Courtesy of Faceoff.com:

NHL fast becoming trainer's nightmare

"The speed increase in the National Hockey League since the 2005 lockout has also led to an increase in severe injuries, according to Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray.

"It's the game," Murray said Friday, when asked about why so many top NHL players have been hit by injuries early this season. "Without the red line (allowing two-line passes), with the stretch passes, it's a faster pace. Some guys are getting blindsided, guys are looking back for passes and other guys are coming at them from the side. We've built so much speed into the game, but as a result, there's now more contact at different spots on the ice."

In recent weeks, there have been some jarring open ice hits, with prominent players being knocked down and out.

On Oct. 21, Willie Mitchell of the Canucks caught Blackhawks' star Jonathan Toews with his head down at centre ice. Toews remains sidelined with an "upper body" injury.

Mike Richards of the Flyers drilled an unsuspecting David Booth of the Panthers on Oct. 24 and Booth has been out since.

When the Flyers met the Capitals on Oct. 27, Richards was on course for a similar hit on Alex Ovechkin, but the Russian managed to sidestep him.

Murray doesn't believe there is any head-hunting going on, he simply believes it's the way the game has evolved."
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Of course, Murray would say that - But, I'd have to disagree in part, because we've seen players line up other players and, perhaps in the heat of the moment or through poor decision-making, deliver checks which have caused AVOIDABLE injury.

Accidents happen; that's why they're called "accidents" - But, reckless disregard for another player's safety is no accident.

A good sound hip or body-check that sends a player sprawling or puts him on his butt are part of the game - Shots to the head or the knees are NOT innocent behavior, or "accidents"...They are checks delivered in poor judgment which, more often than not, result in serious injury.

As Ryan Miller was quoted as saying, recently (and I'm paraphrasing) "Players can stop on a dime, if involves a scoring opportunity, but somehow seem to 'lose control' when it comes down to willingly avoiding a collision with another player..."

Recklessness. Disrespect.

Yeah...let's go back to the two-line pass rule. With defense and goaltending the way it is, they may as well play on a gravel parking lot. Now there is some financial foresight for you. 2-1 games are sure to bust the NHL straight into primetime TV contracts.

The red line was eliminated several years before the knock out head shot became the usual. Let's just focus on the actual problem at hand, and make players respect themsleves out there.

And to make matters worse for Boston, David Krejci is out with the H1N1 virus

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

I need to see statistics that show that injuries have risen. Otherwise, I think the NHL's double standard continues to prevail.

Something isn't a problem until it's Sidney Crosby's problem. I think the injury bug is only more apparant this year due to it being a lot of high profile players that are injured.

Remove the instigator and let "tough guys" pay the price for highlight-reel hits on superstars.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Wow thats like 7/8 guys now that have it or have had it in the NHL. I know why the Flames went to a secret clinic to get the shots then

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

Kristian Huselias is put on IR for Columbus...

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret