White's injury brings up 2 issues. First is the ice surface at the ACC (and their practice facility). As White was getting close to the boards in his own end, his skate caught a rut, causing him to tumble over.
"I haven't seen a tape but guys said my skate was in a rut," said White. "I was going straight and all of a sudden, I guess the rut turned a little bit and I didn't do so well."White wasn't the only one to hit a rut in the ice last night, Colaiacovo bailed after hitting one, the same goes for several Hurricane players. How many players have to get hurt at the ACC and at practice? White joins Antropov, Ponikarovsky and Wellwood who have been injured this season (all out because of it at the moment) by catching a rut. MLSE makes tons of money and could easily afford to put in better ice. But why do they sit back and watch Leaf after Leaf get hurt because of bad ice? McCabe has been vocal all season about how bad it is.
The second issue I have with regards to White's injury and is something that could have prevented the injury, no-touch icing. I'm obviously not the first person to bring this up, as it's mentioned every time a player crashes into the boards heavily while trying to get the icing call, or negate it. Some ankles have been broken, concussions, shoulder injuries, all as a result of touch icing. Shouldn't the league be trying to protect its players? What if Sidney Crosby broke his leg while trying to negate an icing? Would the NHL consider it then? I don't see the point of waiting to find out. Is the 2 seconds of excitement at the end of the chase worth losing a star play? The answer is simple, No! Gary Bettman and NHL executives should poll every player in the league to see if they want to have 'no-touch icing'. If the majority says they want it, you add it. Don't leave the decision up to people who are not playing the game, some of which who've probably never played hockey before.