As early as yesterday we've learned that Tom Hicks and George Gillett are teaming up again, but we're not talking about a Sports team here, nope ... they are both Vice Chairman to the Board of Governors, what does it mean to Habs fans ?
Well the board itself rules pretty much on err .... Rule Changes, improvements to the game, Salary discussions, Team discussions ( relocation, expansion ) etc ...
What is surprising to most is the election of Jeremy Jacobs to the post of Chairman, who knew JJ was that popular among Team owners !
Well just in resume for us Habs fans here are the new rules :
- From now on faceoffs can only be taken on one of the 9 positional spots on the ice ( no more referees taking faceoffs right behind the blue line )
- If a player conducts an act of interference with intent ( or result ) to injure ( crashing on a goalie with intent for example ) the referees can kick those players out of the game instead on just giving them a minor.
- If a player breaks away from his zone and gets hooked or tripped when he has a clear opportunity for a break away, he can get a penalty shot ( it used to be reserved for offensive zone penalties )
- The term Gross misconducts is apparently errr .... GROSS, so they've decided to just call it game misconducts !
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Salmelainen is a speedy player the term '' marchand de vitesse '' applying beautifully in his case, what has plagued Salmelainen since his arrival in the league is the inability for the small Finnish Forward to ... err... well to finish pretty much anything ...
but don't sell him short ( no pun intended on his 5'9 frame ), Salmelainen has proven himself a fearless PK'er with Elite breakaway speed and even though there is doubt on his abilities to stuff the net at an elite level, he IS one of those players ( whether you look at his stats in the SM Liiga or the AHL ) that has shown a need for a period of adaptation.
One of the Hamilton Bloggers I read told me that he remembers watching Salmelainen and Marcel Hossa play in the AHL, their NHL stats look similar in some aspects and they're progression is earily similar, here is quote from him :
'' Salm had drive but no hands, Hossa had hands but no drive ''
I have heard that there is possibility that if Salmeleinen can't break through this year, Helsinki has an offer ready for him, the Habs would still retain his rights I believe.
