And what's with Kassian saying 'I'd do it all over again'. Plain stupid. I hope Chucky doesn't change his game after that as he was a shell of himself in Montreal.
- hockey4hockey

Happens every time Tkachuk plays like that and draws attention to his play. Remember last year after the Doughty thing really took off? There was a pretty big drop in Tkachuk's play, like he was shying away from being a poophead.

Be a poophead, you're our poophead and we love you for it.

Happens every time Tkachuk plays like that and draws attention to his play. Remember last year after the Doughty thing really took off? There was a pretty big drop in Tkachuk's play, like he was shying away from being a poophead.

Be a poophead, you're our poophead and we love you for it.
- Ol_Boy_Wop

Exactly, he has to play his style. I do get it it was prob scary with crazy Kassian throwing non stop punches at you but I think the league has set an example that he cannot do that. Tkachuk is fun to watch and effective when playing his style. I hope we see that in the next game.

Exactly, he has to play his style. I do get it it was prob scary with crazy Kassian throwing non stop punches at you but I think the league has set an example that he cannot do that. Tkachuk is fun to watch and effective when playing his style. I hope we see that in the next game.
- hockey4hockey

Man after seeing Neal´s response to the whole thing lost more respect for him. Pretty low to talk poop about a former team mate just to try and fit in with your current team.

Man after seeing Neal´s response to the whole thing lost more respect for him. Pretty low to talk poop about a former team mate just to try and fit in with your current team.
- DuranDuran

Gonna either be a spirited game on the 29th, or the media is Going hype it so bad, it will turn into a dud!

Wish I could have listened in on the conversation with his dad, Keith.

Man after seeing Neal´s response to the whole thing lost more respect for him. Pretty low to talk poop about a former team mate just to try and fit in with your current team.
- DuranDuran

Especially given Neal's history of delivering questionable hits, you'd think he'd just keep his mouth shut altogether.

We also have to keep in mind as Flames fans that one day, Chucky's gonna get caught with a clean hit, and we're gonna have to keep our mouths shut then too. Love him, but he plays on/over the edge and one day, he's gonna get clipped and we're gonna have to suck that up too.

He's also probably going to have to scrap with Kass at some point - a legit, toe to toe tilt, otherwise, Kass is the kind of guy that will stick that elbow out and knock him into next week. He's already alluded to having convos with Parros to understand exactly what is within the rules, so I can wager he's banking that and we'll see him light somebody up.

Especially given Neal's history of delivering questionable hits, you'd think he'd just keep his mouth shut altogether.

We also have to keep in mind as Flames fans that one day, Chucky's gonna get caught with a clean hit, and we're gonna have to keep our mouths shut then too. Love him, but he plays on/over the edge and one day, he's gonna get clipped and we're gonna have to suck that up too.

He's also probably going to have to scrap with Kass at some point - a legit, toe to toe tilt, otherwise, Kass is the kind of guy that will stick that elbow out and knock him into next week. He's already alluded to having convos with Parros to understand exactly what is within the rules, so I can wager he's banking that and we'll see him light somebody up.
- rmull905

This is why we have Lucic. Do not care if they are former team mates. You can be friends off the ice. Luc needs to earn

I agree Kass has not let this go and can see him head hunting anyone with Flame uniform. I also agree Tkachuk has a target on him. But somehow Kassian, who has pulled way worse poop in his career has convinced himself he is the victim.

If Tkachuk pulled this poop with a guy like Bergeron I would be pissed. But it is with guys like Doughty and Kassian who are scum bags.

I love what Tkachuk brings but agree there will be a day we need to shut our mouths.

This is why we have Lucic. Do not care if they are former team mates. You can be friends off the ice. Luc needs to earn

I agree Kass has not let this go and can see him head hunting anyone with Flame uniform. I also agree Tkachuk has a target on him. But somehow Kassian, who has pulled way worse poop in his career has convinced himself he is the victim.

If Tkachuk pulled this poop with a guy like Bergeron I would be pissed. But it is with guys like Doughty and Kassian who are scum bags.

I love what Tkachuk brings but agree there will be a day we need to shut our mouths.
- DuranDuran

Yup it's time for Lucic to earn that big contract Oilers are paying part of. I expect him to be a little aggressive & go right after Kassian & I hope Rinaldo does the same. Let him know there are others that will answer his need to drop the gloves. This is critical in my mind. This is where the solidarity needs to show in that dressing room & not just a bunch of lip service in interviews. I would hope Ward will give Lucic & Rinaldo the green light to being instigators & dont worry about the penalty.

Yup it's time for Lucic to earn that big contract Oilers are paying part of. I expect him to be a little aggressive & go right after Kassian & I hope Rinaldo does the same. Let him know there are others that will answer his need to drop the gloves. This is critical in my mind. This is where the solidarity needs to show in that dressing room & not just a bunch of lip service in interviews. I would hope Ward will give Lucic & Rinaldo the green light to being instigators & dont worry about the penalty.
- Kevin R

Yup, get Rino and Luc occupying some of that real estate that Tkachuk seized.

Yup it's time for Lucic to earn that big contract Oilers are paying part of. I expect him to be a little aggressive & go right after Kassian & I hope Rinaldo does the same. Let him know there are others that will answer his need to drop the gloves. This is critical in my mind. This is where the solidarity needs to show in that dressing room & not just a bunch of lip service in interviews. I would hope Ward will give Lucic & Rinaldo the green light to being instigators & dont worry about the penalty.
- Kevin R

Loyalty to his new team should be a given. If he just holds on, I’d be pissed! Bring back Neanderthal Looch.
I’d hope that everybody rallies around Tkachuk and finishes their checks.

Loyalty to his new team should be a given. If he just holds on, I’d be pissed! Bring back Neanderthal Looch.
I’d hope that everybody rallies around Tkachuk and finishes their checks.
- K-man25

Well if Im not correct, two fighting majors in one game will be an automatic suspension. So if Lucic or Rinaldo can instigate psycho boy into a fight early in the game, he has to walk a fine line with Tkachuk & that may be the time for Chucky to get in a scrap with him knowing he's press boxed for the next game & maybe more.

Well if Im not correct, two fighting majors in one game will be an automatic suspension. So if Lucic or Rinaldo can instigate psycho boy into a fight early in the game, he has to walk a fine line with Tkachuk & that may be the time for Chucky to get in a scrap with him knowing he's press boxed for the next game & maybe more.

- Kevin R

How funny would that be!

Well if Im not correct, two fighting majors in one game will be an automatic suspension. So if Lucic or Rinaldo can instigate psycho boy into a fight early in the game, he has to walk a fine line with Tkachuk & that may be the time for Chucky to get in a scrap with him knowing he's press boxed for the next game & maybe more.

- Kevin R

I’m pretty sure the Zebras will be watching the heavyweights carefully.

If anyone starts poop, I’m thinking it’ll be Nurse. Especially if he ends up seeing minutes against your top line, which is pretty much a given.

I’m pretty sure the Zebras will be watching the heavyweights carefully.

If anyone starts poop, I’m thinking it’ll be Nurse. Especially if he ends up seeing minutes against your top line, which is pretty much a given.
- Wildschwein

So what, has nothing to do with Nurse. It's psycho boy & all they need to do is hit him & goad him into a fight. Once he has one fighting major, Tkachuk can run him again & then exchange some punches with him to get that 2nd major. He's already said he'll do it again, lets lead him down the path. This isnt about targeting top players like our top line or McDavid, Nuge or Draisaddle.

So what, has nothing to do with Nurse. It's psycho boy & all they need to do is hit him & goad him into a fight. Once he has one fighting major, Tkachuk can run him again & then exchange some punches with him to get that 2nd major. He's already said he'll do it again, lets lead him down the path. This isnt about targeting top players like our top line or McDavid, Nuge or Draisaddle.
- Kevin R

Oh?

Kassian is a hot head, sure. But he’s also a top 6 RW for the Oilers (and producing like one).

What’s so different between Tkachuk hitting Kassian and Nurse hitting Lindholm? Both are top 6 wingers. What’s more, perhaps if Nurse (or any other Oiler) does make such a hit on one of your top 6, maybe they can goad Lucic or Rinaldo into taking a penalty?

It’s exactly the same thing that you’re advocating Tkachuk should do.

Yup it's time for Lucic to earn that big contract Oilers are paying part of. I expect him to be a little aggressive & go right after Kassian & I hope Rinaldo does the same. Let him know there are others that will answer his need to drop the gloves. This is critical in my mind. This is where the solidarity needs to show in that dressing room & not just a bunch of lip service in interviews. I would hope Ward will give Lucic & Rinaldo the green light to being instigators & dont worry about the penalty.
- Kevin R

Agree.

My bet is we see a little centre ice conference before the game, and I think Looch/Rinaldo will probably give Kass a little room to lay the body on Chucky specifically, but if he starts running after others, or crosses a line, they will lay a pretty swift hammer down.

While I don't have a ton of respect for what's between Kass' ears, I think he also gets he can't go too crazy, because 97 and 29 are his top priority out there. IE. He can't pop Gaudreau's head off.

Oh?

Kassian is a hot head, sure. But he’s also a top 6 RW for the Oilers (and producing like one).

What’s so different between Tkachuk hitting Kassian and Nurse hitting Lindholm? Both are top 6 wingers. What’s more, perhaps if Nurse (or any other Oiler) does make such a hit on one of your top 6, maybe they can goad Lucic or Rinaldo into taking a penalty?

It’s exactly the same thing that you’re advocating Tkachuk should do.
- Wildschwein

There is no difference; but as I have come to learn after reading many of Kevin’s brilliant and insightful posts over the years, there is no point in engaging in any form of dialogue. He knows it all!

The 2 points up for grabs on Jan 29th and Feb 1st will trump any fighting IMO. As long as its a close game my prediction is zero fights but lots of hits.
I hope we win by 3 plus and Chucky steps up to the plate with Kassian and ends this nonsense!

There is no difference; but as I have come to learn after reading many of Kevin’s brilliant and insightful posts over the years, there is no point in engaging in any form of dialogue. He knows it all!
- OilDerek

Yup & dont you fcking forget that!