i never said it was a "clean hit" only that its not as egregious as everyone is making it out to be, players take penalties its part of the game, but so taking a few shots here and there. there were worse hits in the game committed by players on this team.
- JoeRussomanno

I think that most are making it out to be exactly what it is. Which is a late illegal hit that is boarding, and worthy of a major penalty and a game misconduct. Also a suspension worthy hit, which combined with his repeat offender status is going to lead to a significant suspension.

'Sure there have been worse hits in the League, but that doesn't change any of the above.

Yet you claim this is in their DNA and goes back to 1967!

- MJL

They are who they are. The rep is well earned, just like the large number of people here trying to justify the hit. There was nothing borderline about it....

To be clear, I agree it was a boarding major and subject to league discipline/suspensions/fines etc. I just disagree with what I'm seeing as a mischaracterization of the matter, as seems to be the case in the various media and web outlets today, many of whom have taken to vilifying the guy with snippets and quotes taken out of context, which promotes the notion that the Rinaldo hit was more than it was and that his post-game "joking around" was some big insult that should make everyone hate him (even more).

I'm more or less with you on his usefulness to the team though. I mean, I do like guys who can bring energy, speed, checking and toughness...they can spark the team at times...but Rinaldo seems to play too recklessly to be an asset on a consistent basis. There have been times...stretches of games in the past, where it seemed he had perhaps tempered himself to the point where he could provide that spark and play on that edge, without going over it. But I think we're seeing that this may not be the case and thus he remains an ongoing risk out there. It would help his cause if he could produce worth a lick, but he can't.
- exlund

The hit, in and of itself, as an isolated incident is not a major hit that should see him be suspended for 20 games. I agree the actual incident has been overstated to, in some cases a large, extent.

My issue is combining this hit with the player in question and his past. In three NHL seasons, prior to this one, Rinaldo has been fined twice and suspended twice. He has a well earned reputation for playing out of control and being a heavily penalized player. This is a trend that extends back to Rinaldo's junior career.

Rinaldo's most impressive "achievement" is that in his first AHL season he was suspended more times (4) than he scored goals (3). When you have a guy with this guy's history and repeated admonishments from the team and the player that he needs to learn to control himself better and be smarter, and the antics continue into a fourth NHL season...When is he going to learn?

As for the interview, he obviously thought very little about the hit. Dismissed what he did, and definitely joked about "changing the game". That tells me he either doesn't want to change or doesn't care to change.

If he could produce like Carcillo or Ott, maybe it'd be different. Their antics wear on teams, but there's more production. The little plays where Rinaldo does something good are too few and far between to negate or mitigate the dumb penalties and annual punishment from the NHL.

Right now, Rinaldo is averaging a fine or suspension once every 53 games he's played.

That's a different subject. I haven't used any player names in the hypotheticals I offered.

Honest question. What determines if the hit was a good hit or not. The actual rules of the game, or an opinion on what the rules should be, and ignoring the actual rules when making a determination on if it was a good hit or not?
- MJL

the rules of the game are being tailored to the feint of heart so scoring can go up, thus ratings. im not gonna elaborate on what physical play is and why without it the game wont be the same. rinaldo is an agitator albeit a poor one but an agitator nonetheless his job is basically to go out there and get under the opponents skin, in their head's etc. he actually did his job last night. yes anytime you can trade your 4th liner for the other team's top defenseman you take that. if it was matt read who made that hit the opinion on this board would be different.

the rules of the game are being tailored to the feint of heart so scoring can go up, thus ratings. im not gonna elaborate on what physical play is and why without it the game wont be the same. rinaldo is an agitator albeit a poor one but an agitator nonetheless his job is basically to go out there and get under the opponents skin, in their head's etc. he actually did his job last night. yes anytime you can trade your 4th liner for the other team's top defenseman you take that. if it was matt read who made that hit the opinion on this board would be different.
- JoeRussomanno

That dances around the question. Simply can't dismiss the hit as a bad hit just because you don't like the rules of the game, and think that it should be different.

You're right, this board would be different, because Matt Read doesn't have the history that Rinaldo has.

I think that most are making it out to be exactly what it is. Which is a late illegal hit that is boarding, and worthy of a major penalty and a game misconduct. Also a suspension worthy hit, which combined with his repeat offender status is going to lead to a significant suspension.

'Sure there have been worse hits in the League, but that doesn't change any of the above.
- MJL

take hits out of the game then RIP NHL was nice knowing you but euro-mary hockey is moving in. good luck keeping those time slots on tv

the rules of the game are being tailored to the feint of heart so scoring can go up, thus ratings. im not gonna elaborate on what physical play is and why without it the game wont be the same. rinaldo is an agitator albeit a poor one but an agitator nonetheless his job is basically to go out there and get under the opponents skin, in their head's etc. he actually did his job last night. yes anytime you can trade your 4th liner for the other team's top defenseman you take that. if it was matt read who made that hit the opinion on this board would be different.
- JoeRussomanno

And if downie injured giroux with a hit from behind into the boards when the puck was gone, that would be a good job done for the pens? Concussions aren't at all serious right?

take hits out of the game then RIP NHL was nice knowing you but euro-mary hockey is moving in. good luck keeping those time slots on tv
- JoeRussomanno

Who is trying to take hits out of the game, or said that they want to take hits out of the game? In last night's game, there was a total of 71 credited hits, yet there were only two penalties called for illegal hits.

You know that I Consistently come down hard on the Pens when they do something dumb. The difference is that the Flyers have made this kind of sh*tshow part of what they are all the way back to 1967. It's the Bullies persona. It's also a sh*t brand of hockey that the Flyers can never purge from their DNA.
- Emperor Filonius

I'd say that, since 1990 or so, the Penguins have happily added it to their DNA. Ulf Samuelsson, Darius Kasparaitis, Matt Cooke, James Neal, Steve Downie, Zach Sill, Bobby Farnham.

Just saying, that there's a lot of clowns like Dejan Kovacevic out there shredding the repulsive Flyers, who need to have a little introspective look in their own kitchen

the rules of the game are being tailored to the feint of heart so scoring can go up, thus ratings. im not gonna elaborate on what physical play is and why without it the game wont be the same. rinaldo is an agitator albeit a poor one but an agitator nonetheless his job is basically to go out there and get under the opponents skin, in their head's etc. he actually did his job last night. yes anytime you can trade your 4th liner for the other team's top defenseman you take that. if it was matt read who made that hit the opinion on this board would be different.
- JoeRussomanno

the rules of the game are being tailored to promote the safety and longevity of its players. you can be an agitator without potentially ending careers. you can do your little dances of hooking and slashes and glove washing. in the series against the pens, dubinsky was about as big a best as you can be. sure he did lots of little things that should be penalties and went uncalled, and caused much frustration, but he didnt exactly look to break necks.

take hits out of the game then RIP NHL was nice knowing you but euro-mary hockey is moving in. good luck keeping those time slots on tv
- JoeRussomanno

Nice extreme conclusion there. I bet we'd see a better argument out of a bag of hammers.

That dances around the question. Simply can't dismiss the hit as a bad hit just because you don't like the rules of the game, and think that it should be different.

You're right, this board would be different, because Matt Read doesn't have the history that Rinaldo has.
- MJL

im dismissing it more so on the grounds its being called a bad hit for... i'll tell you what, whille this little dance went on, i went ahead and made a screen shot from the replay at ice level of rinaldo hitting letang in the shoulder, i cant make out his skates off the ice in the shot but the puck is at letang's feet. so the puck was long gone? i dont think so. but if anyone can tell me how to get that shot from my ipad to this site im all ears.

And if downie injured giroux with a hit from behind into the boards when the puck was gone, that would be a good job done for the pens? Concussions aren't at all serious right?
- Isles_since_6

it would be bad for the entire league.

And if downie injured giroux with a hit from behind into the boards when the puck was gone, that would be a good job done for the pens? Concussions aren't at all serious right?
- Isles_since_6

separate the men from the boys.

the rules of the game are being tailored to promote the safety and longevity of its players. you can be an agitator without potentially ending careers. you can do your little dances of hooking and slashes and glove washing. in the series against the pens, dubinsky was about as big a best as you can be. sure he did lots of little things that should be penalties and went uncalled, and caused much frustration, but he didnt exactly look to break necks.
- stayinthefnnet

longevity of the players? youve got to be kidding with that one.

im dismissing it more so on the grounds its being called a bad hit for... i'll tell you what, whille this little dance went on, i went ahead and made a screen shot from the replay at ice level of rinaldo hitting letang in the shoulder, i cant make out his skates off the ice in the shot but the puck is at letang's feet. so the puck was long gone? i dont think so. but if anyone can tell me how to get that shot from my ipad to this site im all ears.
- JoeRussomanno

The replay is readily available. Those who are interested in the situation have watched it umpteen times. A former NHL referee with over 20 years experience and the added benefit of replay, has weighed in on the hit. There really isn't anything to debate.

longevity of the players? youve got to be kidding with that one.
- JoeRussomanno

you caught me. ive actually been joking the whole time.


also, im actually a flyers fan.

separate the men from the boys.
- JoeRussomanno

It's become pretty clear you have no idea what being a man means.

separate the men from the boys.
- JoeRussomanno

Because manly men don't get concussions..only boys do?

The replay is readily available. Those who are interested in the situation have watched it umpteen times. A former NHL referee with over 20 years experience and the added benefit of replay, has weighed in on the hit. There really isn't anything to debate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7nr2UlQZxI
- MJL

This whole 'us having the same view on things' is getting a little creepy lol

The replay is readily available. Those who are interested in the situation have watched it umpteen times. A former NHL referee with over 20 years experience and the added benefit of replay, has weighed in on the hit. There really isn't anything to debate.
- MJL

still shots add context

separate the men from the boys.
- JoeRussomanno

that lindros sure was a wee little boy.

still shots add context
- JoeRussomanno

The NHL has all the technology available to look at a hit or any play from various angles. How could they get it wrong?

Because manly men don't get concussions..only boys do?
- opeth_pa

no but some have stronger chins than others.

that lindros sure was a wee little boy.
- stayinthefnnet

skated with his head down way too much, his style of play was a double edged sword.