Reflections on the Rash of Injuries

SAN JOSE -- As many as one in five NHL players is injured, according to widely repeated estimates, but the athletes themselves would like to see how that breaks down, exactly. It's the names of the players who are out, rather than the body count, that is creating headlines, some say.

"Everyone usually has two or three guys out," Sharks center Joe Thornton said. "That's not unusual. I just kind of pay attention to who's out on our team, and we've got Rob Blake out, an All-Star, and Devin Setoguchi and Joe Pavelski were out. Teams just learn to adjust."

"It seems to be a lot of the top guys who are out," Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle said, referencing injured players like Alexander Ovechkin (pictured) and Evgeni Malkin. "It's not good for anyone to have those guys out, because people are paying a lot of money to come to the games and they want to see those guys play, but it's just a fluke. I don't think there's anything else to it."

Predators coach Barry Trotz believes that there are more big-name players going down because in the modern NHL, there aren't any games in which stars can afford to take a breather -- they have to play big minutes regularly, and more ice time means a greater possibility of injury.

Plus, Trotz said, "Guys are shooting the puck harder and more guys are comfortable shot-blocking than ever before, there's no hooking, holding, guys are bigger, faster, stronger -- and bones aren't bigger. There used to be one guy who shot like Bobby Hull -- now there are 300."

"I think we've created this ourselves. The game is faster, there's far less obstruction, which is great, and guys are bigger and faster. ... But now we may have to look at changing the rules to protect players. Guys are getting hit a lot harder than they ever have."
-- Steve Sullivan on Big Injuries in the NHL San Jose coach Todd McLellan also cited players' greater willingness to get into shooting lanes as one reason injuries might be up. The equipment is terrific, but, he said, "When the puck is traveling 100 mph, it doesn't matter what you're wearing."

Nashville forward Steve Sullivan has put some thought into this, and he wonders if that one-in-five stat has surfaced in other years. The fact that players such as Malkin and Ovechkin are out has contributed to the focus on the issue -- "It's not just high-end players, but superstars, and especially in an Olympic year," Sullivan said -- but Sullivan also believes the most recent rule changes, those that opened up the game, have left players more vulnerable to injuries, particularly head injuries.

"I think we've created this ourselves. The game is faster, there's far less obstruction, which is great, and guys are bigger and faster," said Sullivan, who is 5-foot-9 and 173 pounds. "We've changed the rules to allow this kind of game, the way the game has evolved is outstanding, and the fans enjoy it. But now we may have to look at changing the rules to protect players. Guys are getting hit a lot harder than they ever have. It's definitely time to review open-ice hits, hits to the head."

Sullivan pointed out that the number of days lost to head injuries are going up simply because teams and players are more aware of the seriousness of concussions and post-concussion syndrome, so extra days are tacked on that weren't before. "I don't think anyone wants to take the risk of going back three days early now," he said. "People are more careful, which is good. No one should be playing with those kinds of injuries."

Increasing suspensions for shots to the head might be a solution, but the basic equation of bigger, faster, unchecked players would not change, and, Sullivan said, "We have to look at it as a whole. We all love the game, we love playing the game and if you're only one hit away from not being able to play again, is that worth the risk?"

McLellan said that the Sharks have talked about the increased number of head injuries as a group: coaching staff, management, players. "Blows to the head are certainly of concern," he said. "No one wants to see players leave the game because of it. If we could eliminate that, injury totals would go down dramatically."

There have been a fair share of strange accidental injuries, too, including the laceration that will keep Carolina goaltender Cam Ward out up to a month.

"I know all about those weird, skate-slicing things," said Boyle, who missed 50 games with Tampa Bay when a skate slipped off a hook and gashed his left arm and wrist. "That was not fun."

It's a dangerous sport, no bones about it. No matter what the injury totals, teams just have to deal. It always will be part of the game.

"It makes it tough on a coaching staff, playing through a lot of injuries," McLellan said. "But there's nothing you can do but carry on. You can't use it as an excuse, or say, 'Oh, now we'll have less chance of winning.' You've got to try to get through it."