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McKenna’s Mailbag: Answering about everything from treatment of goalies to players on social media

Mike McKenna
Mike McKenna(MikeMcKenna56)
Nov 6, 2021, 12:29 EDTUpdated: Nov 6, 2021, 18:51 EDT
McKenna’s Mailbag: Answering about everything from treatment of goalies to players on social media

By: Mike McKenna:

My answer: Oh, it gave me huge anxiety seeing Thatcher Demko tending goal with a bare blocker hand. Skate blades were always my biggest fear as a player. I took every precaution to wear cut-resistant undergarments and a high neck guard, but it was impossible to prepare for everything – like losing your blocker midway through a save sequence.

Good on Demko for battling through and getting the job done for his team, but how dangerous is that? He could have easily lost a finger. In my opinion it’s ridiculous how the rule book treats these situations. Essentially it’s this: “play on.” 

That’s not how it should be. Demko’s physical health was in peril. Can you believe it’s the same way if the goalie’s mask comes off? If it’s a scoring chance, play is supposed to continue. I think it’s reckless on behalf of the NHL and the NHLPA to allow its players – goaltenders specifically – to continue playing without essential protective equipment.

My answer: It’s no surprise given Alex’s history as a prolific goal scorer at the lower levels of hockey. In 2018-19 he scored 34 goals in 74 games for Tampa Bay’s AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. In 2017-18, he scored 53 goals in 65 goals for Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL. 

To me, Barré-Boulet is a classic example of a player that needs to be on a scoring line to have success in the NHL. He’s not a bottom-six player. The Lightning have plenty of skilled grinders to fill those spots. Pat Maroon, Corey Perry, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – they are unlikely to fill an elevated role on one of the top scoring lines. That’s where Barré-Boulet makes sense. The tough part is if he goes on waivers, someone will likely claim him. He will be a full-time NHL player soon – but I’m not sure in which organization.

My answer: Taking only this season’s play into account: here’s my top-five NHL goaltenders through November 6, 2021:

  1. Igor Shesterkin
  2. Sergei Bobrovsky
  3. Frederik Andersen
  4. Elvis Merzlikins
  5. Jacob Markstrom

My answer: I absolutely despised having to sit somewhere else in the arena rather than on the bench with my teammates. The intentional segregation of the backup goaltender is beyond comprehension. There’s simply no excuse not to have enough room on the bench for all players – goalies included.

Think about it: when I’m backing up, I could be tossed into the game at any moment. Why on earth should I be sitting under the stands in San Jose? Or in the locker room, like in Chicago or Minnesota? Or across the ice surface, like in Montreal?. There’s value being on the bench with your teammates. I loved being able to interact with my goalie partner in-game. I relied on them for feedback and an occasional laugh. They kept me grounded.

My answer: I really like the city of Buffalo. I have a lot of friends living there and they’re a proud bunch. They’re passionate. And they deserve better. Talking with former teammates that have played there, my gut feeling is that it’s a case of over-involved ownership. Poor leadership breeds dysfunction. And that’s what I think has happened in Buffalo.
 
As for Vegas – they have some very smart people working the abacus. The Golden Knights are currently this season’s odds-on favorite to win gold in salary cap gymnastics. Purely from a mathematical standpoint it’s been impressive. Some teams spend more than others on capologists and it shows.

My answer: Early in my career, social media was a novelty. A lot of players dismissed it. Teams did not encourage players to use Twitter, Instagram, etc. It was considered selfish within the hockey culture. At best, it was tolerated. At worst, teams did not allow it. That’s changed over time. Players – and the NHL – realized the power of social media. On a personal level, I’ve had far more positive interactions than negative and had some really cool opportunities come from social media.

I think the great majority of players utilize Twitter now. It’s their news source. Even if they don’t post often, they will scroll through it. And the players who don’t have a public account – you can bet they have a shadow account. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had players or management comment on my tweets – and I can’t find their public account. I find the shadow society hilarious.

I can’t think of anyone that was completely enamored with the words of social media. But Instagram? Oh yeah. Dudes are on Insta nonstop. They sure do love pictures.

My answer: No, I think the Chicago Blackhawks have bigger problems than Jeremy Colliton’s coaching. They might be one of the worst 5-on-5 teams I’ve ever seen, but the way that roster is constructed isn’t conducive to winning. The Hawks need a new GM and President in the worst way. And quite honestly, hockey should be the least of their concerns right now. The entire organization needs a makeover on and off the ice.

My answer: You’re spot on, Kyle. It’s almost become taboo to play the same goaltender two nights in a row in the NHL. I don’t have specific analytics in front of me, but I do know there is some statistical evidence that playing a fresh goaltender gives a better chance of winning.

It is interesting though: in the AHL, games are often clumped together on the weekend and goaltenders will play back-to-back. I even played three games in three days on a few occasions. I actually enjoyed it and felt like the rhythm was beneficial to my game. So it’s always funny to me when I see quotes from an NHL coach talking about the gamble of playing a goalie two nights in a row. I know the stats may say it’s risky, but I love a goalie that can step in and play every night.

My answer: Absolutely – being a high draft pick is a blessing. Teams have entire scouting staffs whose jobs rely on these players making it to the NHL. Over my career I saw so many early draft picks get second, third, even fourth chances – when a late pick would have been kicked to the curb.

I firmly believe this: if you’re an early draft pick, teams will make excuses for you. They will do everything they can to justify the pick. Teams like to prove they were right. For low draft picks, it’s up to the player to prove teams wrong. The deck is stacked against them. But that doesn’t mean they can’t come out on top. Ultimately if a player is good enough, both mentally and physically, they’ll probably make it.

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