Has Raffi Torres Put the Final Nail in his NHL Career?

With the NHL changing the rules to cut down on head-shots and concussions, players who like to make big impact hits had to redefine their game or get left behind. Players like Matt Cooke, Dan Carcillo and Steve Downie have all had to change the way they play to stay on the right side of the law. But one player who hasn't been able to adjust his game successfully is Raffi Torres.

From his hit on Jordan Eberle in 2011 to his hit on Marian Hossa in last years playoffs, Raffi Torres just can't seem to figure out a way to play within the "rules". There is a fine line that a player like Torres must toe, but he continually crosses that line. Torres is the type of player who can't find a permanent home, he's bounced around between 6 different NHL teams. His job is to bring something to each team he plays for to convince them to keep him and thats usually physicality. But Torres keeps crossing the line and after his last hit on Tuesday night in the second round of the playoffs, it may be time for teams to start crossing him off their team.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei5UkHL0oNM

We'll start with his latest hit of Jarret Stoll. Was it a dirty hit or a head hit? It was not a dirty hit but rather an illegal hit, the principal point of contact appears to be the head. The tough thing about this hit is that Stoll leaned forward to get the puck and by that point it was virtually to late for Torres to stop. Had this been a player not named Raffi Torres, they probably get a phone hearing and 1 or 2 games max. Since this hit involves the controversial Raffi Torres, an in-person hearing is called and there's a lengthy suspension.

What's really startling about Torres is his MO. He seems to be aiming to take star players out of the game and that's exactly what the NHL is trying to get rid of. He hits Jordan Eberle one of the Edmonton Oilers best young players, Marian Hossa a key member of the Chicago Blackhawks offence and Jarret Stoll another key player on a Stanley Cup contending team.

Big hit's with unfortunate outcomes happen in the NHL, look at the Eric Gryba hit, but continually going after key players is something the NHL can't continue to allow.

When you look at the Stoll hit it's a really grey area that the NHL needs to make clear. Torres doesn't extend his elbow or leave his feet, but he did finish his check on an angle that targeted Stoll's head on the play. Basically what the NHL is saying is Torres took a "bad route" to finish his check, as he skated east-west. Torres also hits upwards into Stoll's body forcing his head backwards instead of hitting through Stoll. Had this been anyone else, I think they get the benefit of the doubt with this hit, but it's not it's the infamous Raffi Torres.

The consensus online is that Torres shouldn't be suspended for this hit and that the only reason this is such a big deal is because of Torres' history. A team can no longer get the benefit of the doubt when Torres hits somebody, anytime anything is borderline with this guy you know Brendan Shanahan will be calling. Which is why teams are going to start to give up on him. No team wants a player that can't get away with anything, he's become a liability on the ice.

Whether people like it or not and despite his best efforts, Raffi Torres is a dirty hockey player. The book is out on him, he likes to take star or impact players out of the line-up. If a 25 game suspension in last years playoffs didn't deliver the message clear enough to Raffi Torres what's it going to take?

With the 6 game suspension, could this be the final hit of his career? Raffi Torres will be an un-restricted free agent this coming offseason and if the San Jose Sharks don't resign him, where does he go? While his hit on Stoll wasn't malicious, it was a dangerous play and it may cost him a lot more than 6 games.

Also be sure to check out my Gillette Drafted Audition

Where You Can Find Players During a Lockout

 

The mood around the NHL right now is sombre and tense. Will there be a lockout or will we get to see hockey?
The best way to lighten a mood and break the tension is to laugh. That's why today's piece is guaranteed to make you chuckle and forget about your lockout blues.

We'll be taking a look at where you can find some NHL stars and what they'll be doing while hockey is on hold.

Raffi Torres- Anger Management Classes

Torres is the type of player who skates the thin line between tough guy and all around idiot. He received a 25 game suspension for a hitting Blackhawks Marian Hossa in the head. Prior to the Hossa hit Torres had been suspended twice for hitting opponents in the head. During the lockout you can find Torres taking some anger management classes to help him channel another outlet for his anger so he no longer feels the need to take out star players because they get more ice time or score more goals than himself.  You can tell if the classes have taken worked when he goes to hit another opponent; Does he leave his feet and leap at the players head or simply drive his elbow into their head?

http://youtu.be/W2mX7LqBGo4

Ilya Bryzgalov- Teaching a class about the Universe

Did you know that the universe is "humongus big"? True story, I learned it from Bryzgalov. During to the the 24/7 series that followed the Flyers up to the Winter Classic, fans were treated to a little peak inside the Russian goaltenders mind. As it turns out Bryzgalov is obsessed with the universe, unfortunately for Flyers fans he wanted to see if he could get his Goals Against Average to be as "humongus big" as the universe which he studies. Good news for students you can expect the goalie to be at a school near year teaching about the universe and the solar system. In edition to teaching about the universe he will also be teaching courses on personality and how to handle the media.

http://youtu.be/OtaWkLFfevc

Alexander Ovechkin- Starring in Music Videos

On top of being one of the best hockey players in Bryzgalov's "humongus big" universe, Ovechkin also likes to spit out the rhymes. A video came out in January that featured the Capitals captain rapping in a Russian Music Video. No need to cry for Ovechkin during the lockout, he has a pretty solid backup plan that pays just as well as a hockey career. Look for Ovechkin to realize his own music videos and maybe even sign a record deal this offseason, after all he's pretty "ill".

http://youtu.be/qhhzC7rzre0

Henrik Lundqvist- Touring with his band

On top of being one of the best goalies in the NHL, the most stylist athlete and an al around classy guy, Lundqvist can "shred" pretty hard on the guitar. During the offseason the Rangers goalie spends time with his band and playing gigs, looks like he has his backup plan all worked out. Rockstars also make some pretty decent money.

http://youtu.be/vDXnlB9obDU

Sidney Crosby- Reliving his glory days with the TimBits

Over the last two seasons Crosby has had nothing but trouble with concussions and "concussion like symptoms". Right now he claims to be fully healthy and ready to go, too bad there's going to be a lockout. Why would Crosby risk getting hurt playing in the KHL or in Europe when he can play with little 6-7 year olds who can't cause any harm to him, heck they can't even reach his head.

http://youtu.be/a7fKuOMo2r4

Tim Thomas- Run for Congress

Thomas has reached a point in his career where he no longer cares what people think of him, he made that very clear this season by expressing his multiple political views. Thomas had a crazy season mixed with poor play and politics. He's already stated he will take the season off to focus on his personal life and to once again become true to himself. Who know's maybe we'll see him run for congress, can you imagine President Thomas? If you get handed a pin with his face on it or see a poster that says "vote for Thomas" do society a favour and tear it down.

Ryan Miller- Protesting Hitting

After Milan Lucic ran over Miller in a game last season, Miller stuck around to share some words about his feelings towards Lucic. While I myself do not support the hit, the scenario itself turned out to be pretty funny. Look for Miller to be in the stands at OHL or AHL hockey games offering to do post game press conferences about dirty hits. Who know's maybe he can even get his own segment where he chimes in about how he feels about a player after a hit.

http://youtu.be/FvE82q4yKEM

Patrick Kane- Party Rocking



Whether their is a lockout or not, Kane knows what to do when he's not busy playing hockey. Pictures and articles have leaked about Kane being a partyanimal and getting drunk. Kane will be happy with a lockout as it means he can party non-stop without having to worry about hockey. If you go to a pary during the lockout be on the lookout for Patrick Kane, he'll be the life of the party. Special tip, don't ride in a taxi cab with him!

There you have it folks, a light-hearted article poking a little fun at some of the players. Hopefully there is no NHL lockout and we wont see the players in the scenarios above.

 

<p>This post is an official entry in the <a href="http://www.scottspicks.com">ScottsPicks.com</a> <a href="http://www.scottspicks.com/sports-writing-contest.htm">Writing Contest</a>.</p>

What You Need to Know July 6th

What You Need to Know is a segment or series I like to do during the summer when news isn't trickling in at such a fast pace. To sum it up it's a post I make on Fridays (when there is enough news) about whats happened over the past week regarding the NHL. I'll talk about trades, contract extensions, CBA, new rules, basically if it has to do with hockey it will be in one of these posts. It's the best way to get you the news you want to know during the summer. Here we go!

Free Agent Signings

We'll kick today off with some more talk about free agents, see what other names you can cross off your wish list.

Matt Carle signs a 6 year deal with the Lightning

Can't remember if this was in my last update or not but it's worth mentioning again. Arguably one of the most sought after defenceman on the market (after Suter). Carle signed a 6 year deal worth $36 million with the Lightning. This is a good signing for the Lightning and may inch them closer to a deep playoff-run. 

Al Montoya signs 1 year deal with Winnipeg

Montoya is heading North to play with the Jets. After the Jets let Jonas Gustavsson walk they needed to find another goalie and that goalie in Montoya. The two sides agreed to a 1 year deal worth $601 thousand. 

Philippe Dupuis signs 1 year deal with Pittsburgh

The Leafs are losing one of their centres. Dupuis and the Penguins agreed to a 1 year deal worth $600 thousand.

Kevin Porter signs a 1 year deal with Buffalo 

The Sabres have signed another free agent who will have little impact on the team. Expect Porter to begin the season in Rochester and be used as a call up for when the injury bug bites. Porter agree to a 1 year 2-way deal with the Sabres.

Nick Foligno signs 3 year deal with Columbus

After the Senators traded their restricted free agent to the Blue Jackets, he decided he'll stick around to play some hockey. Foligno signs a 3 year deal worth $9.25 million.

The Dallas Stars have signed their 13th overall pick from the draft Radek Faksa

Faksa was signed to the standard 3 year entry level contract.

CBA Talk:

The NHLPA and the NHL (Gary Bettman) had their second meeting on Thursday, and the talks are "Business like". Both sides remain confident they can get a new CBA worked out before the season kicks off. 

New Coach:

The Red Wings have hired former Edmonton Oilers head coach Tom Renney as an associate coach of the Wings. Renney will join Mike Babcoock's staff for next season. In two seasons as the head coach of the Oilers Renney had a record of 57-85-22 and failed to make the playoffs. Although the Oilers success or lack there of was not a direct result of his coaching. They had a very young team that needs time to develop.

Cardiac Emergency:

Brett MacLean had a major scare as he had a cardiac emergency while playing a pick up hockey game in Owen Sound. He was taken by air ambulance to a hospital in London were he was admitted into cardiac ICU. The second round pick of the Coyotes from 2007 is improving as he is conscious and talking. The doctors are still running tests to see what caused him to collapse. 

Team USA U-18 Roster:

The roster for the next the United States at the next U-18 tournament was announced earlier this week. Of the 22 players on the roster 12 of them were apart of the team that led the US to a U17 championship. 17 of the players named to the team are or will be draft eligible for 2013. For a complete look at the roster click here. 

Suspension reduced:

The NHL has reduced Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres' suspension from 25 games to 21. NHL league disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan had originally handed out the 25 games but League owner Gary Bettman decided to reduce it. Torres will now miss only 8 games during the regular season but will be ineligible to play in pre-season games. Torres was suspended initially for a late hit delivered to the head of Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa. 

Thats all that went down this week in the NHL (apart from free agency) be sure to check back here every Friday to stay up to date with news over the summer.