Backes played a physical game that took a toll, and had concussions along the way. That's a tough style to have a long career with. Some players have bodies that stay, almost freakishly, intact. His wasn't one of them.
All teams want to save some tickets for single-game purchases. Otherwise, you turn it into an us and them situation. Other you have seats are you don't, which probably doesn't grow the fan base. Hockey is a better sport in person than on TV, so to win new fans over, the Blues need to get them in the building. (You could argue this is less the case for the NFL, which can be better enjoyed on TV.) For every fan like you who parks farther away and eats at home, there are others who make a special occasion of it and go all out for their one or two games of the season.
As anyone who knows me will tell you, I am unqualified to answer this question. People rave about the hot dogs in Montreal. And what they serve in the press room and what they serve in the stands are very different.
I don't know. Haven't seen him either .
It's that time of the afternoon: If you've got some questions, it's a good time to ask them.
Pronger's size would have made him ideal for this era, and he would have been able to to adapt his game accordingly so he wouldn't be sitting in the penalty box all the time.
Not to make you do any more math, but I wonder how much of that is driven by defensemen, who have a much greater chance of having a shot go wide or be blocked. Pietrangelo and Parayko have made big strides in that.
In a season that has seen players, like Perron and Schenn, run hot and cold, I think it has to be Pietrangelo. He's been very good and very consistent all year long.
I was at the game, so I didn't hear any of it. People whose opinions I respect felt it was a fine broadcast.
Earlier this season in Los Angeles, Jake Allen came off the ice in practice and gave his stick to someone on a youth team that was waiting to go on the ice for their practice, much to the player's infinite delight. I complimented Allen on that and he said, "I get 'em for free." Goalies don't change pads all that often, and it takes them a while to break them in, so changes have to be planned well in advance. Goalies may go through two or three masks a year. (They may have a special one for alternate jerseys.) I think the manufacturer picks up much of the tab. It's a plus for them to have NHL goalies wearing their gear.
Any player leaving the bench to join a fight would be ejected. Players know not to start a fight until the puck drops; I assume the penalty for doing it before play begins would be a game misconduct as well. But it's been a long time since I've seen that happen either. I don't know if fines would follow. Those come for plays that potentially injure someone.