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Blocking photographs is a giant a part of the job description these days for any NHL defenceman so when you end up within the lane, you’re hoping the puck will hit you.
Hoping, that’s, it would hit you in the best spot.
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“On the shin-pads, ideally. Or on the pants,” stated Calgary Flames workhorse Rasmus Andersson. “The skates, not a lot.”
“The ankle is the worst. Or perhaps the toe is the worst,” added Andersson’s defence accomplice, MacKenzie Weegar. “There are quite a lot of unhealthy spots. Even on the calf … When you get it there, it swells up and will get tremendous onerous, so it’s onerous to stroll after. However you simply don’t need it within the head space. Anyplace else, you possibly can sort of grind by way of it.”
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When you’re questioning about a few of the most fearless, selfless dudes within the NHL, examine the record of blocked-shots leaders.
The Flames, as they bolted for his or her all-star break/bye, had three among the many most daring dozen — Chris Tanev was sitting fifth with 135 blocks up to now, with Weegar (118) and Andersson (114) additionally within the High-12 on the leaguewide charts. All three blue-liners are on tempo for a brand new career-high on this class, one thing they credit score partly to their positioning in Calgary’s zone-style defensive construction.
Andersson, as he began his seashore trip, may need wanted to buy one flip-flop that’s a few sizes bigger than normal. He’s had a swollen wheel since being pelted by Sean Couturier’s shot a couple of weeks in the past whereas penalty-killing in Philadelphia.
“I used to be 90% certain that it was damaged,” Andersson informed Postmedia shortly earlier than the break. “I obtained a one-timer proper off the within of my foot. Fortunately, it wasn’t damaged, but it surely simply retains hitting me there. I really feel prefer it’s my candy spot.”
Or sore spot.
Andersson, Tanev and Weegar, having mixed for 367 blocks for the reason that begin of the season, will definitely profit from this nine-day layoff to heal a few of their bruises.
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They probably gained’t be tuning in to Friday’s all-star expertise competitors, for the reason that hardest-shot showdown solely serves as a reminder that one of the best within the enterprise can actually rip it. Whenever you’re anticipated to throw your self in entrance of these slappers, you don’t essentially must know what number of miles per hour the puck could also be shifting.
“Blocking photographs, particularly if you happen to’re on the P.Okay., it’s a non-negotiable on our staff,” Andersson stated. “We do take quite a lot of pleasure in it. I feel Tanny units the usual there, and we simply attempt to comply with.”
“I feel it goes to point out the character we’ve again there,” Weegar echoed. “Sacrificing the physique, taking successful or blocking a shot … If that’s your half to get a win, that’s what we’re going to do. It begins with our large chief again there, Tanny. He’s the one which begins it, and we comply with behind that.”
Tanev’s repute as a block-party-on-Bauers is a giant motive that this pending free agent will likely be a high goal because the commerce deadline nears. It’s been reported that 10-plus groups are already within the 34-year-old defenceman, and that quantity just isn’t more likely to dwindle earlier than March 8.
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But when blocking photographs is now, as Andersson described, a “a non-negotiable” for the Flames, Tanev’s impression must be evident even after his departure. The onus will likely be on Andersson, Weegar and others to make sure this stays a gutsy group.
“That’s an essential (stat) for us as a result of it’s been one thing that, except Chris, it hasn’t been one among our strengths through the years,” stated Flames bench boss Ryan Huska when requested not too long ago about having a hat-trick of rearguards among the many NHL’s particular person leaders in blocked photographs. “This 12 months, I’d even say our forwards are falling into the class the place they’re doing a greater job of attempting to get in the way in which of photographs than we’ve seen previously.
“However there’s quite a lot of brave guys on the back-end and once they step in entrance of photographs like our guys do, I feel it sends a message — the best message — to a teammate that they’re going to do no matter they must do for somebody beside them to have success.”
It’s no shock that shot-blocking was a preferred subject throughout Tanev’s look this previous weekend because the visitor on Hockey Night time in Canada’s After Hours phase. There was, in fact, a replay of his face-first slide earlier this season to ‘eat a puck’ — a preferred locker-room expression that isn’t speculated to be so literal — to forestall a scoring likelihood by William Karlsson of the Vegas Golden Knights.
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“Yeah, that was fairly silly,” Tanev deadpanned. “However I feel it was a 1-1 sport with 5 minutes left within the third, and I’m not going to let him have a clear look from in that space. I don’t know why I went head-first. I might have went the opposite method. However, fortunately, I didn’t get harm too unhealthy. I simply obtained a pleasant gap in my chin.”
Moments later, Tanev was requested if there’s a selected opponent — previous or current — whose shot actually makes him wince.
He talked about matter-of-factly that Shea Weber “broke my shin-pad in half as soon as.” He casually added that Patrik Laine “has obtained me a pair occasions the place my leg goes numb and I feel he broke my leg as soon as, too.”
Yeesh.
Possibly there’s not a proper spot in spite of everything.
wgilbertson@postmedia.com
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