Saturday, May 4, 2013

A brutal hit and the Cubs threaten to move

From where I sit it looks like a standard hit. A 'suicide pass' ending with a massive collision.



Eric Gryba got a 2 game suspension for blasting Lars Eller. The major problem is almost everyone thinks the hit was clean. Everyone, but the NHL. And I agree with the league. Sure, hits like that have always been a part of the game, but the game has evolved and it continues to make improvements. Not all that long ago a concussion meant you missed the end of a period before being sent back out. We know better now. It's not about taking hitting out of the game. It's about keeping people safe. How was that hit any different then a hit from behind along the boards? It's up to the attacking player to protect the opposition...not plaster his face to the glass. Yes, it was a bad pass. Yes, Eller was looking at his feet. But Gryba didn't have to leave Eller a bloody mess, any more than running him head-first into the boards.

Another city is being held to ransom by an owner. This time it's Chicago.



500-million is upgrades for a stadium that's nearly 100 years old is hardly surprising. That some people are not happy with this is even less surprising. It's a huge undertaking for any city and a hell of a lot of money. Edmonton, Seattle, Sacramento and others are facing similar dilemmas. How much public money should be going to arenas/stadiums? Is there a better way to spend upwards of 500-million dollars? How much gain does a city get through a state-of-the-art stadium and the connected team(s)? Seattle tried to call the bluff of the Supersonics owners...and now they are in Oklahoma. So, cities are left with a no-win situation. Provide the funding and anger a sizable part of the voters...or don't and piss-off everyone else. I'm glad I don't have to make that decision.

At least that's how I see it...and I sit in the cheap seats.

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