yep he should have, I dont care if people say he was looking straight ahead, he knew exactly where Marchand's head was, he knew what he was going.

Its so frustrating to see.
- walshy66

Did he? How do you know that?

You don't think Neal should have made an attempt to not hit Marchand?
- wolfhounds

I didn't say that. It was dirty. Still it's not on the same level of what Thorton did. Neal has a handful of dirty plays in his career. Marchand usually has a handful in a game. Marchand punched Maatta in the face in that game that went uncalled.

Regardless. I know it's not going to change your mind. You hate James Neal. We get it. Just wondering what you're opinion is of "The Broad Street Bullies" and how many scumbags they've employed over the years?

yep he should have, I dont care if people say he was looking straight ahead, he knew exactly where Marchand's head was, he knew what he was going.

Its so frustrating to see.
- walshy66

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.

Knowing that Neal has a phone hearing and he's been suspended before. I guess we have to live it it. Suspend him the max of 4 games. Anything less than 10 for Thornton and it shows the NHL doesn't care. Players are plugs and that they solely are here to make the league money.

As an outsider, I think what Thornton did was more dirty!! IMO
- Sabresfan88

Im not trying to compare the two incidents, because the are not comparable. Thornton's situation is was just, um, well I struggle with it, there is no excuse for hitting someone with his head on the ice, after you have dragged him on the ice. Thornton wouldnt do that normally in a fight, so why then?

The Neal thing, was just deliberately dirty, he knew what he was doing. So You cannot compare them. At least I cannot.

Did he? How do you know that?
- gravyboy33

Give me a break

Ryan Wilson: The Actions Of Shawn Thornton And James Neal Have No Place In Hockey
The NHL needs to throw the book at both James Neal and Shawn Thornton
- Ryan_Wilson

no offense Ryan, but, what Thornton did was out of protection for a teammate, another idiot that went for Eriksson's head, Orpik could have hit him w/o the shoulder to the jaw like he did, but no, it was predatory.

What Neal did, was so disrespectful, a blatant slap to the face of the game, and his own organization.
It's so ironic the same owner of this team threatened to quit years ago because of the cheap shots, now employs these tactics from his players

Did he? How do you know that?
- gravyboy33

You ask him in a bar off the record and he will tell you he meant it, anyone who has played competitive sports can see he meant it.

Thats not a slight on anyone, I have watched it and had it happen to me too. You can see when someone 'accidentally' on purpose hits someone.

its a part of the game that the NHL needs to get out of it, Neal knew what he was doing.

I don't care what jerseys the players wear in regards to praise or criticism.
- Ryan_Wilson

I appreciate that man. But we all know that others dont do that. Im sure Ty is gonna write up about how Thornton should have done more or something stupid. Or that he did nothing wrong.

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

His PPG is just under Crosby's since he returned. Now he is going to miss games and maybe lose his rhythm. So its even more pointless.

no offense Ryan, but, what Thornton did was out of protection for a teammate, another idiot that went for Eriksson's head, Orpik could have hit him w/o the shoulder to the jaw like he did, but no, it was predatory.

What Neal did, was so disrespectful, a blatant slap to the face of the game, and his own organization.
It's so ironic the same owner of this team threatened to quit years ago because of the cheap shots, now employs these tactics from his players
- puckhead17

Players are responsible for their own action!!
I don't think owners tell players get on the ice and target player X's head!!

I didn't say that. It was dirty. Still it's not on the same level of what Thorton did. Neal has a handful of dirty plays in his career. Marchand usually has a handful in a game. Marchand punched Maatta in the face in that game that went uncalled.

Regardless. I know it's not going to change your mind. You hate James Neal. We get it. Just wondering what you're opinion is of "The Broad Street Bullies" and how many scumbags they've employed over the years?
- madmike71

I'll disagree and say I think what Neal did was every bit as bad as what Thornton did, but what wasn't as bad was the result. But Neal didn't know that prior to laying that hit.

As for the Broad Street Bullies, you're going back 30 to 40 years. Hockey and the world was quite a bit different then, so I'm not really sure how it's relevant.

You'll just have to believe me when I say I like and respect Brooks Orpik and I really didn't like see him down on the ice like that.

no offense Ryan, but, what Thornton did was out of protection for a teammate, another idiot that went for Eriksson's head, Orpik could have hit him w/o the shoulder to the jaw like he did, but no, it was predatory.

What Neal did, was so disrespectful, a blatant slap to the face of the game, and his own organization.
It's so ironic the same owner of this team threatened to quit years ago because of the cheap shots, now employs these tactics from his players
- puckhead17

Pure delusion.

Soooo.... the only bad guys in that game were Penguins. Laughable....

Is there any way we can get thornton to do what he did to jack edwards?

I appreciate that man. But we all know that others dont do that. Im sure Ty is gonna write up about how Thornton should have done more or something stupid. Or that he did nothing wrong.
- poisondhearts37

I have a feeling Ty may change your mind on that, I think he is on the 'punishment' side of this one.

no offense Ryan, but, what Thornton did was out of protection for a teammate, another idiot that went for Eriksson's head, Orpik could have hit him w/o the shoulder to the jaw like he did, but no, it was predatory.

What Neal did, was so disrespectful, a blatant slap to the face of the game, and his own organization.
It's so ironic the same owner of this team threatened to quit years ago because of the cheap shots, now employs these tactics from his players
- puckhead17

Oh, well in that case! ...

no offense Ryan, but, what Thornton did was out of protection for a teammate, another idiot that went for Eriksson's head, Orpik could have hit him w/o the shoulder to the jaw like he did, but no, it was predatory.

What Neal did, was so disrespectful, a blatant slap to the face of the game, and his own organization.
It's so ironic the same owner of this team threatened to quit years ago because of the cheap shots, now employs these tactics from his players
- puckhead17

I dont think the shoulder got the chin, I thought the impact shook Erikssons head, I could be wrong. So if the hit is fine, then Thornton already tried to fight Orpik and he walked away. So Thornton needs to either stay physical on Orpik for the game or keep asking him to fight. Everyone in the building knew Orpik wasnt going to fight, thus Thornton pulled him down and got his 'fight' in.

Just seemed weird that Thornton would hit a guy already lying on the ice, it doesn't really fit the 'code' he was protecting, looks like a brain snap that really injured a player and may cost him a few games.

Im not trying to compare the two incidents, because the are not comparable. Thornton's situation is was just, um, well I struggle with it, there is no excuse for hitting someone with his head on the ice, after you have dragged him on the ice. Thornton wouldnt do that normally in a fight, so why then?

The Neal thing, was just deliberately dirty, he knew what he was doing. So You cannot compare them. At least I cannot.
- walshy66

The other night when the Ducks and Kings were playing. Corey Perry did it to I think it was Justin Williams. A Duck makes Williams fall into Hiller. Then Perry falls on said King player. Then hits him in the head a few times. League doesnt even look at it. This is something that actually happens all the time. And it really bugs the crap out of me.

Players are responsible for their own action!!
I don't think owners tell players get on the ice and target player X's head!!
- Sabresfan88

I don't think any of us really know, but its just ironic, he threatened to quit more then once during is playing days, now he has a few guys that pull the same stunts & one he let go that was the biggest culprit, because he came out & said he was through playing that way

no offense Ryan, but, what Thornton did was out of protection for a teammate, another idiot that went for Eriksson's head, Orpik could have hit him w/o the shoulder to the jaw like he did, but no, it was predatory.

What Neal did, was so disrespectful, a blatant slap to the face of the game, and his own organization.
It's so ironic the same owner of this team threatened to quit years ago because of the cheap shots, now employs these tactics from his players
- puckhead17

Multiple defenseless hits to the head was out of defense for a teammate that was hit between the whistles. Wake up

Add in more idiocy to the NHLs dumb rules

Seth Rorabaugh ‏@emptynetters 2m
For those asking, Neal's last supplemental discipline was 20 months ago. NHL's window to be considered a "repeat offender" is 18 months.

His PPG is just under Crosby's since he returned. Now he is going to miss games and maybe lose his rhythm. So its even more pointless.
- walshy66

Agreed. And that's some impressive point production, no doubt.

no offense Ryan, but, what Thornton did was out of protection for a teammate, another idiot that went for Eriksson's head, Orpik could have hit him w/o the shoulder to the jaw like he did, but no, it was predatory.

What Neal did, was so disrespectful, a blatant slap to the face of the game, and his own organization.
It's so ironic the same owner of this team threatened to quit years ago because of the cheap shots, now employs these tactics from his players
- puckhead17

Wow - completely clueless. Apparently you are the only one that thinks Orpik's hit on Eriksson was dirty. Not even the homer bruins announcers thought it was bad. He needs to skate with his head up and not have his D hang him out to dry. Nice try though.

no offense Ryan, but, what Thornton did was out of protection for a teammate, another idiot that went for Eriksson's head, Orpik could have hit him w/o the shoulder to the jaw like he did, but no, it was predatory.

What Neal did, was so disrespectful, a blatant slap to the face of the game, and his own organization.
It's so ironic the same owner of this team threatened to quit years ago because of the cheap shots, now employs these tactics from his players
- puckhead17

this was honestly one of the dumbest things I have ever read.

Wow - completely clueless. Apparently you are the only one that thinks Orpik's hit on Eriksson was dirty. Not even the homer bruins announcers thought it was bad. He needs to skate with his head up and not have his D hang him out to dry. Nice try though.
- mw630

Nice. My thoughts exactly