This is what is wrong with the NHL in a nutshell. Until they get their head out of their a** and start suspending guys for dirty hits (not whether or not somebody gets hurt) this kind of thing is going to keep happening.

Players are going to keep making hits like that and just hope nobody gets hurt and they don't get suspended. Guys like Rinaldo don't have much of a choice really. He's not s a skilled guy, he's out their to hit guys as hard and as often as he can. If he doesn't do that the Flyers will find someone else who will. And 9 out of 10 times he makes that hit the guy gets up unhurt and he probably doesn't get a penalty (maybe a 2 or a 5 but no suspension for sure). Was it still a dirty hit? Sure, but the NHL only cares when someone gets hurt.
- noffsin6

I'm sure this is going to be unpopular, but:

If Letang isn't injured and doesn't have to leave the game, it's a 2-minute minor with no hearing.

Amen brother. Saw something in our Power play and played it perfectly. Not sure why we are so reliant on the point men. If they pressure there as hard as the flyer were last night move the puck to crosby for a 3 on 2 situation down low. It was frustrating but Kudo's to your PK
- dbell646

It's an odd turn of events, our PK has been a huge problem this year

I wonder if pens fans would be so up in arms if rinaldo hit Adams instead.
- rangerdanger94

Yes ,because this is about the NHL and its incomprehensible discipline policy, not and indivual play or players. If the hit was on Nash or Dominic Moore you would say the same...

I wonder if pens fans would be so up in arms if rinaldo hit Adams instead.
- rangerdanger94

They should be if that happened.

I wonder if pens fans would be so up in arms if rinaldo hit Adams instead.
- rangerdanger94

I would be. I want Adams off the ice as much as anyone but NOT like that. As far as I'm concerned it can be player A or Player B tagged. Doesn't matter. That's part of another problem: the league being lax on penalties, fines and suspensions because a victim isn't a star or has a history themselves. Ridiculous.

Ovi's hit was clean yo.
- rangerdanger94

Leaving your feet is clean????? Targeting the head is clean?????

I'm sure this is going to be unpopular, but:

If Letang isn't injured and doesn't have to leave the game, it's a 2-minute minor with no hearing.
- jmatchett383

you're probably right which is just another way to illustrate how poorly their system works.

At least Letang is on the ice this morning. That is a positive sign.

Leaving your feet is clean????? Targeting the head is clean?????
- Brianandr1

Are we talking about the same hit?

I have never agreed with a statement more than I do this one.
- nbartley9

Just to be clear, I do not agree with the 'eye for an eye' approach.

We'd end up with a league of thugs and goons while all the skill players are perpetually inured. I like physical hockey & love players who play with a physical edge (ie, Boone Jenner or Ryan Malone, back in the day), but guys like Rinaldo or Carcillo are just worthless.

At least Letang is on the ice this morning. That is a positive sign.
- kgrpitt

Keep the spreadsheet in tact. For now.

At least Letang is on the ice this morning. That is a positive sign.
- kgrpitt

Well that means 2 games for Rinaldo.

At least Letang is on the ice this morning. That is a positive sign.
- kgrpitt

wow, lucky for him and good to hear. That guy has had enough bad luck for a while.

I'd much rather play you guys at full strength, makes for a much more entertaining game.

Keep the spreadsheet in tact. For now.
- rangerdanger94

The spreadsheet that the NHL uses to determine games suspended? Player not seriously injured from an illegal hit means games suspended cut in half.

I'm sure this is going to be unpopular, but:

If Letang isn't injured and doesn't have to leave the game, it's a 2-minute minor with no hearing.
- jmatchett383

Yeah most likely. The injury drawer the penalty more than anything. No injury, 2min boarding.

Good to hear Letang is skating

wow, lucky for him and good to hear. That guy has had enough bad luck for a while.

I'd much rather play you guys at full strength, makes for a much more entertaining game.
- Isles_since_6

You're not franking kidding, man. Can't really do things quite as effectively without him. Haven't handled you guys all that well this year. Wouldn't be any easier with him out.

Yeah most likely. The injury drawer the penalty more than anything. No injury, 2min boarding.
- sammy87

I'll go one step further, even:

The MDZ flying elbow was a much, MUCH more dangerous hit. Not Rinaldo, and no injury, it's a 2 minute minor. They were both dirty hits, but I think the MDZ one has the higher potential for injury. Just didn't turn out that way.

Well that means 2 games for Rinaldo.
- ImThatGuy

Actually, it means he will now get a invite to the ASG.

The spreadsheet that the NHL uses to determine games suspended? Player not seriously injured from an illegal hit means games suspended cut in half.
- kgrpitt

The corsi spreadsheet that determines the outcome of all future hockey games.

Well that means 2 games for Rinaldo.
- ImThatGuy

should be a min of 5 if it's an inperson hearing.

I'd like to see 8-10 but I bet it's 6.

The corsi spreadsheet that determines the outcome of all future hockey games.
- rangerdanger94

Well that means 2 games for Rinaldo.
- ImThatGuy

I know this is sarcasm, but he has an in-person hearing, which means 5 games minimum.

I'm sure this is going to be unpopular, but:

If Letang isn't injured and doesn't have to leave the game, it's a 2-minute minor with no hearing.
- jmatchett383

You're correct... And if Bortuzzo stayed down and was helped off the ice after Del Zotto's charge, it's likely a major and a hearing.

Garage League

Honestly, I don't think a response towards Rinaldo, at that moment, accomplishes anything. Rinaldo is worthless; exacting retribution against him for injuring Letang, one of our best players, does very little.

If you are going to go with the ‘eye-for-an-eye approach,’ (which I personally don’t favor), don’t go after Rinaldo; go after Giroux or Voracek. Wait until they are in the corner, line one of them up, launch at them, and try to cause maximum damage to their head. The ‘eye-for-an-eye approach’ is based on exacting comparable revenge. Letang for Rinaldo isn’t comparable at all.
- s0rcerer1984

Another reason Ryan's article has such a valid point. First, as he said, "enforcers" are reactionary. Second, as you elude to in your first paragraph, people always start gooning it up with other goons to respond to the initial infraction. That never made sense to me.

"I'm going to beat up your 6 point a year player because his linemate injured our 20 goal scorer! That'll show you!!!"