Maxim Lapierre has little respect amongst many in the hockey world. His actions last night certainly won't help his cause.
While Lapierre has never been suspended (he should after this blatant cross-check to the back of an unsuspecting Scott Nichol), he's been in on more than his fair share of "dirty" play. I've seen him put his stick into peoples' skates as they are skating towards or near the boards, refuse to fight after chirping or throwing a dirty hit - all sorts of shenanigans.
*EDIT: Lapierre has been suspended for four games - sounds about right, to me.*
The animosity towards Lapierre is fierce - from both players and hockey analysts, alike.
Much was made of an incident in which he refused to fight the Bruins' Andrew Ference earlier this season, to which TSN analyst Pierre McGuire said that Lapierre had a reputation for talking the talk, but refusing to walk the walk. In last year's post-season, Milan Lucic was suspended two games for cross-checking Lapierre in the face.
Lapierre's reputation is well earned. He constantly acts tough and talks a big game, but shows little desire to get involved physically until the officials stand between him and his opponent. For a guy that makes his living playing on the edge and pissing off whoever the Habs' rival happens to be that night, he's dropped the mitts just eight times in his 260 NHL regular-season and post-season games.
His opponents show just the kind of "courage" Lapierre possesses:
P.J. Axelsson
Keith Ballard (twice)
Zach Bogosian
Steve Downie
Brian Lee
Petr Prucha
Maxime Talbot
Look, I'm not suggesting Lapierre should be "dropping 'em" with the NHL's heavyweights on a nightly basis, but your reputation is going to take a huge hit when you're unwilling to answer the bell for your actions, and an even bigger hit when you enter the ring versus players who will never be confused with Bob Probert.
But, hey, so long as the NHL continues to sport the Instigator Rule - the worst rule in all of sports - gutless agitators like Lapierre can hide behind the zebras whenever the going gets tough.
Why let the players handle it themselves? I'm sure somebody like Lapierre running around like an idiot doing stuff like this without any on-ice repercussions is safer...pssst.
After Lapierre's ugly hit on Nichol last night, TSN analyst and long-time NHL player Ray Ferraro had this to say:
"This is garbage. Gutless play by Max Lapierre...when they figure it out somebody should go fix his wagon...Now it's safe, Max, get in there, the linesman's there...Look at this play by Lapierre. Garbage. Gutless...this is what players talk about the lack of respect by players - that's it right there. That's a vulnerable position. Lapierre is a cheap player, at times...That is a gutless play by Max Lapierre. [camera shows Lapierre laughing on the bench] He thinks it's funny. I think the way he plays is funny. He's lucky he didn't play 15 years ago, 'cause he'd be playing with a different set of circumstances."
Right on the money, Ray, right on the money...
If you haven't read this anti-fighting article by Bob Ford making its rounds in the "Twitter world," check it out for a good chuckle.
Apparently the reason that the Olympics were wildly successful as far as number of viewers and far exceeded the popularity of the NHL is due to the fact that fighting is banned (suspension-worthy) under IIHF rules, while it's legal in the NHL.
Yeah, Mr. Ford, it doesn't have anything to do with the Olympics pinning the best players in the world against each other, the Americans' successful run, or a Canada/America overtime finale.
What a ridiculous article...
Props to Wojtek Wolski for sticking it to his former mates last night in his first game with the Coyotes.
Wolski scored the game-winning goal with just 22 ticks left in regulation, earning his new team a big two points while also denying the Avalanche from adding to their point total in the standings.
If Wolski is willing to get more involved physically and go to the dirty areas in the offensive zone, he will become wildly successful out in the desert.
Peter Mueller has chipped in with a goal and an assist in his first two games with the Avs, and after looking a little tentative and unsure of himself in his first game, looked much more confident and composed in the period and half I watched him last night.
It all comes down to confidence for Mueller - something he's lost since suffering a concussion midway through last season.
I really like Joe Sacco's decision to put him on the point on the top power play unit and alongside Matt Duchene at even strength. Coaching young players is all about putting them in positions in which they can most easily find success - something Sacco has shown an ability to do.
It will be very interesting to see how this trade turns out down the road...
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