Blues GM Armstrong on HNIC Radio

St. Louis Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong on Hockey Night in Canada radio from Friday. Head over to CBC.ca for the audio.

Hosts Jeff Marek and Bobby Holik discussed the Blues 2010-11 campaign, the off season and David Perron. Needless to say, Holik couldn’t miss a chance to stir the Joe Thornton hit pot once again.

While neither Marek or Holik said anything truly dastardly, the revisiting of the cause of a nearly 8 month old incident lacks tact, respect and professionalism. Holik has already shoved his skates in his mouth more than once with his perspective on the play and subsequent concussion causing Perron to miss 72 games this past season. Why did he feel the need to do so again? Not sure why a team he really should have no qualms or history with is apparently on his list.

I was also disappointed in Marek for steering the conversation, after Armstrong dropped the line mind you, in the direction of blaming Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo. He made a questionable pass and the consequences may cost his team mate his career. As if everyone involved doesn’t feel bad enough, let’s bust open that scab and rub some salt in to it. That play took three to tango and Thornton does share some of the responsibility for the result. Regardless of Holik’s pardon.

The courteous way to transition out of Armstrong’s interview would be to address resolutions to the head shot/concussion issue. Holik did make one very astute point. One that is at the heart of the matter. Paraphrasing, the game is so fast, that hits like those happen.  As a former player, no other person is better suited to comment on the changes to the gameplay style following the 2004-05 lockout. If the players are consistently commenting on speed perhaps its time to address it. Prevention is the key.

Maybe its time to go to an Olympic sized playing surface in the NHL.

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