Lazerus: Why Blackhawks should practice load management with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane - The Athletic

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Some years back, when the Blackhawks were still on top of the hockey world and Brent Seabrook had played more games — preseason, regular season and postseason — in a three-year span than all but two players in the league (both of them teammates), I pulled him aside after a morning skate and asked what he would say — or do — if then-coach Joel Quenneville had ordered him to take a day off on the second night of a back-to-back to preserve his body for the long road ahead.

Well, if looks could kill, there might have been a black border around the Chicago Sun-Times back page in my honor the next day. Well, maybe a notebook item.

This was back when “load management” was just becoming a popular strategy in the NBA, with pre-planned days off become a regular thing for star players. It understandably bothered fans who paid good money to see those star players, but it made sense from a team standpoint. Protect your players. Preserve their health. Make sure they’re as ready as possible for the games that really count.

Why not do that in the NHL, possibly the most physically demanding sport with the most grueling schedule?

I’ve revisited the issue almost every season I’ve covered the Blackhawks, and I’ve been shot down — and stared down — every time. It’s just not the hockey way of doing things. If you can stand, you can play. Simple as that.

It shouldn’t be. Especially for the Blackhawks this season.

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