As I mentioned last week, I'm a huge fan of the Canadian hockey broadcasters. CBC does a wonderful job with Hockey Night in Canada, and now fans across America can watch the weekly doubleheader on NHL Network. The pregame show, postgame show, and intermission programming are all first-rate.Certainly, whether you love him or hate him, Don Cherry's "Coach's Corner" segment is one of the highlights of HNIC. Saturday, Cherry spent time talking about Doug Gilmour, whose number was retired by the Maple Leafs, and then ripped Minnesota Wild rookie Cal Clutterbuck.
Cherry doesn't like Clutterbuck's fighting style. It isn't overly dirty or anything. Instead, the problem is that Clutterbuck sometimes doesn't take off his helmet -- which includes a visor -- before throwing down. Cherry goes so far as to call Clutterbuck "buttercup," which is not exactly something I'd expect a hockey analyst to call the NHL's leader in hits.
You can listen for yourself. Cherry starts ranting on Clutterbuck around the 4:25 mark.
The idea that Clutterbuck should take off his helmet is absolutely not indefensible. However, Clutterbuck and the Wild are not happy about Cherry's rant, which they caught in Vancouver as they prepared to beat the Canucks later that night.
"If you look at the incidents, first time I asked [Yandle] to take our helmets off, and he said, 'No,'" said Clutterbuck, his assertion backed by replays. "I'm not going to be the only guy to fight and take my helmet off. The second time against White, he jumped me from behind. So what does he want from me? I mean, what do you want me to do? Really."There's also the fact that Clutterbuck fought Edmonton's Steve Staios on Friday, and if you look at the video, it appears Staios somehow doesn't have to follow Cherry's unwritten rules of hockey. Then again, Staios plays for a pristine Canadian team, while Clutterbuck plays for those dirty scoundrels from Minnesota.
Cherry's entitled to his opinion, but when you're as visible as he is, it usually helps if you try to be either objective or consistent in your criticisms. Of course, this isn't going to stop anyone from watching Coach's Corner any weekend in the near future.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-02-2009 @ 1:45PM
Andy - Toronto said...
"Cherry's entitled to his opinion, but when you're as visible as he is, it usually helps if you try to be either objective or consistent in your criticisms."
Then that wouldn't be cherry then, would it?
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2-02-2009 @ 2:08PM
Entity said...
"Cherry goes so far as to call Clutterbuck "buttercup," which is not exactly something I'd expect a hockey analyst to call the NHL's leader in hits."
He called Malkin, the league leader in assists, selfish, too. Cherry isn't there to make a rational point, he's there to stir the pot.
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2-03-2009 @ 9:28AM
Burger said...
Cherry made the point that the helmet is "welded on" which means the strap is extra tight, this is a good point other tough guys who wear visors wear their strap a little looser so it could come off in a fight Cherry was making a rational point if not an articulate point.
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2-04-2009 @ 1:41PM
ezefaulk said...
Don Cherry is absolutely right on the money. The reason Don did not mention the fight with Steve Staios is because both of the participants were wearing visors. Therefore it was a fair fight.
However, in the case of Buttercup v Yandle and Buttercup v White, neither of his opponents were wearing visors. A guy with a visor cannot get into fights with guys who do not wear them and expect no criticism when he does not take off his helmet. Just watch Iginla, who removes his helmet before a fight.
As usual, Don Cherry is right on the money here. If Buttercup wants to fight consistently in this league, he better ditch the visor and get some courage.
By the way, I am an American and do not think Don is being biased here. His points are completely valid. If you play with a visor, safety is your priority and you cannot be getting into fights with guys who don't wear them. Simple as that.
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2-04-2009 @ 10:05PM
doncherryisgay said...
Don doesnt know anything. In the AHL you have to have a vison. GUESS WHAT, CLUTTERBUCK came from the AHL so he kept his on. You cant call him buttercup because he leads the league in hits for a rookie and is in the top 10 over all. In the fight against Cayotes, he unclipped his helment after he asked Staios if they wanted to fight without the helmets. About the fight against the Vancuver Gaynuts, he came up behind Clutterbuck so he couldnt do anything about it. Besides, you can fight with a vison. I hope you read this because Don Cherry doesnt know shit.
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