Hart is barely 22 years old. He'll be fine starting every game of this series.
- mochoson

The easy call is to start Hart again tonight.
The "right" call is not as clear cut due to factors not knowable by the likes of us. That's why the coaches and staff make the big bucks.

Agreed! 100%

Life is unfair, you cannot change that. Both the inner city AA community, and the Police live in a culture of frustration. There's no easy solution, it requires change on both sides as each have now lost respect for the other. It won't happen.

The media offers no solutions, they just fan the flames.
They now have 24 hour programming they need to keep you interested in. So they exaggerate the facts, and apply a spin that will move the viewer. Whether it's the right spin or not, they couldn't care less. They have become poor citizens in the name of selling ads...

If the NBA wants to walk off, let them. It does not mean that the NHL should follow suit. If they had anyone who could speak with conviction, the NHL could craft a statement and stand out. They don't. It's more likely that they will show their incompetence, fear of bad PR, and cave.

Sports are drama for men. We need a place to compete, win, or lose. We are all losing to Political Correctness. It's taking the fun out of it.
Out of a need to compete, I have slowly over the course of my life replaced the Sports Drama with a more worthwhile one. The Markets. It's one place that I can still engage in, and get my fix for competition.
- BadCowboyDan

Interesting post which I will not comment on, but as a professional economist with a years and years of experience in financial markets, I advise caution. Individual investors get chewed up and spat out by the markets. Your odds making money there are comparable to a gambler in a casino who thinks they can beat the house.

Well, who would you play as 3C/4C in place of Grant? Laughton isn't a realistic option as a C at this point. Giroux has been used almost exclusively at LW. Raffl is a winger.
- jmatchett383

Giroux is our Captain and a pro. If movement needs to be maid, I’d look towards him. I do believe there are three scoring lines somewhere in this mess.

These are certainly points to consider without fanning the flames.

I am not sure if the pointing of a taser is justification for shooting to kill, but yes, there are extenuating circumstances.

I don't think the issue here is racism per se though. Its police behavior (or misbehavior against minorities).
- PT21

Not disagreeing at all. But when it comes to "all white cops are racist" or "no police officer ever treats a black man the same as a white man," is not helping the issue.

I'm not saying that mistreatment of black people doesn't happen by cops. It does. And it needs to change. But maybe, in certain times, there is a justification for using deadly force. Kneeling on a dude's neck for 8 minutes, obviously that's abuse of power. Shooting a man who just stole your non-lethal weapon? Well, you obviously can't use non-lethal force on him.

He is also a child rapist who had a restraining order on him and fought with police and had a weapon. So if we are going to talk narrative lets at least be accurate and complete instead of cherry picking the more convenient aspects of the story.

Facts matter regardless of how much they help or hurt your cause.
- MBFlyerfan

First bold: utterly irrelevant. About as relevant as the size of his genitalia. Prior records are not allowed to influence police behavior regarding use of weapons.

Second bold: this is relevant, but the issue seems to be whether the violence you allude justified the nature of the reaction. From all that I have read, a taser should have been used. He had a knife in the car that he was possibly reaching for.

The police in our country really come from unusually poor stock and have too much leeway in such confrontations. The inner city black community have an unusually high rate of prior records and misbehavior.

Both issues need to be looked at, especially possibility of gainful employment after release from prison.

Not disagreeing at all. But when it comes to "all white cops are racist" or "no police officer ever treats a black man the same as a white man," is not helping the issue.
- jmatchett383

Sure. Its just overheated rhetoric engaged by people who want to air their grievances and get all worked up.

First bold: utterly irrelevant. About as relevant as the size of his genitalia. Prior records are not allowed to influence police behavior regarding use of weapons.

Second bold: this is relevant, but the issue seems to be whether the violence you allude justified the nature of the reaction. From all that I have read, a taser should have been used. He had a knife in the car that he was possibly reaching for.

The police in our country really come from unusually poor stock and have too much leeway in such confrontations. The inner city black community have an unusually high rate of prior records and misbehavior.

Both issues need to be looked at, especially possibility of gainful employment after release from prison.
- PT21

I don't know, I'd be okay with every child rapist being killed, honestly.

First bold: utterly irrelevant. About as relevant as the size of his genitalia. Prior records are not allowed to influence police behavior regarding use of weapons.

Second bold: this is relevant, but the issue seems to be whether the violence you allude justified the nature of the reaction. From all that I have read, a taser should have been used. He had a knife in the car that he was possibly reaching for.

The police in our country really come from unusually poor stock and have too much leeway in such confrontations. The inner city black community have an unusually high rate of prior records and misbehavior.

Both issues need to be looked at, especially possibility of gainful employment after release from prison.
- PT21

All reports I've read state that they did use a taser first, which apparently did nothing to slow him down. Not saying those reports are true, just saying...

Let me preface this since we can’t trust any media whether you’re left or right. We still don’t know the full details of this incident... But


How do you think black people feel seeing a cop kill another black man? The resentment and anger were there for George Floyd at the start of the bubble. It almost prevented the NBA actually. It’s worsened and will continue to worsen as long as injustice continues.

If my comments are coming off political to any, I apologize, this is not my intention. I don’t view these issues as apolitical issue. It’s Rather a human life/injustice issue. I won’t discuss anymore so we can stick to hockey. go Flyers
- arichardson22

Speaking as a black man, you’re fine. I didn’t see the video, so excuse me if I’m way off base. What I’ve been told in detail was a white man was able to walk by multiple cop cars before firing and shooting a skateboarder at a protest. My question is, does this happen if the shooter is black? Does it even reach that point? Is the media to be blamed racism based on those actions? Should black people not be outraged once again?

If anyone can find me a link, that would be very helpful. If I have any off information, please fill in the details.

I'm not going to argue that there are racists in every profession: cops, lawyers, politicians, fast food workers, mechanics, etc.). I'd like to believe that most of them, while not being truly "color blind," are not raging racists who just want to kill black people first thing in the morning.

Any time that a cop kills or severely injures a person without just cause, no matter what their skin color is, that cop should be held accountable in the court of law. If the PBA is helping to hide or protect these cops, then the problem is not the cops so much as the PBA or other groups that protect them.

But why is every event where a white cop ends up killing a black man seen as a racist? Look, what happened to Rayshard Brooks was a trajedy. I'm sure that his family and friends miss him dearly and mourn for him. But if I drove drunk, failed a sobriety test, resisted arrest, stole a weapon (a non-lethal weapon that is used to incapacitate someone), and was shot, would there be a cry of outrage from the country about cops abusing their power?
- jmatchett383

If the refs keep calling penalties against the Flyers, and not the opponent, we all scream that the refs are biased against us. If the Flyers dont get the first round pick in the lottery and fans scream that the NHL is against the Flyers. Why is it that when an entire race of people; who have been historically mistreated, marginalized, and denied their basic civil rights because of the color of their skin, see yet another black man shot down by the police that they shouldn't feel like the police are out to get them? You're right, I dont know the whole story and after this I will not discuss anything but hockey here. It just really annoys me when someone suggest we just dismiss the experience of an entire group of fellow American citizens just because your experience differs from theirs.

telling players to leave politics out of it and just play the game denies them their individuality as human beings, they're not just hockey playing robots

To win four series, a team needs to face adversity and display character. Despite still not playing their best hockey, the Flyers are tied 1-1 in the second round and those two qualities were shown yesterday. They let a 3-goal lead slip away, but pulled back together to win the game. They need to get to that next level soon, though.
On another note, I have to give respect to Johnston on the NYI. The very big guy was hit hard twice, one he thought was illegal, but he took the hits like a hockey player and went on playing the game hard without turning into headhunting penalty waiting to happen. This does not happen often enough anymore. Kudos to Niskanen too, for speaking to him and the referees during the tv timeout yesterday about his hard hit on Johnston.
Let's Go Flyers!!!

telling players to leave politics out of it and just play the game denies them their individuality as human beings, they're not just hockey playing robots
- Coburns_Nose

I could take it or leave it. Should you choose to speak out, you should have that right as long as it offends nobody. If you choose to stay quiet, that’s okay too.

First bold: utterly irrelevant. About as relevant as the size of his genitalia. Prior records are not allowed to influence police behavior regarding use of weapons.

Second bold: this is relevant, but the issue seems to be whether the violence you allude justified the nature of the reaction. From all that I have read, a taser should have been used. He had a knife in the car that he was possibly reaching for.

The police in our country really come from unusually poor stock and have too much leeway in such confrontations. The inner city black community have an unusually high rate of prior records and misbehavior.

Both issues need to be looked at, especially possibility of gainful employment after release from prison.
- PT21

When you become a cop why don’t you tell your wife you’ll be using a taser against resisting fugitives armed with a knife within arms length of you. See how that goes over

If the refs keep calling penalties against the Flyers, and not the opponent, we all scream that the refs are biased against us. If the Flyers dont get the first round pick in the lottery and fans scream that the NHL is against the Flyers. Why is it that when an entire race of people; who have been historically mistreated, marginalized, and denied their basic civil rights because of the color of their skin, see yet another black man shot down by the police that they shouldn't feel like the police are out to get them? You're right, I dont know the whole story and after this I will not discuss anything but hockey here. It just really annoys me when someone suggest we just dismiss the experience of an entire group of fellow American citizens just because your experience differs from theirs.
- Dkos

To your hockey comparison: If the Flyers get a penalty for slashing when a Flyer takes a 2-handed whack at an opponent, I don't have a problem with it. If the Flyers make the playoffs, I don't expect them to get the first overall pick. If the Flyers get penalized when there is no penalty, then yes, I'll have an issue with it.

Again, I'm not saying that it happens. All I'm saying is that each case has to be viewed (in my opinion), individually, not lumped together. The relationships between the two groups in this country has deteriorated so much that my friend, who is a cop, is terrified of even performing a traffic stop on a black people in case the situation escalates. There needs to be change, and I'm not dismissing that the history of treatment of minorities in this country is horrible. And I've never had to endure much racism to speak of. I just wish that people could weigh all of the facts of each case before jumping to conclusions, because that doesn't help the situation.

To win four series, a team needs to face adversity and display character. Despite still not playing their best hockey, the Flyers are tied 1-1 in the second round and those two qualities were shown yesterday. They let a 3-goal lead slip away, but pulled back together to win the game. They need to get to that next level soon, though.
On another note, I have to give respect to Johnston on the NYI. The very big guy was hit hard twice, one he thought was illegal, but he took the hits like a hockey player and went on playing the game hard without turning into headhunting penalty waiting to happen. This does not happen often enough anymore. Kudos to Niskanen too, for speaking to him and the referees during the tv timeout yesterday about his hard hit on Johnston.
Let's Go Flyers!!!
- Stanley Cup

Agreed. Johnson looked upset with Niskanen but they moved forward.

I’d like us to do a better job of playing man to man. Cover those points most importantly. Also do a better job of not handing over the puck on the power play. I felt like we gave the puck to them on the man advantage.

I don't know, I'd be okay with every child rapist being killed, honestly.
- jmatchett383

Just wait, pedophilia is the next gender/orientation to be picked up and defended by the left.

telling players to leave politics out of it and just play the game denies them their individuality as human beings, they're not just hockey playing robots
- Coburns_Nose

Ok why don’t we all stop going to work. We’re human beings

The easy call is to start Hart again tonight.
The "right" call is not as clear cut due to factors not knowable by the likes of us. That's why the coaches and staff make the big bucks.
- Scoob

Elliott has been very good all year. This is a game he should start, a game he has stated all year... Why overuse Hart? The Flyers have as good or better chance to win with Elliott tonight.

Elliott has been very good all year. This is a game he should start, a game he has stated all year... Why overuse Hart? The Flyers have as good or better chance to win with Elliott tonight.
- kennygarcon

Are you saying that Elliott is as good or better of a goalie than Carter Hart?

Edit: I don't disagreeing with starting Elliott, I could go either way. But I don't know if I'd say Elliott gives them a better chance in goal than Hart does.

Elliott has been very good all year. This is a game he should start, a game he has stated all year... Why overuse Hart? The Flyers have as good or better chance to win with Elliott tonight.
- kennygarcon

There’s another b2b in this series if it goes the distance. Insanity. Start Elliott

telling players to leave politics out of it and just play the game denies them their individuality as human beings, they're not just hockey playing robots
- Coburns_Nose

I'm going to call my boss today and tell him that I'm not coming to work due to protesting the situation. When he tells me I can't do that, I'll tell him he's denying my individuality as a human being. I'll let you know how it works out.

I could take it or leave it. Should you choose to speak out, you should have that right as long as it offends nobody. If you choose to stay quiet, that’s okay too.
- SuperSchennBros

I agree with you. Actions are better than words anyway. If you treat people fairly and you promote that behavior to others I am fine with that.

If the players decide to boycott games I am fine with it. I would not be ok with the league mandating it. Let the players make the decision.

Just wait, pedophilia is the next gender/orientation to be picked up and defended by the left.
- twotoekenn

And the most ridiculous statement of the day award goes to...you! Congratulations!

I'm going to call my boss today and tell him that I'm not coming to work due to protesting the situation. When he tells me I can't do that, I'll tell him he's denying my individuality as a human being. I'll let you know how it works out.
- MJL

The difference is that nobody gives a poop if you go to work or not, but I support your protesting.

oops, I said I wouldn't comment, OK, I'm really done this time.