Youre right... it might not matter to a fan, but as a player it would matter to me if I passed up on a checking opportunity and the guy went on to score. It might matter to my coach.

Just because he was engaged with VDV doesnt mean he is not legally eligible to be hit. Third man in is only a fighting rule.
- jak521

So the only possible option on that play is to try to injure him as much as possible? Not bump him off the puck or go for the pokecheck? Christ, just stand him up, you don't have to go through him like a bulldozer.

All you need to do is google Sabres Flyers brawl and you will hear names and go yup. we had that guy on the team.
- ImThatGuy

The original argument was distinguishing "goons" (Rinaldo, Carcillo, Barnaby) for "enforcers" (Ray, Peters, Kordic, McCarthy). The players in those brawls were enforcers,not goons.

Cat didn't lower his head though. he got knocked off balance in a battle and was in a vulnerable position.

Again, Umberger was a suicide pass that he was basically skating forward with his head turned backwards.

It was not dirty, but it was unnecessary.

Again, swith the roles and put Ghost in that scenario, where he is the one getting drilled. its not a great feeling.

There was nothing to prove from Gudas. He didnt have to truck through him either. He chose to do that.
- ImThatGuy

Im not disagreeing with any of this. Im just saying it was a legal hit. Could he have pulled up. Sure. Could he have backed down. Sure. Does it suck when a player on your team gets steam rolled. Absolutely.

Im not here defending the player. He is an idiot. Like I said the dude is a neanderthal. However, IMO, this hit was within the current rules.

My Jets can send you G Ondre Pavalec and RW Anthony Peluso?

We like trading with Buffalo and Peluso is a nuclear option for these games

So the only possible option on that play is to try to injure him as much as possible? Not bump him off the puck or go for the pokecheck? Christ, just stand him up, you don't have to go through him like a bulldozer.
- jmatchett383

Agreed. When Gudas hits the wrong guy on the wrong team and it leads to an eye for an eye scenario it is going to get ugly.

The opposing team wont target him, they will target Voracek, Giroux, Ghost. ETC.

So the only possible option on that play is to try to injure him as much as possible? Not bump him off the puck or go for the pokecheck? Christ, just stand him up, you don't have to go through him like a bulldozer.
- jmatchett383

Gudas is a heavy hitter. He either goes in hard or doesnt at all. Ive seen him hit guys 30lbs heavier and have the same effect. He crushed Catenacci, but I dont think he was trying to injure him as much as possible. Thats laughable. If he wanted to do that all he had to do was step to his right about 2 feet and pick JUST his head.

I didn't say he was.... I said I looked back to 2006. Meaning from then to now.

They were all complete bumholes on the ice and that was the reason why they got their paychecks... it was to be bumholes on the ice.

that is a useless cheap shot artist. Play minimal minutes but racks up over 200 PIMs.
- JVince11

So why were Scott, Kaleta, Ott, and Weber on the ice? For their dazzling offensive prowess?

Don't have an issue with the hit so much as the fact that it happened at all, could of stood there and let Cat skate right into him plays over no harm done.

NHL will have to eventually do something about these sort of hits, no one can argue that Cat is in a vulnerable position and literally can not defend himself against this hit. Which is why he's sitting going through NHL protocol. And as the NHL and other sports leagues deal with the ongoing lawsuit issues with concussions they'll eventually do something about it

No hearing for Gudas from the league.


- JVince11

It is just multiplied to a team like Buffalo this year and right now..

We don't have Girgensons or Ennis in our top 6. Moulson is a clown on our 4th line.

Losing ANOTHER guy... it just makes it worse. Magnifies it all.
- JVince11

I get it.. We have been there before.. Snowball effect type thing.

Gudas is a heavy hitter. He either goes in hard or doesnt at all. Ive seen him hit guys 30lbs heavier and have the same effect. He crushed Catenacci, but I dont think he was trying to injure him as much as possible. Thats laughable. If he wanted to do that all he had to do was step to his right about 2 feet and pick JUST his head.
- jak521

So if Gistisbehere was bent over reaching for a puck late in a game that's out of reach and a player did that, you'd be totally cool with it and applaud the hit as Ghost is woozy and getting helped off the ice?

My Jets can send you G Ondre Pavalec and RW Anthony Peluso?

We like trading with Buffalo and Peluso is a nuclear option for these games
- jjonah

Ya..... pass... A goalie with MAJOR head issues and a 4th line winger with 13 career points.

What a deal. on the other hand..... Want Weber!!??

So why were Scott, Kaleta, Ott, and Weber on the ice? For their dazzling offensive prowess?
- jmatchett383

Are you serious in putting Ott and Weber in the same category as those bums like Carcillo, Rinaldo, Shelly, Cote, etc??

Dude... no.... just no. Take off the glasses here for a moment.

So if Gistisbehere was bent over reaching for a puck late in a game that's out of reach and a player did that, you'd be totally cool with it and applaud the hit as Ghost is woozy and getting helped off the ice?
- jmatchett383

I never once said I wouldnt be pissed. Hell I have given several examples. Umberger, Briere, Lindros x4.... but those plays happen. We are gonna have a player get crushed. It happened to Couts (but where his head was picked) in the beginning of the season.

Im not arguing if I would be happy or angry.. just that it was still within the rules. Hence the lack of a suspension.

*EDIT:

Also, you keep making this about the time and score. Rules dont change because of time and score. Emotions change..

So if Gistisbehere was bent over reaching for a puck late in a game that's out of reach and a player did that, you'd be totally cool with it and applaud the hit as Ghost is woozy and getting helped off the ice?
- jmatchett383

I like it......

It's all fun and games until it happens to your team.

Are you serious in putting Ott and Weber in the same category as those bums like Carcillo, Rinaldo, Shelly, Cote, etc??

Dude... no.... just no. Take off the glasses here for a moment.
- JVince11

Again, Shelley and Cote were fighters, not cheap shot artists like Carcillo/Rinaldo.

I never once said I wouldnt be pissed. Hell I have given several examples. Umberger, Briere, Lindros x4.... but those plays happen. We are gonna have a player get crushed. It happened to Couts (but where his head was picked) in the beginning of the season.

Im not arguing if I would be happy or angry.. just that it was still within the rules. Hence the lack of a suspension.

*EDIT:

Also, you keep making this about the time and score. Rules dont change because of time and score. Emotions change..
- jak521

Players should respect other players enough. Gudos is acting like some baby Richard wanna be thug trying to make a name for himself.

Nothing more... nothing less.

legal or not... it was completely uncalled for.

i'm more upset about the dumb draft lottery last year. life of a buffalo fan i guess. use to it.

I never once said I wouldnt be pissed. Hell I have given several examples. Umberger, Briere, Lindros x4.... but those plays happen. We are gonna have a player get crushed. It happened to Couts (but where his head was picked) in the beginning of the season.

Im not arguing if I would be happy or angry.. just that it was still within the rules. Hence the lack of a suspension.

*EDIT:

Also, you keep making this about the time and score. Rules dont change because of time and score. Emotions change..
- jak521

Rules don't change, but yes, exactly, emotions change. That's my point, MOST players have enough emotion/sense to realize that you shouldn't go out trying to drill people when you're winning big.

Players should respect other players enough. Gudos is acting like some baby d1ck wanna be thug trying to make a name for himself.

Nothing more... nothing less.

legal or not... it was completely uncalled for.
- JVince11

Gudas is acting like Gudas. Thats the way he plays. A lot like Kronwall. They take the body heavy. They pick spots.

Serious question: Would you guys be ANY less upset if it was a 1-1 game when that hit happened. I think not.

Rules don't change, but yes, exactly, emotions change. That's my point, MOST players have enough emotion/sense to realize that you shouldn't go out trying to drill people when you're winning big.
- jmatchett383

Again. Gudas is a friggin neanderthal.

i'm more upset about the dumb draft lottery last year. life of a buffalo fan i guess. use to it.
- c2rds

Just wait until you miss out on the 1st overall pick and he scores the OT game winner to win the Stanley Cup on your home ice.

i'm more upset about the dumb draft lottery last year. life of a buffalo fan i guess. use to it.
- c2rds

See 2007 Flyers.

Worst team in the league by like 17 points. Kane goes to the Hawks and beats the Flyers in OT to win the cup ON PHILLY ICE!!

not even close to the goon legacy in philly... but, thanks for stopping by...you can pick up your box of rice a roni on the way out
- Michael Pachla

The Flyers don't even have a "goon" on the team right now. Drawing on 1970s history of the Broad Street Bullies is lazy blogging.

Gudas has been terrible in the past month. He is missing hits, taking bad chances, making questionable hits, and giving pucks away. The Foligno "hit" wasn't a penalty - when you make someone miss like Foligno did, sometimes they still get a piece of you... The hit late in the game was dirty. Gudas should probably be suspended for head hunting. That being said, even rookies need to keep their heads up coming through the middle of the ice. Even as a Flyers fan, I hope the kid isn't hurt.

Gudas is acting like Gudas. Thats the way he plays. A lot like Kronwall. They take the body heavy. They pick spots.

Serious question: Would you guys be ANY less upset if it was a 1-1 game when that hit happened. I think not.
- jak521

Yea Kronwall picks great spots... that get him suspended for playoff games