Jmes Neal should have gotten about 50 games worth so far in his career.

But James Neal, and even Matt Cooke, were decent hockey players. They could actually contribute in other, impactful ways. Rinaldo can't. That shouldn't matter in his suspension, but it should in a team's willingness to employ him to play hockey.
- jmatchett383

Cooke was a premier penalty killer. Still, Cooke always felt that he needed to do shady things to keep his place in the NHL. This is a reflection on management requiring that a role of the rat be played by someone on their roster. What can we do about this?

Thought of the day: Any player found guilty of intent to injure should be suspended for a minimum of X amount of games (let's say 10 - for arguments sake).

If a player is injured during an altercation the guilty party is suspended for the amount of time the injured player is unable to participate. The guilty player will forgo their salary per game basis (in other words, amount of games missed). The resulting salary loss is donated to charity.

Call this a steep penalty but at what point does player safety and the overall health and integrity of the game outweigh that of an individual?

Sincerely,
Adam

This makes me curious..
- nbartley9

Well its bcs everyone is jealous of you having crosby and malkin.

Well its bcs everyone is jealous of you having crosby and malkin.
- Cptmjl

oh haha I got ya, that's actually pretty witty.

This reminds me of 'Leafs should get draft picks from the Coyotes because they financially support them' stuff.
- Johnny Wrath

It's not compensation based on an injury, it's compensation given for injuries or potential injuries caused by goon and rat play. That's significantly different than what you atriutepd to me.

Thought of the day: Any player found guilty of intent to injure should be suspended for a minimum of X amount of games (let's say 10 - for arguments sake).

If a player is injured during an altercation the guilty party is suspended for the amount of time the injured player is unable to participate. The guilty player will forgo their salary per game basis (in other words, amount of games missed). The resulting salary loss is donated to charity.

Call this a steep penalty but at what point does player safety and the overall health and integrity of the game outweigh that of an individual?

Sincerely,
Adam
- penguins-4-life

The next time the Flyers/Penguins meet, I am telling my 4th liners to goad Crosby into a fight no matter what and to become "injured" for the rest of the series.

Suspending a player based on time missed due to injury further goes towards ruling by result, and not intent. That is 100% the wrong way to do so.

Example 1: Player A slashes player B. The slash hits Player B in a padded area, he is fine.

Example 2: Player A slashes player B. The slash hits Player B in an unprotected area and breaks his leg.

Which one of these had more "intent to injure" than the other?

It's not compensation based on an injury, it's compensation given for injuries or potential injuries caused by goon and rat play. That's significantly different than what you atriutepd to me.
- szielinski

I'm saying that your perspective is down on all fours with the likes of crazed Leafs fans who really are out there and really do think these things.

This reminds me of 'Leafs should get draft picks from the Coyotes because they financially support them' stuff.
- Johnny Wrath

Why would it remind you of that? The two proposals are meant to remedy different problems.

It's not compensation based on an injury, it's compensation given for injuries or potential injuries caused by goon and rat play. That's significantly different than what you atriutepd to me.
- szielinski

So what if a team injures multiple players? What if the team that received those picks injures multiple players? What if they've already traded away their first.

Giving away picks due to the actions of a player, who may or may not be on the roster where those picks are used, is not going to happen. Ever. Ever.

I'm saying that your perspective is down on all fours with the likes of crazed Leafs fans who really are out there and really do think these things.
- Johnny Wrath

There is nothing crazy about my proposal. It's a feasible deterrent to goon and rat play.

Thats my point. I would much rather have players like rinaldo that play at full speed with emotion and play on the edge then players who actually try to injure. I dont care if they score 50 goals a year.
- jmdodgeser4

Are you smoking something? Rinaldo has been suspended multiple times in every league that he's played in going back to the OHL for injuring opponents. He made a name for himself in junior for going after skilled players.

Thats my point. I would much rather have players like rinaldo that play at full speed with emotion and play on the edge then players who actually try to injure. I dont care if they score 50 goals a year.
- jmdodgeser4

So, a player like Rinaldo, who offers nothing but trying to hit people as hard as he can, deserves an NHL job, yet a player like James Neal, who can score 40 goals, does not?

Both of them are dirty players (at times). However, at least one can offer something positive to a team. And I'll give you a hint: that one is not Rinaldo.

So what if a team injures multiple players? What if the team that received those picks injures multiple players? What if they've already traded away their first.

Giving away picks due to the actions of a player, who may or may not be on the roster where those picks are used, is not going to happen. Ever. Ever.
- jmatchett383

I doubt that the NHL would implement my proposal. But that's because gutless morons run the league.

The next time the Flyers/Penguins meet, I am telling my 4th liners to goad Crosby into a fight no matter what and to become "injured" for the rest of the series.

Suspending a player based on time missed due to injury further goes towards ruling by result, and not intent. That is 100% the wrong way to do so.

Example 1: Player A slashes player B. The slash hits Player B in a padded area, he is fine.

Example 2: Player A slashes player B. The slash hits Player B in an unprotected area and breaks his leg.

Which one of these had more "intent to injure" than the other?
- jmatchett383

Good point. From an early age I was taught to lift the opponents stick, not slash. A 2 min hooking call IMO is "more" acceptable in that scenario than a 2 min slash. In other words, I feel a slash is completely ridiculous, it doesn't achieve much unless you slash the player hard enough that he gives up the puck. Often times that will result in a penalty.

My rational is that judging by intent is often too difficult. It doesn't result in consistency. We'll need to find a way around this.

As for fighting: If two players engage in fisticuffs they are both equally guilty, the result of a fight is two guys with fewer brain cells when they are done. If the engagement was consensual by both players I don't feel my suggestion is applicable: give them both 5 minute majors and whatever else you feel is appropriate.

I doubt that the NHL would implement my proposal. But that's because gutless morons run the league.
- szielinski

The NHL won't take the Flyers' draft picks away and grant them to the Penguins after an injury because gutless morons run the NHL? You really aren't seeing any of my point?

What about james neil? He surely isnt innocent. He sets out and actually tries to injure. Just trying to make an example. I think everybody is just over doing this
- jmdodgeser4

The "yeah but pens employed Neal, cooke" argument is a joke. Where are those 2 now?? The Flyers took pride in playing goon hockey for 30+ years and obviously still do. Comments like this from fans prove it.

I could care what side of the fence you are on but get it together. Half of the fan base is "not that bad. It's hockey. Pens whine." and half is "cut his a$$. He's dirty"

And on the Pens. It is hockey.. always going to be poopt like this in games. The mental toughness is atrocious. What is Tocc saying in that room?? I have no doubt in my mind the Pens will work thru this but it has to change before they run into a "physical" team 1st round.

Lastly, Philly gets softer and softer every year. That said.. need more from Sid. They give him all the room in the world and he needs to create more. Maybe it was the absence of Grossman, Coburn but I was expecting more from him. And when the game went south.... do/say something Sid. There is no doubt in my mind Sid is physically stronger than Giroux certainly on his skates. I'm not saying square up and throw em but drop the gloves and rag doll him for sweet fancy moses sake! ok I'm done....

The NHL won't take the Flyers' draft picks away and grant them to the Penguins after an injury because gutless morons run the NHL? You really aren't seeing any of my point?
- Johnny Wrath

I'm not required to see your point. I'm only required to defend my own.

The "yeah but pens employed Neal, cooke" argument is a joke. Where are those 2 now?? The Flyers took pride in playing goon hockey for 30+ years and obviously still do. Comments like this from fans prove it.

I could care what side of the fence you are on but get it together. Half of the fan base is "not that bad. It's hockey. Pens whine." and half is "cut his a$$. He's dirty"

And on the Pens. It is hockey.. always going to be poopt like this in games. The mental toughness is atrocious. What is Tocc saying in that room?? I have no doubt in my mind the Pens will work thru this but it has to change before they run into a "physical" team 1st round.

Lastly, Philly gets softer and softer every year. That said.. need more from Sid. They give him all the room in the world and he needs to create more. Maybe it was the absence of Grossman, Coburn but I was expecting more from him. And when the game went south.... do/say something Sid. There is no doubt in my mind Sid is physically stronger than Giroux certainly on his skates. I'm not saying square up and throw em but drop the gloves and rag doll him for sweet fancy moses sake! ok I'm done....
- stowerkraut

Which is it? Are the Flyers "still" playing "goon hockey" or are they getting "softer and softer every year?" Can't have it both ways.

Most Flyers fan actually want a shift AWAY from players like Rinaldo and want to embrace a youth movement based on speed and skill. But I guess that's not the cool narrative.

By the way, I love how the Penguins never had "goons" or "dirty players" like Ulf Samuelsson, Troy Loney, Matthew Barnaby, George Laraque, Paul Baxter, Darius Kasparitis, Bob Boughner, Krystof Oliwa...

I'm not required to see your point. I'm only required to defend my own.
- szielinski

Well, you're not really "required" to do anything.

Which is it? Are the Flyers "still" playing "goon hockey" or are they getting "softer and softer every year?" Can't have it both ways.

Most Flyers fan actually want a shift AWAY from players like Rinaldo and want to embrace a youth movement based on speed and skill. But I guess that's not the cool narrative.

By the way, I love how the Penguins never had "goons" or "dirty players" like Ulf Samuelsson, Troy Loney, Matthew Barnaby, George Laraque, Paul Baxter, Darius Kasparitis, Bob Boughner, Krystof Oliwa...
- jmatchett383

The Penguins got Barnaby, Oliwa, and Steve McKenna all at once one season. I think they wanted to make Jan Hrdina tougher.

By the way, I love how the Penguins never had "goons" or "dirty players" like Ulf Samuelsson, Troy Loney, Matthew Barnaby, George Laraque, Paul Baxter, Darius Kasparitis, Bob Boughner, Krystof Oliwa...
- jmatchett383

I smell what you're Cookeing up here

I'm not required to see your point. I'm only required to defend my own.
- szielinski

You're not required to do anything. Were you trying to twist a different quote and ended up with this mangled form?

Well, you're not really "required" to do anything.
- BulliesPhan87

No, I'm required to defend my position against rational criticism.

You're not required to do anything. Were you trying to twist a different quote and ended up with this mangled form?
- Johnny Wrath

See below.

The Penguins got Barnaby, Oliwa, and Steve McKenna all at once one season. I think they wanted to make Jan Hrdina tougher.
- Johnny Wrath

Back when Oliwa was on the Devils and McCarthy was on the Flyers, they used to have some crazy fights. Those Devils/Flyers game were crazy. Devils had Sasha Lakovic and Randy McKay, Flyers had Dan Kordic, Luke Richardson, and Berube. Games were wild.