Three Words: Robert Earle Clarke.

Hockey's a rough game. If the ref ain't calling it, I'm going to try and get away with it.

I also don't see Giroux as whining about it. He simply admitted a fact, and knows it's part of the game.
- Jsaquella

I think if I were G I would have just said that I got the injuries during face-offs without naming any names. Regardless, it's not a big deal at all IMO.

I am dead set against that move.
- nastyflyergirl

I don't even think Howson makes that move.

Very funny. Did Lemieux have the same rep as Crosby currently does (not just in Philly) around the league? Of course not and we all know why.

I will save you the time in responding. We'll just have to agree to disagree.
- maine_mariner

Actually, Lemieux's rep as a whiner was pretty significant and widespread.

The game has been played like this since forever. Plus, look how Pronger played. He'd play dirty and wouldn't get caught all the time. Crosby has been a little hypocritical but I still don't think this whole thing is a big deal. Lesser known players do much worse on a more regular basis.
- NickTheKid87

There is a big differnece between Pronger and Crosby. No one really stood up against Pronger. I forget who it was in an interview, but he was talking about Pronger being the best/meanest player he'd ever played against. He said that Pronger would make him absolutely pay with a slash whenever he came over the blue line. He finally slashed him back, Pronger replied by saying if you ever do that to me again I'm going to shove your stick down your throat. Pronger never went around asking for all head shots to be removed from the game either. Briere on the other hand is a different story.

I agree that the media is blowing this out of proportion, but thats part of living in this day and age.

Bottom line, Giroux needs to realize he's going to be targeted. If he feels it isnt right to slash, identify the players that do and protect yourself

I see him play often and he reminds me of a really expensive Seidenberg.
- canadianpenfan

I think Seidenberg has more sandpaper. Bouwmeester has all the physical tools, just doesn't seem to have that inner fire. Not that he's a bad player or terrible, just that he could be an elite level defenseman with the physical pacage he has.

Great skater, great size, big shot, good passer...

I think if I were G I would have just said that I got the injuries during face-offs without naming any names. Regardless, it's not a big deal at all IMO.
- NickTheKid87

True, but I think he was trying to tweak Crosby more than complain.

I think Seidenberg has more sandpaper. Bouwmeester has all the physical tools, just doesn't seem to have that inner fire. Not that he's a bad player or terrible, just that he could be an elite level defenseman with the physical pacage he has.

Great skater, great size, big shot, good passer...
- Jsaquella

He definitely lacks Seidenberg's grit. I'm a big fan of Seidenberg, especially at 3 something. But that's where I think Bouwmeester should be too, he's greatly overpaid.

True, but I think he was trying to tweak Crosby more than complain.
- Jsaquella

There was definite intent in those comments and I have no problem with it.

I see what you're saying but at the end of the day these guys are world-class athletes playing a highly competitive sport at the highest level. You can't expect them to have control of their "competitive juices" at any given time. Dirty play is part of every sport and that's just the nature of competition.

Getting rid of hits from behind and to the head I agree with wholeheartedly but incidents like the one with Giroux and Crosby is unavoidable and I consider it a part of the game, not a deviant act within the game.
- NickTheKid87

So you are suggesting they should legalize slashes to the wrist? Or just not call it because it is part of the game? Or if true, and the refs didn't call, they should have called it?

I can't wait for flyers pens game. Its gonna be nasty. The NHL really needs to make this the winter classic at penn state omg that would be so awesome 100000 + fans there that would be great for the sport

There is a big differnece between Pronger and Crosby. No one really stood up against Pronger. I forget who it was in an interview, but he was talking about Pronger being the best/meanest player he'd ever played against. He said that Pronger would make him absolutely pay with a slash whenever he came over the blue line. He finally slashed him back, Pronger replied by saying if you ever do that to me again I'm going to shove your stick down your throat. Pronger never went around asking for all head shots to be removed from the game either. Briere on the other hand is a different story.

I agree that the media is blowing this out of proportion, but thats part of living in this day and age.

Bottom line, Giroux needs to realize he's going to be targeted. If he feels it isnt right to slash, identify the players that do and protect yourself
- JFlyers00

Well Crosby is 5'11" while Pronger is 6'6" so the former is a lot more susceptible to head shots. Regardless, while Pronger was more intimidating, both guys play a very similar game, there's no denying it. Again with size, it would be less punishing to go after Crosby than Pronger. I think their positions also have something to do with that as well.

There was definite intent in those comments and I have no problem with it.
- canadianpenfan

Slow news day, blow out of proportion...but it keeps the gamesmanship alive

True, but I think he was trying to tweak Crosby more than complain.
- Jsaquella

Agreed. Can't help but think G was trying to pour a little gasoline on the fire of this rivalry as well. God knows it got a lot of fans going.

Slow news day, blow out of proportion...but it keeps the gamesmanship alive
- Jsaquella

Giroux vs Crosby is good for the NHL and will be for a decade barring health problems. The media will milk it dry.

So you are suggesting they should legalize slashes to the wrist? Or just not call it because it is part of the game? Or if true, and the refs didn't call, they should have called it?
- Daman

If it's a blatant slash than call it but if the refs don't see it then what can you do? If it's marginal than I'd probably leave it up to the ref.

I think Seidenberg has more sandpaper. Bouwmeester has all the physical tools, just doesn't seem to have that inner fire. Not that he's a bad player or terrible, just that he could be an elite level defenseman with the physical pacage he has.

Great skater, great size, big shot, good passer...
- Jsaquella

We don't want those attributes on our blueline.

We don't want those attributes on our blueline.
- Daman

The problem is, Bouwmeester gets very little out of those attributes.

It's like having a Ferrari and using it only to go grocery shopping

The problem is, Bouwmeester gets very little out of those attributes.

It's like having a Ferrari and using it only to go grocery shopping
- Jsaquella

Which attributes doesn't he maximize.

Fast skater that skates slow?

Big shot but intentionally shoots lightly?



Sounds like he would still upgrade the team. But I guess there is a unwritten rule that underachievers can't play in Philly.

The problem is, Bouwmeester gets very little out of those attributes.

It's like having a Ferrari and using it only to go grocery shopping
- Jsaquella

on rainy days when no one can see

Actually, Lemieux's rep as a whiner was pretty significant and widespread.
- Jsaquella

he made it sound like he was retiring in 97 because of the clutching and grabbing.

Which attributes doesn't he maximize.

Fast skater that skates slow?

Big shot but intentionally shoots lightly?



Sounds like he would still upgrade the team. But I guess there is a unwritten rule that underachievers can't play in Philly.
- Daman

Even if he was an upgrade what would you trade for him?

Which attributes doesn't he maximize.

Fast skater that skates slow?

Big shot but intentionally shoots lightly?



Sounds like he would still upgrade the team. But I guess there is a unwritten rule that underachievers can't play in Philly.
- Daman

Because he doesn't take advantage of the attributes. What good is a great skater if he's caught out of position time and time again? What good is a guy with a hard shot if he doesn't shoot?

Last season, Bouwmeester would have been 5th among Flyers defensemen in shots.

Despite his physical prowess and attributes that should make him an elite defenseman and well worth his cap hit, he is neither. Toss in the reports that Calgary expects a return for him that would be similar to that an elite defenseman would command, and you have a lot of reasons not to trade for him.

If he could be had for a reasonable trade, certainly.

Because he doesn't take advantage of the attributes. What good is a great skater if he's caught out of position time and time again? What good is a guy with a hard shot if he doesn't shoot?

Last season, Bouwmeester would have been 5th among Flyers defensemen in shots.

Despite his physical prowess and attributes that should make him an elite defenseman and well worth his cap hit, he is neither. Toss in the reports that Calgary expects a return for him that would be similar to that an elite defenseman would command, and you have a lot of reasons not to trade for him.

If he could be had for a reasonable trade, certainly.
- Jsaquella

Two years at 6.8M cap hit. Pass. That contract says enough for me to not even pursue it.

Because he doesn't take advantage of the attributes. What good is a great skater if he's caught out of position time and time again? What good is a guy with a hard shot if he doesn't shoot?

Last season, Bouwmeester would have been 5th among Flyers defensemen in shots.

Despite his physical prowess and attributes that should make him an elite defenseman and well worth his cap hit, he is neither. Toss in the reports that Calgary expects a return for him that would be similar to that an elite defenseman would command, and you have a lot of reasons not to trade for him.

If he could be had for a reasonable trade, certainly.
- Jsaquella[/quote]

That's a fair statement.

Two years at 6.8M cap hit. Pass. That contract says enough for me to not even pursue it.
- stveshdy

Actually, it's $6.68mm. I wouldn't totally be against it, but Calgary seems to think that they're trading Brent Seabrook, not Jay Bouwmeester.

The sad thing is, both you and I have as much NHL playoff experience as he does.