[james_gsx]

This is probably the worst hit I've seen in the 13 years that I have been watching hockey. I have seen some nasty ones, but just the angle and speed at which this one happened tops the cake. I was watching this game live, and everything around me stopped when I saw this happen.

[mister ed]

Ouch .......

His helmet fell off ... shouldn't it stay on? Hockey ignoramus here....

[james_gsx]

Smyth is known for not putting it on tight enough. I just read on one of the hockey forums that he has a slight separated shoulder and a concussion. So... we'll see what happens.

[Sparrow]

Ouch, that looks awful. I'm sure the avs aren't too happy about losing a player like Smyth.

[brownsfan019]

James,
I assume you saw this recently:




that's just scary.

[james_gsx]

Brownsfan, I did see that. It's one of those freak accidents you would expect to see in a movie and not in real life.

Sparrow - Smyth has been out for a while with Stastny and Sakic. I think everyone is conditioned for injuries haha But I can't repeat the words that came out of my mouth when it happened.

[torero]

I got nothing against this sport, but I don't understand how a guy who's in control of the puck and gets taken away with a bump or a push. It's too violent to consider it a sport. I admit these guys have extraordinary ice skating skills and shot-making, but the game itself is not for me.

[Sparrow]

The NHL has toned down the violence level over the years to the like or dislike of some fans. Sometimes ugly things happen but overall it's not that bad considering the length of an NHL season with over 80 games + up to 28 games in the post season.
Also there are quite a few players who are in their mid 30s and even some in their 40s who still compete at a professional level, that's why I think it's not as bad as it seems.
European rinks are bigger, so games here are not as tough as in america.