The NHL has released their three stars for last week, and familiar names occupy each spot. Marc-Andre Fleury is in the top spot after going 3-0 with two shutouts for the Vegas Golden Knights. Fleury allowed just one goal on 77 shots and is now carrying a .911 save percentage on the year. While that number is down from last season, Fleury leads the league with 32 wins and eight shutouts while also having played the most minutes of any goaltender. The Golden Knights are leaning heavily on their starter, a strategy that will be tested when the playoffs roll around.
Blake Wheeler and Sidney Crosby were awarded second and third respectively, each scoring eight points in three games. Wheeler’s performance was capped by a four-goal game against the Columbus Blue Jackets yesterday, giving him 80 points on the season. Crosby, who has 83 this year is actually on pace to record his best offensive season since 2009-10 and crack the 100-point mark for the sixth time in his career.
- The GM meetings began this week in Florida, and Frank Seravalli of TSN examines ten potential rule changes that the group will be discussing. These include things like changing standings tiebreaker rules, changing how much a player can be fined for certain incidents, and perhaps even forcing players to wear helmets during warm-ups. It doesn’t sound like any huge changes will come out of this week’s discussions, but there might be a few tweaks.
- The AHL trade deadline passed today with very little fanfare, but not for Stuart Percy. The former top prospect was traded from the Belleville Senators to the Providence Bruins in exchange for Austin Fyten. Percy, originally selected in the first round eight years ago, has just 12 NHL games under his belt and is currently on a minor league contract.
Rescind the Instigator Rule!
It was already rescinded. Just ask the refs.
Don’t enforce helmets in warm up, I understand why they might think they should do it. But, the guys that have a certain amount of NHL experience or who are grandfathered in should not have to wear buckets in warm up
That can only be grand fathered in for guys who are flowing
Gavin! After I gave you props for being McDavid-fast on the old Ctrl-X/Ctrl-V moves! (.911 saver percentage??? — Only because Flower has a frequent-shopper card at Krispy Kreme!)
I think the helmets in warmup should be priority. Let’s have you guys out there while I rifle some slapshots hoping one doesn’t hit the head. Leagues are huge on this with concussion issues and massive lawsuits. This will be first then in the next 5years I estimate fighting out of hockey.
Everyone period should be wearing a helmet in warmups. Concusions are not something to be taken lightly. Do you want any of your players missing time because of something in warmup that could have been prevented. I get the whole marketing angle. But If any of your players could have had that injury in warmup prevented due to a helmet then I’d agree with the mandatory. Gone are the days of no helmets .
I really hope fighting doesn’t go out of hockey. It’s a way of policing the game. The ohl has a rule of 10 fights in a season which stops players from taking a roster position just to be fighter. Potentially allowing more skilled players . Which in turn makes players be more cautious about when they drop the gloves so they don’t face suspension. Hopefully this never becomes the case in the NHL cause it would be “soft “ like European hockey.
I agree I don’t think they should be out. But think they will be out. We are seeing more skilled cleaner players though. If not mistaken Matthews has a whopping 2PIM. Games would be a lot quicker if more people played like that but I have to admit excitement level would go down. But the concussions aren’t just from the no helmets, fighting is part of that problem too.
Time will tell. We certainly are seeing that. I do feel the Superstar players still need to be protected. A tad bid of he has 10. They certainly would be another way to speed the game us is the linesman stop trying to put on a show and drop the damn puck. True, but ya can’t have people going around swinging there sticks like McSorley. I feel fighting will never be out of the game.