Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Return-to-Play Update, JVR, Hägg, The Pond, and More

Thanks Bill😎

That Bob Probert invitational looks like fun.

I really think that Dave Brown is the toughest fighter I've ever seen. Maybe Brashear is up there too. I think I'd rank them both ahead of Probert, though I admit I haven't seen all their fights of course. But the look on Berube's face when he's about to unload on somebody probably instills the most fear, LOL. I also remember a guy named Troy Crowder really tuning some guys up.

Bill, do you have an opinion? Best NHL fighter you've seen?

I agree that Brownie was the toughest Flyer fighter of all time, but i think there are 2 NHL stand outs that is probably a coin flip.

The Boogieman and Steve MacIntyre stand apart....size and strength made it almost unfair.

How many hub cities will there be? I thought it was four, but if they're down to four possibilities it must be fewer, right?

it is projected to be 2 cities, maybe 1 east and 1 west but they both could be in the west with vegas as the favorite

That Bob Probert invitational looks like fun.

I really think that Dave Brown is the toughest fighter I've ever seen. Maybe Brashear is up there too. I think I'd rank them both ahead of Probert, though I admit I haven't seen all their fights of course. But the look on Berube's face when he's about to unload on somebody probably instills the most fear, LOL. I also remember a guy named Troy Crowder really tuning some guys up.

Bill, do you have an opinion? Best NHL fighter you've seen?
- RuralJuror

Probert then Marty McSorley

JVR is one of the good ones

it seems like players who grow up in the Flyers culture 'get it'

I give a lot of credit to the culture that the Flyers Alumni have created and maintained for so many years

Robert then Marty McSorley
- bmeltzer

5 best I ever saw:

1. Bob Probert
2. Dave Brown
3. Marty McSorley
4. Tony Twist
5. Stan Jonathan (a little guy, but pound for pound, perhaps the best ever)

Guy who rarely fought, but I never saw him lose one: Rick Macleish

Guys who the old timers raved about when I was a kid: John Ferguson and Gordie Howe

vegas seems like a bad choice if everyone flocks there to gamble again

I agree that Brownie was the toughest Flyer fighter of all time, but i think there are 2 NHL stand outs that is probably a coin flip.

The Boogieman and Steve MacIntyre stand apart....size and strength made it almost unfair.
- juiced

Yeah. Today’s nhl. Reaves is an odvious choice. I think Rinaldo and Simmonds were two of the toughest that played for us the past 10 years. Don’t know the stats but would venture to say the majority of theirs fights, they were at least out sized. Not outmatched.

vegas seems like a bad choice if everyone flocks there to gamble again
- 2Real

No problem. Healthy guys living in a bubble. And the biggest spreader Ron Jeremy is in jail.

Yeah. Today’s nhl. Reaves is an odvious choice. I think Rinaldo and Simmonds were two of the toughest that played for us the past 10 years. Don’t know the stats but would venture to say the majority of theirs fights, they were at least out sized. Not outmatched.
- Peter Richards

https://www.cbssports.com...e-fighting-wayne-simmonds



One particularly funny moment came from an exchange between Canadiens teammates Max Pacioretty and P.K. Subban on the bench as they discussed the toughness of Bruins forward Matt Beleskey.

That resulted in Subban issuing a warning about not fighting a different player in the NHL.

"Is he tough? You've played with him, right?" asks Pacioretty.

"Yeah, he's tough ... he's not like, Wayne Simmonds tough, but he's tough."

When Pacioretty responds by saying, "Oh, so I can get him on my card," Subban pauses for a minute and then says, "No. You can not fight Wayne Simmonds."

https://www.cbssports.com...e-fighting-wayne-simmonds



One particularly funny moment came from an exchange between Canadiens teammates Max Pacioretty and P.K. Subban on the bench as they discussed the toughness of Bruins forward Matt Beleskey.

That resulted in Subban issuing a warning about not fighting a different player in the NHL.

"Is he tough? You've played with him, right?" asks Pacioretty.

"Yeah, he's tough ... he's not like, Wayne Simmonds tough, but he's tough."

When Pacioretty responds by saying, "Oh, so I can get him on my card," Subban pauses for a minute and then says, "No. You can not fight Wayne Simmonds."
- Coburns_Nose

Simmer didn’t lose many, I would have loved if he one punched mcilrath the game after he put McDonough down. It wasn’t far off, that was a solid one he landed in the beginning of that fight.

Personally, I don’t think there has to be a US hub city. Canadian cities of Toronto and Edmonton are fine. I’m American, and I’m not offended. Health and safety first! Please....just let there be hockey.

Don’t @ me.

it is projected to be 2 cities, maybe 1 east and 1 west but they both could be in the west with vegas as the favorite
- monty burns

Interesting - that's a lot of games in each arena

One particularly funny moment came from an exchange between Canadiens teammates Max Pacioretty and P.K. Subban on the bench as they discussed the toughness of Bruins forward Matt Beleskey.

That resulted in Subban issuing a warning about not fighting a different player in the NHL.

"Is he tough? You've played with him, right?" asks Pacioretty.

"Yeah, he's tough ... he's not like, Wayne Simmonds tough, but he's tough."

When Pacioretty responds by saying, "Oh, so I can get him on my card," Subban pauses for a minute and then says, "No. You can not fight Wayne Simmonds."
- Coburns_Nose

That's one of my favorite clips

Interesting - that's a lot of games in each arena
- Scoob

Yep...can't wait until the first playoff game of the day goes to Triple OT.

5 best I ever saw:

1. Bob Probert
2. Dave Brown
3. Marty McSorley
4. Tony Twist
5. Stan Jonathan (a little guy, but pound for pound, perhaps the best ever)

Guy who rarely fought, but I never saw him lose one: Rick Macleish

Guys who the old timers raved about when I was a kid: John Ferguson and Gordie Howe
- BiggE

Dave Brown and Behn Wilson were the hardest punchers I ever saw. Brown's hands were (are) just massive. Probert was definitely more technical (and roided/coked up) and could land the bomb when needed. The Probert/McSorely fight when McSorely was on the Pens is insane.

One thing about all the guys you listed is that they weren't afraid to take a punch. Nowadays, it's hold the guy at arm's length, rabbit punch,try to sneak one in and back away. No more toe-to-toe fights because no one's willing to take one to land one.

Simmer didn’t lose many, I would have loved if he one punched mcilrath the game after he put McDonough down. It wasn’t far off, that was a solid one he landed in the beginning of that fight.
- ClaudeFather

That fight is why I love Simmonds and hate guys like Marchand. Marchand actually tries to hurt people and then rarely answers for it. Simmonds answered for an unfortunate incident by taking on the tough guy the other team called up from the minors.

Simmonds respects the game and understands you have to answer for concussing the other team's captain. That is regardless of his original intent.

Simmer didn’t lose many, I would have loved if he one punched mcilrath the game after he put McDonough down. It wasn’t far off, that was a solid one he landed in the beginning of that fight.
- ClaudeFather

That fight is why I love Simmonds and hate guys like Marchand. Marchand actually tries to hurt people and then rarely answers for it. Simmonds answered for an unfortunate incident by taking on the tough guy the other team called up from the minors.

Simmonds respects the game and understands you have to answer for concussing the other team's captain. That is regardless of his original intent.

Interesting - that's a lot of games in each arena
- Scoob

Means hockey from afternoon into the night. Can't wait

That fight is why I love Simmonds and hate guys like Marchand. Marchand actually tries to hurt people and then rarely answers for it. Simmonds answered for an unfortunate incident by taking on the tough guy the other team called up from the minors.

Simmonds respects the game and understands you have to answer for concussing the other team's captain. That is regardless of his original intent.
- mickel25

100% . Guys like Marchand throwing a slew foot is disgusting . Sad such a good player acts like that, the elbow to the head of Johansen was despicable - that is intent to injure

Interesting - that's a lot of games in each arena
- Scoob

Don't necessarily have to play all the games in the big arena. Any local ice surfaces with decent TV angles would work. No fans after all.

Yep...can't wait until the first playoff game of the day goes to Triple OT.
- jmatchett383

lol but it'll start at 9am so there'll be plenty of time to rearrange the schedule - plus none of those pesky fans to usher out after each game so that'll save time, too