Leon Draisaitl suffered – a lot of time. And it was clear to everyone.
The Edmonton Oilers center suffered an obvious ankle injury during the majority of the NHL playoffs last spring.
But as is customary during the playoffs – and often throughout the regular schedule – the team would only disclose one of its stars and the keys to success had a “lower body injury” and was available to play. .
The escape attempt didn’t have the desired effect as the opponents knew exactly where Draisaitl was feeling pain, with some even taking a strange blow to the German’s damaged joint.
It wasn’t until after the Oilers were eliminated that the extent of the injury – a high ankle sprain – that Draisaitl had suffered was revealed.
So, in an age of social media and replays where it’s hard to keep secrets, along with the increased focus on the game in sports, why does the NHL continue to lag behind the NFL, NBA and MLB regarding injury disclosure?
“There’s definitely a balance,” deputy commissioner Bill Daly said ahead of the start of this season. “A balance between being more transparent with a player’s condition and the countervailing factor of putting their health and safety at risk. This balance has been struck in favor of protecting the health and safety of the player since 15, 20 years now.
“That’s where he still is.”
And while Daly added that the league’s playing partners haven’t requested changes to its injury policies in an effort to give bettors as much information as possible, NHL players know that a day may come when their bumps and bruises, strains and pulls will be made public every time.
“If I had it all, I don’t think people should even know how much money we make,” Chicago center Max Domi said. “It’s good to fly under the radar. But I understand that’s where the world is going.”
The playing deals the league has signed in recent years are included in hockey-related revenue (HRR) – the $5.2 billion pot of money from owners and players on the circuit divided 50/ 50, in accordance with the collective agreement.
More lucrative contracts with casinos or websites could increase this number over time, but there are caveats about reporting injuries.
“As far as the game goes, they might have to go that route,” Edmonton captain Connor McDavid said. “But you’ve definitely seen it with Leo’s ankle (in the playoffs)… some targeting is going on.
“You worry about that.”
Washington goaltender Darcy Kuemper said players will likely have to agree to be “a little more outspoken” when it comes to ailments.
“It’s really going to affect how people put their money into games,” he said. “You just have to live with that and hope that (players) can have enough respect for each other not to target specific areas.”
Colorado center Nathan MacKinnon said that’s a big question when the stakes are high.
“If you’re going to play something in the playoffs, you don’t want everyone knowing your finger is broken,” he said. “They’re going to cut you off.
“I have known injured players in the other team and I haven’t said anything. I’m not really looking to hurt anyone.”
Columbus defenseman Zach Werenski said opponents will be looking for any upside.
“You saw what happened to Draisaitl,” he said. “As a healthy player, you’re probably thinking, ‘Oh, HRR…let’s go, let’s develop it. But there are definitely two sides. I would probably err on the side of caution.”
He added that there was nothing wrong with targeting a player struggling with an injury by legal means between whistles.
“You’d almost rather not know and go after a tough guy and play fair,” Werenski said.
“The NHL is pretty vague about injuries.”
But Philadelphia winger Cam Atkinson added that the days of keeping this information internally are mostly over.
“There are no secrets,” he said. “Even if you’re best friends with someone on another team, whether that guy gives you information or not, word spreads pretty quickly.
“Nature of the Beast.”
THE GENERATING START OF KARLSSON
San Jose defenseman Erik Karlsson is second in the NHL behind McDavid with nine goals in 12 games.
The 32-year-old, who won the Norris Trophy in 2012 and 2015, leads all defensemen with 15 points after scoring his first career hat trick on Tuesday.
WRIGHT WATCHES
Seattle rookie Shane Wright dressed for just five games, averaging a paltry six minutes and 51 seconds of ice time.
The No. 4 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, who notched his first pro point with an assist on Oct. 19, was a solid out in four straight games.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on November 2, 2022.
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Joshua Clipperton’s NHL Weekly Diary is published every Wednesday.
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