Bad hit yes. This type of play is a significant problem in today's NHL and it's not the hit that is the problem. It has become a very significant part of the playstyle now to turn your face to the wall to shield and protect the puck because the players know that the repercussions for hitting from behind are very significant. It eliminates a huge part of the physical side of the game as there is no onus put on the player to protect themselves and they now understand the best way to protect themselves isn't to brace for a hit but to make themselves an ineligible target. Hagel is 100% aware of the potential for contact to exist but the instinct now tells him to keep his face to the wall. I'm not suggesting Hagel is in any way responsible for this but that the game has devolved into this. It is exactly how we see players throughout the league play now. Thirty years you would rarely see this particular play because Hagel would expect the contact and play it accordingly. I don't know that there is a good answer to this but there really needs to be some onus on players to prioritize protecting themselves. So many checks go undelivered in todays game as players are constantly aware that their target is highly likely to present their #'s last moment.
2 Comments
Coyle is a goon.
Bad hit yes. This type of play is a significant problem in today's NHL and it's not the hit that is the problem. It has become a very significant part of the playstyle now to turn your face to the wall to shield and protect the puck because the players know that the repercussions for hitting from behind are very significant. It eliminates a huge part of the physical side of the game as there is no onus put on the player to protect themselves and they now understand the best way to protect themselves isn't to brace for a hit but to make themselves an ineligible target.
Hagel is 100% aware of the potential for contact to exist but the instinct now tells him to keep his face to the wall. I'm not suggesting Hagel is in any way responsible for this but that the game has devolved into this. It is exactly how we see players throughout the league play now. Thirty years you would rarely see this particular play because Hagel would expect the contact and play it accordingly.
I don't know that there is a good answer to this but there really needs to be some onus on players to prioritize protecting themselves. So many checks go undelivered in todays game as players are constantly aware that their target is highly likely to present their #'s last moment.