Hurricanes, Injuries, and the Olympics: Should They Play?
by Bob Wage on Nov 19, 2009 7:00 AM EST
47 comments
Carolina Hurricanes All Star center Eric Staal has already missed seven games this season due to an "upper body injury", which could mean anything from him having sore ribs, to a wonky shoulder. Trying to get specific injury information out of an NHL team is like trying to pry secrets out of the National Security Agency. It's not going to happen unless you have the "need to know".
But after reading a story published earlier this month in the Toronto Sun, it makes one wonder how many injuries Staal has gone through this year and when and where he got them.
Eric Staal is out for at least two weeks after suffering an upper body injury. This after a groin injury he sustained around the Canadian Olympic orientation camp slowed his start to the season.
Remember earlier this season when Staal missed some practice time because of a different injury? He continued to play in games, but rested a "lower body concern" by not participating in practice for about a week because of a nagging problem. Some fans criticized the move, saying that if he could not participate in practice, how could he be very effective in games?
Could that injury have been the same groin injury that he apparently got during or "around" Olympic orientation camp? Has Eric Staal been injury free at all, this entire season? If you were to look at his stats, it sure doesn't seem like it.
There was a lot of press about how Cam Ward had a back strain the first day of Olympic camp, but at the time there didn't seem to be anything out there about Staal being injured.
But whether Staal was injured at the orientation camp or not, this leads to another discussion altogether. Should he participate in the Olympics later this season and risk further injury, after having missed considerable time for Carolina already? And how about Cam Ward?
Ward was probably a borderline case to begin with, whether he would make the team or not, but Eric Staal would be welcomed with open arms if he wants to play.
Earlier this season, Gary Bettman took some flak for saying that the league might not support the idea of NHL players participating in the 2014 Olympics. But the commissioner was not promoting this idea just to be mean spirited. If a star player is injured in the Olympics and is unable to play afterward, his team might lose an opportunity to make the playoffs and it could cost that franchise millions in revenue.
Also, keep in mind that if a player gets hurt during international competition, they still get paid their guaranteed contract by their team or the club's insurance takes affect. It's a huge risk for ownership.
Carolina fans pay a lot of money for tickets. Most expected or at least hoped to be watching a competitive team play this season, which would include all Olympic hopefuls in the lineup. Do fans deserve to know, was the team's highest paid player hurt in orientation camp, and did that injury adversely affect his performance for the Canes early this season?
Joni Pitkanen falls in a similar scenario. The best all around defenseman for the Canes is on most expert's lists to participate for Team Finland. He has also missed seven games this season, for different reasons and is expected to miss more. After recovering from a preseason knee scope and then an illness, he is now fighting through a "lower body injury".
Of course injury problems are not just unique to the Hurricanes, the entire NHL is being hit hard right now. But as the injuries mount for Carolina, the franchise pushes against the cap limit, and the team falls deeper into an abyss in the standings, injuries in general become more and more of a problem.
If these players think they are healthy enough to play in the Olympics, should they participate? Especially, taking into consideration they will have missed substantial time for the Hurricanes already and they might be at a higher risk for further injury?
The Olympics are about three months away and there is still plenty of time for them to heal and return to action. Maybe this will be a moot point. What do you think?
(I will run a follow up to this article next week. Please leave your votes and comments below.)
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These are competitive guys, of course they want to play for their country. in my opinion its not up to the Canes trainers to clear them to play or not. Its up to the Olympic trainers. In the grand scheme of things the Olympics trump the NHL. It is a risk for all involved, but, GM’s know this when they draft someone like Staal, fans know of this risk as well. But there def should be some kinda clause about players hurting themselves in olympic play, and still being paid by the team. That makes no sense to me. I’d like to see that changed.
I like your answer. The Olympics are a Big Deal. For me it came down to personal freedom for the players. But like you said, if they get hurt, the team shouldn’t have to pay them. Oh yeah, and as we’re all learning about cap space, teams get a break if they’re IR level hurt.
by drifterscape on Nov 19, 2009 8:58 AM EST up reply actions
I agree with Tyler and Drifter on all accounts here – the teams don’t own the players and this is a huge honor at stake (even though I think we should go back to amateur Olympics, but that’s another show.)
I’d like to up the ante by protecting the teams. Have an Olympic trainer and team trainer both give participating players physicals before and after the games. Let’s face it – most players will play with injuries for the chance at playing for their country. I think the teams should be allowed to see what goes to the Olympics and what comes back from the Olympics. They’re paying the players a lot of money and should get some insurance here.
I haven’t heard about it in hockey, but I do know in other professional sports that certain risky activities off the field can negate the team being required to pay a player’s salary if they get injured. Like getting injured while riding a motorcycle. This would essentially be like the same thing. Simply allow teams to write into contracts that the players can play in the Olympics, but if they get injured then the team isn’t responsible for their pay while injured. Solves all problems – players can play in the Olympics if they choose to, and the teams have much less risk for them to do so.
The thing blocking it would be the Players Association, and you’d probably have to see the league/owners come out strongly saying that no NHL players should be allowed to play in the Olympics so that this could be part of a compromise. Might be why Bettman said what he did to lay the groundwork for exactly this?
by Pirate Caniac on Nov 19, 2009 11:20 AM EST up reply actions
The players should absolutely be allowed to play in the olympics
Do you really want to go back to the Miracle on Ice years?
But I also agree that olympic play should be listed on the exceptions to the guaranteed pay. My thought would be that injury time for the olympics should not count against the cap and should get a prorated pay (50%?). Just like an injury in a wwf match should cost you all your pay, respect, and any perks gained through seniority with the team, while an injury while doing a skate with the special olympics should be paid for by the team (if not in cap space).
How can NHL players play in the olympics anyway?
I was under the impression that anyone competing in olympic competions cannot be part of a professional organistation? Or do winter olympics not work in the same way as standard olympics?
I picked none of the above because none of the answer choices really hit the nail on the head when it comes to my feelings on this.
Teams (and the league as a whole) should not keep players from playing in the Olympics. That will only lead to confrontations and hard feelings on the parts of everyone. The Olympics are a matter of national pride and how can anyone possibly tell someone that they aren’t allowed to represent their country?
That being said-a player needs to keep in mind where his primary loyalties are-i.e. the people writing those nice big checks at the end of every month that keep them in the lifestyle to which they’ve grown accustomed. Players’ first responsibility is to do what’s best for their NHL team and then their country. Playing in the Olympics at 80% and risking re-injury is irresponsible on their part. And I would hope that they’d be mature enough to make that decision on their own without any sort of legislative body (i.e. the league or team) getting involved.
Since we have no ALL-STAR/OLYMPIC players on the Canes team its really no concern right now for us. Noboby from the Canes even Staal and Ward this season have not played well enough to be in the olympics. If anyone from the Canes gets picked it doesn’t say much for the skill and talent out there right now.
So, all my teams suck!
by canescup on Nov 19, 2009 10:14 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Gleason has a shot, too.
I don’t know how you can deny a guy a chance to play in the Olympics. The Olympics! I think the players should choose. I get the other point of view, but it’s hard for me to say someone shouldn’t get that chance.
All that being said, the Olympics with amateurs would still be great … better than the World Jrs., I bet.
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 19, 2009 10:19 AM EST up reply actions
Funny you say that, I original said Gleason was probably the only one that should get a shot but I deleted it. He has greatly pick up his game this season, even without the offense he has, seems he sees more of whats going on around him. For the rest of the team just disapointment. How do players get rewarded by being on an olympic team playing so poorly. Maybe this season has me looking at some of our team differently.
So, all my teams suck!
Ruutu, Jokinen and Pittkanen, will most likely play for their country in the olympics. According to a report on NHL.com. These are just projections, no other Canes were on the list…..Pre season Staal and Ward were on the list but due to injuries and downright crappy play (Staal) they were no longer projected.
I’ll give you Jussi, but I have not been impressed with Ruu or Yoni yet this season.
So, all my teams suck!
name six or seven better Finnish defensemen and 13 better Finnish forwards. ;)
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 19, 2009 12:37 PM EST up reply actions
lol! Surely there will be some Finns not in the NHL on the team, but there are just 27 that have played in the NHL this season, and just eight defensemen.
Take a gander here.
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 19, 2009 1:03 PM EST up reply actions
I didn’t even know Sean Bergenheim was Finnish. huh
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 19, 2009 1:06 PM EST up reply actions
well there’s that guy whose last name ends with “anen” an dthe one whose last name ends in “inen” And those two brothers whose last names have like 5 vowels in a row……
don’t forget that guy with the K’s, J’s and L’s in his name ;)
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 19, 2009 1:05 PM EST up reply actions
Here you go..................................
Defensemen (16): Teemu Aalto (Linkopings HC), Topi Jaakola (Sodertalje), Mikko Jokela (Dynamo Minsk), Lasse Kukkonen (Avangard Omsk), Mikko Lehtonen (Frolunda Gothenburg), Sami Lepisto (Phoenix), Toni Lydman (Buffalo), Olli Malmivaara (JYP Jyvaskyla), Janne Niskala (Frolunda Gothenburg), Petteri Nummelin (HC Lugano), Anssi Salmela (Atlanta), Sami Salo (Vancouver), Markus Seikola (Ilves Tampere), Kimmo Timonen (Philadelphia), Ossi Vaananen (Dynamo Minsk), Jyrki Valivaara (JYP Jyvaskyla)
Forwards (23): Sean Bergenheim (NY Islanders), Valtteri Filppula (Detroit), Niklas Hagman (Toronto), Riku Hahl (Frolunda Gothenburg), Jarkko Immonen (Ak Bars Kazan), Olli Jokinen (Calgary), Niko Kapanen (Ak Bars Kazan), Sami Kapanen (KalPa Kuopio), Mikko Koivu (Minnesota), Saku Koivu (Anaheim), Petri Kontiola (Metallurg Magnitogorsk), Lauri Korpikoski (Phoenix), Jere Lehtinen (Dallas), Ville Leino (Detroit), Antti Miettinen (Minnesota), Petteri Nokelainen (Anaheim), Oskar Osala (Washington), Ville Peltonen (Dynamo Minsk), Janne Pesonen (Ak Bars Kazan), Antti Pihlstrom (Nashville), Mika Pyorala (Philadelphia), Jarkko Ruutu (Ottawa), Teemu Selanne (Anaheim)
So, all my teams suck!
and you believe all those guys are better than Pitkanen and Ruutu?
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 19, 2009 1:08 PM EST up reply actions
yeah because if you slot Jarko above Tuomo in all seriousness……well I question your knowledge of the game. BTW Sami aint the same Sami you may remember from the first cup run. I tried to follow him some while in Philly and the guys decline was obvious. He lost his wheels.
I’m not saying they’re better, but you have to look at the stats and INJURIES. Ruu and Joni have been fighting injuries this season, do you really think they should play in the olympics and maybe risk getting a long term injury? If they had been healthy all season it might be a different situation.
So, all my teams suck!
Should be up to the players
All players know about importance of olympics, they grow up playing international hockey, olympics is once in four years. Another thing is that national teams for countries like Canada are stronger than NHL teams. The players learn a lot playing such strong teams. Even Staal, imagine if he makes the team what would him lines mates be. Sort of like All Stars game, except they play for real. Olympic play-offs are just one game instead of best of 7. So it is like playing several game 7s on an amazing team. This must make young guys better.
Injuries are a concern, but I would not make a big deal out of that. During NHL season or play-offs many players injured or get injured regularly and nobody complains. Playing international hockey carries less injury risk (there is less physical contact) than playing in NHL, so had the NHL not participated the players would be ridden harder in their teams and would get injured anyways.
So I disagree with the article that Olympics are “a huge risk for ownership”. Not true. They are the same (or even less) injury risk as regular NHL season. It is not like players are doing extreme sports, they are just doing the same thing they ould be doing in their teams, playing hockey.
Good article but I disagree that Ward only had/has an outside shot to make the Canadian Team. He was arguably the best goalie in the league at the end of last year and stepped up in more clutch games.(The olympics are all clutch games where if you lose your team could be done!) Although Fluery’s team won the cup that doesnt make him a better goalie, it just means he plays for a better team which is still the case today. Unfortuately for Ward the Canes are off to a miserable start and his injury wont help his cause. All that to say, I think Ward was a top 3 pick to make the team going into camp and into the season. I do however worry that because of the start and injury he wont make it.
Ward, prior to injury, was playing better hockey than any other Canadian goalie in the NHL.
To the point of the article, don’t players have to be cleared by trainers to play in the olympics even if they want to? So the first two choices on the vote are sort of linked? I may be wrong..either way, as long as they are healthy enough – they should play. I think playing for your country is a big deal to these guys and they deserve it. Hockey is a physical sport, injuries happen, they don’t make living by being super careful all the time.
Big Guns in the Olympics
I really don’t think Staal or Ward will be in the Olympics. There are lots of talented healthy centers for CA to pick from. CWard was fringe for a goalie spot anyhow but it’s the same case there.
Our best chance for representation are our Finnish friends – I would be surprised if they were not all on their team.
I agree that all of our Finns will be in consideration to play on that team. Gleason has an outside shot at the US squad. I think Cam has a chance at the 3rd spot which won’t get him any playing time but it will most like be Brodeur, Luongo and Fleury. I have a feeling Staal is going to push hard once he returns and will earn a spot on the team. I think it’s something he really wants after being passed over in 2006 (which was a huge mistake by team Canada).
OFF TOPIC.....
I have an extra ticket for anyone who wants it.
Good thing: It’s free.
Bad thing: It’s upper nose bleed.
Worse thing: You’ll be by me.
Worst thing: I’ll have my daughter and another female teen, her friend, with me in tow.
Damn I must have lived a terrible life.
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
Staal and Ward
Sorry but I don’t think it’s up to either of them at this point, I would not be surprised if both were already scratched off the roster for very bad starts and injuries. Ward definitely as Luongo, Broduer, Fleury, and Mason have all played much better and Staal most likely as injury or not he has 5 points in 13 games. There are just too many other good young Canadian players lighting it up.
All our Fins however (Ruutu, Jokinen, and Pitkanen) I would guess are pretty sure locks for Finland. Jokinen might have been questionable but he has had a real great start to the season, I would be surprised if he didn’t get the call.
Finns
I voted that it should be left up to the player. As others have said, it’s “kind of a big deal,” and I don’t think a team trainer (especially considering how “skilled” ours apparently are) should determine whether someone represents their country. That said, if Ruutu or Pitkanen or anyone else couldn’t play for the Canes for months because they aggravated an injury playing in the Olympics, I’d be annoyed. I still think it’s too big of a deal for these guys to be held out by a team trainer.
I, personally, will be rooting hard for the Finnish team. I’m hoping that Gleason will make the US squad, but I’d be a little surprised if he did. I doubt Staal or Ward will make the Canadian team— which sucks because they seemed so pumped about it this summer. Their injuries and the competition involved just seem to make it unlikely. I imagine that hurts a good bit.
Guess I'm just old fashioned
I liked it better when the Olympics was purely amateur competition, and wish it still was. I wish teams could ban players from playing in the Olympics, someone said they don’t own the players, which technically is true, but, the players are getting paid gobs of money to play in the NHL.
Someone already mentioned that other sports restrict what their players can do, like riding motorcycles (Steelers QB). Football is the only major sport that doesn’t participate in the Olympics, Baseball and Basketball do pose threats to threats to players, but nowhere near the risk Hockey poses to it’s players.
Yeah, the olden days....
when patriotic members of some military got time off from their duties as defenders of their country to play hockey…..
I have no idea what you’re talking about.
Personally, let them cheat to the 100th degree. Use these “willing guinea humans” to test out the latest in medical advances.
Don’t worry about cheating as it’s nothing but an arms race of who could cheat the best.
Either that or do what I do, I don’t watch any Olympics.
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
I have a theory on that
In the cold war there’s was lots of anti-red sentiments to fuel TV ratings. Notice how professional athletes can sudden participate after the cold war ended? They needed their TV ratings back!
Either that or everyone said “to hell with it, the Soviets looked like they were having fun, and those A-holes had professional athletes doing it!”
Actually, baseball (along with softball) is no longer an Olympic event.
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 19, 2009 12:41 PM EST up reply actions
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