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* initially printed in Jan. 2018
Scott Stevens might be thought of one of many final of a breed of NHLer that wreaked havoc on different gamers. During a time when checks have been seemingly extra vicious than in at this time’s sport, Stevens threw his share of hits that rattled opposing gamers; some have been injured, some have been simply offended, however there was by no means a doubt that Stevens performed a tough, bodily sport. But, was that arduous, bodily sport thought of “dirty” when it got here to his hit on Eric Lindros?
For 22 seasons Stevens performed that kind of sport and helped the New Jersey Devils win three Stanley Cups. Some mentioned he was soiled however others revered Stevens and knew instinctively to not cross the middle line with their heads down. That was an invite to get checked onerous, as Lindros came upon. It was successful that modified his profession, ended his time with the Philadelphia Flyers and paradoxically did some good for the game.
Currently working with the NHL Network, Stevens introduced consideration to the difficulty of concussions within the NHL. In reality, he needed to retire after he was recognized with Post-Concussion Syndrome.
Scott Stevens, the Beginning
Stevens was a defenseman drafted by the Washington Capitals fifth total within the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. Having grown up in Kitchener, Ontario, Stevens was on the hockey highway from an early age. In 1982, he received the Memorial Cup enjoying for the Kitchener Rangers. A respect for Canadian heritage, the juniors and a ardour for the sport moved Stevens alongside to his subsequent pure step, the NHL.
Legends of Hockey has this written concerning the early stage of Stevens’ NHL career:
Debuting that fall with the Capitals, the large, sturdy rearguard earned an everyday spot with Washington, and so impressed that pundits that he was chosen to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team. Through eight seasons, together with a variety to the First All-Star Team in 1987-88, Stevens helped flip across the floundering franchise. His fierce confidence on the blue line made him a favorite with each his teammates and the followers.
“Fierce confidence” is one technique to describe a participant who instilled worry into the hearts of opposing gamers. But, one hit, particularly, ultimately outlined Stevens a lot to his dismay.
The Lindros Hit
Tom Gulitti, workers author at NHL.com wrote a chunk of their prime 100 gamers collection about Stevens. There isn’t any query that the defenseman was one of many NHL’s all-time handiest and prolific hitters. But, it was this hit on Eric Lindros in Game 7 of the 2000 Eastern Conference Final that set Stevens aside as a participant to not be ignored on the ice.
Of the hit Gilitti wrote:
“Although Scott Stevens always took pride in the physical part of his game, the Hockey Hall of Famer has never been comfortable with his devastating hit on Philadelphia Flyers center Eric Lindros in Game 7 of the 2000 Eastern Conference Final being one of defining moments of his 22-season NHL career. Lindros was knocked out of the game and sat out the entire 2000-01 season after sustaining a concussion on the hit, which was legal.”
Some might need discovered it troublesome to imagine that Stevens was able to regret nevertheless it goes to point out that he was not a “goon” or a unclean participant. Lindros, then again, appeared resigned about it. In a National Post story on January 16, 2018, by Michael Traikos, Lindros mentioned:
I’m not a referee. But it occurred. So, whether or not he bought a five-minute main or not, I’m out and doubtless not obtainable for the ultimate. So what does that matter to me, whether or not he bought penalized or not? It occurred.
The ESPN announcers mentioned that the hit was authorized however the query will linger so long as a puck slides throughout the frozen pond. Was it a unclean hit? Was Stevens a unclean participant? I used to be with some buddies lately who each mentioned, “No” however added that the excellence was shut.
Stevens Hits Led Concussion Awareness
Traikos notes that the bigger situation, as time has revealed, is that Lindros was enjoying after his sixth recognized concussion and his fourth in 5 months. Under at this time’s requirements, he probably wouldn’t have been allowed on the ice for that Game 7. Traikos, nonetheless, asserts that the Stevens hit was soiled: “Heck, it was dirty by any standards. Except the lunging shoulder that Stevens delivered to Lindros’ jaw wasn’t ruled that way at the time.”
Tim Panaccio wrote in May 2016, that on the time the hit was not deemed soiled or unlawful:
“Just 7 minutes and 50 seconds into Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final, Stevens, the most intimidating defenseman in New Jersey Devils history, caught Lindros in transition coming across center ice in the Flyer offensive zone … with his head down. In real time, measured against today’s standards, Stevens’ hit on Lindros is nothing compared to what seems to occur nightly in the NHL at breakneck speed. The difference is, back then, the Stevens’ hit was deemed legal. Today, it would draw a five-minute major, game misconduct and possible suspension because the principal point of contact from Stevens’ shoulder was the chin and forehead of Lindros.”
So, occasions have modified and what was thought of regular powerful play a decade or so in the past would now be penalized.
Whether or not you hurl profanities on the display anytime you see the replay the hit on Lindros, otherwise you take a look at it and acknowledge that hockey is a troublesome sport, the hit stands out as a defining second in Stevens’ profession. But, in an odd means, it was all for good as a result of it compelled the NHL to look extra carefully at concussions.
Panaccio identified, “Medically speaking, this remains the biggest impact Lindros had on hockey — he brought much-needed focus to concussions.” If Lindros had such an affect, it may be argued that it was the Stevens hit that served as a launching pad for the highlight to shine on Lindros and his concussion historical past, and subsequently to additional that focus onto the league as an entire.
Was Stevens a Dirty Player?
In May 2009, Matt Cullen wrote a tribute piece about Stevens. In it, he wrote about former Carolina Hurricanes goaltender, Arturs Irbe’s ideas on Stevens:
Arturs Irbe prompt throughout the 2001 Playoffs that his hits have been soiled and that he was intentionally attempting to kill gamers or knock them out for the playoffs.
That is sort of the accusation. Of course, he had seen Hurricanes teammates Shane Willis and Ron Francis each get pummeled by Stevens throughout the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
Cullen famous Stevens’ reply to those that criticized his play:
“What kind of respect do I get? Just because I’m a physical player, it’s O.K. to come at me and do what you want? Hey, it’s a hockey game. It’s not figure skating. You know what? I can take a hit and I can give a hit. I don’t care who it is. No one gets a free ride out there. I don’t get a free ride, and no one gets a free ride from me.”
Furthermore, Cullen agrees with Stevens’ viewpoint:
He performed onerous and was very bodily, however performed the suitable means and positively was not a unclean participant. Only 4 elbowing minors in his complete profession helps this.
Again, it comes all the way down to perspective at some stage, however the play of Stevens was not soiled or supposed to kill or injure different gamers. He performed powerful hockey when hockey was a a lot harder sport that it’s at this time. And, due to his powerful play, the NHL is attempting to take higher care of its gamers at this time.
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Stevens and Lindros are each within the Hall of Fame, deservedly. They share a thread in time that’s not remembered fondly. Lindros was damage with one other concussion and his profession was inextricably altered. Stevens performed a couple of extra years but additionally needed to grasp up his skates resulting from concussions. Lindros appears resolved to gloss the hit with an, “It is what it is” response. Stevens says don’t come throughout the road along with your head down.
Tom Canavan wrote in December 2000, that Stevens was not thrilled about having made the hit on Lindros:
From the second the subject turned to hitting and Eric Lindros’ title was talked about, it was apparent Scott Stevens was uncomfortable. His eyes appeared to glisten and it took a few seconds for the New Jersey Devils captain to resolve on Sunday whether or not he needed to debate the crushing hit on Lindros.
Canavan additionally famous: “It’s very hard, it’s tough,” Stevens mentioned Sunday in recalling the play and figuring out how unhealthy he felt. “It’s something I don’t like to think about and I try to put it behind me and go on.”
For me, that is sums up how I view the hit. Stevens wasn’t gloating however truly felt one thing for Lindros. Sure, Stevens justified that hit and others by saying gamers mustn’t come at him with their heads down. But, I don’t assume he had a thirst for hurting his opponents or presumably ending their careers. He performed a troublesome sport with a troublesome model and different gamers knew that. If they selected to return at him with their heads down, then they did so – probably knowingly – at their very own danger.
In my opinion, no, Stevens was not a unclean participant nor was the hit on Lindros a unclean hit. As Hurricanes tv play-by-play voice John Forslund says, “That’s hockey baby!”
Well, that was once hockey.
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