Olczyk is the most annoying commentator in sports. He is an ex Blackhawk but commentates like he is not a fan, often overly criticizing Hawks players. It is one thing to be objective, it is another to come across as jealous of the current Hawks line-up and success. I saw this commentary live and thought it was typical Olczyk bs. He is really a jealous guy I think. He is jealous of the 'new' hockey and how skilled it is, not to mention Kane beating his records this year and an amazing slew of young talent from N. America, Russia and Scandinavia, in addition to 3 Cups in 6 years. He had a problem with a hit on Ehroff by the Blues' Reaves last night. Infuriating. Reaves totally shouldering Ehroff in the head. Annoyed is how I, and I think many Chicago fans feel every time Eddie opens his arrogant and anti Chicago mouth.
Kayla - 11 years ago
The announcer was being completely biased. Sure Carcillo could injure himself but what if Carcillo hit Yakupov and Yak got an concussion or injury of some sort?
Ken strong - 11 years ago
Any sensible hockey player with half a brain would avoid a vicious body check from a repeat offender goon. These players that have repeated serious boarding or hits from behind offences should be heavily fined AND given lengthy suspensions, and if continued, barred from hockey. Why let a few of these characters ruin what can be a fast and beautiful game played by skilled players? The rules and enforcement of them must dictate the game; otherwise the players and coaches will do whatever necessary to win, regardless of serious injury or death.
AC - 11 years ago
Seriously? He thinks a player should stand there, with an opposing player charging at him, and take a high hit to the head rather than protect himself by moving out of the way? Is this guy related to that other moron, Don Cherry? Concussions have been a hot topic for years - a lot of them the result of hits like the one Carcillo was trying to throw. The league has lost how many games from its star players due to hits like this could've been? How many players have retired earlier than they needed to b/c of prolonged exposure to hits like this could've been (see Paul Kariya, Eric Lindros)? And Ed O figures Nail should've stood there and taken a late, high hit from a guy who's got a reputation for throwing late, high hits with the intent to injure? I agree with the other posts here 100% - Ed O's a moron.
Leno - 11 years ago
Olczyk is as big of a hockey homer as John Garrett and im not surprised to hear crap like that from him, i only wish we could give him and Garrett a couple of shut up hits. Carcillo is a cheap shot artist just like that p---k Clutterbuck, its ok for them to play like a--holes but cry like babies when the tables are turned.
James - 11 years ago
I think Eddie O is wrong. If the puck was on his stick or at his feet, then I agree its a bad move, but if you pass the puck off and your supposed to just stand there and take your hammering while the puck is up the ice, thats just ridiculous and dangerous. Years ago (when Eddie O played) there was a very fine line about "finishing your check" when the opposing player had moved the puck. For whatever the reason the refs have really stretched out the time between moving the puck and taking a hit and its careless and dangerous. In the late 80's and early 90's if this happened to a guy like Messier, he would just feed the opposing hitter about 8 inches of elbow in the chops and the refs wouldn't call it and he would be left alone, from then on, so yes he would not have to duck. If Yakupov even put his hands up the refs would whistle the rookie in a heartbeat. The game has gotten ridiculous in that sense. The players cannot police themselves any more and the refs would rather call a simple stick infraction than a late hit, that could end someone's career. I applaud the kid for prolonging his season and his career by doing that, as long as the puck is not in his possession.
I came to love hockey back the 1960s ("Original Six") and the players of that era had respect for their opponents. True, there were goofs and goons, but they were the exceptions, not the rule. Unfortunately, today's hockey - in my humble opinion - harkens back to the gladiators of ancient Rome. Make the hit and then high-tail to ESPN, NHL Tonight, or YouTube to watch it over and over and over again. If the NHL were serious about protect its' players - and not just the stars - they should not hand out one and two game suspensions for head hits; season and life suspensions for deliberate or repeated attempts to injure. I hope I am wrong, but I'm guessing that only a death or a paralytic injury will make the professional leagues change.
Moreover, I would suggest that Eddie Olczyk is neither an idiot or a moron; he's a Blackhawks' announcer, broadcasting to a Blackhawks' audience. If put in a similar situation , each home team's announcer would have said the same thing.
Trav - 11 years ago
I suppose that's why ol Eddy is an announcer... Pretty easy to talk the talk but guaranteed he'd turtle if he was in that situation - and by turtle I mean let out a 5th grade school girl scream before hitting the ice in fear!... I didn't realize there was a need for more injured players with concussions... Maybe Eddy would like to tell Hossa, Crosby, and all the other players that have been concussed to take it like a man because if they don't the player trying to land the cheap shot might get hit!!! ..MORON!!!!
Daniel - 11 years ago
Ed Olczyk is a complete idiot, end of story.
Go Oilers/Nail Go!
Olczyk is the most annoying commentator in sports. He is an ex Blackhawk but commentates like he is not a fan, often overly criticizing Hawks players. It is one thing to be objective, it is another to come across as jealous of the current Hawks line-up and success. I saw this commentary live and thought it was typical Olczyk bs. He is really a jealous guy I think. He is jealous of the 'new' hockey and how skilled it is, not to mention Kane beating his records this year and an amazing slew of young talent from N. America, Russia and Scandinavia, in addition to 3 Cups in 6 years. He had a problem with a hit on Ehroff by the Blues' Reaves last night. Infuriating. Reaves totally shouldering Ehroff in the head. Annoyed is how I, and I think many Chicago fans feel every time Eddie opens his arrogant and anti Chicago mouth.
The announcer was being completely biased. Sure Carcillo could injure himself but what if Carcillo hit Yakupov and Yak got an concussion or injury of some sort?
Any sensible hockey player with half a brain would avoid a vicious body check from a repeat offender goon. These players that have repeated serious boarding or hits from behind offences should be heavily fined AND given lengthy suspensions, and if continued, barred from hockey. Why let a few of these characters ruin what can be a fast and beautiful game played by skilled players? The rules and enforcement of them must dictate the game; otherwise the players and coaches will do whatever necessary to win, regardless of serious injury or death.
Seriously? He thinks a player should stand there, with an opposing player charging at him, and take a high hit to the head rather than protect himself by moving out of the way? Is this guy related to that other moron, Don Cherry? Concussions have been a hot topic for years - a lot of them the result of hits like the one Carcillo was trying to throw. The league has lost how many games from its star players due to hits like this could've been? How many players have retired earlier than they needed to b/c of prolonged exposure to hits like this could've been (see Paul Kariya, Eric Lindros)? And Ed O figures Nail should've stood there and taken a late, high hit from a guy who's got a reputation for throwing late, high hits with the intent to injure? I agree with the other posts here 100% - Ed O's a moron.
Olczyk is as big of a hockey homer as John Garrett and im not surprised to hear crap like that from him, i only wish we could give him and Garrett a couple of shut up hits. Carcillo is a cheap shot artist just like that p---k Clutterbuck, its ok for them to play like a--holes but cry like babies when the tables are turned.
I think Eddie O is wrong. If the puck was on his stick or at his feet, then I agree its a bad move, but if you pass the puck off and your supposed to just stand there and take your hammering while the puck is up the ice, thats just ridiculous and dangerous. Years ago (when Eddie O played) there was a very fine line about "finishing your check" when the opposing player had moved the puck. For whatever the reason the refs have really stretched out the time between moving the puck and taking a hit and its careless and dangerous. In the late 80's and early 90's if this happened to a guy like Messier, he would just feed the opposing hitter about 8 inches of elbow in the chops and the refs wouldn't call it and he would be left alone, from then on, so yes he would not have to duck. If Yakupov even put his hands up the refs would whistle the rookie in a heartbeat. The game has gotten ridiculous in that sense. The players cannot police themselves any more and the refs would rather call a simple stick infraction than a late hit, that could end someone's career. I applaud the kid for prolonging his season and his career by doing that, as long as the puck is not in his possession.
Gentlemen:
I came to love hockey back the 1960s ("Original Six") and the players of that era had respect for their opponents. True, there were goofs and goons, but they were the exceptions, not the rule. Unfortunately, today's hockey - in my humble opinion - harkens back to the gladiators of ancient Rome. Make the hit and then high-tail to ESPN, NHL Tonight, or YouTube to watch it over and over and over again. If the NHL were serious about protect its' players - and not just the stars - they should not hand out one and two game suspensions for head hits; season and life suspensions for deliberate or repeated attempts to injure. I hope I am wrong, but I'm guessing that only a death or a paralytic injury will make the professional leagues change.
Moreover, I would suggest that Eddie Olczyk is neither an idiot or a moron; he's a Blackhawks' announcer, broadcasting to a Blackhawks' audience. If put in a similar situation , each home team's announcer would have said the same thing.
I suppose that's why ol Eddy is an announcer... Pretty easy to talk the talk but guaranteed he'd turtle if he was in that situation - and by turtle I mean let out a 5th grade school girl scream before hitting the ice in fear!... I didn't realize there was a need for more injured players with concussions... Maybe Eddy would like to tell Hossa, Crosby, and all the other players that have been concussed to take it like a man because if they don't the player trying to land the cheap shot might get hit!!! ..MORON!!!!
Ed Olczyk is a complete idiot, end of story.
Go Oilers/Nail Go!