(Video) Dion Phaneuf and Kyle Brodziak Fight

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf and Minnesota Wild forward Kyle Brodziak drop the mitts. I would say that this was a good fight. I am actually surprised that Phaneuf fought.

(Video) Ryan Getzlaf Embelishment Penalty

This is totally unacceptable. Again, I am all for fining, punishing and suspending players that embellish to draw penalties. In my humble opinion, diving cheapens the game of hockey and is bad sportsmanship. In this case, you could probably stop some of the embellishment if you just penalized the player diving.

What I don't understand is why the officials don't just take one player? Is it necessary to penalize Dion Phaneuf? Why not just penalize Ryan Getzlaf in this instance?

02:10 TOR Dion Phaneuf Tripping against Ryan Getzlaf
02:10 ANA Ryan Getzlaf Embellishment against Dion Phaneuf

The things that on-ice officials say to the players

The on-ice official tells the Penguins Jussi Jokinen and the Maple Leafs Dion Phaneuf "F#ck both of you guys" and then sends them to the penalty box.

Dion Phaneuf suspended 2 games for hit on Kevan Millar

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf has been suspended for two-games by the NHL for his hit on Kevan Millar. Personally, I think that is the right decision, and I can live with this suspension. In my opinion, a two-game suspension seems like an appropriate length for that hit. The NHL can't go around suspending every player that boards another player five-games. While it was a dangerous hit, Dion Phaneuf has never been suspended by the NHL.

Related articles

• Bruins Kevan Miller boarded by Leafs Dion Phaneuf (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• James Neal suspended 5-games for kneeing Marchand (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

James Neal suspended 5-games for kneeing Marchand

I think the suspension should be longer, but that's the breaks. It's a good thing that Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand wasn't hurt by the dirty play. Nice to see that Dion Phaneuf will probably be getting suspended for his dirty hit on Kevan Miller.

5 games for Neal. Phaneuf phone hearing tomorrow at 10am.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 9, 2013

James Neal suspension video: http://t.co/vOqnaI92TR
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) December 9, 2013

Dion Phaneuf boards Kevan Miller http://t.co/MyQmHP7xqI
— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) December 9, 2013

Related articles

• Was James Neal Kneeing Marchand Intentional? (thehockeywriters.com)
• Throw the Book at Shawn Thornton (thehockeywriters.com)
• Bruins Kevan Miller boarded by Leafs Dion Phaneuf (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Bruins Kevan Miller boarded by Leafs Dion Phaneuf

Boston Bruins defenseman Kevan Miller is absolutely destroyed by Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf. There's no sense to this hit, this is a major penalty, in my opinion. This is a dangerous hit and has no place in any level of hockey. The refs in this instance should be fined for not making the proper call.

I've seen some really bad NHL officiating this weekend. Totally lost control last night. Tonight they miss major Phaneuf hit from behind
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) December 9, 2013

Related articles

• Boston Bruins News: Miller's Debut & the Penalty Kill (thehockeywriters.com)
• Dion Phaneuf NOT Worth $7 Million (thehockeywriters.com)

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.

Joffrey Lupul's dirty hit to the head on Victor Hedman

This is an illegal hit to the head and a violation of rule 48. Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joffery Lupul is going to get a call from the Department of Player Safety and if he isn't suspended, I will be very surprised. Apparently, this isn't the first time that Victory Hedman has been hit with a questionable and dirty hit this week. Zac Rinaldo also caught Hedman with a very questionable hit earlier this week, but he was able to go tonight.

s/t  cjzero for the cool gif.

Dion Phaneuf blast John Tavares from behind.

Not a good hit by Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneauf on Islanders forward John Tavares. I am also shocked that there was no penalty on the play as the referee was standing where he could see the play.

Tuesday at the Links… The No Hockey League and "Sloppy Seconds"

Good morning and there are now roughly 32 days until the University of North Dakota plays it’s first exhibition game against the Manitoba Bison.

Former Maine Star and current Tampa Bay Lightning forward Teddy Percell says that the lockout is going to hurt the players. [CBC.CA]

"Sloppy Seconds"

Here is a story that is just too good to pass up. Toronto Maples Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf is now engaged to former 24 actress Elisha Cuthbert– in case anyone has forgotten, Cuthbert was the center of a crude and disparaging comments that Sean Avery made about her while he was a member of the Dallas Stars.

"Uh, I'm really happy to be back in Calgary, Avery said. "I love Canada."

"And I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds. I don't know what that's about. "Enjoy the game tonight."

Avery was suspended indefinitely by the NHL for those comments and after his suspension he was traded to the New York Rangers and he has since retired from the NHL.

Here is all you need to know about the star studed engagement - Exclusive: Elisha Cuthbert Engaged to Dion Phaneuf: All the Details!

Lockout Talk

If this doesn’t sink for you - The Ottawa Senators have begun preparing their fans for the strong possibility of an NHL lockout.

Former Minnesota Duluth Bulldog and current Vancouver Canuck defenseman Jason Garrisonis growing a beard and he says that he'll keep the beard until the National Hockey League and its players sign a new CBA. Garrison might have to trim that beard or it could get pretty long.

The on going saga that is the Phoenix Coyotes; deal with Glendale in flux .

Misc stuff

While we are on the subject of the Phoenix Coyotes; Though ownerless, Coyotes have shown signs of staying power...

Apparently, Wayne Gretzky 'dreamed' of second Summit Series... [The Observer]

From ESPN yesterday - Bloomberg Businessweek has its annual ranking of the smartest spenders in sports. Check out the Smartest and worst spenders...

Smartest spenders:
1. Detroit Red Wings
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Boston Bruins
4. Chicago Blackhawks
5. San Jose Sharks

Worst spenders:
1. Toronto Maple Leafs
2. Edmonton Oilers
3. Columbus Blue Jackets
4. Calgary Flames
5. Minnesota Wild

Here is the defending Stanley Cup Champions National TV schedule "if" there is a season. [LA Kings Insider]

University of North Dakota Defenseman Andrew MacWilliam made the latest Hot List.

Andrew MacWilliam, D – University of North Dakota (WCHA) Never to be confused with an offensive dynamo, MacWilliam has nonetheless been a sturdy, physical presence on the UND blueline during his first three campaigns. Entering his final year in college, the Calgary native will don the green sweater as captain, with Habs prospect Danny Kristo as one of the assistants. Drafted 188th overall by Toronto in 2008.

Habs spared the wrath of Lucic, Lucic suspended for one game

After watching the NHL Senior Vice President of Player Safety Brendan Shanahan and his ruling today I have come to the conclusion that there is no consistency in his ruling. Milan Lucic was suspended today for boarding Flyer goon Zac Rinaldo. Rinaldo didn't even think the hit deserved a penalty on the play.
Lucic drew a five-minute major and game misconduct, yet Rinaldo doesn’t feel that was warranted.

“It’s hockey, you hit and go into the boards, I don’t think it was dirty at all,” Rinaldo said. “Shoulder-to-shoulder and just momentum. He’s big guy, maybe double my weight. His momentum carried him into the boards awkwardly. I don’t think it was dirty at all.”

He added: “Should–to-shoulder, that’s fine, that’s cool. I don’t mind it at all.”

Then why, after a scrum developed, did Rinaldo leave the pile trading punches with Nathan Horton?

“I don’t know, I got up and he was first one in front of my face,” Rinaldo said. “I knew I was Lucic [who hit me].” [CSNPhilly]

After watching the NHL fail to suspend Dion Phaneuf's for his hit on Zach Kassian, which was more egregious in my opinion, you would have thought that Lucic would get off without a suspension. So go forward, the fans have no clue what is going to get a players suspended and what is not.

Related articles

• Milan Lucic hit on Zac RInaldo (mvn.com)
• Will Lucic be suspended? (mvn.com)

Will Lucic be suspended?

Bruins forward Milan Lucic has a hearing Monday for his hit on Flyers forward Zac Rinaldo, the big question is, will Lucic be suspended for his hit on Rinaldo. I would have to say, based on what I saw in a recent ruling by Brendan Shanahan; comparing Dion Phaneuf's hit on Zach Kassian and Milan Lucic's hit on Zac Rinaldo, I would say no, this hit was not as bad as that hit.

Related articles

• Milan Lucic hit on Zac RInaldo (mvn.com)
• Dion Phaneuf not suspened for hit on Zach Kassian (mvn.com)
• Dion Phaneuf plants Zack Kassian into the boards. (mvn.com)

Dion Phaneuf not suspened for hit on Zach Kassian

The NHL decided not to suspend Dion Phaneuf for this hit on Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Kassian. Going forward I am surprised that Phaneuf wasn't given at least a game suspension. I think this is the type of hit that the league has to take out of the game hockey, this is a dangerous unnecessary hit. 

Milan Lucic hit on Zac RInaldo

Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for this hit on Flyers forward Zac Rinaldo. In looking at the video, and watching the game, I don't think you will see a suspension to Milan Lucic.

The reason I say that I don't think that Lucic will be suspended is that last night Toronto Defenseman Dion Phaneuf  buried Buffalo Forward Zack Kassian into the boards and wasn't suspended. In my opinion that hit was worse than Lucic's hit on Rinaldo. So I don't see a this and there was no suspension given to Phaneuf.

I know that if Lucic isn’t suspended by the NHL we are going to hear the conspiracy theorist claim that the NHL is in bed with the Bruins because Colin Campbell’s son Gregory plays for the Boston Bruins, however, I don’t think this hit is suspension worthy.

After Milan Lucic's questionable hit on Flyers goon Zac Rinaldo, who has been in eight fights this season, goes after and challenges Bruins forward Nathan Horton to a fight. As a Bruins fan, I get a little worried  seeing one of the Bruins top six forwards, who has suffered a concussion in the past year, fighting an experienced fighter like Rinaldo. Rinaldo (1g-4a—5pts) is a cement head and is on the ice for one thing. Rinaldo is there to fight and cause havoc, you would think he should have challenged Lucic to the fight.

Related articles

• Dion Phaneuf plants Zack Kassian into the boards. (mvn.com)

Dion Phaneuf plants Zack Kassian into the boards.

Toronto Maples Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf was given a five minute major and a game misconduct as he planted the Sabres forward Zack Kassian into the boards. Kassian went to the locker room and received some stitches.

All season long we have heard how fighting is ruining the game of hockey and is a major cause of all of these concussions and head injuries, but I am more concerned about these kind of hits. Some one is going to get maimed getting slammed head long into the boards. The players have got to learn that you can't smash you opponent head first into the boards.

Dion Phaneuf smokes Simon Mose with a hard check

Holy Cow does Dion Phaneuf tattoo Simon Mose from Switzerland with a hard, vicious, and what appears to be a legal check in my opinion. Using Google Translate I was able to come up with this gem...

www.hockeykanalen.se ---- Canadian Dion Phaneuf tackled Simon Moser so badly that he fainted from the bench in the middle of the second period between Switzerland and Canada. According to TV10's expert, he swallowed his tongue and the judge had interrupted the match for a while.

- This does not look good, "says TV10's expert Calle Johansson.

The incident occurred in the second period when Switzerland was in the lead with 1-0. Canadian Dion Phaneuf tackled Simon Moser hard - but the rigging looked cool even if the blast was powerful. Bang took offense, but Moser took still get out to the stall.

- He receives a huge bang. Phaneuf get on proficient in melee combat, says TV10's expert Calle Johansson.

Drama

Moser's condition deteriorated quickly and it was dramatic.

- He is in pain and is almost faint. It does not look good, he looks completely out, "says Calle Johansson.

A few seconds later, television pictures showed how he passed out of the stall. The leaders agreed with him and tried to keep his head up. And as TV10's expert, he swallowed his tongue and the referee stopped the match for a while. 22-year-old witty spirit, however, and was taken to hospital.

Phaneuf versus Kovalchuk

I don’t think it’s an understatement to say that this isn’t a very good fight between Dion Phaneuf and Ilya Kovalchuk I think the biggest statement is the fact that no one from the New Jersey Devils comes to the aid of the Devils super star.

Ilya Kovalchuk who signed in the offseason for 100,000,000.00 has had a tough go of it in 34 games he has (8g-10a-18pts) and is an unimpressive -26 maybe the New Jersey Devils should ask from some of their money back.