Mike Richards Hits David Booth

Last night Mike Richards of the Philadelphia Flyers leveled an unsuspecting David Booth with a shoulder to the head and knocked Booth out.

In my opinion the hit was not a charge and certainly was not elbowing. Richards squared up and led with his shoulder and followed through on a hit to Booth, who had just made a drop pass. Booth wasn’t looking and Richards made him pay. This is a prime example of the need to keep your head up and not admire your pass.

Yes, Richards hit Booth in the head with his shoulder. Now, was it intentional? I would say no. However, intentional or not, the NHL must get serious about cracking down on hits to the head for the safety of the players.

Here is the video of Mike Richards’ hit on David Booth

Update: Bill Daly has just informed the media that there will be no suspension for Mike Richards in relation to this incident.

Players have been getting hit in the head for years in the National Hockey League. This is nothing new.  However, what is new is the force at which players are being impacted. Players are bigger and faster than they were ten years ago and the laws of physics still apply.  The larger the mass is and the higher velocity at which it travels increases the force of the impact.

Teams Prepare For Draft and Free Agency

Red Wings Give Chelios The Boot

While this was a foregone conclusion, General manager Ken Holland met with Chelios Monday afternoon and gave him the news. Chelios will not be re-signed.

“It was kind of understood last summer, after Cheli signed, that the 2008-09 season would be the last one for Cheli as a Red Wing,” said Holland, noting the need for the Wings to bring in younger players. “He wants to play another season and I believe he can still play.”

It has been highly speculated that Chelios will sign in Chicago this off season and finish up his career in his home town.  No doubt the aging veteran has lost a step, but he can likely still teach the up and coming youngsters on the Blackhawks roster a thing or two.

Heatley On The Hot Seat

Sportsnet reported that the Senators have set a July 1 deadline for trading Dany Heatley.  It has been reported that the Wild are interested as well as a few other teams.  However, it will be interesting to see what the Senators can get in return since the league now knows he has to be traded before July 1.

Talk about being handcuffed!

Personally, I’d love to see Heatley playing for the LA Kings next season.  It seems unlikely though unless the Kings are willing to part with one of their heralded young defensemen.

Bobbing For Bouwmeester

Kevin Allan says the Florida Panthers apparently want a 1st round draft choice for the right to negotiate with Jay Bouwmeester prior to July1. The draft pick would, of course, only be payable if Bouwmeester should sign with the negotiating team.  Is it worth it to get Bouwmeester, who many believe still has yet to reach his potential?

Isles up In The Air

Garth Snow and the New York Islanders have given little indication as to who will be the first selection of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft this weekend in Montreal.  The once consensus #1 pick, John Tavares, seems to have lost some support as the draft draws near.

Some think that Matt Duchene of the Brampton Battalion is a better long term prospect at forward, while others hold Hedman, the giant Swedish defenseman in high regard for his size, skating ability, and defensive prowess.  Regardless of who the Islanders select, you will see them in an Islander uniform next season.  The boys on the Island need all the help they can get!

For what it’s worth, I would select Hedman.  There has not been a “flop” defenseman taken as the number one choice in the draft since 1982 when Gord Kluzak was chosen first overall.  Even then, Kluzak managed a few good years before bad knees ended his career.  Even though the upside for Tavares is certainly great, there is always the downside risk of a Patrik Stefan or Alexandre Daigle!

Mike Ribeiro Between The Legs Goal

If you’re a follower of NHL Digest, then you know how much we appreciate the between-the-legs goals and Mike Ribeiro provided us with a beauty against Florida!

This between-the-legs goal from Ribeiro is very similar to the one scored last season by Rick Nash.  Both were in very close to the net and instinctively reacted to create a better shooting angle by taking the shot from between the legs.

In reality it isn’t so much that the shot takes place between the legs, it is the speed at which today’s players can react to the situation, place the puck and stick between their legs and release the shot.