The Noon Number

by J.P. on Jan 5, 2012 12:01 PM EST in The Noon Number

7 - Number of fighting majors Matt Hendricks has received in the 54 games since his current two-year contract extension was announced last February (with two of those seven coming within his first five games after the announcement). In the prior 57 games he played for Washington, Hendricks had 12 fighting majors, and in his 60 NHL games prior to that, he had 11.

(h/t HockeyFights.com)

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And beyond even the lack of fighting majors, he doesn’t seem to be “agitating” with any sort of regularity this season.

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by Kolzilla on Jan 5, 2012 12:19 PM EST reply actions

#needmorehendrickspugilism

by Lars Rover on Jan 5, 2012 12:26 PM EST reply actions

#needsmorebradley

by Brainumbc on Jan 5, 2012 12:54 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I like Matt Hendricks and have been rooting for him. I was fine that he got a contract extension. However, some people liked my comments at the time that I thought an above minimum contract was too much for this player and that a 2 year contract was not right for this player, either.

I’ll focus on his overall play rather than the fighting as I’m not a pro-fighting in hockey fan, but his overall game is not the same and hasn’t been for some time, including the playoffs last season.

Late last year and in the off-season, there was some discussion about whether it was Hendricks playing like every game was his last pre-contract extension or playing every game like his last and when the playoffs started everyone else was, too. The issue is he hasn’t been as effective a player this year. Basing this on watching him play not on any particular stats.

by sk84fun_dc on Jan 5, 2012 12:27 PM EST reply actions

“liked” should read “didn’t like”

I changed part of the sentence and it resulted in a typo, oops.

by sk84fun_dc on Jan 5, 2012 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

Further to your point, 7G, 12A pre-extension; 3G, 7A since (but reduced ice time should be noted).

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by J.P. on Jan 5, 2012 12:35 PM EST up reply actions

Further to your point, 7G, 12A pre-extension; 3G, 7A since (but reduced ice time should be noted).

Some of that drop in personal goal scoring is bad luck.

Individ scoring chances per game:

2010-11 1.32
2011-12 1.29

He converted 7/49 (14.3%) last year but just 1/22 this year (4.5%). And that one was pretty flukey if memory serves.

"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau

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by NGreenberg on Jan 5, 2012 2:00 PM EST up reply actions

Do you have it broken down by before/after Feb. 23? Because that’s really the dividing line we’re looking at.

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by J.P. on Jan 5, 2012 3:11 PM EST up reply actions

Sure.

Before and incl Feb 23: 1.31 indiv chances per game, 7/38 (18.4%)

After Feb 23: 1.32, 3/33 (9.1%)

"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau

See my work in the Washington Post and on ESPN Insider.

Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg

by NGreenberg on Jan 5, 2012 4:08 PM EST up reply actions

Word.

Obviously the offensive production isn’t the big takeaway here (as you’ve clarified), but rather the question of whether a bit of job security has taken some of the bark out of the dog.

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by J.P. on Jan 5, 2012 4:34 PM EST up reply actions

And further to the “comments at the time,” here’s the thread. Always interesting to revisit these. I’m pretty sure I still feel the way I did then:

I think it’s a bit of an overpayment. Nothing I’m going to lose sleep over (especially in light of the way this franchise throws money at borderline NHLers), but it’s a bit heavy (both on dollars and years) considering how replaceable he is (I know that word’s going to offend some folks, but it’s da troof).

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by J.P. on Jan 5, 2012 12:39 PM EST up reply actions

I felt a bit stronger than your did about the combo of year and dollars, but yes, I recalled when I was typing earlier that you weren’t one of the ‘some people’ I mentioned above.

by sk84fun_dc on Jan 5, 2012 12:42 PM EST up reply actions

The decline in production – pugilistic and otherwise – is disappointing. I somehow managed to avoid posting in the Hendricks is resigned thread, and I can’t remember my reaction at the time.

No doubt you were right, though.

Patron saint of quality footwear.

by fat_daddyo on Jan 5, 2012 12:56 PM EST up reply actions

bah, you not your, I should quit typing for the day.

by sk84fun_dc on Jan 5, 2012 12:57 PM EST up reply actions

His ice time has been dropping a fair amount though. Less time allows for less asshattery.

Though I did like him smirking at somebody 5-6 games ago after he drew a minor from the other guy.

"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro"

by Steve-R on Jan 5, 2012 12:29 PM EST reply actions

He was on the ice with Bourque when Bourque ran Vokoun after getting out of the box for elbowing Baxter…

Please, call me F&B.

by Rob Parker on Jan 5, 2012 12:49 PM EST up reply actions

___

While it’s not really the reason we went with this as the Nooner, I do think it’s worth pointing out the shift charts for Hendricks and Rene Bourque for the last ten minutes of Tuesday night’s game:

That ~50-52 minute block is Bourque’s time in the box for elbowing Backstrom. When he leaves, 26 is on the ice.

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by J.P. on Jan 5, 2012 12:34 PM EST reply actions

Hendricks is the guy I’d have like to see go after Bourque. He’s small enough that I doubt Bourque would have been afraid to take him on, but I think Hendricks could have given him a nice beatdown. Without his fighting and agitating, Hendricks is barely above an AHL player.

Failure is always an option.

by timmyv38 on Jan 5, 2012 1:13 PM EST up reply actions

I suspect he was told to stand down. If Bourque comes out of the box with 8 minutes left, and Hendricks goes right after him, he risks taking an instigator with 8 minutes left in a 2 goal game.

46.11 Instigator – An instigator of an altercation shall be a player who by his actions or demeanor demonstrates any/some of the following criteria: distance traveled; gloves off first; first punch thrown; menacing attitude or posture; verbal instigation or threats; conduct in retaliation to a prior game (or season) incident; obvious retribution for a previous incident in the game or season.

Since the NHL is completely inconsistent in their application of this rule, you’re kind of rolling the dice going after a guy just as he comes out of the box. If Hendricks takes an instigator there, and Calgary scores on the ensuing PP, was the retribution worth the shift in momentum? Maybe living well is revenge enough in this case…

I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.

by iwearstripes on Jan 5, 2012 3:22 PM EST up reply actions

I’d take an instigator there. And, in 20/20 hindsight, the Caps ended up taking a minor right then anyway (and two more!).

I said it yesterday and will again, that I don’t think any two points are worth more than sending the right messages.

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by J.P. on Jan 5, 2012 3:52 PM EST up reply actions

I agree with you only if we’re at the top of the SE, and not far from the top of the conference. But the reality is, right now those 2 points are huge. I also don’t believe Bourque would have done anything short of turtle to try to draw the 7 min penalty which would have cost us the game.

The anger directed at this team’s lack of toughness is coming from fans of the pre-lockout NHL. This league has taken the teeth out of on-ice policing. Hell, DJ, Donald were never a deterrent to guys doing stupid shit on the ice. OMG, you did something to our star? well, my heavyweight will fight your heavyweight. That’s crap and everyone knows it. Hell, Burke just sent Orr to the AHL. He wasn’t happy about it, but he sees now that his Toronto team is better off using that slot on the bench for a guy who can play.

This game is changing fast, and rather than take the 2-5+10 that Hendy/Beagle/Brouwer/Chimmy would have gotten, I would have preferred to see a slew of bench minors/unsportsmanlikes and not let the ref’s skate away with just a 2 min for Bourque. Follow that up with some Torts’ style comments postgame and bring to light this clear intent to injure and the real penalties for doing so.

My anger here is the policing of result, not the action. I still think Cooke’s forearm to Varly’s head should have cost him playoff games 3 years ago. It sure as hell cost us the game that night and potentially the series. There was no apparent injury from that play, but the potential for injury as a result of reckless play has to stop. Bourque should have gotten more than 10 games here. Backstrom’s lucky he only got caught in the jaw. This is not a Steckel on Crosby incident. Nick was not in somebody’s way here. Bourque went out of his way to hit Nick in the back/side of the head and that should have cost him and his team time.

At some point, the message has to be sent. This was not it, but it was a great opportunity wasted.

by FFSEnough on Jan 6, 2012 10:06 AM EST up reply actions

Rattled by the studies done over the past 6 months on brain trauma from enforcers? I like watching Hendricks, and the intensity he brings is great. It definitely is a noticeably different Hendricks out there this year.

by Michael Hardin on Jan 5, 2012 12:39 PM EST reply actions

And just recently the proud papa of twins. Might have contributed to a change in perspective as well. Pure speculation on my part, fyi.

by bigeugene on Jan 5, 2012 3:55 PM EST up reply actions

I guess what I’m tryin’ to say is… not everything comes down to how you carry it in the street. I mean, it do come down to that if you gonna be in the street. But that ain’t the only way to be.

Release the Mackan!

by Killer_Carlson on Jan 5, 2012 12:39 PM EST reply actions 4 recs

Keep it going.

Please, call me F&B.

by Rob Parker on Jan 5, 2012 12:50 PM EST up reply actions

That’s what you say but it’s how you cUrry yoself! Always askin’ “why”. Always wanting to be a part, when you should just shut up and do yo job.

You waz NEVAH one of us! And you never could be!

by Brainumbc on Jan 5, 2012 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

The answer is clear...

Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...

by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Jan 5, 2012 1:37 PM EST reply actions

Ovi no party without DJ !!ahahaha ))

by Sjomin on Jan 5, 2012 1:40 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I’ve said before it’s not the worst idea in the world if Dale’s going to go with a short bench early on in games.

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by J.P. on Jan 5, 2012 1:41 PM EST up reply actions

I’m joking, of course. A lack of fighting majors is certainly very low on the list of things the Caps need.

Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...

by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Jan 5, 2012 1:51 PM EST up reply actions

lack=lot

Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...

by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Jan 5, 2012 1:52 PM EST up reply actions

Oh, you’re saying it’s NOT the worst idea. Well in that case, carry on then…

Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...

by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Jan 5, 2012 1:53 PM EST up reply actions

ynot

I actually have no particularly strong opinion here, I just woke up thinking certainly someone had come up with this image.
And sure enough.

No, I don't think I'll ever get over Macho Grande

by Icebat on Jan 5, 2012 1:49 PM EST up reply actions

I totally forgot King was still technically a part of the team. I wonder what that does to a man’s self esteem: Wanting to play the game you love, but knowing you’re kind of stuck in a position where you’re not even stuck in the AHL.

by Brainumbc on Jan 5, 2012 2:27 PM EST up reply actions

Can’t even crack the roster in the AHL right now.

by icehammer97 on Jan 6, 2012 1:52 AM EST up reply actions

Provided Ducks’ GM Bob Murray is clearing house, I would rather make a trade with Anaheim where we would send Hendricks and King to the Ducks for George Parros and Andrew Gordon. This of course depends on whether AGord gets claimed on waivers.

by Rather Bengt on Jan 5, 2012 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

Are there league rules against grafting Hendricks’ head onto King’s body?

by Brainumbc on Jan 5, 2012 2:25 PM EST up reply actions

Good thing you didn’t say Hendricks’ body… thread wouldn’t load due to the number of images posted.

J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…

by Alz Well That Ends Well on Jan 5, 2012 6:12 PM EST up reply actions

Think the extension was more for the intangibles he brings rather than his play on the ice. Mediachameleon’s Hockey Diaries from last year really showed what a force he is in the locker room.

"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011

by bagace on Jan 5, 2012 1:50 PM EST reply actions

I am not saying he shouldn’t have been extended. My point has always been that he was thrilled just to get a one way contract. I could be wrong, but I bet if they presented a one year one way contract extension, it would have been accepted. This is not a young player with crazy upside that needed to be handed both term of 2 years and dollars at the time he was handed the extension.

I felt the same way about Bradley’s contract in terms of dollars and term. Locker room/intangibles factor into a player’s contributions to an extent, but a player contract should be for one’s play and contributions on the ice.

by sk84fun_dc on Jan 5, 2012 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

Might it have anything to do with having TWO new babies in his house this fall?
Lack of sleep as well as not wanting to deal with TBI the rest of his life…

by KSR17 on Jan 5, 2012 2:03 PM EST reply actions