The plane crash in Russia.
Sidney Crosby’s bad news.
Start the season already, before things get more depressing. (Photo: Getty Images)
• Red Fisher on the double whammy
• Brock Trotter mourns players he knew
• McCrimmon among the casualties
• Jaro Halak had talked to Lokomotiv
• Remembering Lokomotiv Yaroslavr and a photo gallery of the team
And some Canadiens stuff:
On a happier note, the NFL starts tonight:
Hockey Inside/Out: Absolutely everything about the Montreal Canadiens For editorial inquiries, contact Gazette sports editor Stu Cowan. For advertising inquiries, please contact your Gazette sales representative. © 2013 The Gazette, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited. Terms and Conditions Privacy Statement
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If Carey Price is the player this writer or others is most concerned about playing well this season, I am even more pumped for this year.
Guy has already been through more shite than alot of players face in a career when it comes to pressure etc…
My only concerns besides getting to watch as many games as possible this season while basking in barley delight is Markov’s Knee.
CHeers!
Last night the MSO opened up its new concert hall. The place looks beautiful. I am going to next week’s concert.
Ways in which the MSO is like the Habs:
1. Mike Boone covered them for the Gazette.
2. Got rid of their talisman (Charles, which means Lord or King, much like Roy) following an emotional and poorly handled break-up, which proved very destructive to the organization for years.
3. The slow recovery began when an American took over, culminating in a move to a new home.
4. Some say the current team lacks grit and has difficulty measuring up to the heavyweights (like Mahler).
I worked on production when they came to Joliette for the International Classical music festival, always we’re a great bunch, and the music was excellent as well.
If you don’t grok it, drokk it!
That entire area is enticing. They’ve done such a wonderful job.
If you have little ones, and you want a fun time, take them to run through the outdoor water jets. With coloured lights and varying pressure, my 2-year old grandson had a blast! You are correct HF72, the place is beautiful.
I recall Brad McCrimmon well. He certainly was a tough customer. What a sad day for so many families, friends, and fans.
I don’t think it is an unfair question to ask whether Carey Price might stumble statistically this season. He stumbled statistically LAST season after what was an other-worldly start.
In October and November of last season, Carey Price’s stats were:
22 GP, 14-7-1, 4 SO, 1.95 GAA, 0.931 SV%
Pretty remarkable numbers across the board, and ones that were real; Price was, by all acounts, playing like he was from another world.
Over the rest of the season, the numbers were more akin to a top-10 goalie than those of a guy who might have been able to challenge Tim Thomas for the Vezina had he been able to keep it up:
50 GP, 24-21-5, 4 SO, 2.53 GAA, 0.920 SV%
Still very good numbers from a #1 goaltender. But not out of this world, like he played for the first two months. And to be fair, some of the blame for his diminished numbers can be laid at the injury bug that plagued the team, especially with the loss of Josh Gorges that made the Canadiens PK more vulnerable.
He can still be an excellent, top-10 NHL goalie even if he stumbles. And he will have seasons where he plays extremely well, and others where he’s a little bit off his top level. EVERY goalie does, and Price hasn’t yet shown me that he is in fact an alien that is immune to the pressures and constraints that we mere humans face. I suppose we could ask our resident alien expert, Everlasting, for a definitive call here…
I think he will benefit from a stronger team in terms of wins and losses, but there certainly have to be some question marks about the Montreal defence corps that looks poised to feature two players coming off reconstructive knee surgeries (Markov and Gorges), two rapidly aging players that have become vulnerable due to a lack of footspeed (Gill and Spacek) and three younger players (Subban, Weber and Yemelin) that WILL make mistakes in the defensive zone as they learn on the job. It is not unreasonable to surmise that Price might be more exposed this season, especially in the early-going.
I am expecting anywhere between .915 and .925 for Price’s regular season save percentage. With the group in front of him he has a good chance at a 2:1 win/loss ratio. I expect Price to be a top 5 to 10 goalie (like all the other thoroughbreds). What I really want to see from him is an “otherworldly” performance come playoff time. I can only classify his playoff performances as average (despite the team in front of him).
NHL Playoffs GP 26 W 8 L15 OTL 3 Mins 1457 GA69 SO 3 GAA 2.84 Save Pctg% .907
I don’t have any concerns about Price in the playoffs . He’s shown in the past he can play great in pressure situations. The WJHC followed by his Calder run in 2007 showed that. His rookie season, the 2008 playoffs, I thought he was outstanding against Boston in the first round (think he had 2 shutouts, maybe I’m wrong and it was only 1). In the 2nd round I admit he didn’t play well against Philly, but neither did the team. There were several suggestions from experts as to why he didn’t perform well which included fatigue and Philly capitalizing on a glove side weakness ( since then he has worked to improve that and I don’t think anyone can say it is a waekness anymore). The 2009 playoffs is a wash to me. The 2008-09 season started with Carey being one of the best goaltenders in the entire NHL. He had top #’s in GAA, sve% and wins and the team was in the runnning for the Predident’s Trophy until he suffered the high ankle sprain. After he returned from that injury, he was not the same goaltender for the remainder of that season including the playoffs. It can be debated whether he returned too early to play in the all-star game or whether the injury would of taken longer for him to return to 100% anyway. As we all know, he only had limited duty in the 2010 playoff run. I think he only had 1 start, played well but lost 4-2 to Pittsburgh. I thought he was our best player in this spring’s playoffs series against Boston. Maybe some can say there was 1 or 2 games that he didn’t stand on his head out of the 7, but there was no games that I consider he played bad. He played as well as Thomas in that series, and Thomas was the eventual Conn Smythe winner.
26 games is a small sample size for him, if you took out the 09 playoffs when I don’t think he was 100%, they probably look a little better.
can’t we all agree that Price’s game deteriorated when he shaved his moustache after movember? nothing to do with his defense or his actual talent and work ethic.. the moustache was stopping the extra 1% of pucks
- Gomez is holding down the “overpaid” button
The stache was cutting down on the glare from the ice, like the black paint receivers put under their eyes.
Ken Dryden For NHL Commissioner
I didn’t think Spacek or Gill did anything rapidly, now I find out they age Rapidly. Oh crap…….
Ooh…well played!
Saying that the brain does not regrow, after any sort of injury – is an outdated theory.
It simply IS NOT TRUE.
Parent et al (2002, Ann Neurol) shows rat brain regrowth following ischemic calcification
Biernaskie et al (2001, J Neurosci) shows regrowth in patients following stroke
Stroemer et al (1995, Am Heart Assoc) shows regrowth, and synaptogenesis.
And these came from searching for no more than a minute on scholar.google.com.
While I’ll agree, the extent of regrowth may not completely balance the loss – regrowth certainly occurs. Also, Calmodulin increases following trauma which balances out Calcium levels.
And to those who asked about levels of calcium varying by player, its possible but calcium is a trigger of cell death with a pretty hard and fast plateau, meaning that player to player levels wouldn’t be as important as how fast their body can buffer the calcium away. Which actually occurs very quickly. High levels of calcium prevents action potentials and can lead to apoptosis, so the body does everything it can to rid itself (ie: buffer away) of calcium.
Detritus,
Lots of factors involved here.
One thing is that an acidic body can dispose of calcium better than an alkaline body.
You have that backwards, but human bodies don’t vary in pH enough to have someone labelled as an acidic body or alkaline body. Individuals won’t be different in pH unless there is something horribly wrong with them. In which case it would harm the brain and cause death
Here are the pictures of all the players that died yesterday. Sent to me from Sparky.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hctcadrv9WI
I would lose the excalamation marks, Ian.
Thanks Chris.
The article on Price falling off in regard to his save % is interesting. While it is quite likely that, logically and historically speaking, he will, let’s not forget that the healthy return of Markov and Gorges may just make it a saw-off. At least, here’s hoping.
This is a re-post of mine!
After concussion, severe depression and it kills.!
What is a concussion, as comprehended and explained by myself.
I have been involved as a lay person with research pertaining to neurology at a major medical university.
I have picked up a lot of information working first with veterinarian pathologists when I was doing research on my fox and mink ranch with calcium.
And I have been involved lately with the neurology research dept from a major medical university. Only as the handler of the research birds involved in the study. So I do not profess to be an expert on the subject
Pertaining to concussion,
I will try to explain, the best that I can, what happens to the brain cells that have been concussed inside the skull. And why one must stay completely resting after a concussion.
The very soft brain cells, when violently thrown against the skull, are damaged and the neuron releases a potassium chemical out of the brain cell. Leaving a void.
Calcium that is already present around the outside of the cells, seeps into the cells replacing the potassium. This calcium is what gives the chemical imbalance to the brain and is what causes the damage.
Until all of this calcium leaves the brain cells completely, and it can take a long time, depending on how much calcium was taken on each cell. The patient is left extremely vulnerable to instant death upon a second bump, or at least permanent brain damage.
Even a hard coughing spell or light exercise can cause severe pain and damage. Complete rest is needed.
These damaged cells have to be cleared completely of this calcium before one can resume activity to avoid more serious consequences including death.
This is very acute in young people under the age of 24 as the brain is still growing and developing.
Please, coaches and parents know this, every severe contact to the head can cause some cells to expel potassium and take on calcium. A second, even slight bump, with the cells still containing calcium, can be even more deadly.
Ian Cobb
LL–All things are possible. I agree that other cells can be trained to pick up the slack of dead cells sometimes, depending on how much damage occurred and only if the cells have been cleared of calcium.
But calcified brain damaged cells that have solidified are permanently damaged or dead.
During the Sid presser, I was wishing you were there to ask questions like these. I would love to hear those doctors try to explain how its even possible to regen these cells. It sounds like they were sugar-coating everything. Thanks for all the info Ian.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
The problem is that modern day science still doesn’t fully understand how the brain works. It is by far the least understood organ in the body, therefore no one knows the prognosis of one brain injury from another. We can guess at the outcome, but it’s still just a guess.
Factor in how similar injuries can present differently in two different people, and it only adds to the complexity of the human brain. The CTE research currently being conducted should help in understanding the effects more clearly, but we may never know the full extent of the damage and recovery time required.
Ian’s explanation of a concussion (above) is spot-on in terms of the chemisty involved, but who is to say how X mg’s of Calcium in one player’s head affects them vs X mg’s of Calcium in another player’s noodle?
Natrous– You are correct as far as one body over another. One thing is that an acidic body can dispose of calcium better than an alkaline body.
Absolutely, I’m not saying he will be back for sure. I’m just saying that his career may not be over. But of course no one knows 100% and one can find many documented incidences one way or the other.
Ian, I hope and pray that the sport doesn’t lose Crosby. Maybe because of him, studies might advance.
If Marc Savard had listened, he might have been forced to retire, but at least he would’ve had quality of life. He looks horrible. .0001% chance of returning to the game or having a long and healthy life.
Some good/exciting news. Some of the boys are back “Home”. Cammy, Weber, MaxPac and PK are in Montreal according to twitter. Hockey is near!
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
They were on the ice practicing yesterday. I don’t know about this morning. Finally, some movement!
@ Ian Cobb
Hi Ian, I just wanted to comment on you statement: “There is no come back once a cell dies. It is gone forever. How many gone determines the extent of disability.”
In principle it is true that brain cells do not regenerate but just like many stroke victims it is possible to regain some and sometimes all the previous function that one had since other brain cells can compensate for the lost ones (humans only use a percentage of their full brain capacity regularly). My father for example spoke 3 languages and had a “mini-stroke” as they call it and he lost the use of one of the languages due to the damage to his brain he is now slowly regaining the same level of proficiency since he decided to take classes again. The same is true for any activity, so Sidney being yloung may still come beck even if he has lost the brain cells. Of course each concussion or brain injury is different and it is always difficult to be sure one way or another. The major problem as I see it is that concussions are additive and depending on how many he had previously (junior to pro) he may end up like Lindros where a doctor finally “orders” him to hang them up.
Yes, I had the same thoughts.
The most interesting part of the press conf was, for me, what the 2 doctors were saying. They didn’t say Crosby’s brain cells would “heal” 100%, but rather he would have to retrain some aspects of his movements to be able to compete at 100%.
At this time I believe he’ll come back as strong as ever. The rest we’ll see when he hits the ice.
Only time will tell, but it seems to me that nobody knows exactly what happens when the brain is recovering from back to back concussions. I wish him the best recovery so I can root against him every chance I get.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
I can’t wait for Price to frustrate him yet again. ha!
Nobody in this world has full knowledge how the brain and nervous system works completely.
The tragedy is all those athletes who are forced back too early or lie about their symptoms to get back to play.
Crosby is doing the right thing in waiting.
When did Price frustrate him the first time, exactly?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEHGODYUsyU&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL3CAD139110EDC956
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asp_-NDIG7I&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL3CAD139110EDC956
Thanks for that. I love it when a guy celebrates a non-goal.
Friggin sweet saves. I can’t believe I ever doubted him. Sorry Carey.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
All things are possible.
Indeed a dark day. My deepest sympathies go out to all the families of all the players, coaches and crew members.
I also hope Mr. Crosby can play again soon. Get well Sidney.
It’s a little simplistic to state that ‘brain cells’ never re-grow following brain trauma.
Oligodendrocytes – constantly regrow
Neurons, while believed for ages to not regrow – were shown reasonably conclusively in 2003 that they indeed – do regrow. (Nakatomi et al, 2002: Cell). Prior to that, regrowth in the rodent (both mouse and rat) braing had been shown repeatedly.
So while, yes, 100% regrowth may never happen, it certainly could. The time of such a period though is quite uncertain.
Just to clarify for those who don’t want to read a long article in Cell…
Neurons do not regrow on their own, it is with therapy that Nakatomi et al. where able to “activate the neurons” (in simple terms) and they started to regenerate, they also showed that by injecting growth factors it speeds up the process and that the new neurons do actually participate in brain activity.
If the Habs can stay healthy for half the season I think they can finish between 3rd and 5th position in the Eastern Conference and if they stay healthy longer could win it, injury’s will be the deciding factor and I figured that out all by myself…
Savethepuck : the link works for me, try this one though : http://www.princeton.edu/pr/news/99/q4/1014-brain.htm
If that does not work you can just google : Scientists Discover Addition of New Brain Cells in Highest Brain Area
should be the first result you get, from the princeton website
If you don’t grok it, drokk it!
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Does_marijuana_help_with_Parkinsons_Disease
Does it help hockey players regain their scoring and assist prowess, even if they have a contract paying them over $7million guaranteed?
Players are randomly tested throughout the season much the same as Olympic athletes. If Gomez failed the test, he would have been suspended, so no, I don’t believe that ill-founded rumour.
interesting, i once smoked a joint with jan bulis
I doubt an NHL org would make a huge fuss about a player testing positive for marijuana, at worst they’d probably tell him to stop, and monitor him closely for a while.
If you don’t grok it, drokk it!
Dmitry Chesnokov, who essentially hasn’t slept since yesterday’s tragedy occurs reports that all teams in the KHL want to play with a special patch on their jerseys in recognition of the Lokomotiv tragedy. A design is being worked on.
You can follow the outstanding work of Mr. Chesnokov on Twitter @dchesnokov he is a regular writer for Puck Daddy as well.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
Putin asked that each KHL team contribute 3 players to reform the Lokomotiv team as well. Alot of players said they would want to play there too.
If you don’t grok it, drokk it!
If Putin told me where he thinks I should play I would interpret it as more than a suggestion.
Yah, I would say Putin still has a little “influence” in Russia.
Stillman to announce his retirement today.
If Arpon Basu was our GM he would be retiring as a Hab today I guess hehe
I try not to read Arpon Baitsyou too often. His articles are schizophrenic, with the 1st half often completely at odds with his conclusions. I’ve said it often; the man needs an editor….badly.
I also find it interesting how Engels and Arpon are always backing each other up on their blogs.
You mean Harpon Baitsyou
Touché, HH.
It’s was beauty assist on your part, all I needed to do was tap it in.
Maybe McCabe will hang them up next, save us the hassle of hearing about him in Montreal.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
Thanks below people! Appreciated
Ian what were your thoughts on Crosby’s press conference yesterday?
He will get the very best care, but the brain cells that are dead do not come back. The cells that are still containing calcium, may never discharge it and he will always be somewhat impaired. He is lucky to have not gone into depression yet!
But his days playing are over if he is smart! Another concussion could kill him, or at the very least leave him even more disabled for life.
That was why I found it odd in that they kept talking about getting back to a 100% recovery. Seemed to me like they don’t acknowledge that some cells were destroyed permanently. I was wondering if due to his young age, was there a chance for greater recovery as opposed to if this happens to someone over 30 years old.
Even worse when younger, as the brain is still developing.
There is no come back once a cell dies. It is gone forever. How many gone determines the extent of disability.
Other cells still containing calcium is what is giving the imbalance as well. Some may discharge the calcium, but now it is more likely that the calcium will solidify and kill the cell.
Hope I was able to express to you properly.
I knew I heard about this brain cell regeneration thing in the past years, and that common knowledge was brain cells do no regenerate, but that information has come into question in the last decade.
Check this out : http://biology.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=biology&cdn=education&tm=43&f=00&tt=11&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.princeton.edu/pr/news/99/q4/1014%252Dbrain.htm
If you don’t grok it, drokk it!
Shiram, your link doesn’t seem to be working.
Actually Ian I am not so sure that is true about brain cells. That used to be the belief but not any more. Crosby needs to give up the game, buy himself a vaporizer and get himself a prescription for some medicinal marijuana and really chill out. The THC will help rebuild his cognitive self again. At least he can have his brain back if not his hockey career.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Does_marijuana_help_with_Parkinsons_Disease
I think shiram’s link is –>
http://www.princeton.edu/pr/news/99/q4/1014-brain.htm
HELP!
I have a team schedule, but I need one with the broadcast stations on it.!
Someone Please! (Including preseason games)
Ian, the official site has all regular games listed along with TV network:
http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/schedule.htm
Doesn’t have pre-season games, though. I guess they aren’t televising them… Hope it’s what you needed.
*EDIT* My bad, you can find the pre-season info here:
http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/schedule.htm?season=20112012&gameType=1
“There’s genius everywhere, but until they turn pro, it’s like popcorn in the pan. Some pop… some don’t.”
- Jerry Maguire
7 of the 8 pre-season games will be broadcast on rds
Tuesday Sept 20th 7:30pm – Stars vs Canadiens
Wednesday Sept 21st 7:30pm- Sabres vs Canadiens
Saturday Sept 24th 7pm – Senators vs Canadiens
Sunday Sept 25th 7PM – Canadiens vs Bruins in Halifax
Monday Sept 26th 7:30pm – Bruins vs Canadiens
Thursday Sept 29th 7:30pm – Lightning vs Canadiens
Saturday Oct 1st 7pm – Canadiens vs Lightning in Quebec city
My bad, I edited my post above. Thanks!
“There’s genius everywhere, but until they turn pro, it’s like popcorn in the pan. Some pop… some don’t.”
- Jerry Maguire
ahhhhh
oh well the world doesnt have enough redundancy so… REJOICE
Thanks!
Hope this Cheers You Up
http://www.Sholi2000.com
Brandon, MB,Canada
R7B 2R7
hockey@sholi2000.com
Ph- 204 724 8418
Let us all hope this tragedy is not repeated. Condolences to all the families and friends.
I also hope that Crosby returns, but I think it would be a big mistake. He plays a physical game that his concussed and damaged brain may no longer be able to handle.
http://achicksperspective.wordpress.com/2011/09/07/reality-check/
A worthwhile but gut-wrenching read.
http://twitter.com/andrewberkshire
Very powerful Andrew, not much else to say.
WOW – first of all RIP to all those involved and many prayers for their family and friends. I question the authors need to make it public so soon… I am only guessing it was theraputic for the author since it seemd to be so devastating on them.
Therapeutic is my guess as well.
http://twitter.com/andrewberkshire
Thank you for posting this Andrew. Just called the wife and daughter because I was in such a rush to get to work this morning, I didn’t tell them how much they are loved.
“There’s genius everywhere, but until they turn pro, it’s like popcorn in the pan. Some pop… some don’t.”
- Jerry Maguire
That’s really hard to read
A horrible day indeed! We should never take life for granted. Has anything like this ever happened before? I know that there have been sports team traveling accidents where a few players died, but to loose a whole teem. I wonder how the KHL will deal with this situation.
————————
“That’s the save of the year and it’s not even the year yet!”
I heard on Toronto Sports Radio this morning talk of the KHL president asking all teams to offer 3 players per team in order to build a roster for the team lost.
Apparantly most leagues have contingency plans for a situtation where a team is lost. Not sure the KHL had anything formal in place.
There have been at least 2 movies about similar events. Alive(1993) was about a Uruguayan Rugby team who’s plane crashed in the Andes Mountains in 1972. And We Are Marshall(2006) was about a plane crash that killed the Marshall University football team in 1970. I read something yesterterday too about the entire 18 member US figure skating team all dieing in a crash on the way to the 1961 World Championships, which I had never heard of before.
Happened to Man U too.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munich_air_disaster
____________________________________________________
They lost me 2 quarts of rum, better make it up next year with a cup!
US figure skating team (1961)
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/us-figure-skating-team-killed-in-plane-crash
Marshall University football team (1970)
http://www.marshall.edu/library/speccoll/virtual_museum/memorial/default.asp
manchester United soccr team (1958)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munich_air_disaster
Torino FC in Italy. They were the Habs or Yankees of their day, and never recovered after a plane crash in 1949.
Very sad.
P.S. Dont bother putting links to a paywall waste of time and will turn your blog customers off
Ooh Aah Habs on the war path
My deepest condolences go out to the families on this very sad day.
Words cannot describe how I and others feel on this tragedy.
A day that shall always be remembered in out lives!
“We will win the Cup one day only with ? in the nets “
Continued thoughts and prayers to all the families and friends of those lost yesterday.
I can’t imagine how hard also it must be for the other families who have watched their husbands/fathers make the switch to the KHL to extend their career or begin etc… Seeing what has happened and hearing reports of what seems like an unsafe airline industry in Russia must be very unnerving.
Sid the Kid , 24 years old , not even close to his prime , and he may never play again , i may have grown a heart over night because thats just sad , was really hoping to see him in a hab uniform before he retired but now i just want to see him back , too bad the fans care about the game and the owners care about the size of their pockets,
The press conference I saw seemed to have been pretty upbeat. At no point did I hear anyone say that his carrier was over. Maybe they were just putting on a brave face, but they all seemed to be very confident about a full recovery and eventual return to play.
————————
“That’s the save of the year and it’s not even the year yet!”
I watched it and the cynic in me was almost disturbed at how they described the rehab and the fact he would recover to 100% etc… It almost sounded to me like they would fix this like you fix a broken leg. I realize I am drastically paraphrasing/supposing, but compared to hearing other doctors speaking of other concussed athletes it just seemed completely different?
Ian, I would be very curious to hear what you thought of the press conference yesterday.
I don’t know just seemed like they have the cure for concussions, but only for Sidney.
I watched the entire press conference too and am not sure which news source he is getting his info from, unless he is really good at reading between the lines.
I’m thinking that his numbers will improve. 43-16-5-6
Markov back.
Suban a year older.
Added more goals to the team total.
Young Guns will add 5-15 points more than last year.
Carey was incredible last season. If he’s just average this year, he’ll still be better than anything we’ve had in goal since Patrick.
Shane Oliver
http://www.Sholi2000.com
Brandon, MB,Canada
R7B 2R7
hockey@sholi2000.com
Ph- 204 724 8418
Hard to argue with yalls. He led the entire league in wins behind an injury depleted defense last year. Don’t see any reason why his numbers shouldn’t improve this season.
I feel the Habs will be the most underestimated team in the league this year. Building on the successes of last year with a healthy lineup, I see no reason why we can’t contend for the East.
GHG