Adam Kirshenblatt: Random Thoughts, Playoffs and Otherwise

Did you see the overhead view in the Shanahan video of the Torres hit? He sees the puck go to another player, swats a stick at it in passing but otherwise makes no play for it and leaves his feet. If the guy has not learned to keep it low yet he deserves all he gets, but to call that one questionable is, well, very questionable. If this were a media witch hunt I would think that the Dustin Brown hit on Sedin would also have gotten, and continue to get lots of press, but it has not because it was clean and there was no debating it. The Torres hit was nothing but dirty.

I agree about Nashville.....I have them picked to go all the way as well. It's their time.

The only way the HHOF committee can go any lower is if they elect Don Cherry.

Can't think of one person I hate more than that piece of crap.

pitt would beat boston. if pitt can come back and beat philly, i think they go to the cup.

I agree with you on nashville winning the cup this year... tough tough team...

Torres has done this 5 freakin times before, he should be done in the NHL. Just a strait goon. He will just keep doing it. Not overkill at all. Glad the NHL is actually giving away legit suspensions now. 7 games wouldnt have changed anything for him

Personally, I think Torres has earned every bit of his suspension. He's had chances to learn, and didn't. Perhaps Matt Cooke can sit down and have a chat with him.

I like rough clean hockey, but I'm growing weary of Thuggery on Ice. I'd like it to stop before some team has to retire someone's number posthumously -- Hockey has seen enough tragedy in the past 12 months.

Also, Dave Andreychuk should be in the HHOF. Personally, I think Bure should be in, but can understand why he might be kept out. If Joe Sakic isn't in on the first ballot, you might as well board the place up.

Personally, I think Torres has earned every bit of his suspension. He's had chances to learn, and didn't. Perhaps Matt Cooke can sit down and have a chat with him.

I like rough clean hockey, but I'm growing weary of Thuggery on Ice. I'd like it to stop before some team has to retire someone's number posthumously -- Hockey has seen enough tragedy in the past 12 months.

Also, Dave Andreychuk should be in the HHOF. Personally, I think Bure should be in, but can understand why he might be kept out. If Joe Sakic isn't in on the first ballot, you might as well board the place up.
- BluesFan44

good to see people outside of pittsburgh recognize cooke's play this year. he has turned into a very disciplined player and a good hockey player. great to see him turn it around.

As usual, MasWE, a nice and thoughtful blog on a variety of topics. Like many others (including myself), the passel of upsets that look like they may be about to happen in the first round are making all us all look bad, but such is the nature of playoffs in today's NHL. It will just make the second round even more interesting.

As for the Hall of Fame, after sure shots Joe Sakic and Brendan Shanahan, I like Mats Sundin and/or Gary Roberts for 2012 although there are a number of other worthy first year candidates a fair number of which will probably eventually get in. (Remember it took Mark Howe 13 years to finally be elected ... way too long in my view.)

You make good points on the rash of suspensions. As for Rafi Torres, 25 games does seem to be quite stiff, but he is also a multiple time repeat offender and it seems that much of his suspension is designed to send a message. Only time will tell, I guess, if it proves to be an effective one.

Nice report on Doug Hamilton of the Ice Dogs. I'll look forward to seeing him in the NHL.

So far no one has gotten the trivia question completely right so I will post a hint. There are 5 inaugural teams to the NHL