Auston Matthews' agent questions 'abuse of star players'

[hotpaws]

I mean, he's right. There's no real reason to cross check a guy in the back full force. Guys like Parise and Zetterberg have been crippled by back issues because of all that abuse.

If you want to move a guy, put your arm on the guy and give him a nice shove. Or do it lacrosse-style where you bring your hands to the middle of your stick and then use your gloves to push.

you've never watched lacrosse if you think they cross check like that , lol

 

[Leafsfan74]

I think Matthews suggestion of consistency goes beyond the crosscheck itself and to the point that, for instance in this game, Bogosian pulls on a players sweater and he is penalized, but taking what could be a weapon on the streets, to the back of a player, who can't even defend himself is "good, hard hockey"?

I also don't like the idea of a game ending when their is a PP still active. If someone takes a penalty with 45 seconds left in the game. Well, the game shouldn't end until the PP ends. This would cut down on the all out flop fests and "do or die" plays at the end of the game when players know even a penalty won't cost them the game, but, they could save it by breaking the rules.

 

[Stephen]

True, doesn't work so well when the guy you do it to laughs at you like last night

Then you’re not being nasty enough.

 

[Fogelhund]

Interesting reaction on the main board. The “soft” Leafs take one game to complain about the game being too rough. They’ve got a bit of a point. Fair game to lobby the league and refs for clarification purposes as to what will be allowed. But if that is allowed, adapt or find a way to counter.

Interesting, Miller on the Sabres just got a cross checking penalty for a much softer cross check. But it wasn’t in front of the net.

 

[Stephen]

Interesting reaction on the main board. The “soft” Leafs take one game to complain about the game being too rough. They’ve got a bit of a point. Fair game to lobby the league and refs for clarification purposes as to what will be allowed. But if that is allowed, adapt or find a way to counter.

Interesting, Miller on the Sabres just got a cross checking penalty for a much softer cross check. But it wasn’t in front of the net.

I just think it's not in the culture of the game for refs to protect a star player. They didn't protect Mario Lemieux, they're not going to protect Auston Matthews. Being a net front presence is hard business and you're going to pay a heavy price trying to score those garbage goals. So a guy like Matthews can either pick his spot and go for more of a Stamkos like 'ghost' around the net and find the tap in, or if he's going to stand there like Tomas Holmstrom or JVR, be prepared to battle but protect yourself too.

I mean Wayne Simmonds also had a similar interaction battling in front of the net with Ben Chiarot. Nothing to say Auston Matthews should necessarily fight but nothing wrong with getting a sneaky elbow up on Edmundson here and there.

 

[Martin Skoula]

I just think it's not in the culture of the game for refs to protect a star player. They didn't protect Mario Lemieux, they're not going to protect Auston Matthews. Being a net front presence is hard business and you're going to pay a heavy price trying to score those garbage goals. So a guy like Matthews can either pick his spot and go for more of a Stamkos like 'ghost' around the net and find the tap in, or if he's going to stand there like Tomas Holmstrom or JVR, be prepared to battle but protect yourself too.

I mean Wayne Simmonds also had a similar interaction battling in front of the net with Ben Chiarot. Nothing to say Auston Matthews should necessarily fight but nothing wrong with getting a sneaky elbow up on Edmundson here and there.

Why can the cross-check be blatant but the elbow has to be "sneaky"? If you're gonna look the other way on crosschecks, I better not see the forward get a penalty for dishing it back.

The league needs to stop rewarding bad defenders. If you can't win netfront positioning without targeting someone's kidneys, the AHL has plenty of spots open.

 

[PromisedLand]

ummm.... this is hockey this isn't soccer

refs just need to call the game fair instead of "game management"

things happen in hockey; tough it out

 

[JayfromNB1219]

Sure. It's not right Sid did that.

But Sid also sells the game and the league makes money off stars.

Life is not fair.

BS right there...the rule book is the rule book if not then what’s the point in having it, I don’t care who it is

 

[Fogelhund]

BS right there...the rule book is the rule book if not then what’s the point in having it, I don’t care who it is

True... but then Crosby has dealt with his share of crosschecks, and other stuff against him, just like Matthews is now. Nothing called, take it into your own hands... and that's the price people pay for messing with Crosby... is it right... nope.. but, if you aren't going to call stuff, that's what is going to happen. Time for Matthews to play the same way.

 

[TopChedder]

BS right there...the rule book is the rule book if not then what’s the point in having it, I don’t care who it is

I wasn't saying that like it's the way it should be lol

Just that the reality is stars sell sports.

Case closed.

 

[Stephen]

Why can the cross-check be blatant but the elbow has to be "sneaky"? If you're gonna look the other way on crosschecks, I better not see the forward get a penalty for dishing it back.

The league needs to stop rewarding bad defenders. If you can't win netfront positioning without targeting someone's kidneys, the AHL has plenty of spots open.

The reason why it pays to be an aggressive team is because you can initiate all the contact in high volume. When you’re retaliating you have to pick your spots. The game has always been called in this shitty way and it makes sense to understand these unwritten codes than to bitch and moan about reforming the system.

 

[Stephen]

True... but then Crosby has dealt with his share of crosschecks, and other stuff against him, just like Matthews is now. Nothing called, take it into your own hands... and that's the price people pay for messing with Crosby... is it right... nope.. but, if you aren't going to call stuff, that's what is going to happen. Time for Matthews to play the same way.

Yeah the game didn’t do a lot to protect Crosby when he was having his concussion problems. League officiating doesn’t work like a teacher on duty at recess. Matthews isn’t Johnny Gaudreau either. So the best he can really do for himself is get the battle, and make it painful for guys getting in your kitchen.

 

[Menzinger]

1 game in and the whining has already started

stars as well as slugs gets crosschecked if they plant themselves in front of the net so i don't see a problem

the games already gotten soft enough , if people have a problem with it they can follow ballet

Whats particularly enjoyable about watching a guy get repatedly crossed checked? It's not remotely close to say a fight or a well timed open ice hit....

Id rather my teams best players avoid an unnecessary chance of sustaining an injury than preserve a boring part of the game that violates the leagues stated rules

 

[Steven1562]

The only way is for Matthews to give some back. People would be a lot less willing to crosscheck him if some is coming back the other way.

 

[Menzinger]

Star players shouldn't get special treatment.

Maybe they just need to call the games, you know, better? Instead of game managing.

Thats obviously the wider problem - game management is always awful. NHL refs aren't neutral judges, they subjectively decide when things like roughing or interference are called and when they're ignored.

And too often that decision is based on the game score, or how many penalties the other team has gotten.

 

[colchar]

I want more goals.

Then go watch lacrosse.

 

[egd27]

1 game in and the whining has already started

stars as well as slugs gets crosschecked if they plant themselves in front of the net so i don't see a problem

the games already gotten soft enough , if people have a problem with it they can follow ballet

I suppose Simmonds is going to have his hands full as the only guy that will stand up for his team.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

Matthews would probably do well for himself and his safety level if he went absolutely psycho on a guy taking liberties once in a while. An unpredictable 6’3” 220 pounder is one who gets more breathing room out there.

Pretty much do a Malkin

 

[hotpaws]

Whats particularly enjoyable about watching a guy get repatedly crossed checked? It's not remotely close to say a fight or a well timed open ice hit....

Id rather my teams best players avoid an unnecessary chance of sustaining an injury than preserve a boring part of the game that violates the leagues stated rules

i don't want to see anyone get injured but i'm not going to whine and expect the league to change rules because our GM wants to go with a soft team .

and Mathews rarely does but doesn't need to plant himself in front of the net to be effective

also wondering if his agent mentioned the knee Mathews threw on Anderson

 

[Fogelhund]

Laine stands up for teammate, after Hanifin boards Connor.

 

[moon111]

I definitely dont like the x-checks to unpadded area by back. Very dirty and has no place in game.

Because it's a sport it's okay. But if this was reality, he should be forced to wear equipment to protect himself. I get it, we don't care about player's health. Whether their brains
are turning to concussion mush, their backs are broken, knees shot, or they're bleeding out from a cut to the neck or wrist... who cares right? Even the refs just stand there and
watch someone incur injury. Yeah it's pretty primitive and the only solution seems to be a pretty primitive one.

 

[MattySnipes]

Because it's a sport it's okay. But if this was reality, he should be forced to wear equipment to protect himself. I get it, we don't care about player's health. Whether their brains
are turning to concussion mush, their backs are broken, knees shot, or they're bleeding out from a cut to the neck or wrist... who cares right? Even the refs just stand there and
watch someone incur injury. Yeah it's pretty primitive and the only solution seems to be a pretty primitive one.

I definitely care for player health. Not just Leafs players, all players. I would never purposely want to see someone injured. Even Marchand or Chara.

They are human beings, in sport and rivalry we get heated but it should never get to that point.

 

[Leafsfan74]

I suppose Simmonds is going to have his hands full as the only guy that will stand up for his team.

Which is why I personally was sad to see Clifford go. He and Simmonds on a line would have done well together. Maybe a bit much, but, they would have their place and provide some offense (by the way, Clifford scored in his first game last night).

In a regular season against 30 other teams, they have enough toughness and assertiveness. They are probably one key guy light in a shortened, hate-filled season we are experiencing this year, especially if refs are going to allow the league to roll back to 1974.

An exaggeration yes but this is going to be an intense season where refs need to call it tighter for players safety.

 

[PromisedLand]

Laine stands up for teammate, after Hanifin boards Connor.

If Leafs can grow balls they would go places.

Last season Freddy was run many times; Tavares, Rielly and other players hit blindside and no one stood up for their teammates. Pissed the F outta me

 

[Fogelhund]

Which is why I personally was sad to see Clifford go. He and Simmonds on a line would have done well together. Maybe a bit much, but, they would have their place and provide some offense (by the way, Clifford scored in his first game last night).

In a regular season against 30 other teams, they have enough toughness and assertiveness. They are probably one key guy light in a shortened, hate-filled season we are experiencing this year, especially if refs are going to allow the league to roll back to 1974.

An exaggeration yes but this is going to be an intense season where refs need to call it tighter for players safety.

The real need, is people who can react quickly, when something happens to our star players on the ice. Not a loaded 4th line of tough guys, who aren’t there when needed most.