Phil Kessel Light Saber Gif... (Humor?)

s/t to Next impulse sports and to my friend @scofarr

NHL Hockey: Did John Scott Break the Hockey Code?

As I suspected, David Clarkson has been suspended by the NHL for 10 regular-season games for leaving the bench to join a fight/altercation. This is the second 10-game suspension of the pre-season already. The think that it's funny; the Toronto Maple Leafs are the only ones in this whole mess that will face any time on the beach. The Leafs Phil Kessel has a phone hearing fo rhis stick swinging incident.



I am not usually a fan of Damien Cox, but he does bring up some good points here. I was thinking about this as well.

Damien Cox, Toronto Star -- But the question NHL hanging judge Brendan Shanahan needs to ask himself is whether justice will be done if Kessel is suspended and the Buffalo Sabres don't receive any sanctions at all, not even a token fine.

If Shanahan chooses that option, he will be in effect opening the door to a strategy in which enforcers can jump star players on opposing teams without the league coming down hard on them. The league should protect its marquee players, although it seldom makes that a priority and instead allows the Patrick Kaletas of the world to run wild. You can say Kessel did wrong, but you better have a explanation as to how he should have handled a 6-foot-8 goon who had already dropped his gloves.

You can argue the goon in question, John Scott, did nothing overly wrong under the rules of the game, other than breaking them and getting a penalty. But in combination with Buffalo coach Ron Rolston, Scott instigated the entire affair by doing what most NHL people would argue is completely against the culture and spirit of the game, and that's menacing a skill player who had done absolutely nothing to provoke Scott.

I know that there’s going to be a few people that think that Phil Kessel had a beat down coming. But I ask you; think about it this way. Interchange Leafs forward Phil Kessel with Sidney Crosby, Patrice Bergeron, Zach Parise or even Jonathan Toews. Now I got your attention, right? Do we really want a two-bit goon like John Scott beating the bejesus out of a star player? Do we want him to just take liberties against marquee players? First off, I am not a dove by any stretch of the imagination. I love a good bare knuckles brawl, but the head coach of the Maple Leafs bares some of the blame in this situation.

Here’s a couple of questions that I will pose to the readers. Should Goons be going after skilled players? How’s a skilled players like Phil Kessel supposed to respond in this situation? Again, you can interchange your favorite skilled player with Kessel. Are skilled players just supposed to accept their beat down? I don’t know. Imagine the outrage if Scott had lined up again Sid Crosby or Patrice Bergeron, both players have had concussion issues. Do we want a cement head like Scott pulverizing the franchise player? You have to expect a player like Clarkson to jump off the bench and come to their aid.

NHL Hockey: Sabres and Leafs Line Brawl.

I predict that there's going to be a few suspensions and fines from this altercation. First, I would be willing to bet that David Clarkson will be looking at a 10-game suspension for jumping over the boards to enter an altercation. That's supposed to be an automatic suspension. This is after Biznasty was just given a 10-gamer for doing the same thing. I don't think that Clarkson has a leg to stand on here.

This is what the Sabres pylon had to say about the incident. Quote courtesy of Buffalo Hockey Beat.

“He had obviously some other guys in the lineup,” Scott told a throng of reporters this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “I think their coach kind of wanted to maybe downplay it. But I was just doing my job.

”The 6-foot-8 Scott knew he had to respond and said he would’ve went after anyone who lined up beside him, so he told Kessel, who’s about eight inches shorter and 60 pounds lighter, “Phil, we’re going to have to go here, just to let you know.

”How did Kessel respond?“I think he said, ‘All right, let’s do it,’” Scott said.

Within seconds, a full-scale brawl had erupted between the fierce rivals.“I wasn’t going to try to hurt him,” Scott said about Kessel. “I was just trying to send a message.”Kessel responded by ferociously whacking Scott with his stick as Leafs mauled Scott.

Also, I don't think that Leafs forward Phil Kessel should get off Scott free for swinging his stick, pardon the pun. That being said, I love a good fight, I like a good brawl like the next guy, but a guy like John Scott is basically a waste of a roster space. The guy can barely skate and is in Buffalo to protect the Sabres. My question is, can't they at least find a goon that can take a regular shift and add something to the game?

Kessel: "It was pretty stupid, right? He said he was going to jump me... He's a big boy. If he's coming after me, what are you gonna do?"
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) September 23, 2013

Toronto Maple Leafs: Sick Nazem Kadri goal

After signing a nice new two-year contract for a reported $5.8 million, Nazem Kadri took to the ice to show off his offensive skills. Nice, slick goal. Looks like the Flyers still have problems in net as well.

Andrew MacWilliam Impressing Toronto Maples Leafs at Rookie Tournament

"...he's a guy who is full of character." RT @SchlossmanGF: Andrew MacWilliam impressing Toronto so far http://t.co/t92UwnTuce
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) September 9, 2013

Former Fighting Sioux defenseman Andrew MacWilliam is making an impression on the Toronto Maples Leafs. It also sounds like he has been throwing some punishing checks as well. The Toronto Maple Leafs wrapped up their rookie tournament last night with a 6-2 loss. The Leafs finished the tournament with 2-1 record.

Big Mac

If you want to make Spott smile, just mention the name Andrew MacWilliam.

"Oh boy, he's big, strong and powerful," the Marlies coach said. "He's going to be one of our alternate captains and he's a guy who is full of character. He's probably going to catch somebody early with their head down in this tournament.

"He's just a big, strong man that has an edge. He's going to relish the physicality. I don't think a lot of people know him so he's going to open some eyes here this week."

MacWilliam was a physical force in Toronto's game against Chicago rookies Thursday night. He lambasted Chicago's Chris DeSousa late in the second period with the hardest check of the game. DeSousa left the contest.

MacWilliam, 23, scored two goals and 13 points in 41 games with North Dakota last season to go with a team-high 116 penalty minutes. It is his penalty total - 327 minutes in four seasons - that is the best indicator of what to expect from the six-foot-two, 230-pound Calgary, Alta., native.

In the previous two seasons with the Camrose Kodiaks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, MacWilliam totalled 350 PIM in 111 games. You get the picture

Wild Hockey: Would the Wild go after the Leafs Phil Kessel?

Last week over on the Hockey Wilderness, I touched on the subject about the possibility of the NHL’s salary cap moving to $80 Million, over the next four years. One of the big-time free agents that’s going to come available is Phil Kessel, Toronto might be willing to let him go. I am just throwing it out there, I wonder if the Wild management would consider taking a run at Kessel

A dynamic player like Kessel might fit into the Wild’s offensively challenged offense, and he could give the offensive spark that the Wild are begging for.

Currently, Kessel is in the last year of a five-year deal that is paying him $ 5.4 Million dollars a year. Based on his play during the last three seasons, you have to think that he’s going to be worth more. I am betting he’s going to command 6-7 million.

The Leafs might be ready to part with Kessel because they might not have a lot of salary room left. Here’s the deal, the Toronto Maple leafs have $19.5 million wrapped up annually in David Clarkson, Tyler Bozak, James van Riemsdyk and Joffrey Lupul until the 2018 season. Now, Kessel is on record as saying that he would like to stay in Toronto.

“Phil (Kessel) is still a really young man,” Arnott told the SportsNet Fan590. “He really enjoys living in Toronto and playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“This young man lives and breathes hockey. He was very excited to come here four years ago. I think if you asked Phil today, he’d love to finish his career here in Toronto. But it’s still young in his career right now.”

So, anything could be possible. Again, with the salary cap possibly moving to $80 Million dollars, there could be a lot of money being thrown around.

NHL schedule includes “6” Outdoor Games

Chew on this for a minute, there are six outdoor games this season. They’re listed below in chronological order, and they’re scheduled as follows. One game is actually in L.A.

2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic

* Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings - Michigan Stadium

Wednesday, Jan. 1, 12:30 p.m. ET -- NBC, CBC, RDS

Coors Light NHL Stadium Series

* Anaheim Ducks vs. Los Angeles Kings - Dodger Stadium

Saturday, Jan. 25, 9:30 p.m. ET -- NBC Sports Network, CBC

* New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils - Yankee Stadium

Sunday, Jan. 26, 12:30 p.m. ET -- NBC, CBC

* New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders - Yankee Stadium

Wednesday, Jan. 29, 7 p.m. ET -- NBC Sports Network

* Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks - Soldier Field

Saturday, March 1, 8 p.m. ET

2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic

* Ottawa Senators vs. Vancouver Canucks – BC Place

Sunday, March 2, 4 p.m. ET -- CBC, RDS, NBC Sports Network

Maple Leafs toughest test for Bruins?

Toronto Maple Leafs (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I can't believe that someone would write this article. A loss, is a loss. Every series is different. It was like the Boston Bruins were a different team after they were done playing the Leafs as well. For what ever reason.

Kevin McGran, Sports reporter -- Leaf Nation must look at how the Boston Bruins manhandled the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins and wonder what might have been . . . if only the Maple Leafs had held on to that Game 7 lead.

The Leafs, however, aren’t wondering any such thing.

“We lost,” head coach Randy Carlyle said emphatically, putting the notion to rest.

“You can look at it and hypothesize we would have had success, but that’s far from guaranteed,” added goalie Ben Scrivens. “And I’m sure if you would have asked the Rangers (about the possibility of) playing Toronto, they probably would have thought they’d have had a pretty good shot against us.

“There’s a lot of speculation. I don’t know if I would go so far as to say we would have had as much success. Obviously we have a lot of faith within our group that we can get the job done.”

In a surprising twist given the one-sided Boston-Toronto matchup the past few seasons, the Leafs had more playoff success against the Bruins than did the playoff-experienced Rangers and talent-loaded Penguins.

And figure this out: Phil Kessel’s four post-season goals vs. Boston are more than Rick Nash (2), Brad Richards (1), Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin (zeroes) combined.

What did the Leafs do that Pittsburgh should have?

Sounds like Maple Leafs are still smarting from their game seven collapse to the Boston Bruins.

(Video) Boychuk, Marchand and Lucic goals... Bruins 5 Rangers 2

English: 37 Patrice Bergeron (C, BOS) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Boston Bruins took the New York Rangers to the woodshed today. It appears that the Bruins might have been a bit off or even worn out from their screwed up schedule in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

One my friends – a great hockey mind – told me that the Boston Bruins were lucky to win their first round series against the Maple Leafs. This is a fact that I agree with.

I have said on a couple occasion that I think that the Boston Bruins slept walked through the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Bruins looked tired and didn't have any energy in their step, that all seems to have changed now. I don't know if the Bruins are  more rested or of they have found a second gear. I am not sure what is going on here, but the Boston Bruins are playing better.

In the second round so far, the Bruins top six forwards have been absolutely awesome. In the first round, many of us were ready to send out a search party for them.

Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand had another two point game (1g-1a—2pts) and now has five points in his last three games (2g-3a—5pts) after only scoring two points in the first round against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Patrice Bergeron is starting to find his game as well and has been red hot as of late as well… Bergy has (2g-4a—6pts) in the last three games after scoring just a single point in the first five games that he played in.

Brad Marchand wins it in O.T. for the Bruins... 3-2

The Boston Bruins were lucky to get the win against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round, the Boston Bruins outshot the New York Rangers 48-35 and had a 16-5 edge in shots in the overtime period. New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist kept the Rangers in the game by stopping 45/48 shots.

Brad Marchand had two points in the first six games that he played in during the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, now has three point in two games and (1g-4a—5pts) in eight games. Patrice Bergeron had two points in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, now has four points in last two games and has been a big part of the Bruins turn around.

Kessel/Leafs golf season

twitter.com/GlobeEricWilbu…
— Eric Wilbur (@GlobeEricWilbur) May 14, 2013

This picture was in one of my friend's twitter feeds. I am sure I will take some heat for it, but I couldn't help myself with this picture.

Bruins live to fight for another day....

This has to be one of the biggest comeback wins in sports history, or at least during my lifetime. I don't remember a team being down 4-1 late in the third only to have that same team chip away at three goal lead and come back and win the game in overtime. So now can we say that the three goal lead in hockey is one of the toughest to defend?

Seguin: "After Horton scored to make it 4-2 Lucic went by bench calm & confident & said 'Thats one.' I got really motivated when he said it"
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) May 14, 2013

(Video) Patrice Bergeron wins Game 7 in OT

What an exciting night of hockey... The Boston Bruins scored two goals by Milan Lucic and Patrice Bergeron 31 seconds in the waning minutes of the third period to force the overtime period. At one point in the third period, the Boston Bruins were down 4-1 and it looked like Boston's season was over.

You could tell by the body language of Maple Leafs that the game tying goal was a back breaker and I had a feeling that the Bruins were going to take the game in the overtime period. And they did. Patrice Bergeron took the team on his back and at the 06:05 mark of the overtime period he scored the game winning goal sending the TD North Garden into a frenzy.

The game winning goal was Bergeron's second goal of the game and the third goal of the series. Bergeron's series clinching goal sends the Boston Bruins to the second round of the playoffs to face the New York Rangers. This is the first time the Rangers and the Boston Bruins will meet in the  Stanley Cup Playoffs in forty years (1972-1973).

RT @bruinsdaily: Bergeron with the Ranger Jacket twitter.com/BruinsDaily/st…
— Tim Rosenthal (@_TimRosenthal) May 14, 2013

(Video) James Reimer save on Shawn Thornton

Check out this amazing save by Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer on Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton. This is just how the last three games have gone for the Boston Bruins. Can't get a goal when they need one. Not burying the chances when they are presented to them.

David Krejci scores the Game Winner in Overtime for the Bruins

Boston Bruins forward David Krejci scored a hat trick against the Toronto Maple Leafs, including this game winning goal. With the win tonight, the Boston Bruins also take a 3-1 series lead against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Bruins overcame a 2-0 deficit by scoring three goals in 15 minutes period during the second period, before the Toronto Maple Leafs evened the score. Krejci scored the game winning goal at the 13:06 mark of the overtime period. The Bruins can end the series on Friday night in Boston.

Dion Phaneuf’s High Hit On Daniel Paille

Obviously, we have heard of no hearing or potential suspension upcoming for Toronto defenseman Dion Phaneuf’s high, questionable hit on Boston forward Daniel Paille during Game 2 Saturday night in Boston. The Bruins have to pick their spots against Phaneuf, because he really isn't known for dropping the gloves either, he likes to hide behind his half shield and the Bruins don't want to get an unnecessary penalty for taking a run at Phaneuf. Getting the win in the series is more important than evening a score against Phaneuf.

This is the reason that I want to see the instigator hit removed from the game of hockey. I think if a player had to answer for their hits on the ice more often. There would be less of these high hits to the head region. I no problem with players that want to play a hitting game – hitting is part of the game of hockey, but you can hit people hard without hitting them in the head.

Andrew Ference suspended for Game 2 for his elbow on

One game suspension for Ference, as expected RT @nhlplayersafety: Andrew Ference suspension video. bit.ly/ZqnxaU #BruinsTalk
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) May 2, 2013

Andrew Ference is lucky that it was during the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs or his suspension would have been longer, this was a violation of the NHL's Rule 48 and his like this are unacceptable. Even though I am fan of the Boston Bruins and Andrew Ference, this is the right call by the NHL.

(Video) Andrew Ference to have hearing for his elbow on Mikhail Grabovski

After I saw this elbow, I had a feeling that Andrew Ference was going to get some scrutiny from the Department of Player Safety for this elbow on Leafs forward Mikhail Grabovskiand, and he will. Ference has a hearing today with the Department of Player Safety. I have to think that he will be getting at least a game suspension for this hit.

Word out of Boston. #Bruins Ference will have an #NHL discipline hearing mid-afternoon 2day for his elbow on #Leafs Grabovski.
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) May 2, 2013

Related articles

• Andrew Ference elbow on Mikhail Grabovski (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Marchand get speared “in the privates”

It's pretty obvious why Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand wasn’t very happy with Maple Leafs winger James van Riemsdyk after Wednesday’s Game 1. Yikes, I am also happy that Marchand didn't connect with van Riemsdyk, that might have ended up being a suspension.

Bruins vs. Leafs

Tyler Seguin during a game against the Buffalo Sabres during the 2010-11 season (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Boston 28-14-6 vs. Toronto 26-17-5 

Season Series: The Bruins had a 3-1 record against the Maple Leafs this season. 2-0 in Boston and 1-1 in Toronto.

For the first time in nine seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. That’s right, last time the Maple Leafs made the Stanley Cup Playoffs was during the 2003-04 season.

So, starting tonight, the Leafs are trying to shed the label as the Make Me Laughs. Looking at the history books, the Maple Leafs are also the last “Original Six” team to win a Stanley Cup Championship (1967). That means If my math is correct, that 46 years since the Toronto Maple Leafs last won the Stanley Cup. The Bruins ended a 39 year drought when they won the Stanley Cup in 2011.

One of the stories lines is former Boston Bruins forward Phil Kessel, who was traded to Toronto and the struggles he has had against his former team scoring (3g-6a—9pts) in 22 games against the Bruins. Kessel also didn't want to talk to the media in Toronto this week, either.

Steve Simmons, Toronto Sun – Phil Kessel has managed the impossible — he’s pulled a disappearing act before the playoff series begins against the Boston Bruins.

And in doing so, refusing to fulfil his contractual obligations and meet with the media, he wound up embarrassing team management in the process.

“That’s the first I’ve heard of it,” said general manager Dave Nonis, when apparently informed of Kessel’s unwillingness to play meet the press on Monday afternoon and doing his best to explain why. Nonis was clearly unimpressed with Kessel’s silence.

“We’ll deal with it internally,” said Nonis, who added. “Our players will be available on a going forward basis.”

Lets hope that the Boston Bruins make young Nazem Kadri eat his words, I don't know about you, but that looks like bulletin board material to me.

Nazem Kadri: "This is a very, very winnable series."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 1, 2013