Hope Orpik will get well soon and be able to make the Olympic roster for team USA.
Does anyone know how long he might be out for? Or not mentioned yet...

Thanks
- Ur Not Me

There won't be any more updates until Monday, at the earliest.

You are right about one thing; I just siged up yesterday. You are wrong about me being a Phillthy fan. I guarantee I know what I'm talking about. So go back to playing hockey on xbox and talking trash behind your pc.

Go Pens!
- joescullz

Well since you guarantee it.....

You are a Pens fan that decided to sign up for an account yesterday to say they should trade Neal, and you want people to believe that? Please let me know how that would possibly help the Pens?
1) You want trade one of our top offensive talents with absolutely no one in the system to replace him?
2) You want to trade him for D when we have a log jam of Dmen in the NHL and a few more waiting in the AHL?
3) You want to trade him when he has great chemistry, and is a good friend of, one of our superstars? (That worked out REALLY well when the NYI's traded Moulson)
4) You want to trade one of the best PP specialists on the top PP unit? (Again, worked really well for the NYI)

No sir, you do not know what you are talking about.
- mw630

Hey...

He guarantee's he knows what he's talking about. So...

You are a Pens fan that decided to sign up for an account yesterday to say they should trade Neal, and you want people to believe that? Please let me know how that would possibly help the Pens?
1) You want trade one of our top offensive talents with absolutely no one in the system to replace him?
2) You want to trade him for D when we have a log jam of Dmen in the NHL and a few more waiting in the AHL?
3) You want to trade him when he has great chemistry, and is a good friend of, one of our superstars? (That worked out REALLY well when the NYI's traded Moulson)
4) You want to trade one of the best PP specialists on the top PP unit? (Again, worked really well for the NYI)

No sir, you do not know what you are talking about.
- mw630

I am a pens fan. How i feel about trading neal is my unbiased opinion. Do you remember the pens/isles brawl a couple years ago? Its acts like what neal did last night that bring on such behavior. As a pens fans and long time hockey fan, it disgusts me to watch players act like and as a result, players like neal, thornton and other goons, have no place in this great sport no matter how talented or how much geat chemistry they have with someone.

I am a pens fan. How i feel about trading neal is my unbiased opinion. Do you remember the pens/isles brawl a couple years ago? Its acts like what neal did last night that bring on such behavior. As a pens fans and long time hockey fan, it disgusts me to watch players act like and as a result, players like neal, thornton and other goons, have no place in this great sport no matter how talented or how much geat chemistry they have with someone.
- joescullz

If you think Thornton is a just a goon you need to watch him more.

Thornton made it clear he wanted a piece of him. You can't turn your back like that. You have to be aware of who is on the ice. This isn't Orpiks first go round like this. When poop like this happens everyone jumps
I their bleeding heart high horse. Like I said, we can't thank the actions of guys like Orpik when fighting is "removed" from the game and results in insane suspensions.
- Buffalo-Sabres

"I've been a firm believer my whole life that what goes around comes around," Thornton told ESPN. "If you're one of those guys that suckers someone when they're down or you go after somebody that doesn't deserve it or isn't the same category as you[/b], that will come back and bite you at some point, too."-Thornton himself two weeks ago





I think thronton disagrees with you about Orpik turning his back. The day sidenberg fights engalland over a clean hit I will totally agree that Orpik should fight thornton. Considering Chara, Lucic, Thronton and every other tough guy in the nhl turned their backs on Big Mac for every game he has been in the nhl, they should be more understanding of players being afraid to fight them like they were with MAc. Thats not being a coward, thats using common sense.

yea... do you honestly think oprik was skating towards him saying... I wonder if he has a concussion history?

Eriksson got caught puckwatching. simple as that.

And if you don't think players know who they're hitting and if he's hurt or not, I have a bridge to sell you. Why do you think injury reports are upper body and lower body with no detail?

And if you don't think players know who they're hitting and if he's hurt or not, I have a bridge to sell you. Why do you think injury reports are upper body and lower body with no detail?
- Grinder6

Do you really believe that players memorize injury reports and every player on them to include upper or lower body injuries? Do you really believe during a fast paced play like that player would think in a fraction of a second, hey better not hit him, he was recently out with an "upper body" injury? BTW, if they are in the lineup, then, how could you consider them hurt? If they are hurt and in the lineup, then that is poor management and disregard for player safety on the part of the team, that employs the player. Your post might possibly be the dumbest one I have seen on this site in quite some time.

Do you really believe that players memorize injury reports and every player on them to include upper or lower body injuries?

Louie Erickson's injury was a huge media circus because he took a head shot from a goon. Everyone and their dog knew he is recovered from a concussion, never mind players on a major conference rival. He's a top offensive threat so he's well known to all opposition players. Orpik recognized this and took advantage of the situation.

Do you really believe during a fast paced play like that player would think in a fraction of a second, hey better not hit him, he was recently out with an "upper body" injury?

Yes. I have played the game my entire life and I can tell you that every time I went to hit someone I knew who I was hitting. You play the same guys over and over, you get to know who's who and I would grease guys for things they did to me two or three games ago, and they did the same to me. Coaches would tell you who's hurt on the other team. They would even post stats on the goalie and where to shoot. Hockey looks like a fast game to the average viewer but when you know what you're doing it slows down. Players like Neal use the fast game excuse a ton because they know people who haven't played will buy it.

By your logic, NHL defencemen have no idea if Crosby or Tanner Glass are leading the rush because well gee the game is just too fast to recognize these things.

BTW, if they are in the lineup, then, how could you consider them hurt? If they are hurt and in the lineup, then that is poor management and disregard for player safety on the part of the team, that employs the player.

Do you even watch hockey? Players play hurt all the time.

Your post might possibly be the dumbest one I have seen on this site in quite some time.

Who's the dummy now?

Louie Erickson's injury was a huge media circus because he took a head shot from a goon. Everyone and their dog knew he is recovered from a concussion, never mind players on a major conference rival. He's a top offensive threat so he's well known to all opposition players. Orpik recognized this and took advantage of the situation.


Yes. I have played the game my entire life and I can tell you that every time I went to hit someone I knew who I was hitting. You play the same guys over and over, you get to know who's who and I would grease guys for things they did to me two or three games ago, and they did the same to me. Coaches would tell you who's hurt on the other team. They would even post stats on the goalie and where to shoot. Hockey looks like a fast game to the average viewer but when you know what you're doing it slows down. Players like Neal use the fast game excuse a ton because they know people who haven't played will buy it.


Do you even watch hockey? Players play hurt all the time.


Who's the dummy now?
- Grinder6

I don't care whether you played your entire life or not. It was a clean check and nothing wrong with it. Orpik would have hit whoever was going to play that puck, at that instance. Chara or Lucic would have been hit with the same intensity if it was them. Orpik is known for being a hitter. He is usually near the top of the league in the hit category. You trying to paint it as Orpik going out of his way to hit Erickson because he suffered a recent concussion is laughable. Players may play hurt, but other teams do not take it easy on them, because they make that choice. It's a contact sport. So yeah, you still have the dumbest post honors.

I hope Neal is suspended for a very long time.
- TimBits

No mention of Thornton, who deserves 15 games?

If you think Thornton is a just a goon you need to watch him more.
- Rayven

He's also a plug, a thug and a bench warmer.

He just doesn't need to do crap like that to be effective, or to even be chippy and get in the other team's head. And trust, I think Marchand is a jerkoff.
- wolfhounds

Hey, we agree on something.

He's also a plug, a thug and a bench warmer.
- dshiddy

Two time Stanley Cup Champion, skates a regular 4th line shift, enforcer and still chips in with a few goals. Yep your description is absolutely accurate

He's never been suspended and is generally well respected. I'm not condoning his actions against Orpik but I'm gonna chalk it up to a brain cramp which he will pay the price for.

Two time Stanley Cup Champion, skates a regular 4th line shift, enforcer and still chips in with a few goals. Yep your description is absolutely accurate

He's never been suspended and is generally well respected. I'm not condoning his actions against Orpik but I'm gonna chalk it up to a brain cramp which he will pay the price for.
- Rayven

Chris Dingman is a two time Stanley cup winger,...

If he wasn't a goon, Thornton wouldn't be in the nhl, end of story.

Chris Dingman is a two time Stanley cup winger,...

If he wasn't a goon, Thornton wouldn't be in the nhl, end of story.
- dshiddy

way to ignore the rest of the post

One difference- Thornton should be suspended for about ten games for what he did. Neal should be suspended for the rest of the season. Unfortunately, in the dog and pony with a monkey thrown in show that is the NHL, it will probably be exactly the opposite. What James Neal did is brought to you DIRECTLY by "the instigator rule". If he thought someone might beat him to a bloody pulp for kneeing a guy in the head, he wouldn't do it. Same with Letang spearing Vanek in the back of the knee...really? Vanek should have snapped his titanium shaft over Letang's head for that. MEN don't do what Letang or Neal did....they just don't.

One difference- Thornton should be suspended for about ten games for what he did. Neal should be suspended for the rest of the season. Unfortunately, in the dog and pony with a monkey thrown in show that is the NHL, it will probably be exactly the opposite. What James Neal did is brought to you DIRECTLY by "the instigator rule". If he thought someone might beat him to a bloody pulp for kneeing a guy in the head, he wouldn't do it. Same with Letang spearing Vanek in the back of the knee...really? Vanek should have snapped his titanium shaft over Letang's head for that. MEN don't do what Letang or Neal did....they just don't.
- dcb1

Do men do what Vanek did there? Dive? Twice?

C'mon man. Nobody here is condoning what Neal did...but it's not even close to assault, precluded by a slewfoot, no matter how despicable it was.

I'm not happy about anything from that game. Oh---and by the way---do men snap titanium shafts over other player's heads? I guess you just prefer assault when it's convenient for you...

Ryan, THAT is a great blog, Thank-you I couldn't agree more, both players crossed the Line and should be held accountable End of Story

Do men do what Vanek did there? Dive? Twice?

C'mon man. Nobody here is condoning what Neal did...but it's not even close to assault, precluded by a slewfoot, no matter how despicable it was.

I'm not happy about anything from that game. Oh---and by the way---do men snap titanium shafts over other player's heads? I guess you just prefer assault when it's convenient for you...

- HopintheCordoba

Anybody who says Neal's infraction was worse than what Thornton did is flat out delusional. Blinded by hatred of the team. Laughable.

Something tells me that guy wasn't very upset about what took place on the Island a couple of years ago.

Ryan, THAT is a great blog, Thank-you I couldn't agree more, both players crossed the Line and should be held accountable End of Story
- BruinBlood

Have to agree here!

Thorty deserves 10-15 and I think he will get it, being a 1st time offender it may give him a bit of leeway seeing his tenure in the league playing his style of game and never acting like that before, but it's a stupid play and a worse outcome, I think he gets 10 or 12 games.

Neal's move was just "punkish" not a word, I know lol, but suits the play, I think he deserves 8-10 (obv wont happen as it's a phone hearing) he will likely get 2 games.

Overall 2 idiotic plays that should be punished close to the same with Thorty getting slightly more.

You trying to paint it as Orpik going out of his way to hit Erickson because he suffered a recent concussion is laughable.

So is your unwillingness to believe that players do this stuff. Why do you think Thornton reacted the way he did?

Can't wait for the game tonight. Sick of all this stuff that isn't hockey. Neal will get his suspension today and thornton on Wednesday. Both are boneheads and deserve what they get. Bring on Columbus!

So is your unwillingness to believe that players do this stuff. Why do you think Thornton reacted the way he did?
- Grinder6

He has anger management issues. I do think Orpik made it a point to hit whoever was coming up ice with their head down to play that puck. I don't believe he thought to himself oh theres Loui go drill him because he has concussion issues. Particularly when your captain and best player has missed a ton of time from concussions. It was early in the game and orpik is looking to set a tone for his team. He will take that hit a 100 out of 100 times no matter what name is on that sweater.

So, game tonight. Blue Jackets at 730PM. Jackets have been playing better lately.