Tim Panaccio: Why Can't Flyers Admit Punishment Was Correct?

Tim Panaccio: Why Can't Flyers Admit Punishment Was Correct?
- tpanaccio

Why can't they admit this, why can't they disclose that? Sheesh

Anywho, you say that Homer has to defend his player and then spend the rest forgetting what you said.

But I agree Rinaldo needs to be spoken to. I volunteer that you ask him that for your next piece.

i thought the punishment was fine

rinaldo has been doing much better this year controlling himself but he fell off the wagon in that sabres game for some odd reason

For someone that covers the Flyers daily, you should know that Zac is getting spoken to behind closed doors from Homer to the coaches to the veterans. Why should he come out and admit he's wrong. That just puts a bigger target on our players. I'm sure you understand how easy it is to pull off a hit in a 0.001 of a second. Give me break, and write about something positive

I think it isnt that fans think the suspension wasn't deserved, I think it falls into the fact that some players have done much much worse and only been fined, and have a much more glaring history of head shots/suspensions...lets take...um...idk...James Neal as an example. His last questionable play, a full blown cross check tot he head was met with only a fine. He is a player who has many suspensions/fines/conversation with the dept of player safety.

The problem is that there is no rhyme or reason to the suspension or fines handed out.

Who gives a damn what Gary Bettman wants to hear?

You're clueless.

"That he hasn't been suspended more often is amazing to many NHL observers who feel he is a loose canon on the ice."

I have no problem with Rinaldo getting suspended for this hit. Personally, I think there should be a zero tolerance policy on head shots - no matter where the fault lies. But why would he be suspended more often? This hit not withstanding, he's one of the cleanest hitters in the league. He's about 185 lbs, doesn't launch himself, hits clean with the shoulder, then gets up and skates away. There's only fights after when the other guy gets mad...then Zac's usually more than willing.

He's been drawing more penalties then ever as of late. I think a reason for that is that the referees are no longer giving him penalties based on his reputation, which I think gave him a problem earlier in his career based off of minor league and early career actions. But the last 2 (?) years, he's just been a clean , hard hitter.

Tim Panaccio: Why Can't Flyers Admit Punishment Was Correct?
- tpanaccio

Tim, you say "What bothers me most is that Rinaldo still doesn't see or won't admit, that what he did was wrong. He said it was shared blame on him and Ruhwedel. No, it's clearly on him."

"It's unfortunate it's for the remainder of the season," Rinaldo said Monday night. "It's just one of those hits that kind of slipped away from me. It was bad timing and a little vulnerability on his side of the puck, too. My bad and his bad at the same time."

Rinaldo is shifting some blame to Ruhwedel. You're either on one side of the fence or the other. Many believe the 'checkee', shares some responsibility when putting themselves into awkward positions. Ruhwedel didn't have ice awareness and clearly had his head down. If Ruhwedel head was up and reacted to the upcoming check, the hit would not have been as serious (or not at all). All Rinaldo is saying Ruhwedel put himself into as awkward position. I don't think Rinaldo what he is saying is that inflammatory.

Rinaldo job is to check, statistically not all his checks will be legal. I believe Rinaldo was aiming for a shoulder on shoulder hit (legal), but hit his head (illegal). Intent to injure is another subject all together. Rinaldo is the only one that knows the truth in what he was thinking at the time.

Whether there was an intent to injure is the reason why he shifted some of the blame. It was not whether the hit was legal or illegal. Rinaldo is clearly taking blame to it being illegal. What it comes down to is where there was an intent to injure. If Rinaldo knows he meant to hit his shoulder, but missed... This shifting of some of the blame for the injury makes sense. So, he is admitted to an illegal hit, but not admitting to an intent to injure due to Ruhwedel awkward position.

Tim, you say "What bothers me most is that Rinaldo still doesn't see or won't admit, that what he did was wrong. He said it was shared blame on him and Ruhwedel. No, it's clearly on him."

"It's unfortunate it's for the remainder of the season," Rinaldo said Monday night. "It's just one of those hits that kind of slipped away from me. It was bad timing and a little vulnerability on his side of the puck, too. My bad and his bad at the same time."

Rinaldo is shifting some blame to Ruhwedel. You're either on one side of the fence or the other. Many believe the 'checkee', shares some responsibility when putting themselves into awkward positions. Ruhwedel didn't have ice awareness and clearly had his head down. If Ruhwedel head was up and reacted to the upcoming check, the hit would not have been as serious (or not at all). All Rinaldo is saying Ruhwedel put himself into as awkward position. I don't think Rinaldo what he is saying is that inflammatory.

Rinaldo job is to check, statistically not all his checks will be legal. I believe Rinaldo was aiming for a shoulder on shoulder hit (legal), but hit his head (illegal). Intent to injure is another subject all together. Rinaldo is the only one that knows the truth in what he was thinking at the time.

Whether there was an intent to injure is the reason why he shifted some of the blame. It was not whether the hit was legal or illegal. Rinaldo is clearly taking blame to it being illegal. What it comes down to is where there was an intent to injure. If Rinaldo knows he meant to hit his shoulder, but missed... This shifting of some of the blame for the injury makes sense. So, he is admitted to an illegal hit, but not admitting to an intent to injure due to Ruhwedel awkward position.
- leon neon

This is not one of those situations where the player getting checked lacked "ice awareness" and put himself in a bad spot. He was in the act of shooting, and that is going to change the level that his head is at. The only way the player could've avoided where his head was at, was to not shoot the puck. Should he choose not to shoot the puck because he might get hit in the head? And it's compete BS for Rinaldo to put any responsibility on this towards anyone but himself.
The call on the ice and the suspension were both just in this case.

He definitely deserved it, but it just doesn't follow suit with how lenient they have been to the rest of the nhl this year.

The nhlpa seriously using the sore of the game to give him a harsher penalty? That's new.

This is the correct call, but all these illegal hits need to be taken this seriously.

2 would've been fair.

He definitely deserved it, but it just doesn't follow suit with how lenient they have been to the rest of the nhl this year.

The nhlpa seriously using the sore of the game to give him a harsher penalty? That's new.

This is the correct call, but all these illegal hits need to be taken this seriously.
- FlyersSteve118

Suspensions aren't enough in my opinion. Start fining guys, repeat offenders, big dollars. I'm talking like $50,000+ at minimum. For repeat offenders it can reach as high as $100,000+

Then we'll see how quickly guys will clean up when they're at risk of losing big money for stupid, needless plays.

He definitely deserved it, but it just doesn't follow suit with how lenient they have been to the rest of the nhl this year.

The nhlpa seriously using the sore of the game to give him a harsher penalty? That's new.

This is the correct call, but all these illegal hits need to be taken this seriously.
- FlyersSteve118

The NHLPA doesn't hand out the suspensions.

What bothers me most is that Rinaldo still doesn't see or won't admit, that what he did was wrong.
- tpanaccio

"The proof's in the pudding right there," Rinaldo said. "I shouldn't have done it. There was no need for it. We were up 4-0 and there was no need for that hit.

If only he could realize and admit that what he did was wrong.

Right to the point and spot on with your coments.Senseless hit on a young player just beginning his career in the NHL.This is a game and after the game is over CR will still be living with the side effects of a stupid senceless hit.

This is not one of those situations where the player getting checked lacked "ice awareness" and put himself in a bad spot. He was in the act of shooting, and that is going to change the level that his head is at. The only way the player could've avoided where his head was at, was to not shoot the puck. Should he choose not to shoot the puck because he might get hit in the head? And it's compete BS for Rinaldo to put any responsibility on this towards anyone but himself.
The call on the ice and the suspension were both just in this case.
- MJL

I agree with the call and the suspension... But, I don't agree with Ruhwedel didn't have any options. As you say... If Ruhwedel was more aware he may have seen the check coming. If he did see the check coming, he decided to shoot the puck anyway (lowering his head). If he had passed the puck, maybe he could have avoided the check. All these "if's" are decisions Ruhwedel made. These decisions had nothing to do will Rinaldo - he was just a freight train coming through... Again, Yes the hit was illegal and Yes Rinaldo hit Ruhwedel's head - But, I'm not sold on "targeting the head" or intent to injure.

"The proof's in the pudding right there," Rinaldo said. "I shouldn't have done it. There was no need for it. We were up 4-0 and there was no need for that hit.

If only he could realize and admit that what he did was wrong.
- jmatchett383

If only he was as smart as some of the Flyers fans.

Right to the point and spot on with your coments.Senseless hit on a young player just beginning his career in the NHL.This is a game and after the game is over CR will still be living with the side effects of a stupid senceless hit.
- buffalo 1

The problem is that there needs to be a culture change in the NHL, and in Hockey in general. These players have been playing this way their whole lives. And it's if you get a chance to lay out a defenseless player with a "clean" hit, you lay him out. Now I understand some hits are bang bang and can't be avoided. Especially when a player puts himself in a vulnerable position at the last second, which is another problem. Hits should be for separating a player from the puck, or for making contact to try and force a player to make a bad play, or to force a turn over. Predatory hits on a vulnerable player, should be legislated out of the game at all levels. And slowly change that culture in Hockey.

I agree with the call and the suspension... But, I don't agree with Ruhwedel didn't have any options. As you say... If Ruhwedel was more aware he may have seen the check coming. If he did see the check coming, he decided to shoot the puck anyway (lowering his head). If he had passed the puck, maybe he could have avoided the check. All these "if's" are decisions Ruhwedel made. These decisions had nothing to do will Rinaldo - he was just a freight train coming through... Again, Yes the hit was illegal and Yes Rinaldo hit Ruhwedel's head - But, I'm not sold on "targeting the head" or intent to injure.
- leon neon

Im sold on the fact Rinaldo didn't care.No excuses to me its just like you don't hit a player with his back turned you don't hit a player in vulnerable position either.I don't care what the rules say its about respect and comin sence.

The problem is that there needs to be a culture change in the NHL, and in Hockey in general. These players have been playing this way their whole lives. And it's if you get a chance to lay out a defenseless player with a "clean" hit, you lay him out. Now I understand some hits are bang bang and can't be avoided. Especially when a player puts himself in a vulnerable position at the last second, which is another problem. Hits should be for separating a player from the puck, or for making contact to try and force a player to make a bad play, or to force a turn over. Predatory hits on a vulnerable player, should be legislated out of the game at all levels. And slowly change that culture in Hockey.
- MJL

I agree with the call and the suspension... But, I don't agree with Ruhwedel didn't have any options. As you say... If Ruhwedel was more aware he may have seen the check coming. If he did see the check coming, he decided to shoot the puck anyway (lowering his head). If he had passed the puck, maybe he could have avoided the check. All these "if's" are decisions Ruhwedel made. These decisions had nothing to do will Rinaldo - he was just a freight train coming through... Again, Yes the hit was illegal and Yes Rinaldo hit Ruhwedel's head - But, I'm not sold on "targeting the head" or intent to injure.
- leon neon

This doesn't make any sense. A player is allowed to shoot the puck, and shouldn't be forced into not shooting the puck because the physical action of shooting the puck, will cause his head to lower and leave him vulnerable to a check to the head. The only decision that should've been changed on the play was Rinaldo's. This is not the same situation as a check along the wall, where a player turns his back to the play. Ruhwedel was making the correct choice on the play. All of the responsibility is on Rinaldo on this one.

Im sold on the fact Rinaldo didn't care.No excuses to me its just like you don't hit a player with his back turned you don't hit a player in vulnerable position either.I don't care what the rules say its about respect and comin sence.
- buffalo 1

I don't think he could have avoided the cont act because he was racing for the puck, but he sees the guy and lunges into him. Completely unacceptable. Rinaldo sees his role on the ice as if he is going to hit someone, they need to be crushed. He needs to learn time and place or he will never be effective. Hopefully this suspension knocks some sense into him.

The problem is that there needs to be a culture change in the NHL, and in Hockey in general. These players have been playing this way their whole lives. And it's if you get a chance to lay out a defenseless player with a "clean" hit, you lay him out. Now I understand some hits are bang bang and can't be avoided. Especially when a player puts himself in a vulnerable position at the last second, which is another problem. Hits should be for separating a player from the puck, or for making contact to try and force a player to make a bad play, or to force a turn over. Predatory hits on a vulnerable player, should be legislated out of the game at all levels. And slowly change that culture in Hockey.
- MJL

This.

The body armor these player wear certainly doesn't help. There is a reason you didn't see these types of hits in the old days. For one there was more respect, but there was also a good chance you would injure yourself just as bad as the player you are trying to hit. The body armor takes the fear of self preservation out of the equation. Plus these players are bigger, and moving faster than ever.

Add that to the culture you mentioned above, and it is a scary combination.

The NHLPA doesn't hand out the suspensions.
- MJL

Yeah, it was a mistake. The players safety committee.

Tim, why don't you comment on the lack of suspensions for James Neal on your beloved penguins? he is much more reckless and out of control than rinaldo in far more instances.

also, you say the punishment is correct, but if there were 6 games left, he would have gotten 6. doesnt that imply the punishment really wasnt correct in your eyes?