....gratuitous?

I do not think that word means what you think it means....

When a star player, the best player in the world, is cross-checked by a Brayden "I'm trying to prove that I'm a tough guy by cross-checking a guy with concussion issues in the back" Shenn, there's nothing gratuitous about any response.
- Prez_USA

Yeah, because Crosby was pure as driven snow on that sequence, he didn't do anything at all moments before that play. We know this because NBC edited out the part where he hits Schenn late up high just before that. Mustn't sully the image of the golden boy.

Give me a break.

if there is an amnesty, I'm thinking briere would be the guy to move on.
- isaiah520

That would be the most logical, especially if they can LTIR Pronger, the only bad part is the contract counts towards the cap during the summer. Briere's number for 3 more years is an albatross.
One would hope the new CBA would have language that would eliminate a cap hit if a player is forced to retire due to injury, regardless of age.

I love that teams are now publicly calling out the bs out of Pittsburgh. For once Im glad torts is speaking out.
- ukeman

It was Lavy, Berube, Milbury, Torts and a collection of people here on Hockeybuzz calling out the Pens...lets not make it a global event.

It was Lavy, Berube, Milbury, Torts and a collection of people here on Hockeybuzz calling out the Pens...lets not make it a global event.
- Doogs

When two separate teams call you out, within a weeks span. There might be some truth to it.

Yeah, because Crosby was pure as driven snow on that sequence, he didn't do anything at all moments before that play. We know this because NBC edited out the part where he hits Schenn late up high just before that. Mustn't sully the image of the golden boy.

Give me a break.

- MBFlyerfan

Why does every one say "that he's not pure as the driven snow"? Did he say he was innocent? I saw him say he has moments just like everybody.

When two separate teams call you out, within a weeks span. There might be some truth to it.
- Scottie Upshall

The Flyers and Rags. Come on Scottie, you can't tell me that holds. They hate each other. The amazing part is that the Flyers and Rags fans bonded over this. That is stuff of science fiction.

It was Lavy, Berube, Milbury, Torts and a collection of people here on Hockeybuzz calling out the Pens...lets not make it a global event.
- Doogs

It is not, but it is also a pretty accurate statement to say that the other 29 teams in the league and their fans all have pretty much the same beefs about specifically the Penguins.

Change Vitale's name to (any Flyer) and Briere's name to Crosby and there would have been a suspension in that same instance. And Pens fans would be losing their minds for the same reason Flyer fans were.

To say otherwise is disingenuous.

It is not, but it is also a pretty accurate statement to say that the other 29 teams in the league and their fans all have pretty much the same beefs about specifically the Penguins.

Change Vitale's name to (any Flyer) and Briere's name to Crosby and there would have been a suspension in that same instance. And Pens fans would be losing their minds for the same reason Flyer fans were.

To say otherwise is disingenuous.
- MBFlyerfan

I'm not here to argue AT ALL, but that sounds purely like an opinion.

And HELL'S yeah, I'm pissed if that happens to Sid. No doubt. But I'm not defending timing, just that the hit was clean and textbook.

I'm not here to argue AT ALL, but that sounds purely like an opinion.

And HELL'S yeah, I'm pissed if that happens to Sid. No doubt. But I'm not defending timing, just that the hit was clean and textbook.
- Doogs

To be fair, you have to take all aspects of the situation into account, including the timing. Disregarding the time of the play, that hit is clean no doubt. But thats leaving out an important fact.

Similar play in the playoffs a few years ago was a huge hit on timonen by kunitz just as timonen came out from behind the flyers net. Huge hit, very similar to vitale on briere. But the kunitz hit was early in the game, I think it was still 0-0 as well. different circumstances (timing) of similar hits have very different outlooks.

I keep hearing all the guys who cover the NHL saying.... the league is going to warn these two teams and the refs are just going to be calling everything to keep this game from becoming anything.

My response... why the hell would they do that? In combination with last Sunday, this game has the potential to hype this first round matchup up to yet another level. If this game is physical with more drama... it is going to be talked about for the next 3-4 days by everyone in sports.

If I were the commissioner I would be telling my refs in this game the complete opposite... let them play.

And over the next 3-4 days I would promote the hell out of this first series matchup.

To be fair, you have to take all aspects of the situation into account, including the timing. Disregarding the time of the play, that hit is clean no doubt. But thats leaving out an important fact.

Similar play in the playoffs a few years ago was a huge hit on timonen by kunitz just as timonen came out from behind the flyers net. Huge hit, very similar to vitale on briere. But the kunitz hit was early in the game, I think it was still 0-0 as well. different circumstances (timing) of similar hits have very different outlooks.
- BradTardforGM

Ok, but will you give me that perhaps Lavy shouldn't have had a scoring line out on the ice at that point of the game, as some may have said in regards to Bylsma employing his 4th line with little time left in a game that as you said was over. As a coach, I don't put finesse players on then.

....gratuitous?

I do not think that word means what you think it means....

When a star player, the best player in the world, is cross-checked by a Brayden "I'm trying to prove that I'm a tough guy by cross-checking a guy with concussion issues in the back" Shenn, there's nothing gratuitous about any response.
- Prez_USA

When a star player continuously double-handed slashes players all day then throws himself down like a ragdoll on a light crosscheck, I don't think attempt to injure another teams' any player is anything but gratuitous. Bill is perfectly aware what that word means, as am I.

A lot of talk of this being a 'meaningless' game...I think the Pens might find a little meaning in winning one at home against the Flyers before Round 1.

There just might be a psychological edge to whichever team wins this game.
- tangent_man

Tangent the year we won the Cup we lost every regular season match against the Flyers until we beat them in the playoffs. This game is going to be more than just a final game. It will set a tone for what I expect will be a nasty series.

I cant wait. Also I seen the Flyers called someone up yesterday. Is that a guy to match the Steve MacIntyre call up or is he a skill guy?

When a star player continuously double-handed slashes players all day then throws himself down like a ragdoll on a light crosscheck, I don't think attempt to injure another teams' any player is anything but gratuitous. Bill is perfectly aware what that word means, as am I.
- bodiva88

To be honest, I dont think Sid threw himself down. A crosscheck to the back no matter how hard will typically send you to the ice. The issue I have is that the only thing shown is that crosscheck. During the game NBC has Crosby on ISO cam the entire game, they had footage of what he did to Schenn prior to that and just chose not to show it.

Sid and Malkin are dirty players and if Penguins fans try to defend that it is just foolish.

Malkin actually gets called on his stupid dirty play late in games when he gets frustrated... Crosby almost always gets away with it.

I keep hearing all the guys who cover the NHL saying.... the league is going to warn these two teams and the refs are just going to be calling everything to keep this game from becoming anything.

My response... why the hell would they do that? In combination with last Sunday, this game has the potential to hype this first round matchup up to yet another level. If this game is physical with more drama... it is going to be talked about for the next 3-4 days by everyone in sports.

If I were the commissioner I would be telling my refs in this game the complete opposite... let them play.

And over the next 3-4 days I would promote the hell out of this first series matchup.
- Flyers2821

AGREED completely

It was Lavy, Berube, Milbury, Torts and a collection of people here on Hockeybuzz calling out the Pens...lets not make it a global event.
- Doogs

You should start using Twitter, you'd get an idea of how much wider the world is.

Tangent the year we won the Cup we lost every regular season match against the Flyers until we beat them in the playoffs. This game is going to be more than just a final game. It will set a tone for what I expect will be a nasty series.

I cant wait. Also I seen the Flyers called someone up yesterday. Is that a guy to match the Steve MacIntyre call up or is he a skill guy?
- lloyd095

The Flyers called up Harry Z. He's a speed, energy player.

I'm not here to argue AT ALL, but that sounds purely like an opinion.

And HELL'S yeah, I'm pissed if that happens to Sid. No doubt. But I'm not defending timing, just that the hit was clean and textbook.
- Doogs

Wow! An opinion on an internet forum designed for people to share their opinions. Which is what you've been doing all morning. What nerve!

The Flyers called up Harry Z. He's a speed, energy player.
- PLindbergh31

Thanks maybe we will match him up against Dupuis

Tangent the year we won the Cup we lost every regular season match against the Flyers until we beat them in the playoffs. This game is going to be more than just a final game. It will set a tone for what I expect will be a nasty series.

I cant wait. Also I seen the Flyers called someone up yesterday. Is that a guy to match the Steve MacIntyre call up or is he a skill guy?
- lloyd095

If you are referring to Harry Z, he's more of a skill guy and a bit of an agitator, and certainly not in MacIntyre's league as far as the fisticuffs.

Tangent the year we won the Cup we lost every regular season match against the Flyers until we beat them in the playoffs. This game is going to be more than just a final game. It will set a tone for what I expect will be a nasty series.

I cant wait. Also I seen the Flyers called someone up yesterday. Is that a guy to match the Steve MacIntyre call up or is he a skill guy?
- lloyd095

We agree on that. This is the warmup.

Pittsburgh Penguins‏
NEWS ALERT: #Pens have recalled F Steve MacIntyre from @WBSPenguins. MacIntyre has appeared in 11 NHL games this season http://bit.ly/HkosVx


- Scottie Upshall

Well, if this is the case, I hope they call up Klotz, sit Roo, Read and any of the smaller players. Basically, the Pens will no doubt sit Crysby Frankenmalken etc, and then just try and run every Flyer that's left.. Should be good times.

When a star player continuously double-handed slashes players all day then throws himself down like a ragdoll on a light crosscheck, I don't think attempt to injure another teams' any player is anything but gratuitous. Bill is perfectly aware what that word means, as am I.
- bodiva88

How in the name of God was Joe's hit an intent to injure move? Just because Danny says it was intent to injure, it doesn't mean that it's true. It was a clean check to Danny's chest. Since when does that constitute intent to injure?

Seriously, what were the Pens supposed to do at the end of the game, just stop playing? Get the puck and not even attempt to take it out of their own end? Jeez, that would be lame.

Tangent the year we won the Cup we lost every regular season match against the Flyers until we beat them in the playoffs. This game is going to be more than just a final game. It will set a tone for what I expect will be a nasty series.

I cant wait. Also I seen the Flyers called someone up yesterday. Is that a guy to match the Steve MacIntyre call up or is he a skill guy?
- lloyd095

Fast skill with some bite. Certainly not a big guy. Will throw some checks. Is gritty. But he's 5'11" 175, so obviously not a MacIntylre type.

Well, if this is the case, I hope they call up Klotz, sit Roo, Read and any of the smaller players. Basically, the Pens will no doubt sit Crysby Frankenmalken etc, and then just try and run every Flyer that's left.. Should be good times.
- Hextall271

This is such a misinformed post lol