It's not that they're faking, they're just not going to risk playing through an injury like they would if they were in the playoff hunt. Might as well take the time off to rest if the games don't matter.
Oilers haven't been that bad recently. Anyone trying to claim that they're purposefully tanking doesn't know what they're talking about. Unless we're trying to tank and failing at that too.
Yes, Dr.Mulder, the world renown surgeon, is putting his reputation on the line to make sure Price doesn't play the remaining 3 games. Since you know, the Habs did so well with Price in the lineup.
I dont think it have anything to do with it, if if i am right, he only made the diagnostic of a mild Concussion, the decision to sit out Price come from the direction.
Price was playing in the past 2 weeks despite his mild concussion.
Players always will play to win. If you think they care who gets drafted next summer you're out to lunch.
Management definitely makes decisions to aid with the tank. Not taking any chances with Price is not only a good decision for Prices health, but it's good for the tank.
Its impossible to prove, but if the Habs were in a playoff position, let alone a playoff hunt, Price would still be playing.
How can you fault management for wanting to get a better draft pick. I'm glad the Habs are doing what they are doing. Is it ethical? Maybe not.
Ever play a competitive game? ever play to lose? No? me either saying that the players who compete for one of 600 jobs in the world play to lose is damn funny. (ok I let my children win on occasion so as not to crush their spirits and make it fun for them, but what parent doesn't?)
Management? different story.
If the Oilers were trying to tank would Dubnyk be getting most of the starts? or would the guy with two wins to his name since january 1st be playing the bulk of games?
Concussions are serious business, at the end of the season with no chance of making the playoffs do you risk a mans health for a win or two? (NHL teams have backup goalies to play when the starter is hurt or needs rest,the same goes for callups for other players that are injured)
I dont think it have anything to do with it, if if i am right, he only made the diagnostic of a mild Concussion, the decision to sit out Price come from the direction.
Price was playing in the past 2 weeks despite his mild concussion.
It was diagnosed yesterday, thus he was shut down today.
And yes, Dr.Mulder has a very high reputation, perhaps the highest in terms of team doctors in all sports. So I doubt he would purposely avoid diagnosing a player just to make sure he doesn't play 3 games. It just doesn't make sense.
The decision to shut him down comes from management, but guess who management listens to when making that decision? That's right, the team doctor. If Price complained about headaches, and the Doctor confirmed an issue, how can you possibly think it's some kind of conspiracy? Unless you somehow think Mulder is lying.
I'd consider moving the lottery to the NBA's model. It is a more effective tanking eliminator
Tanking is a made-up problem.
Players don't tank. They just lack talent and, when the season is pretty much over, incentive to give 100%. The only incentive they have--and it's a pretty important one--is financial. And this pushes them away from tanking. Players' careers are very short; they're not going to tank just so they can be replaced by some stud prospect from Russia. Some established players with secure contracts might mail it in, but not because they care about the draft.
Coaches don't tank. They have such a short shelf-life that they can't afford to be part of a tanking process as they're usually not part of the post-tanking phase.
GMs . . . might tank. But, for the most part, they're just incompetent.
Well i dont think a team would start to play softly 20 game before the season end. So obviously we have to work on a small sample size.
Im asking Edmonton fans.. how was the feeling in these last 3 game? was the players giving their max?
If they wanted to, the easiest way would be to put Khabibulin in. I don't have the stats on hand but he's been ATROCIOUS since the New Year. He can't last the full season anymore.
It has been pretty much what it's been for most of the season - the young kids and a select few vets are the ones trying and everyone else is coasting (or just terrible to begin with).
The only way Montreal loses more games than Edmonton is if Price is out for any time at all.
He is now. Our goalies are now Budaj, who is decent at best, and our AHL backup. Habs play 3 games in 4 nights, although the 3 teams are out of the playoffs. Habs current line up is so, so sad.
No...I don't think they're losing on purpose. What's the point of playing injured if they're not making the playoffs...they can just aggravate their injuries.
I think Hall could have played on despite the injury but it's better to get the extra rest.
Leafs have Lupul, Reimer, Gus, Grabo, Gunnarsson all injured right now, they're probably just shut down for the season because there is just 2 games left.
Every team that missed the playoffs gets a shot at 1st overall.
But frankly anyone who supports moving to that doesn't understand the differences between the NBA and the NHL. The NBA is a star-driven league - only a few teams have a reasonable chance at winning the championship. Even teams that squeak into the playoffs tend to have no shot at all. Therefore, it makes sense to give all of these teams a shot at 1st overall.
In the NHL, borderline playoff teams can go deep in the playoffs. Any playoff team can win a series against any other playoff team. Just look at the first round matchups of both Boston and Vancouver this past season. The worst teams in the NHL need a lot more help than the borderline playoff teams - the same is NOT true of the NBA.
Players never tank. If anything they are trying harder because if they are fringe NHL players then they have to play hard for the next contract and line up spot.
