Pucks also play role in concussions…Ducks fall was a season in the making….Jagr and Voracek honor late Czech president…The decline of the big slapshot…Mathieu Garon gains more playing time.
NBCSPORTS PRO HOCKEY TALK: Mike Halford on the role pucks play in hockey concussion injuries, wondering if a better puck could be used to reduce such injuries.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given today’s technology, it must be possible to create a puck which would be less dangerous to players without compromising the game. The question is whether or not the NHL would be interested in such a puck.
OCREGISTER.COM: The Anaheim Ducks downfall this season was a year in the making, suggesting last season’s team played over its head, leading to management making few changes in the off-season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The changes have already begun with the firing of Randy Carlyle as head coach in favor of Bruce Boudreau. Roster changes could start by February if the Ducks are out of the playoff race, meaning the Bobby Ryan trade rumors flash up again.
PHILLY.COM: Flyers forwards Jaromir Jagr and Jakub Voracek have the initials “VH” on the back of their helmets to honor late Czech president Vaclav Haval, who recently passed away at the age of 75. Jagr was a close friend of Havel’s.
DENVER POST: The era of the big slapshot is over.
TAMPABAY.COM: Mathieu Garon is riding his current hot streak in to the lead role between the pipes for the Lightning.