I thought he killed him... scarier than the Soupy/Umberger hit.
- Tomahawk

I really did too. When he started playing again...it was a mix of "I can't believe it" to "what are you doing you (frank)ing idiot don't want to live?"

Of course, I didn't see it live, I only have seen videos/replays of the game etc but it's the same deal.

he took three effing strides. ugh what a pos.
- aightwebang17

That one is the one that bothers me most. There is no question he's trying to injure Kariya and take him out of the series.

Can he learn more in the Q playing 25 minutes or more in the NHL playing 18-20? That's if he's ready to handle that. Then we get to trade one of those middling defensemen we have too many of.
- mayorofangrytown

I don't think he'd get 18-20 playing as a number 6. More like 10-12. He'd be more experience playing in the QMJHL and being able to iron out some flaws in his game while growing into his body some more.

Was I the only person who actually thought Booth may have been dead when Richards hit him? The way his body hit the ice and just spiraled lifelessly was scary.

SO was the Bureau hit on Svoboda. I really did think Svoboda was dead.
- jmatchett383

I'll never forget the look in RJ's eyes...

That one is the one that bothers me most. There is no question he's trying to injure Kariya and take him out of the series.
- PhillySportsGuy

I won't defend it, but if Kariya wasn't busy jacking off to his own pass, he would have avoided the hit, or at least severely lessened it.

I'll never forget the look in RJ's eyes...
- Tomahawk

He was glassy eyed, but he wasn't out cold. Svoboda got hit with a flying elbow and blood starting pouring out of his mouth (later found out he bit his tongue).

Booth got hit hard, hard, and with his head the other way and went limp the second he got hit and had doctors rushing out to him.

That one is the one that bothers me most. There is no question he's trying to injure Kariya and take him out of the series.
- PhillySportsGuy

Really, off the top of my head, that's the dirtiest hit I've ever seen put on a star player.

While Stevens and Kasparaitis certainly knocked Big E into next week, it was always unfortunate that he had his head down.

Man, as bad as the Stevens hit was, I thought Kasparaitis about killed him, too, on what I thought was actually a clean shot.

I'll never forget the look in RJ's eyes...
- Tomahawk

You mean the look of absolutely nothing?

That glazed, cloudy, stare...that's when you know man.

I hate when people get hit and their hands instinctively shoot up to the sky. That's just scary. It makes me queasy sometimes if it's so obvious. That's litrilly your body's response to your brain getting (frank)ed up.

I won't defend it, but if Kariya wasn't busy jacking off to his own pass, he would have avoided the hit, or at least severely lessened it.
- jmatchett383

Speaking of Kariya, I think his level is where Giroux falls... parts of his game were otherworldly, and he drove the bus for those Ducks teams, but there was always a handful of better players in the league during his day. Hopefully G will enjoy a bit more longevity.

Really, off the top of my head, that's the dirtiest hit I've ever seen put on a star player.

While Stevens and Kasparaitis certainly knocked Big E into next week, it was always unfortunate that he had his head down.

Man, as bad as the Stevens hit was, I thought Kasparaitis about killed him, too, on what I thought was actually a clean shot.
- AllInForFlyers

Ulf Samuelsson on Neely
Hatcher (premeditated) on Roenick

Those 2 were the worst I've seen.

I don't think he'd get 18-20 playing as a number 6. More like 10-12. He'd be more experience playing in the QMJHL and being able to iron out some flaws in his game while growing into his body some more.
- jmatchett383

If he makes the team he has to be in the top 4. If he's going to be a 6 playing 10-12 minutes than I agree with you.

Speaking of Kariya, I think his level is where Giroux falls... parts of his game were otherworldly, and he drove the bus for those Ducks teams, but there was always a handful of better players in the league during his day. Hopefully G will enjoy a bit more longevity.
- Tomahawk

He will, he skates with his head up and is not as much of a feather as Kariya.

And yeah, that's about it. Kariya at his best is Giroux at his best.

Generational players:

Orr
Gretzky
Lemieux
Roy
Jagr
Lidstrom
Crosby

I won't defend it, but if Kariya wasn't busy jacking off to his own pass, he would have avoided the hit, or at least severely lessened it.
- jmatchett383

I won't argue, because you're right in saying that, but let's take another angle and ask what the hell was Stevens running at him so late in the first place? Even in the 70s you shouldn't have to worry about getting lit up 3 or 4 seconds after shoveling a pass forward.

Ulf Samuelsson on Neely
Hatcher (premeditated) on Roenick

Those 2 were the worst I've seen.
- jmatchett383

You are right -- IMO, Hatcher should've been suspended for a season. That was totally premeditated, and yeah, JR could be an a-hole, but that hit was absolutely ridiculous.

If he makes the team he has to be in the top 4. If he's going to be a 6 playing 10-12 minutes than I agree with you.
- mayorofangrytown

That was my point. Yes, he's ready, but not for top-4 duty. So he's ready for the NHL, but not where you'd like him to be.

Generational players:

Orr
Gretzky
Lemieux
Roy
Jagr
Lidstrom
Crosby
Shelly
- KGBflyers10

Really, off the top of my head, that's the dirtiest hit I've ever seen put on a star player.

While Stevens and Kasparaitis certainly knocked Big E into next week, it was always unfortunate that he had his head down.

Man, as bad as the Stevens hit was, I thought Kasparaitis about killed him, too, on what I thought was actually a clean shot.
- AllInForFlyers

Lindros had the puck most of the time. During that era, it was the player's responsibility to avoid being checked to the head.

The hit on Kariya was just hitting a guy without the puck while in a vulnerable position. Anyone who has played hockey can tell you those hits are easy to find because players without the puck are going to be looking at the play in front of them and not blind side hits.

Stevens was a veteran at that point too. Its not like he was young and immature like a Rinaldo. He knew exactly what he was doing from the moment Kariya took the puck.

That was my point. Yes, he's ready, but not for top-4 duty. So he's ready for the NHL, but not where you'd like him to be.
- jmatchett383

I won't argue, because you're right in saying that, but let's take another angle and ask what the hell was Stevens running at him so late in the first place? Even in the 70s you shouldn't have to worry about getting lit up 3 or 4 seconds after shoveling a pass forward.
- Giroux_Is_God

Oh, it was a dirty hit (I just watched it, it's 3/4 of a second, not 3/4 seconds after the pass). No one's gonna debate that now. But part of the blame, even today, should go to the player if he's admiring a pass or skating with his head down...

...unless you're Dean McAmmond. Poor guy.

So what is everyone complaining about today?

Generational players:

Orr
Gretzky
Lemieux
Roy
Jagr
Lidstrom
Crosby
- KGBflyers10

That list, plus Pronger -- totally serious. Chris Pronger's one of the greatest defensemen to ever lace them up, and I'm not saying that just because he played for the Flyers. That dude was an amazing, impactful hockey player.

So what is everyone complaining about today?
- Streit2ThePoint

Stevens can (frank) himself

Generational players:

Orr
Gretzky
Lemieux
Roy
Jagr
Lidstrom
Crosby
- KGBflyers10

I wouldn't put Lidstrom on there, only because, as good as he was, he always had close competition. Guys like Pronger, Niedermayer, and Blake always gave him a run. HOFer and one of the 5 best defensemen ever, yeah. But that's not "generational" to me. Unless you want to make Eddie Shore a generational talent.

Was I the only person who actually thought Booth may have been dead when Richards hit him? The way his body hit the ice and just spiraled lifelessly was scary.

SO was the Bureau hit on Svoboda. I really did think Svoboda was dead.
- jmatchett383

Holy hell, I never saw that one before. jesus christ.