How often would Scott Stevens get Fined/Suspended in Today's NHL?
Does anyone know Scott Steven's opinion on the new heashot rule? I assume that he would be against it, considering the way he played, and the fines and suspensions that have been handed out this year for the same type of hit that defined his career.
Probably not often, he was a perfectly legal hitter.
Sadly, I think he would be penalized more for the effects his hits had on the player, rather than on the hit itself. In other words, in the below clips, when the ref saw a woozy or unconscious player, he'd probably call a penalty on a legal hit. My speculation is we're going to see that happen now. Just my guess/opinion.
Stevens' hits would be under much more scrutiny because of the focus on injuries and concussions, but I think for the most part they would be considered clean. Stevens made contact with the head occasionally, but what distinguishes him from the headshot artists today is that he would put his whole body into the hit and make contact with his opponent's entire body, not just the head. He might be suspended a few times though.
The general characteristics of a Scott Stevens hit:
Leading with the shoulder, one hand on his stick, to the initial point of contact on the opponents strong shoulder, on time with the play, and not blind side or initial contact to the head, while keeping both feet on the ground.
Sounds damn legal, doesn't it?
Granted some of the hits would have ended up being reviewed, and possibly having disciplinary action taken against him, but the vast, vast majority of his hits were 100% legal.
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Stevens' hits would be under much more scrutiny because of the focus on injuries and concussions, but I think for the most part they would be considered clean. Stevens made contact with the head occasionally, but what distinguishes him from the headshot artists today is that he would put his whole body into the hit and make contact with his opponent's entire body, not just the head. He might be suspended a few times though.
He would probably be suspended and penalized just based on the results of his hits, and not the actual hit. That seems to be the standard today unfortunately (not that I want to see players get injured).
In a league where appearances matter more than what actually occurred, Stevens would be fined a fair amount without adjusting his play.
Of course, he would adjust, though.
Whoever posted that Stars-Devils cup clinching game the other night, you brought on the nostalgia bug for me. What a great defensive unit. Totally confident.
One hit was blindside, as the guy was looking away... That one might have resulted in a suspension in today's NHL. The others they would be legal today. No suspension or fine, because they are clean hits, just hard hits...
Playing with your head down and a guy stepping up to hit you properly while crossing the middle would never and should never count as an illegal hit
There's a reason Stevens had only what 4 or 6 elbowing penalties during the regular season HIS ENTIRE CAREER.....
BG put it well though, a ref seeing a guy getting up awkwardly from a clean hit would be enough to call him for something.....one of my favorite Stevens hits was when he hit Domi
However, under the new rule, players are now encouraged the skate down the center of the ice with their head firmly rooted up their ass in order to ensure their right of passage all the way into the offensive zone, as no opposing players is allowed to come within 15 feet at any time.
With so many sites like tsn, espn, si, sportsline etc.. publishing the same stories, its kind of surprising there arent more sites like this one...I know The Onion has a sports section but that's about it. Anyone else know of any?
Does anyone think the NHL's reaction to concussion/headshots might have something to do with all the press around concussions in the NFL? We always hear about the NHL trying to sell the game in the States. Just a conspiracy theory on my part
Does anyone think the NHL's reaction to concussion/headshots might have something to do with all the press around concussions in the NFL? We always hear about the NHL trying to sell the game in the States. Just a conspiracy theory on my part
Nope, the truth about the severity/danger of concussions is just becoming more well known. I coach a kids street hockey league, and the certification meeting was extended an hour longer this year because we had to be trained on properly dealing with a potentially concussed kid....in a non-checking league.
