabres. Here's the hit by Kaleta that seemed to start it all:



Aren't those Shanahan videos sexy? Gives me goosebumps every time I watch them. Anyways, as we can see by the two hits, they're almost in the exact same spot of the arena & by the same team on different dates. God this team is bad. Let's switch from the Sabres & show what other hits this year have warranted suspension:




I feel like this will continue this season. Either players are not keeping their head up, or there are simply that many malicious players out here today. Maybe the embellishment of a hit is creating injury. Rather than trying to roll off a hit or look back when going into a corner, players are trying to draw penalties for their team, then paying the ultimate penalty. Whatever it is, I hope it gets fixed soon. I do not want to write a "part 2" on this.

Steve Ott Tries To Lick Jeff Halpern's Face

What is Steve Ott doing?! That deserves a firm beat down if I were in Jeff's position!:



Has he lost his mind? You be the judge...

Patrick Kaleta Suspended 5 Games by Shanahan

I always like reporting on player's safety, & for the most part Brendan Shanahan
usually gets the call right with his group of men. This time I'm not so sure. The other night, Buffalo Sabres' Patrick Kaleta gave an illegal hit from behind on New York Rangers' Brad Richards that sent him sliding not so violently, yet dangerouly into the boards.

After reviewing the incident, Shanahan and the player's safety committee decided on a 5-game suspension of Kaleta. Here's the break down by Shanahan:



I personally think 5 games may be a little harsh, but if they're trying to send a message to a repeat offender that this will not be tolerated then I guess you must. I think 3 games & a fine wouldv'e been substantial & my reasoning is that maybe Richards embelished a little. The angle at which Kaleta thrusted his stick into the back of Richards didn't seem low or high enough to naturally send him into the boards so hard.

With so many player's embellishing these days its hard to say whether Richards really was put down on the floor that hard. He even looked back at Kaleta to see how close he was for a pretty long duration. He also seemed to brace himself alright enough for the blow on the boards, & then grabbed his head in pain like if he was dying on the ice. I don't know, I'm all for player's safety, & that's why Kaleta should be punished, but it just seemed too much.

Obscene Gesture at Panthers/Capitals Game Makes Girlfriend Very Upset (Also Obese Man Takes Shirt Off)

Tuesday night at the Florida Panthers home game vs. the Washington Capitals was a thriller. The Cats came up short in the end, & I'm sure this guy did in the bedroom as well after the game:



As you can see his girlfriend/wife/mistress/whatever doesn't seem too happy & starts to jaw at him right when he sits down. She also tells him something in the act but just gives her a look of reassurance as if saying, "Look hun! I'm making them look stupid!" (which totally backfired).

This is not the first fan-oriented craziness this season during a Panthers game. Check out this video from the Panthers & Buffalo Sabres game on February 3rd where an obese Panther fan takes off his jersey & shirt, then gets told settle down by security, & BOOM...fight on the ice!:



I'm a big Florida Panthers fan & this shows I'm not alone in my passion for the club (just the obese man, I don't want to associate myself with that first guy. I mean c'mon). Let's hope some more tasteful Panther fan sightings start occuring though.

2013 Pre-Season Power Rankings #30-21

So we're back with the T.O.A. Power Rankings! This is the first installment of three depicting what we should be looking at in terms of strength entering the 2013 shortened season. Counting down from #30, let's take a look shall we:

#30

Columbus Blue Jackets
Coming off a difficult season, the Jackets are probably heading for another one. This team was exciting maybe one or two years in their franchise history, but after loosing Rick Nash to N.Y. they'll have to dig deep to get out of the cellar.

#29

New York Islanders
The Rick DiPietro saga seems to have cursed these guys for some time now. Even with John Tavares (who I believe can and will probably end up being moved) & Michael Grabner, this team struggles to get anything going. Hopefully Evgeni Nabokov can salvage a lot of games for them this year.

#28

Montreal Canadiens
I'd really like to give this club a higher ranking, but with their on again-off again success it seems pointless. Last season was a nightmare for players and fans and unless someone other than Carey Price really shines out there then this Canadiens squad is destined for the bottom in 2013.

#27

Winnipeg Jets
There are many reasons why I can place the Jets higher in our rankings, but to me there is just too much wrong going on right now. The lockout delayed what should've been the first season of a new realignment, allowing the Jets to keep there travel costs down. But with a condensed, mainly Eastern Conference schedule & talent that is still developing, I see Olli & the Jets staying right around here.

#26

Toronto Maple Leafs
It's sad when you have this many Canadian teams stuck in the bottom, but it's also sad when you have a franchise that has some of the top talent in the league that can't get it together. Some teams wish they had the fan base this club has, but when strange moves like firing Brian Burke happen then you realize why Toronto is ranked so low.

#25

Buffalo Sabres
Ryan Miller was once the best goaltender in the U.S. He's still an incredible talent, but he's not pulling out wins for his team like he used to. Players like Jason Pominville & Tomas Vanek aren't playing like that Sabres team from a couple years agao. Last years playoff push wasn't enough, and unless they pick up the pace in this condensed schedule they'll get swept behind.

#24

Calgary Flames
Calgary hasn't been elite for a while, but with all the talent they have I can't put them any lower than this. An aging Jarome Iginla & an apathetic/unmotivated Jay Bouwmeester haven't been getting the job done along with everyone up in the tundra.

#23

San Jose Sharks
The Sharks have been getting it done for a while & I'm sure they wished they never let Milan Michalek skate away in another jersey. This year's a little different though. Can they continue to get it done with both Big Joe Thornton & Patrick Marleau? Can Logan Couture razzle dazzle these guys deep into the playoffs? This year's a little different.

#22

Tampa Bay Lightning
It seems like father time has forgotten about Vincent Lecavalier & Martin St. Louis. They have to give alot of credit to the young, budding superstar that is Steven Stamkos for their seemingly new fresh legs. Beyond that the addition of Matt Carle & the idea of Victor Hedman contributing give Tampa a nice chance to make some noise this year. But they'll need alot more push to make it past the stromg Southeast Division this year.

#21

Dallas Stars
Jamie Benn seems to be the only real "star" on this Stars team. I mean yes, you now have one of the most prolific figures to ever play hockey in Jaromir Jagr, but he's now 40 & looking slow. The team lacks depth. The window on this team is closing quick with the long tenured veterans, but what's interesting is that this team is still scary on any given night.


Well, that rounds up the first of a three part installment on the pre-season rankings. Stay posted for part two: #20-11 coming soon!