Ask Illegal Curve

In this week’s installment of Ask Illegal Curve, we have two hockey related questions from our readers:

Reader Bob Roberts asks: Think there’s any chance the NHL will catch up to me and master Bluetooth tech in order to have the refs wirelessly connected on demand to the war room in the mighty TO for replay calls instead of threading headphones through the glass and taking off their helmuts or putting them on overtop? I think it looks totally bushleague and besides, if I can do this tech stuff the embarrassment factor for the NHL should mean I can see a red glow in the sky all the way from here when they can’t/don’t. Come on Gary. Can you say 2010?

i.e. you could have avoided him if you were motivated to regardless of what that mean old opposition player did but you didn’t so sit in the box for 2 minutes

What about my Cup Winner rule for avoiding goaltender interference?

“If avoiding touching the goalie in any way meant the equivalent of scoring the Cup winner unassisted on a spectacular end-to-end rush at home in double OT…would you be able to avoid him?”

Bob, first of all, two excellent suggestions/questions. I can’t honestly say whether or not there is any chance the NHL would implement that kind of system, but it sounds like a winner to me. If the NHL is to stay (become?) competitive in the sporting world, they will need innovative ideas like this to set themselves apart from the pack. In the wake of the NBA officiating scandal, I would say that having refs wired into the the war room in Toronto is a good way to ensure fairness and to make refs think twice about any funny business.

As for the rule, I think the wording is spectacular, but don’t hold your breath waiting for it to be codified.

Reader Davey Boy asks: I just hit accept on a heeeuge fantasy trade. It was not an easy move to make and I’m still not 100 % on it.

I traded: Sidney Crosby &; Cam Ward
I received: Joe Thornton &; Martin Brodeur

Originally I though the trade was simply lateral but then I started thinking this may be the year to bail on Cam Ward. He is actually my favorite goalie, and it is early but it sure looks like the Hurricanes are destined for the basement this year.

Honest thoughts? I should add that in our head-to-head league the goalie can earn up to 4 of the 10 possible categories. W’s, GAA, SO &; SV%

I can see why that was a tough trade to make, especially given the star status Crosby enjoys. If you take a step back and look at the throw ins here (Ward and Brodeur), it seems you made an astute move. While Crosby is likely to slightly outscore Thornton (certainly not a given), the deal is more or less a saw-off there. Where it seems you “won” the deal is getting Brodeur back for Ward. Carolina is struggling mightily and now Eric Staal is down. The points you gain from a goalie/team upgrade should more than make up for any difference between Crosby and Thornton. In short, I would say you made the right move.