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Daniel Carcillo - Why the NHL Community Needs to Look out for Its Own

Regardless of my personal feelings for Carbomb, I think that there are a lot more dangerous jobs out there that pay a fraction of what these guys make. I don't see how the NHL has to carry any inherent blame If everyone is so concerned they need pick a different profession, it's not like these guys haven't seen an NHL game before stepping on the ice. You have to have balls of steel to play at that level. Why? Because it's dangerous.

I know some of these guys get hit in the head and burn out but they are the ones who decided to sign up to play a contact sport for a living. The NHL has a very macho culture and the sport wouldn't be the same without it.
 
I don't think the message is as much "blame the NHL/PA" as it is questioning why the league as an organization doesn't do more of an exit strategy for players on their way out. That's simple, and many employers do the same. I see it as akin to argument for financial/business training for incoming NFL players. They're a major sport but that doesn't mean they shouldn't act like a normal employer.
 
Brad Doty said:
I don't think the message is as much "blame the NHL/PA" as it is questioning why the league as an organization doesn't do more of an exit strategy for players on their way out. That's simple, and many employers do the same. I see it as akin to argument for financial/business training for incoming NFL players. They're a major sport but that doesn't mean they shouldn't act like a normal employer.
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What employers have an exit strategy beyond showing you the exit?
 
The exit package is that obscene amount of money you will make even at the league minimum.

Invest in yourself, don't wait for the league to do it for you.
 
The music industry, entertainment industry , and Amway don't have Golden Parachutes, why should sports?
 
Its a poignant message that does deserve publicity. Although Carcillo may come across as hypocritical, it adds weight to the issue seeing a tough guy like carbomb get upset(props to him for saying something).

Over here (in New Zealand) several sports codes including rugby and rugby league give direction and support to athletes during their playing careers. They help them do qualifications to train and prepare for life after their sporting careers are over. Admittedly they make far less money than NHL players, but i'm kind of surprised there isn't a support network for the ex nhlers. Obviously the direction and training / support isn't the only issue here, there is the physical and mental toll on players that perform this sort of gritty role in the league that does need to be looked into.
 
DocWest said:
This is a really ****ing cold post. Most of these guys are leftovers from a time where you needed goons on your team and they were expected to fight, play rough and be intimidators. Their toughness was the only reason why they got to play at a professional level. Now that the NHL is moving away from that style of play and pushing them away, it's hard for them to adapt because they don't have the skills to play like the guys still on the team. To brush them off so effortlessly is ****ed up. A lot of them are battling a lot of mental issues and it's not easy to just turn it off. Weren't you also the guy advocating that players should not be allowed to have children during the season too? You do know these are human beings, right? They are more complex and are not just here to make you happy while you sit on your couch.
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Another thing to is that most NHL players do not go through college and their high school days are spent on the road and away from their mom's and dads. I point this out because when their playing careers are over a lot players do not have the education or tool set to get a proper job away from the game. 4th liners who play 5/6 seasons do not have the money or means to not work.
Rhett Warriner on the fan 960 has talked about this alot, how they wake up and feel useless. And that there are programs available to players through the NHLPA to get an education and get set on a career path, however it has always been frowned upon to seek those programs. That is starting to change, and I think that is a good thing.
 
This is a good example of how emotionalism can overcome reason.

The writer/speaker calls for after-hockey support for those who suffer concussions.

Concussions most often come from illegal hits, something that writer/speaker has, in abundance, committed.

In site of this blaring hypocrisy, people either do not see the irony, or they only discern emotion.

There would be less players in the need for after-care if dirty players like the writer/speaker did not play hockey and were banned after their on ice assaults.

As to all their sacrifices, they make millions in a very short period of time, for their sacrifices. Men like Gretzsky and Messier felt it an honor to be paid for playing a kids' game and played with joy.

Dirty play shows no respect for the game, nor for the players Carcillo has inflicted injury upon, and now he calls for his victims to be supported after the game and is applauded for it? What happened to critical thinking in our generation?

He is a disgrace to the great game of skill and manhood.
 
Peter Hyatt said:
This is a good example of how emotionalism can overcome reason.

The writer/speaker calls for after-hockey support for those who suffer concussions.

Concussions most often come from illegal hits, something that writer/speaker has, in abundance, committed.

In site of this blaring hypocrisy, people either do not see the irony, or they only discern emotion.

There would be less players in the need for after-care if dirty players like the writer/speaker did not play hockey and were banned after their on ice assaults.

As to all their sacrifices, they make millions in a very short period of time, for their sacrifices. Men like Gretzsky and Messier felt it an honor to be paid for playing a kids' game and played with joy.

Dirty play shows no respect for the game, nor for the players Carcillo has inflicted injury upon, and now he calls for his victims to be supported after the game and is applauded for it? What happened to critical thinking in our generation?

He is a disgrace to the great game of skill and manhood.
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Did you read the thread? Plenty of posters have pointed that out; in fact, that's been the majority of the discussion.

My only thing is I don't think it's right to completely ignore the message because of the source. Aside from my personal feelings about Carcillo's play, I think it's an important message.
 
Peter Hyatt said:
This is a good example of how emotionalism can overcome reason.

The writer/speaker calls for after-hockey support for those who suffer concussions.

Concussions most often come from illegal hits, something that writer/speaker has, in abundance, committed.

In site of this blaring hypocrisy, people either do not see the irony, or they only discern emotion.

There would be less players in the need for after-care if dirty players like the writer/speaker did not play hockey and were banned after their on ice assaults.

As to all their sacrifices, they make millions in a very short period of time, for their sacrifices. Men like Gretzsky and Messier felt it an honor to be paid for playing a kids' game and played with joy.

Dirty play shows no respect for the game, nor for the players Carcillo has inflicted injury upon, and now he calls for his victims to be supported after the game and is applauded for it? What happened to critical thinking in our generation?

He is a disgrace to the great game of skill and manhood.
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I'm sorry but you are out to lunch on the bolded. I think you are making a major leap there. It's anecdotal at best and likely completely untrue. That scenario may be more likely in the past few years with the way rules have been changed. Look at the Richards/Booth hit from 5 or so years ago. Perfectly clean hit then, dirty hit now. I think a bulk of the damage done to players over the years is from clean hits and legal (as in drop the gloves - no Bertuzzi cheap shots) fighting.

You are reacting emotionally because you seem to have a bone to pick with Carcillo. There is definitely a bit of hypocrisy to his stance on the issue but the issue itself is real. And as I said earlier in the thread, I think all 3 parties (NHL, NHLPA and the players themselves) are all culpable.
 
Buddy The Elf said:
I'm sorry but you are out to lunch on the bolded. I think you are making a major leap there. It's anecdotal at best and likely completely untrue. That scenario may be more likely in the past few years with the way rules have been changed. Look at the Richards/Booth hit from 5 or so years ago. Perfectly clean hit then, dirty hit now. I think a bulk of the damage done to players over the years is from clean hits and legal (as in drop the gloves - no Bertuzzi cheap shots) fighting.

You are reacting emotionally because you seem to have a bone to pick with Carcillo. There is definitely a bit of hypocrisy to his stance on the issue but the issue itself is real. And as I said earlier in the thread, I think all 3 parties (NHL, NHLPA and the players themselves) are all culpable.
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You don't think the culture of head hunting and overall dirty play, which Carcillo is a part of, is responsible for more injuries, specifically, head injuries?
 
Hockey is a tough sport. There are lots of injuries from clean hits.

Tortorello pointed out years ago that the lack of respect for the game, and for players, had led to an epidemic of head injuries, which include concussions.

Yes, there are plenty of injuries from clean hits, but dirty hits are taking its toll and as the NHL has either turned a deaf ear, or meted out mild justice, it has gotten worse. This is why extremists call for the use of goons: to police itself, rather than leave it to the NHL.

When a dirty player complains of the lack of support for players with concussions, there is a strong irony that takes effort to miss.
 
Peter Hyatt said:
You don't think the culture of head hunting and overall dirty play, which Carcillo is a part of, is responsible for more injuries, specifically, head injuries?
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I don't truly believe there is a culture of actual head hunting, though there is the "playing on the edge" and crossing it. Though that may be being pedantic or nitpicky. I sort of agree.

Peter Hyatt said:
Hockey is a tough sport. There are lots of injuries from clean hits.

Tortorello pointed out years ago that the lack of respect for the game, and for players, had led to an epidemic of head injuries, which include concussions.

Yes, there are plenty of injuries from clean hits, but dirty hits are taking its toll and as the NHL has either turned a deaf ear, or meted out mild justice, it has gotten worse. This is why extremists call for the use of goons: to police itself, rather than leave it to the NHL.

When a dirty player complains of the lack of support for players with concussions, there is a strong irony that takes effort to miss.
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Again, I don't think that point is lost on anyone in this thread, you're looking for something that isn't there and using imaginary text as an opportunity to talk down to imaginary posters and posts.

Whether there is irony or not with the source, do you not agree with the message? I know that tarnishes it for some, but he does raise a very legitimate question.
 
When the U.S. gives proper care to it's Veterans(of the armed services) like myself without having to wait for years.

Then I'll start to care about professional sports players, who make six figure minimum salaries(at the show).

NHL players, take care of your health YOURSELF. They make plenty of money to do so.

I do agree with harsher punishment for illegal hits though. Also agree with bigger fines. You have to hit the repeat offenders where it hurts, the pocket book.
 
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Brad,

I think that players injured is a serious issue; just as is the post concussion depression issues, and at least in recent years, salaries are such that players should be able to afford medical care and move on to careers.

I find that players going to that line, that edge, the point of danger, are, in fact, inflicting injuries on players that would not necessarily have taken place.

I find the messenger quite bothersome since he has had a reputation of such.

There will always be injuries, but some of the nonsense that has infected the league is disgusting...and dangerous. Carrillo has been part of the problem, which is why he has been suspended as he has.

I like to see players play, and be able to play. Having sons in hockey, I have observed, first hand, how when a dirty player is emulated, kids get hurt.

I hate it.
 
damacles1156 said:
When the U.S. gives proper care to it's Veterans(of the armed services) like myself without having to wait for years.

Then I'll start to care about professional sports players, who make six figure minimum salaries(at the show).

NHL players, take care of your health YOURSELF. They make plenty of money to do so.

I do agree with harsher punishment for illegal hits though.
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I'm a life long Ranger fan, and don't defend this particular messenger, but did you read what Avery wrote about players' salaries, waste, investment, and so on?

It was fascinating.

As to those who forego college scholarships for Canadian juniors, it is a tough, life impacting decision.
 
Peter Hyatt said:
I'm a life long Ranger fan, and don't defend this particular messenger, but did you read what Avery wrote about players' salaries, waste, investment, and so on?

It was fascinating.

As to those who forego college scholarships for Canadian juniors, it is a tough, life impacting decision.
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I have some small sympathy for guys who are stuck in the AHL level ETC.

But that is their life choice. If there is even a hint that you may be a career AHLer. I suggest you educate yourself, and have a backup plan like ever other single rational person does.
 
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You guys can hate Carbomb and Cookie and any other tough guy you want but they do exactly what their gms and coaches pay them to do. Publicly team management pay lip service and cry foul but privately these guys are asked to walk the line. And players that walk the line occasionally cross over it.
 
KingsCourt said:
Powerful video!.. We talk about players as commodities we often forget they have problems just like everyone else. Nhlpa should help the players 'after the game ends'
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Agreed. This is where the Players Association would have to step in. This should be the PA's duty. I could see player suspension money justifiably helping here.
 
Buddy The Elf said:
I'm sorry but you are out to lunch on the bolded. I think you are making a major leap there. It's anecdotal at best and likely completely untrue. That scenario may be more likely in the past few years with the way rules have been changed. Look at the Richards/Booth hit from 5 or so years ago. Perfectly clean hit then, dirty hit now. I think a bulk of the damage done to players over the years is from clean hits and legal (as in drop the gloves - no Bertuzzi cheap shots) fighting.

You are reacting emotionally because you seem to have a bone to pick with Carcillo. There is definitely a bit of hypocrisy to his stance on the issue but the issue itself is real. And as I said earlier in the thread, I think all 3 parties (NHL, NHLPA and the players themselves) are all culpable.
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Very well said.
Not all injuries are from goon actions.
I remember a number of years back, some team traded for a goalie (CRS moment for me regarding teams and goalie names) Anyway, the goalie arrives at team destination, steps off bus and fractures his leg and ankle. True, not a concussion, but an example of how freak injuries do occur.
 
apadilla said:
Agreed. This is where the Players Association would have to step in. This should be the PA's duty. I could see player suspension money justifiably helping here.
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I like that idea too.
Anyone remember a present day coach who's playing career ended when he was skating in his driveway? I can see his face, just can't remember the name. Christ, I better give up:cry:
 
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