Showing posts with label Philadelphia Flyers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Philadelphia Flyers. Show all posts

Sunday, March 03, 2013

Harry Zolnierczyk destroys Mike Lundin, Suspended four games



My first question is, why are the refs immediately rescuing Harry Zolnierczyk after he destroys Mike Lundin with this dirty elbow? Zolnierczyk is the one that laid out Lundin with the dirty hit, he's the one that should be the one fighting Kaspars Daugavins or Senators tough guy Chris Neil for that matter. I guess Harry Zolnierczyk is going to have to wait because he has been suspended by the National Hockey League for four games for his effort.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Capitals coach fine with Zolnierczyk hit on Mathieu Perreault

In the waning moments of last night’s game, Flyers forward Harry Zolnierczy was given a five minute major and a game misconduct for a hit that he put on Capitals forward Mathieu Perreault. Apparently, Washington Capitals head coach Adam Oates is fine with the hit and didn’t think it was a dirty hit. After reviewing the hit again, I guess, I am fine, with the hit too then.
monumentalnetwork.com --- In the game’s final minute, Perreault was coming through the neutral zone when Philadelphia winger Harry Zolnierczyk checked the Washington center hard. Zolnierczyk was assessed a five-minute major for kneeing and a game misconduct, but Oates didn’t see anything wrong with the hit.

“I don’t think it’s dirty at all,” says Oates. “It’s the product of our whole game, quite honestly. There’s 30 seconds left, the game’s over and Matty [Perreault] thought that he could stickhandle through the team. That’s not what we do, all of us tonight. Guys are sitting there waiting for you and you get hit.


Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Harry Zolnierczyk knee on Mathieu Perreault



From the replay, it does look like the Flyers forward Harry Zolnierczyk catches Capitals forward Mathieu Perreault with a "dirty" knee check, just like Taylor Hall hit Cal Clutterbuck. It's a bit of a different angle so it's not as cut an dry in my opinion. If I was a betting man, and I am, I think a suspension is coming for Zolnierczyk

I would imagine that The NHL's Department of Player Safety will take a look at this hit. It's an unnecessary hit at the end of the game.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Brayden Schenn is the first player suspended



Well that didn't take lone. Just three days into the lockout shortened 2013 season, Philadelphia Flyers forward Brayden Schenn is the first player suspended by Brendan Shannahan. Actually, I have no problem with the suspension and this suspension should set the tone going forward.


Enhanced by Zemanta

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Drew Stafford vs. Scott Hartnell

These kinds of hits have to be banned from hockey. Buffalo forward Tyler Ennis is 157 pounds soaking wet, and Flyers forward Scott Hartnell is a bull at 210 pounds, and he buries Ennis from behind.  No penalty on the play. You have to give former Fighting Sioux forward Drew Stafford credit for answering the call. 
Enhanced by Zemanta

Friday, August 24, 2012

Bettman proves that he is a ________!

English: NHL Commisioner Gary Bettman in 2007.
If you had any hope of the CBA getting hammered out by the September 15, 2012 - those hopes were squashed today. This is the zinger that Commissioner Gary Bettman uttered today at the end of 90 minute negotiating session between the NHL Owners and the NHLPA.
Jesse Spector of the Sporting News has a really good story on Bettman's comments that he made today and lets just say that the NHL's Commissioner isn't going to make a lot of friends with the fans and with the players.

Based on the comments that Bettman made today - we can say that the good will is over and it's game on now.

As fans we just hope that we don't have another lost season. As it stands right now, Bettman is bound and determined to lock the players out because he can.
Jesse Spector Sporting News --- Another difference between Bettman of early August and Bettman of late August is that the younger Bettman expressed a “need” to lower costs, which was understandable. For teams that are struggling financially now, or that would be in several years under the current system as leaguewide revenues outpace local revenues, spending to the NHL’s salary floor is becoming an annual challenge. Seven teams finished 2011-12 under the projected $54.2 million floor for 2012-13 under the current CBA.

Contrast that with Thursday, and “we think we’re paying too much in salaries.” That’s a shift from a statement of plain-to-see fact to difficult-to-grasp opinion, and one that comes off as entirely hypocritical in the face of the $196 million the Minnesota Wild spent this summer on Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, or the Nashville Predators’ matching the Philadelphia Flyers’ $110 million offer to Shea Weber.

The counterargument to that is that teams are just playing by the rules of the current CBA, trying to compete as best they can. But the NHL’s owners did not become owners by making stupid business decisions, and it would be a lot easier for Bettman to make his case if star players were only getting offers from teams in the biggest markets. There’s a salary cap and a salary floor, and when the small-market Predators talk about wanting to be a cap team, it doesn’t do much for the case that the players are currently overpaid.
I agree with Spector – seriously – how can these NHL owners pay these outrageous salaries to the NHL players and then turn around and in the next breath say that they are paying too much in player costs? It makes no sense what-so-ever – or at least from a sane person’s point of view.

Let’s not forget that they want to also limit player salaries to five years also – so what do they do they turn around and sign players to 6,7,8.9, 10-13 year deals.

I don’t think I am missing the point – if you’re hurting financially you don’t go out and spend a bunch of money that you claim that you don’t have.

Is anyone taking these guys serious when they wheel their representative – who is pompous, condescending, mealy mouth jerk – this is also the same guy that has preceded over two other work stoppages and in his smug way say’s that the NHL owners are paying players too much and they need to wheel back the players salaries and oh yeah the Edmonton Oilers just paid Taylor Hall who has played in the NHL a grand total of two seasons 6 million a year over 7 season.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Subban to the Flyers?

If Boston Bruins fans didn’t have enough reason to hate the Philadelphia Flyers already – I am sure that if the Flyers signed P.K. Subban to an offer sheet and they were able to land the Hab’s mouthy defenseman – this would give ample reasons to Bruins fans to hate them even more.

It seems that this story is taking on a life of its own – Hab’s defenseman P.K. Subban, was offered a contract by the Montreal Canadians last week for two years’ worth 5.5 million or 2.75 million a year, however, Subban has not yet agreed to the terms and or signed a new contract. Could the Flyers next offer sheet be going to P.K. Subban?
Chris Nichols, Sports Net --- According to French sports network RDS, Subban reportedly turned down a two-year $5.5 million offer last week.

Enter the Philadelphia Flyers who appear in need of a top defenseman and who have not shied away from extending offer sheets in the past.

Just last month Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren signed Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber to a 14-year $110 million offer sheet, only to have the Predators match less than a week later.

In 1997 the Flyers landed Chris Gratton with an offer sheet, while in 2006 the Flyers agreed on an offer sheet with Ryan Kesler which the Vancouver Canucks eventually matched.

So could the Flyers extend another offer sheet this summer, this time to either Carlson or Subban?
It will be interesting to see what the Flyers do – this week they lost another defenseman Andrej Meszaros for an unknown time after he had surgery to repair his torn Achilles tendon. The Flyers also don’t know if Chris Pronger will ever play hockey again – to top it all off the Flyers lost former Denver Pioneer Matt Carle to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Sunday, August 05, 2012

Who is going to sign P.K. Subban?

PK Subban
PK Subban (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Here is an interesting story on The Hab's defenseman P.K. Subban,  apparently the Habs have offered a contract to the young defenseman for two years worth 5.5 million or 2.75 million a year, however, Subban has not yet agreed to the terms and or signed a new contract.

Some fans around the league have suggested that their favorite team sign the Hab's defenseman to an offer sheet.
Stu Hackel, Red Light Blog --- Among the most buzz-y stories this week has been the plight of Pernell Karl Subban, the Canadiens’ restricted free agent defenseman who remains unsigned. It’s worth questioning, however, if this story is worth all the buzz, although almost everything involving P.K. grabs the hockey world by the lapels and screams for attention, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

The way this story has been reported, or at least repeated, is that the Habs have offered P.K. a two-year deal for $5.5 million that he has rejected. Subban is supposedly “unhappy” and “negotiations have hit a roadblock” according to one content provider, and he’s “very far away” from reaching an agreement, according to another. More than one blogger (OK here’s one) has called for their favorite team to extend the 23-year-old an RFA offer sheet, certain that he’d be the answer to its blueline problems. This talk of Subban becoming an offer sheet target for general managers seeking defensemen spread to the XM Satellite Radio on Friday morning, with hosts and guests very curious as to why no team has gone after him.

Had the Flyers not extended an offer sheet to Shea Weber last month, the chatter about snaring another team’s RFA would hardly be as prevalent. The experience wouldn’t be that fresh in our collective minds. But the lessons of Weber and all RFA signings — which GMs understand well — haven’t resonated much for some reason.

Here’s the thing: Teams don’t sign RFAs to offer sheets very much because they tend not to achieve the desired result. The player’s original team invariably matches the offer and, as we saw with Weber’s situation, there are only hard feelings between the clubs and maybe even some between the player and his team. The only thing RFA offer sheets accomplish under the current CBA is that another team ends up negotiating a contract for a player it ultimately doesn’t sign.
Last season, Subban had seven goals and 29 assists in 81 games for the Montreal Canadians. Subban also is a restricted free agent  - so unless someone like the Philadelphia Flyers signs Subban to an offer sheet - the Habs defenseman isn't going anywhere so he is pretty much stuck with the current offer they Habs have on the table.



Enhanced by Zemanta

Monday, July 30, 2012

A few things to get your blood rolling....

It’s the dog days of summer and it’s almost August and there isn’t a lot of hockey news to be had right now because it’s not hockey season.

Most college hockey fans are sitting on pins and needles waiting to see who else from their favorite college hockey team is going to sign a professional contract or bolt for the CHL.

The WCHA has lost a total of 12 players this summer already, the Denver University Pioneers are the team that has lost the most players this summer during the off-season.

Matthew Semisch from Radio Free Omaha has a great read on UNO situation; the Mavericks have had a tough summer in Omaha, Nebraska.

Also, the CBA is being negotiated in New York and there are a lot of us that are hoping that we won’t lose one minute of the NHL season. Especially, after the Stanley Cup Playoffs proved to be some very good hockey.

There is one NCAA Hockey Player on 2012 Canada-Russia Challenge in August, from this roster of 28 players, 22 will make the WJC roster in December 26, 2012 to January 5, 2013. This replaces the Canada WJC development camp from the summer.

The ice is coming out at the REA... s/t to Peter Bottini...

Larry Brown Sports has a very interesting article that is sure to spark some debate. Apparently, Sidney Crosby is the reason that Claude Giroux had to have surgery on both of his wrists after the Stanley Cup Playoffs were over.

The Flyers are feeling a little down after losing out on the Shea Weber sweepstakes. I am not sure if the rest of the league is going to feel sorry for the Flyers.
Frank Seravalli,Philly.com --- "I am sure it has been done before," Holmgren said of his summer. "We tried to add, in our minds, one of the best defensemen in the game to a good, young, up-and-coming team, and it didn't work. It was structured in a way we were hopeful they wouldn't match it. I learned at about 3:15 [on Tuesday] afternoon, and the initial reaction was disappointment, but I guess we move on."

Now, after Weber addressed the media, Holmgren probably can't help but feel a little bit used. Weber certainly seemed excited in a conference call, expressing his desire to finish his career in Nashville by asking the Predators for a no-movement clause in his new deal.
I know this one is old but It was a good read.
Lynn Zinser, Slap Shots Blog --- Just as the N.H.L. takes its turn in the line of lockout-mania, following the N.F.L. and N.B.A. to that well-worn labor dispute podium to howl that it needs economic relief from the players union, it prepared for this fight by doing what it does best. That is, throw gigantic and ridiculously long contracts at available free agents.

Yes, N.H.L. franchises are in dire financial straits, they will tell you, because of huge, onerous player contracts like the ones Minnesota just showered on Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. This is why the owners want a new collective bargaining agreement.

The Wild was not formerly a player in most discussions involving 13-year, $98 million contracts, but they now have twin ones. Only a few months ago, the Wild owner Craig Leipold told The Minneapolis Star-Tribune: “We’re not making money, and that’s one reason we need to fix our system. We need to fix how much we’re spending right now.”

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Big day in Hockey....

18, Nathan Horton, Bruins RW Washington Capita...
18, Nathan Horton, Bruins RW Washington Capitals at Boston Bruins, December 18, 2010 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
In the middle of the dog day of summer  - when we should be thinking about which watering hole we should be cooling ourselves off in - there are actually quite a few hockey stories... It's hot summer days like this that makes hockey fans long for the hockey season.

First off, the Boston Bruins got some Boston Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid and forward Nathan Horton have been cleared to resume contact.
Douglas Flynn, NESN.COM --- There was also positive news to report for the players Julien will have at his disposal in the coming season, with general manager Peter Chiarelli offering optimistic updates on all of the Bruins recovering from injuries suffered last season.

The biggest of those is top-line forward Nathan Horton, who suffered his second concussion in less than a year on a hit from Philadelphia's Tom Sestito on Jan. 22. Horton did not play again last season, but Chiarelli confirmed that the rugged winger should be ready to go when the Bruins get back on the ice.

"Nathan Horton has been cleared for contact," Chiarelli said. "And by all accounts from our medical staff will be ready to play when it's time to play." Horton's first season in Boston ended in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final when he suffered a concussion on Aaron Rome's late hit.

After a slow start, he had returned strong from that injury with 17-15-32 totals in just 46 games last year, putting him on a 30-goal pace before suffering his second concussion in Philadelphia. Horton's absence had a ripple effect throughout the lineup and contributed to Boston's struggles to score at times, most notably in the first-round loss to Washington in the playoffs.

His return to the lineup, and his return to his pre-injury form, will be a key for the Bruins in the upcoming season.

The Bruins will also benefit from the return of defenseman Adam McQuaid, who has been "completely cleared" to return from his season-ending concussion, according to Chiarelli. The Bruins GM also noted that the oblique injury that hampered center Patrice Bergeron in the postseason will not be an issue going forward. "
In case we need to have our memory refreshed this hit by the Flyers Tom Sestito on Nathan Horton that took out Horton for the rest of the season. I believe that getting Horton back is like a free agent pickup for the Boston Bruins.



In one of the more shocking hockey news stories of the day - the Nashville Predators matched the Philadelphia Flyers ridiculous and expensive offer sheet. In my opinion, it was nice to see the Predators step up and match the Flyers offer sheet. It's kind of a thumb in the eyes for the Flyers.
Nashville, Tenn. (July 24, 2012) – In the most important hockey transaction in franchise history, Nashville Predators Chairman Tom Cigarran, President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile and CEO Jeff Cogen announced today that the team has matched the 14-year, $110 million offer sheet between the Philadelphia Flyers and defenseman Shea Weber, insuring that the Predators' captain will remain with the franchise for the next 14 years. The decision to enter into the largest contract in franchise history was made by all parts of the organization, including ownership, hockey operations and business operations.

As the organization analyzed the overall situation and worked toward a conclusion, the decision boiled down to three questions:

- Was Shea Weber the individual that this franchise wanted to lead our team, a team that would compete for the Stanley Cup every year, for the next 14 years?

- Would matching the offer sheet be in the best long-term interest of the team and organization?

- Would a decision not to match the offer sheet send a negative message to current Predators players and other NHL organizations, a message that the Predators would only go so far to protect its best players and be pushed around by teams with "deep pockets?"
Enhanced by Zemanta

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Will the Preds match Philly?


Will Shea Weber stay a Predator or will be in the city of brotherly love next season? Do the Predators match the offer sheet or take the four first round draft choices and rebuild their defensive corps?

The Predators have until Wednesday to match the Flyers offer sheet. What would you do if you were the Predators general manager? If the Predators don't match the Flyers offer sheet they could run the risk of alienating their fan base. The Predators have already lost Ryan Suter to the Minnesota Wild so their defensive corps are not as good as they were before July 1st.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Friday, July 20, 2012

Shea Weber tests Nashville Predators' commitment

It will be interesting to see if the Nashville Predators match the Philadelphia Flyers ridiculously high offer sheet or not. Also from reading various blogs and news stories the last couple of days, it also doesn’t really sound like Weber wants to stay in Nashville anymore.

I think this is a situation where the big market teams can absolutely bury the smaller market teams like Nashville. While it’s true that the teams all have the same salary cap – not all things are equal – teams like New York, Chicago and Philly have an advantage that some teams don’t have – these are teams with established histories that other teams are not able to match. These glamorous teams have more to offer than other teams that in some cases have never won much of anything.

If you add to that equation a team like Philly -  who in this case is able to give a lot of upfront money – it’s going to be hard and expensive for Nashville to match that offer sheet. The Predators could chose not to match the Philly’s outrageous offer and take the four draft picks and improve their team.
Josh Cooper, Tennessean.com --- Nashville has until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday to match the Flyers’ offer, which, according to a source, is $110 million over 14 years.

It does not sound as if Weber wants to return to Nashville. His contract will be second only to the $124 million deal signed by Washington’s Alex Ovechkin.

“I don’t think you sign an offer sheet unless you’re pointing in that one direction,” Jarrett Bousquet, Weber’s agent, told AM-1050 in Toronto. “He would like to play with the Philadelphia Flyers because we all feel he’s just another piece in the puzzle to take them to the next level, and he doesn’t want to go through a rebuilding process again.”

The first four years of the contract include $52 million in signing bonuses, according to a source. It’s unknown whether the Predators will be able to match the offer.

If Nashville matches the offer, Weber must re-sign with the Predators.

If the Predators don’t, they will lose their second top player after All-Star Ryan Suter signed with Minnesota on July 4.
After reading this story from Philly.com - it appears that Shea Weber would like to be a member of the Philadelphia Flyers and really doesn’t have any intention of staying with the Predators. The offer that Weber signed is also lock-out proof.
This $110 million offer is lockout-proof, meaning that Weber will earn $26 million between now and next July 1 whether a single puck is dropped in the NHL. He is due $56 million in the first 4 years of the deal.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Shea Weber agrees to offer sheet from Philly

Reminiscent of the Toronto Maple Leafs general Manager Brian Bruke making an offer sheet to former Boston Bruins forward Phil Kessel –the Philadelphia Flyers have made an huge offer to Nashville Predator defenseman Shea Weber which he has accepted. Now the ball is in the Predators court – If I was them I would take the four first round draft choices.
ESPN.com --- The Philadelphia Flyers have signed star defenseman Shea Weber to a 14-year offer sheet worth upwards of $100 million, a source confirmed to ESPN.com. The Flyers also confirmed the offer sheet, although the team didn't disclose terms.

A restricted free agent, Weber has spent his entire career with the Nashville Predators, who have seven days to match Philadelphia's offer, which was first reported by TSN.

If the Predators decide not to match the offer, they would receive four first-round draft picks from the Flyers, according to TSN.

Weber's departure would be a devastating blow to a Nashville team that already lost All-Star defenseman Ryan Suter, who signed a 13-year, $98 million deal with the Minnesota Wild.
Now; is anyone besides me rolling your eyes? Seriously – the owners claim they need to reel in expenses and that they are bleeding money and then the Philadelphia Flyers go out and pull this bush league move. I just don’t take the owners seriously anymore or think that they have a leg to stand on. First they want to limit contract to 5 years – Weber’s deal is for 14 seasons – who knows what else is in this deal. The Nashville Predators have 7 days to match the Flyers offer sheet. You have to think that they won't be able to match this one.

If I was the Predators GM, I would take the four first round draft choices, while the Flyers won’t pick that high in the first round it could end up giving the Predators some decent players in the future and could give them something to trade if they want to move up in future drafts.

Here is a breakdown of the contract from Frank Seravalli Philly.com
According to Kypreos, the Flyers have structured the deal in a way that it may be impossible for Nashville to match. The breakdown would be as follows:

2012-13 (age 27): $1 million salary + $13 million signing bonus (league maximum $14M)
2013-14 (28): $1 million salary + $13 million signing bonus (league maximum $14M)
2014-15 (29): $1 million salary + $13 million signing bonus (league maximum $14M)
2015-16 (30): $1 million salary + $13 million signing bonus (league maximum $14M)
2016-17 (31): $4 million salary + $8 million signing bonus (total $12 million)
2017-18 (32): $4 million salary + $8 million signing bonus (total $12 million)
2018-19 (33): $6 million salary
2019-20 (34): $6 million salary
2020-21 (35): $6 million salary
2021-22 (36): $6 million salary
2022-23 (37): $3 million salary
2023-24 (38): $1 million salary
2024-25 (39): $1 million salary
2025-26 (40): $1 million salary
TOTAL: $110 million
Enhanced by Zemanta

Friday, June 22, 2012

Friday link around – Summer in full spring

The National Hockey League's 2012-13 season is set to begin playing games on Oct. 11 – yeah right.

After playing only 16 games in last season Guillaume Latendresse is close to signing a one year deal with the Minnesota Wild.

Josh Harding will be back with the Minnesota Wild as he recently signed a three year 5.7 million dollar deal.

According to Michael Russo - Former Fighting Sioux defenseman Chay Genoway will be back with the Minnesota Wild as he recently signed a new deal.

The Minnesota Wild Recently released their new schedule – not that it's going to be make any difference.

In one of the more shocking moves of the week – Penguins forward Jordan Staal – who is set to become an unrestricted free agent – recently rejected a 10-year contract extension from the Pittsburgh Penguin. The contract in question was believed to be in the $60 million dollar range.

Michigan defenseman and New Jersey Devils draft choice John Merill is undecided about his next step and will decide after the Devils development camp if he is ready to sign or return to school. My advice to Merill is to stay in school John; you will no doubt develop under Red Berenson if you can keep your nose clean.

According to Larry Brooks of the New York Post, the New York Rangers and the Philadelphia Flyers are both involved in discussions with much sought after forwards Columbus’ Blue Jackets Rick Nash and Anaheim’s Ducks Bobby Ryan.

Former Boston University star forward Brandon Yip has signed with the Nashville Predators.

Apparently, the NHL players are optimistic that a lockout can be avoided – I am not as optimist that a lock-out can be avoided and I think that start of the season will be delayed.

Russian star Nail Yakupov who could go number one in the NHL draft - says that his goal is to play in the NHL – there are some that have their doubts.

Future Golden Gopher Taylor Cammarata was impressive at the NHL combine according to Ryan Kennedy of the Hockey News.

The Boston Bruins have released their schedule and they will start the regulars season against the Broad Street Bullies in Philly.

Here is the Boston Bruins preseason schedule:

Sept. 25: Bruins at Capitals (Verizon Center, Washington)
Sept. 26: Bruins at Sabres (First Niagara Center, Buffalo)
Sept. 29: Bruins vs. Jets (Credit Union Centre, Saskatoon)
Sept. 30: Bruins at Jets (MTS Centre, Winnipeg)
Oct. 3: Bruins vs. Capitals (TD Garden)
Oct. 5: Bruins vs. Sabres (TD Garden)
Oct. 6: Bruins at Canadiens (Bell Centre, Montreal)

Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron was named the Frank J. Selke Trophy winner at the NHL awards show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bergy was only the second Boston Bruins player to be awarded a Selke Trophy.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Thursday, June 07, 2012

Zach Parise rated number two Free Agent

Zach Parise prepares to start in a game for th...
Zach Parise prepares to start in a game for the New Jersey Devils (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Here are the top 12 unrestricted free agents according to Ryan Porth – Sportsnet.CA
2011-12 salary: $6 million
As for Parise, he may be the best free-agent forward since teammate Kovalchuk signed his 15-year, $100 million contract with the Devils two summers ago. Despite coming off major knee surgery, Parise scored 31 goals in 2011-12 -- his fifth 30-goal campaign since the lockout -- and was a factor in getting the Devils to their first Stanley Cup final since 2003. Some pundits doubt the Devils have the goods to match any contract offer Parise would receive in the frenzy. Like Suter in Nashville, it comes down to Parise’s commitment level to the Devils, the only organization he has ever known. Parise is the captain of the Devils and the heartbeat of the offense, but money speaks volumes.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

Zac Rinaldo hit on Dainius Zubrus


For what ever reason the Philadelphia Flyers were going after  Dainius Zubrus in this series and last night Flyers littled used forward Zach Rinaldo caught Zubras with this hit in the Flyers end of the ice, in my opinion this was a questionable and a border line hit, some might say that it was dirty.

Also, what the heck was Max Talbot doing in this video?

Personally, I seen worse hits that were dirtier in this years Stanley Cup Playoffs - but that doesn't make this hit any better. The Flyers are out of the playoffs, so I don't expect anything to come from this hit, Zubras also returned to the game.

Former NHL Official Kerry Fraser had to say this on the Rinaldo hit.
A bit of a pattern develops here when Zac Rinaldo took out Dainius Zubrus, another payback recipient, with a low bridge hip check (video link) just above the knees. While kneeing was initially reported on the call, interference appears on the official score sheet as Pierre Maguire of NBC correctly pointed out at the time. This was a needless and dirty play.  The puck was in the opposite corner of the rink as Zubrus cut around the net and was low bridged by Rinaldo. I can appreciate the fact that the refs would not want to put the game on the line by assessing a five-minute major penalty for clipping even though Zubrus appeared shaken up on the play and was attended to.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Flyers fans unhinged - Shanahan is the reason the Flyers lost series


I don’t like to use acceptable and coarse language on my blog but some of this stuff needs to be exposed because I think this type of "anti-social" behavior is unacceptable and almost as bad as some of the racial epithets that were posted on line after the Joel Ward goal.

Yesterday I illustrated lack of class by some Flyers fans – I know that there were quite a few of the Flyers fan base that was very upset with Brendan Shanahan because of Claude Giroux’s suspension. Personally, I think the NHL made the right decision in suspending Claude Giroux for his illegal hit to the head on Dainius Zubrus, what I found puzzling is some of the tweets directed at the VP of Player safety. 

Just for the record I think that Shanahan has done an inconsistent job but I don't know if he deserves some of this crap that has been directed his way. I know Shanahan is a public figures but this stuff is unacceptable. 



These people have to be proud of themselves; here we have homophobic slurs directed at Brendan Shanahan which again goes beyond the realm of what is considered acceptable and decent behavior.

I also think that we have a few conspiracy theorists that blame Shanahan for the Flyers loss because he once played for the New Jersey Devils. I guess it wasn't the Flyers fault for not playing better in the last four games. The Devils were better and the suspension to Giroux probably didn't make that much of a difference because the Flyers had nothing in response to the Devils in this series. 




Enhanced by Zemanta

Monday, May 07, 2012

Classy fan posts to Brendan Shanahan - No they're not fakes




There are fans that just take it too far – rewind to game seven between the Boston Bruins and the Washington Capitals – as soon as Joel Ward scored the game winning goal against the Boston Bruins racist tweets started showing up on twitter. 

Fast forward to May 7th 2012 the National Hockey league suspended Philadelphia Flyers forward Claude Giroux one game for his hit to the head on Devils forward Dainius Zubrus. These are some of the tweets that I found on line as fans displayed their displeasure with Brendan Shanaha.  

I apologize for the coarse language on these tweets but I am using them to illustrate a point and I think it's necesarry and important to see first hand what kind of what kind of trash fans are posting on twitter and on the internet. Some of this stuff is down right disgusting and transcend normal and decent human behavior and in my opinion is almost as bad as the objectionable and racist tweets that were targeted at Washington Capitals forward Joel Ward.

I get it, people are upset with Brendan Shanahan but come on people, lets show some decency.  







Enhanced by Zemanta

NHL Suspends Claude Giroux for one game


The NHL Department of Player Safety has finally gotten it right, although late to the party the NHL has finally suspended a "star" player for committing a dirty hit to the head. Flyers forward Claude Giroux will miss the all important game five against the New Jersey Devils for his hit to the head on Dainius Zubrus.

I know that there are many Philadelphia Flyers fans that are upset with Shanahan's ruling, I don't blame them because Brendan Shanahan has been very inconsistent, but the fact remains that this was an illegal hit and a violation of Rule 48. Don't break the rules if you don't want to get suspended, it's that simple.

The fact that Flyers fans are defending this dirty hit is puzzling, especially since Giroux missed four games for a concussion earlier in the season. Since the Flyers forward Claude Giroux is not an "Uber Star" like Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Ovechkin the NHL used this instance to made an example out of Giroux for his hit on .

Here is an example of some of the anger that has been focused on Brendan Shanahan.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Giroux faces hearing with Dept. of Player Safety

csnphilly.com
Philadelphia Flyers star forward Claude Giroux has a hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety this morning and I believe that Giroux deserves to have a one game ban for his head shot on Dainius Zubrus at the 19:56 mark of the second period in last night’s Eastern Conference Semifinal game against the New Jersey Devils. Zubrus was stunned by the hit but did return in the third period of last night game and scored an empty net goal.

This is what Giroux had to say about his cheap shot on Dainius Zubrus.
"I was trying to finish my hit and he kind of leaned in and he kind of tried to chip the puck in I think," Giroux said. "I didn't see the replay so I don't know. Obviously I'm not a dirty player. I don't want to hit guys in the head. But I was just trying to finish my hit there.

"I think I should be fine [in terms of a suspension]. He's leaning in. At the same time, [Anton] Volchenkov hit [Wayne] Simmonds in the face with an elbow. If they look at mine, they should probably look at that one, too."
Like I said yesterday, there is no doubt in my mind that Giroux should be suspended by the NHL for his bush league and dirty hit on Dainius Zubrus's because this hit is a violation of the NHL’s Rule 48, however, Brendan Shanahan probably won’t since he has been very reluctant to suspend any star players for dirty hits. Usually it takes multiple infractions before the NHL’s Department of Player Safety takes punitive action.