(The Player is an active member of a National Hockey League team. Anonymous by choice, he will provide insights about life in hockey on occasion throughout the season.)

Taking a break from the usual format, Puck Daddy readers sent in some questions that I've answered in this edition. Thanks for the insight; email to puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com for future mailbags.

"Have you ever encountered any type of bounty system in the NHL, a la the New Orleans Saints for big/devastating hits on an opposing star?" — Sean Whalen

THE PLAYER: No.

There is a long tradition of "putting money on the board" in the NHL. What this means is that before a game, one or more players will pledge money for various things. Most often, it is simply a donation to the team fund for getting a win that night. Occasionally, it gets a little more creative with money going to whoever scores the game-winning goal or maybe to the goalie for a shutout. Players typically put money on the board when they are playing in their hometown, against a former team, in a milestone game, etc.

I have never seen, nor have I heard of, money on the board for knocking an opposing player out of the game. As far I know, that only happens in that one scene from "Slap Shot."

"Do you believe that the majority of media members actually understand the game? Or understand the game enough to question you or the coaching staff on a game's execution or outcome or even your own personal performance? How often do you think a line of questioning from a media member is so far off-base that you just want to tell them to shut the **** up?" — Eric Kollig

THE PLAYER: The short answer to your question is "no." I don't think a "majority" of the media understands the game well enough to be commenting on the nuances of the sport.

From what I've seen, you have one or two writers in most markets who know what they're watching, ask insightful questions, and can do more than just recount the events of a game. In some markets you have none — which is scary, because the fans who are reading the paper are taking the articles as gospel. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but they are not entitled to their own facts, and it drives me crazy when you read things in the paper that simply aren't true. And all you had to do was watch the game to know they aren't true!

As far as the national media in both the US and Canada goes, I think that most of them understand the game well. They should, considering most of them have either played or coached in the NHL. That doesn't seem to stop most of them, however, from saying ridiculous things sometimes.

In my opinion there are several causes for this, and any one of them can leave the current players shaking their heads when some of the "experts" talk.

Some of them are too old and the game has simply passed them by. Others might have too much time on their hands; by that I mean, in the era of the 24-hour news cycle, these guys are totally manufacturing things to talk about. If you're asked to analyze ad nauseum when there is nothing to be analyzed, eventually you will say something stupid. Some are too concerned with being controversial or making a name for themselves to just stick to what they know.

Finally, some of the "experts" just aren't that smart. They might have been great players, but they have no business being on TV.

"Much is made in the media about team chemistry and the need for teams to get along and be cohesive. There is the culture of 'oh they hang out together off the ice - that's good' and it is seen as 'terrible' when there is a fight in practice or when guys seem to be arguing on the bench. How much does that matter? What is okay versus when does it become an issue?" — Karen Douglas

THE PLAYER: Team chemistry is a funny thing, and I really think it's unique on every team. No two teams I've played for have been the same in this regard.

Depending on the age of the players and their personalities, they might spend a lot of time together away from the rink — or very little. I think there is sort of an old school mentality that teammates benefit from hanging out a lot and drinking beer together. In general, I would say that this doesn't hurt, unless is becomes excessive, but it's not absolutely necessary.

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