I really feel I write these too typically, so within the spirit of equity it ought to go talked about that there was quite a lot of nice motion on the ice this vacation weekend, such because the Rangers solidifying their spot within the NHL’s aristocracy with a 7-4 win over the Bruins, or the Sabres managing simply 11 photographs on Saturday evening in opposition to the Devils (my boss is at the moment stripping the “Hockey Skilled” label off my desk. Sure, I’ve one. You’re what you manifest).
Okay, now that’s out of the best way, it was additionally a weekend the place the NHL additionally confirmed everybody its ass, a behavior it could possibly’t appear to get out of.
On Friday, the person usually agreed because the nicest and preferred within the NHL, Marc-Andre Fleury, needed to put on a Native American Heritage Night time-themed masks. Fleury’s spouse is Native Canadian, and he had a masks designed by a Native American artist, Cole Redhors Taylor.
This being the NHL, and someway nonetheless frightened of about 1 p.c of its gamers final 12 months refusing to put on Delight jerseys for warm-ups, and nonetheless beholding to at the very least the notion of no matter share of its fanbase are nonetheless Don Cherry-acolytes, stated he couldn’t. Fleury did anyway, and the league isn’t going to punish him or the Wild.
We’ve gone down this street sufficient occasions to skip most of it. About how the league is wanting within the unsuitable course in relation to the followers it desires to cater to, how the game is much too beholden to a The-Room-Is-Sacred ethos that retains it trailing behind, and so on.
However the league’s technique of not formally endorsing any outward present of help for minorities or oppressed teams whereas additionally making it clear that it gained’t punish gamers like Fleury or Travis Dermott for sporting Delight Tape on his stick is beginning to really feel intentional. The league doesn’t need the blowback from the angriest males on the planet ( who they’re) by formally endorsing any themed jerseys or gear, making an attempt to keep away from the “Woke Is Broke” label. Whereas on the similar time, it nonetheless desires the sheen from any participant who truly takes the step of defying this clarion name of the bigoted and silly by additionally not punishing them. Most followers have stated gamers ought to “dare” the league to tackle the publicity of fining them for exhibiting empathy and help to those that want it and to those that have not often felt welcome within the hockey world. It’s beginning to really feel just like the league desires its gamers to “dare” it to as effectively, so it could possibly sit on two chairs directly.
Fleury and Dermott have been by the wall already, hopefully sparking extra gamers to take action because the season goes on. Ought to the league proceed to show down any alternative to fantastic gamers for violating guidelines it seemingly made a giant deal out of earlier than the summer time, we’ll know what it’s they’re actually taking part in at.
Jacob Trouba’s assault with a lethal weapon
-In the meantime, to on-ice motion, the Rangers’ Jacob Trouba–who’s been below the impression he’s taking part in Rollerball for a couple of years now – bought merely a $5k fantastic for this:
Sure, that’s assault with a lethal weapon. It’s additionally not all that far faraway from when Duncan Keith bought a six-game suspension for this, together with a playoff sport:
Keith’s suspension was a joke then, making the hardly lifting of an arm to wave Trouba’s assault on Frederic one thing past farce. Nevertheless it was Thanksgiving weekend whereas Ohio State-Michigan was on, so nobody was actually wanting.
Extra grossness from NFL followers
Don’t fear, it was a standard one for NFL followers as effectively:
This man truly bought into the constructing. Let’s all take into consideration that.
Somewhat goalkeeping magic to shut . . .
It’s uncommon {that a} goalkeeper can stand on his head and single-handedly propel his crew to a victory like they will in hockey. Maxime Crepeau, becoming that it ought to be a Canadian, was capable of pull that off on Sunday evening to knock Seattle on their ass and ship LAFC to the Western Convention Remaining once more:
Typically, the bear eats you.
Comply with Sam on Twitter @Felsgate and on Bluesky @felsgate.bsky.social
