Jagr needs to pull his pants up higher, really get a good squeeze going.
- wolfhounds

The League doesn't care so why should I? I'm done trying to argue this stuff. Its pointless.

As long as the Old Guard Canadian Boys are running the league, this will continue.

- BulliesPhan87

That's funny because its true

Penguins fan - and, I am still P.O'ed at Jagr for not coming back (especially for going to the Flyers that year). That being said, this was at best a bordeline hit and at worst a dirty hit - remidned me of Orpik. If the NHL wants to eliminate these hits, they must resolve these issues consistently. Also, the idea of only suspending a player as a result is, to me, laughable. I recall the Pens-Islanders game a few years back. Eric Godard left the bench to join the fight and got a 10-game suspension. The Pens call up Tim Wallace for the rematch (a new goon). What did Godard's actions cost the Pens ? Nothing. What motivation did the Pens have to change ? None. My idea is simple - no tolerance for these kinds of hits - no fines, just suspensions. And, if a player is suspended, count that player against the 23-man active roster AND the 20 player lineup for all games - or just percentage of the games - during his suspension. Players like Matt Cooke and Shawn Thornton would disappear from the NHL - quickly - if it actually costs the teams in this way. Thoughts ?

The League doesn't care so why should I? I'm done trying to argue this stuff. Its pointless.

As long as the Old Guard Canadian Boys are running the league, this will continue.
- 87_71_11_29

Pretty much.

World War 4? Shouldn't World War 3 have to happen first?
- stevens87

"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but WWIV will be fought with sticks and stones" Albert Einstein

The League doesn't care so why should I? I'm done trying to argue this stuff. Its pointless.

As long as the Old Guard Canadian Boys are running the league, this will continue.
- 87_71_11_29

Did Borts run him? Yeah, but do I think he purposely wanted to target his future teammates head? No I don't think he did.

Hockey is so fast its almost impossible to do that (trust me in the heat of battle I have tried many times), I just think Borts is tall and made an unfortunate decision to run one of the greatest players in the history of the game, and contact was made with Jags' head, I just hope he will be ok for our Cup run this year....


2 games

I love Marty Straka
- nbartley9

Once a Ranger, always a Ranger.


3-2-15-87

"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but WWIV will be fought with sticks and stones" Albert Einstein
- dmarsden2988

Why did Einstein separate "WW" and "III: but not "WW" and "IV?"

Pro-voc-a-tive

Once a Ranger, always a Ranger.


3-2-15-87
- jmatchett383

You want the Flyers to aquire Donald Brashear???

Penguins fan - and, I am still P.O'ed at Jagr for not coming back (especially for going to the Flyers that year). That being said, this was at best a bordeline hit and at worst a dirty hit - remidned me of Orpik. If the NHL wants to eliminate these hits, they must resolve these issues consistently. Also, the idea of only suspending a player as a result is, to me, laughable. I recall the Pens-Islanders game a few years back. Eric Godard left the bench to join the fight and got a 10-game suspension. The Pens call up Tim Wallace for the rematch (a new goon). What did Godard's actions cost the Pens ? Nothing. What motivation did the Pens have to change ? None. My idea is simple - no tolerance for these kinds of hits - no fines, just suspensions. And, if a player is suspended, count that player against the 23-man active roster AND the 20 player lineup for all games - or just percentage of the games - during his suspension. Players like Matt Cooke and Shawn Thornton would disappear from the NHL - quickly - if it actually costs the teams in this way. Thoughts ?
- mikesteph1231

The roster penalty makes sense, because it hurts the teams. It will also never happen because it hurts the teams. The owners basically oversee the dept of safety, if they don't want something to happen, it won't.

It would also be a NHLPA issue. If an AHL player can't get called up to take that roster spot an an NHL paycheck, the union won't go for that.

You want the Flyers to aquire Donald Brashear???
- cap1681

hahaha. Well played.

"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but WWIV will be fought with sticks and stones" Albert Einstein
- dmarsden2988

You and I both know Pete isn't smart enough to come up with that on the spot. He messed up. Guilitti, or whatever his name is, brought that up to make it seem less dumb.

- BulliesPhan87

^^^ Dear God, you copy/pasted the whole interwebs with that pic!

Nah. There was no hearing on boychuck Bcs it wasn't warranted. Keep beating that drum though Ryan . If that hit was suspend able there should have been three penguins suspended right along with him that game. Surprised Mario would have a player that would make such a dirty hit on his team of angels?
- Cptmjl

What you just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things that I've ever heard. AT no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational though. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having read it. I award you no points, may God have mercy on your soul.

If you think the Boychuck hit was clean, well, it just proves what we already knew. It's been so long since the Islanders have had a respectable team that many of their fans have no clue what they are talking about.

Let me ask you this, would you be ok with someone like say Zac Sill hitting Tavares that way?

The roster penalty makes sense, because it hurts the teams. It will also never happen because it hurts the teams. The owners basically oversee the dept of safety, if they don't want something to happen, it won't.

It would also be a NHLPA issue. If an AHL player can't get called up to take that roster spot an an NHL paycheck, the union won't go for that.
- rival22

You failed to mention the call ups and absolute thuggary the Islanders engaged in that entire game....

You and I both know Pete isn't smart enough to come up with that on the spot. He messed up. Guilitti, or whatever his name is, brought that up to make it seem less dumb.
- usethe1-2-2

It wouldn't surprise me, he is actually very smart, an ex lawyer so they tend to know crazy things like that

Did Borts run him? Yeah, but do I think he purposely wanted to target his future teammates head? No I don't think he did.

Hockey is so fast its almost impossible to do that (trust me in the heat of battle I have tried many times), I just think Borts is tall and made an unfortunate decision to run one of the greatest players in the history of the game, and contact was made with Jags' head, I just hope he will be ok for our Cup run this year....


2 games
- nbartley9

I guess I'm saying I don't really care either way. I'm sure in the very near future, 87 or 71 will get run and Pens posters will be up in arms. Just a matter of time.

This league is a total joke and has been for years with respect to how the game is officiated and how the league manages player suspensions.

It wouldn't surprise me, he is actually very smart, an ex lawyer so they tend to know crazy things like that
- dmarsden2988

I didn't know he was an x- attorney. I just laugh at the faces he makes on the bench. Some of the best in the league.

Four thoughts:

1. Spot on Ryan with this blog. We may disagree on other topics, but we are in virtual lockstep when it comes to how the NHL administrates discipline...ie, its a joke.

2. Beyond that, I love how everyone from coaches to other fans say "if that had happened to 87 or 71, they would be up in arms!!!" Well yeah, of course we would, because it was a dirty play! Dirty is dirty, whether it happens to a Pen or is being dished out by a Pen. Bortuzzo's hit was late and targeted the head. I was in the building and it looked late in live action and looks worse in slow mo. He deserves whatever supplemental discipline he gets (but to Ryan's point, he would get nothing had Jags gotten up and skated away, such is the moronic system we have to endure). Hopefully Jagr is OK.

3. The Penguins are no different in this regard than any other team. Mario tried to take this issue on at various points in time, the latest being after the Islanders fiasco. Unfortunately, he did it in a ham handed way, and did nothing but bring scorn and derision on himself and the team. The message was clear then and it remains clear: The rest of the power brokers in the NHL like the game the way it is just fine, thank you very much. Teams trying to promote clean play for the most part do nothing but come off as weak and easily pushed around. That absolutely happened to the Pens last year against the BJ's and the Rangers. The Pens didn't answer and they paid for that in the form of an epic collapse.

That's why I have no issues with the Pens having players like Downie, Bortuzzo, and Cooke and Ruutu before them. They are simply living by the unofficial laws of the jungle as set forth by the rest of the league. Crosby and Malkin take almost constant abuse every playoffs. That will never stop, so why should it be any different if the Pens abuse other teams stars as well. The first thing the Pens should have done when Sid got whacked in the Rangers series was run Hank. The first thing they should have done after the Leddy hit on Malkin was give Tavares a good hard crosscheck in the back. That's what the league almost begs teams to do. Its been going on for years, and I don't think its any coincidence that the pens won 2 cups with a guy like Ulfie patrolling the blue line and another with Matt Cooke on the team. Devils fans who will likely jump all over this post would do well to remember that they didn't win their first 2 cups until they had one of the dirtiest players in the history of the game in Claude Lemieux causing havoc against the opposition. I really don't want it to be this way, but until the league decides to get serious about how it administrates discipline and protecting its players, you need some guys on your own team to wear the black hat and be the villain.

Join the Dark Side. Let the Hate flow through you. Its the NHL way and it always has been.

Almost forgot....

4. I still hope it burns when Cptmjl pees.
- Emperor Filonius

Agree 100%, and also very well written , strong work emperor !

On a side note from all this bs... I thought Ehrhoff had an oustanding game.
- j.boyd919

He's been like that forever. Not directed at you but people need to stop looking at the scoreboard only. Ehrhoff has been great.

Re-sign #10 and #17 to two/three years deals.

You are the Zach Sill of Hockeybuzz posters. You keep coming back, nobody knows why, and you never seem to produce anything of value.
- Ryan_Wilson

Oh snap!

He's been like that forever. Not directed at you but people need to stop looking at the scoreboard only. Ehrhoff has been great.

Re-sign #10 and #17 to two/three years deals.
- Barnaby36

Agree.

Wilson is out for a few weeks. Sure hard to get a feel for a player in a few shifts. Anyway, who is next up from the farm? Rust? Uher? Payerl? Captain Tom Kostco?

Agree.

Wilson is out for a few weeks. Sure hard to get a feel for a player in a few shifts. Anyway, who is next up from the farm? Rust? Uher? Payerl? Captain Tom Kostco?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Kostopolis isn't signed to an NHL contract tho. I don't think he can be called up.
Eric Brewer broke his foot BTW. If there was ever a time to trade for Etem it is now.

Kostopolis isn't signed to an NHL contract tho. I don't think he can be called up.
Eric Brewer broke his foot BTW. If there was ever a time to trade for Etem it is now.
- usethe1-2-2

I'm okay with acquiring Etem as long as he comes cheap / we are buying low. He's a little risky, imo.