SCF, Game 5: Sharks and Penguins Scrum

It took five games but it appears that neither team likes the other very much. I want to ask the non-Penguins fans a question. The Penguins seem to do a lot of yapping on the ice and then turtle or look for the refs to bail them out. Is that an accurate assessment?

If I was playing against Penguins forward Patrick Hornqvist, it would be very hard not to retaliate against him. San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns appeared to get his pound of flesh against Penguins forward Carl Hagelin.

College Hockey's Influence on the NHL's Scoring Race

2015-16 NHL Leaders Points
1.	Patrick Kane	106
2.	Jamie Benn	89
3.	Sidney Crosby	85
4.	Erik Karlsson	82
	Joe Thornton	82
6.	John Gaudreau	78
	Joe Pavelski	78
	Blake Wheeler	78
9.	Evgeny Kuznetsov	77
	Artemi Panarin	77

While I was perusing some NHL hockey stats at hockey reference, I didn’t realize that three of the top-10 scorers in the NHL had college hockey experience. I guess that seems about right since 31% of the NHL's players comes from college hockey. Looking at the top-10, we have a Minnesota Gopher, a Wisconsin Badger, and a Boston College Eagle. I also find it interesting that they all finished with 78 points. 

What's even more remarkable is that Johnny Gaudreau has only been in the NHL for just over two seasons. This past season, he scored almost a point a game. In 79 games, Gaudreau scored 30 goals and 78 points. 

Paul Martin's High-Sticking Penalty, Malkin Embellishment

First, I want to be clear, this was a legitimate high-sticking penalty. The thing that upsets me is the embellishment by Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin. Notice, after San Jose Shark's defenseman Paul Martin's stick makes contact with Malkin, in a delayed reaction, he snaps his head back to make sure that he's drawn the penalty. That's unnecessary in my opinion.

Evgeni Malkin Gets Elbowed in the Face by Braydon Coburn

If this was the regular season, this hit might get a look by the NHL's Department of Player Safety. During the playoffs, the DPOS tends to overlook unnecessary, dirty hits like this. Unless, the player on the receiving end is injured.

All series long, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been all over the Penguins, especially Evgeni Malkin. This time, the Lightning defenseman Braydon Coburn connected with Malkin's face.  The Pens forward looked like was a bit shaken up on the play. Malkin would return to the ice.

Jonathan Drouin No Goal

I must give credit where credit it due. The on-ice officials got this one right. Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jonatha Drouin thought that he'd scored his fifth goal of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, after further review, it was not a goal. If you look at the video, you will see that Drouin was offsides at the Penguins blue line.

Ryan Callahan Boards Kris Letang: Is There a Suspension Coming?

When I watch this video, I have no idea how Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan wasn't given a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct. If you watch the video, Callahan was very lucky he wasn't thrown out of the game for this dangerous hit on Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang. I agree with Elliotte Friedman, this should have been an automatic ejection. I do think that the NHL's Department of Player Safety will take a look at this dirty, dangerous hit.

In trying to figure out why Callahan not ejected, this is probably the key paragraph in Rule 41. pic.twitter.com/Gn4R6vq3WS

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 14, 2016

But this part makes it seem like it should be automatic. pic.twitter.com/9PHL0pVtx8

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 14, 2016

Palat Boards Dumoulin

In the waning moments of the third period, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ondrej Palat was assessed, a two-minute minor penalty for boarding Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin. This hit was unnecessary. It’s what we call a push check and they’re very dangerous hits. So, will this get a look by the NHL’s Department of Players Safety? Personally, I don’t think this is a suspendable hit. It's dangerous and reckless, but it's not worthy of a suspension.

The Letang Hit from a Pengiuns Fan's Perspective

I don't even know why he got interference. Provably just because it looked like a serious injury. https://t.co/MrLHeCIvsu

— Tough Call (@ToughCallBlog) May 3, 2016

This is a different way of looking at the Penguins defenseman Kris Letang hit on Capitals forward Marcus Johansson. Talk about living in denial. I am not shocked, though. It's tough to look through an objective lens when a player on your favorite team could face a suspension.

Was it a head shot? Nope. He targeted the chest. If anything, Johansson’s head hit Letang’s name bar because it was behind Letang’s shoulder. Was it an elbow? Not a chance. A charge? Less than two strides. Late? .64 seconds? I think the .04 is covered by the two minute penalty by the on ice official. But it was a violent, open ice hit! A guy was hurt! It was so fast! That can’t be allowed! That can’t be a hockey play! The only way to stop hits like his from happening is to ban hitting. Sorry folks. You’ve. Got. Nothing. (Tough Call)

I wonder how the author would feel if Brooks Orpik had laid this hit on Sidney Crosby? I am sure that his perspective would be different. I think the problem in the NHL is there's no respect among the players anymore. Eventually, we're going to get this right.

Letang could face discipline after late hit on Johansson. MORE: https://t.co/g0uxAkSyyK pic.twitter.com/2WZaCabjdt

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 3, 2016

Dave Hodge: Thumbs down to discipline disconnect

First, this article says what a lot of fans have been saying for a very long time, in all levels of hockey. I have begun to refer to this as blow the f'n whistle.

If you monitor social media this is a reoccurring theme, nightly. The refs aren't calling the game of hockey by the book. When fans say it, they're just blind homers.

That being said, someone needed to say it. What gives it credibility; someone from a major  sports channel in Canada put it to print. And now it's out there.

After the NHL lockout of 2004-05, the refs were calling stick penalties and the obstruction. Now, the refs have basically declined back to the days of the clutching and grabbing up and down the ice. No wonder Sidney Crosby can't score, he has two guys in his hockey pants.

Dave Hodge, TSN -- According to the league, the refs aren't making the proper calls.

Corrections made after the fact do nothing to satisfy the teams that deserved better during the game.

Where video review and coach challenges are concerned, it's all about transparency and getting the calls right, but that's not the case with penalty calls. It should be.

Apart from addressing the need to show that the refs and their overseers are working from the same rulebook, the NHL should treat all calls by officials the same way. If the legality of goals can be determined by video and not by the refs' eyes, if coaches can challenge the failure to call goalie interference and offside, hits such as those delivered by Sill and Johansson should be subject to review on the spot, and proper penalties and power plays awarded.

It's too late the following day. And it's too late to make the argument that the refs' judgment needs to be respected. It isn't anymore.

For those wondering who Dave Hodge is, he's been with TSN.CA since 1992.

Thumbs down from @TSNDaveHodge to the NHL's discipline disconnect. READ: https://t.co/rnzXRlfVUK pic.twitter.com/DyHbhQDcZD

— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) January 9, 2016

While we're on the subject of officials and off-ice officials. Zeke from the Hockey Writers also addresses the Department of Player Safety and their lack of consistency.

The NHL DPS comes out a loser. Whatever credibility they might have gained from going after Torres was short-lived. That credibility was lost by a failure, a chronic failure, to enforce player safety in a broader way with any real sense of diligence. For example, the opening night head-butt by Dustin Brown on Logan Couture in the video clip below drew nothing from the DPS. The list of offenses that DPS has managed to ignore is ridiculous. If someone attempted to compile a list of the top ten offenses the DPS ignored, they be swamped by the available material. The only player that needs to fear a harsh reaction from the DPS is Raffi Torres. That sort of hypocrisy not only hurts the game, it insures the DPS has no credibility in the eyes of the people it must be credible to – the players.

Was Jarret Stoll's hit on Kris Letang worthy of a Suspension?

real dirty hit from stoll on letang pic.twitter.com/mcWttguGal

— Rich Miller (@atrichmiller) December 27, 2015

Last night, at the 03:19 mark of he third period, Minnesota Wild forward Jarret Stoll hit Pittsburgh Penguins forward Kris Letang in the head his shoulder. For his efforts, Stoll was given a two-minute minor penalty for illegal check To head.

First, Stoll got lucky, he could've been assessed a five-minute major, but for whatever reason, he wasn't. Checking social media  Pens fans weren't very happy with the call. Do they have a point for their unhappiness?

Further complicating things, today, the league decided that Stoll wouldn't be having a hearing for his illegal check to Letang's head. Finally, Letang didn't play in the Pens game tonight against the Winnipeg Jets. This made Pens fans, even more, unhappy.

My question is: was this hit worthy of supplemental discipline? Did the NHL's Department of Player Safety blow it? Personally, I don't think that every illegal check to head deserves a suspension. In this case, it looks like Stoll went for a shoulder-to-should hit and missed. It's not a malicious hit, dirty, sure.

Kris Letang is out tonight vs WPG, per #Pens Coach Sullivan. Wasn't feeling great this morning. Precautionary hold out.

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 27, 2015

#mnwild's Jarret Stoll isn't expected to face hearing for hit on #penguins D Kris Letang. Looks like hit thru the shoulder, no extension

— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) December 27, 2015

Pittsburgh Penguins: Patric Hornqvist Cross Checking Penalty (Blown Call)

I had to go back and watch this a couple of times. I am not even sure this is a penalty. Pittsburgh Penguins forward, Patric Hornqvist, was assessed a two-minute minor penalty for cross-checking Adam McQuaid. To me, this looks like a blown call.

T.J. Oshie Blows up Beau Bennett

My buddy is a Pittsburgh Penguins fan and he was unhappy with T.J. Oshie for this hit on Penguins forward Beau Bennett. Some might call it, Sioux on Pioneer abuse. The refs didn't call a penalty on the play.

Obviously, Pens fans aren't going to be very happy with Oshie, who also scored his ninth and 10 goals of the season tonight, leading the Capitals to a 4-1 win.

Here's my question; should the on-ice officials called a penalty on this play. One could make the argument for one.

Nino Niederreiter's hit on Olli Maatta

Here's the video of Minnesota Wild forward Nino Niederreiter's hit on Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta. Make no mistake about it, this is a dangerous, reckless hit. That being said, Niederreiter is not a dirty player, not by any stretch of the imagination.

I included the hit by Penguins defenseman Ben Lovejoy on Niederreiter. This play happened right before Nino's hit on Maata. This is a push check, right or wrong, it happens in the game all of the time. Both hits should have been a penalty, but were not.

I have seen fans calling for a suspension on Niederreiter. Personally, this is a hit that needs to be removed from the game of hockey. I don't have a problem with the NHL suspending Niederreiter for this hit, but they won't. Not this time.

Confirmed: No suspension for Nino Niederreiter #mnwild #penguins

— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) November 18, 2015

“It’s unfortunate the whole situation,” Niederreiter told the media following last night's game. “I pushed him and went for a change and I think he toe-picked the same time and the door was open. You never want to see anything like that. Obviously I feel bad.”

It's Hard Being Phil Kessel

I have been watching the Phil Kessel trade unfold in the media the last couple of weeks and it's been interesting.

During my lifetime, I have not seen a player receive so much negative press. In fact, some of the stuff that has been written about him is downright malicious.

Here's some of the stuff that's caught my eye since Kessel was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

After all he's been through, Kessel enjoyed his time in Toronto.

“Toronto was a place I loved, and it’s not easy leaving that, even with everything else,” he told writer Dejan Kovacevic. “That’s the first thought. And then after that, I just see (Wednesday’s trade) as a great opportunity to be part of something special in Pittsburgh with some great players. I’m excited.” (Lance Hornby, Toronto Sun)

Questions about Kessel's weight never seem to subside. Apparently, the hot dog vendor in his neighborhood is going to miss him.  Per self-proclaimed Kessel hater Steve Simmons:

The hot dog vendor who parks daily at Front and John Sts. just lost his most reliable customer.

Almost every afternoon at 2:30 p.m., often wearing a toque, Phil Kessel would wander from his neighbourhood condominium to consume his daily snack.

And now he’s gone. Just like that. The Maple Leafs could no longer stomach having Kessel around, the first player to be both punished and rewarded for the saddest Leafs season in history.

Another Toronto Sun writer thought it was time for Kessel to leave.

OK, let’s be clear, I’m not defending Phil Kessel, who was traded by the Maple Leafs to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday.

People who are close to the situation say almost unanimously that it was time for Kessel to leave.

But the question I have is, did it really have to get to this point? (Bill Harris, Toronto Sun)

Sports Net's Elliotte Friedman says that Kessel will be missed in Toronto.

At the end of the day, Kessel was traded because he was Toronto’s most marketable player they were willing to deal. He could get the best return, including cap space. Nothing else excited them and bringing back the same group was unacceptable to Brendan Shanahan. There’s no doubt this was unfulfilled potential for him and for the team. He’s a lightning rod, a polarizing figure and is responsible for that. But the toughest thing the Maple Leafs lose is a talented player who (for the most part) could ignore the market noise. You need guys like that in Canada, who either embrace it (Subban) or tune it out (Sedins). That’s hard to find. And I think there are some charities who will really miss him. He did a lot, very quietly.

Phil Kessel a Pengiun

It's Canada Day in Canada and in the NHL world, we have a blockbuster trade that sent Phil Kessel to the Pittsburgh Penguins. It doesn't look like the Penguins gave up much to get Kessel. Now Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will have another talented forward to play with.

Per Mike Johnston of Sportsnet.CA:

In return Toronto gets centre Nick Spaling, forward Kasperi Kapanen, defenceman Scott Harrington, plus first- and third-round picks from 2016. Toronto will retain $1.2 million of Kessel’s salary in each of the next seven seasons.

The Leafs are also sending forward Tyler Biggs, defenceman Tim Erixon and a 2016 second-round pick to Pittsburgh.

So, if you're a Leafs fan, do you like this deal? I think that the Penguins have committed a robbery against the Leafs.

Too soon? pic.twitter.com/Y1JP5oxXFq

— Dave Stubbs (@Dave_Stubbs) July 1, 2015

Toronto Maple Leafs trade Phil Kessel to Pittsburgh Penguins: The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded star winger ... http://t.co/1LiiRcIrId

— StayWithMe (@SWM_87) July 1, 2015

Every piece of the original Phil Kessel trade with Boston has been traded again. Kessel. Seguin. Hamilton.

— Adam Gretz (@AGretz) July 1, 2015

Here's the full terms of the Phil Kessel trade. Retained 15% of his salary as well, which is big. pic.twitter.com/amDcZQnRJb

— James Mirtle (@mirtle) July 1, 2015

You've gotta really hate Phil Kessel to lose a trade to Jim Rutherford

— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) July 1, 2015

Post-Draft Thoughts and Reflections

by Redwing77

The 2015 NHL draft is over and with it, lots of news from highly drafted players from BU to highly baffling decisions by Boston.  Intriguing to be sure.

UND had four players drafted in Boeser, Tomek, Wolanin, and Wilkie.  Honestly, if you read a lot about the surprise about Wolanin's draft, be so.  He was unranked on the rankings and was slated to be undrafted yet went in the 4th round.

This isn't unheard of for UND freshmen.  Remember:  Brett Bruneteau was drafted in the 4th round by Washington and he wasn't on anyone's boards.

This doesn't mean much.  Going from what Sirius Radio analysts opine, those taken in the 4th round or later are various project picks designated boom or bust in various levels of perceived values (in other words, a project pick taken in the 4th round is seen to have more of a possibility or upside than one taken in the 7th round).  Pretty straight forward, not out on the limb type stuff.

In other news, former UND commit turned flake Ryan Gropp got drafted in the second round.  Good for him.  I'm sure he'll light it up at...wherever.

To me, the biggest winners from the NHL Draft:

1.  The QMJHL.  It seems like every other pick came from the Q.
2.  Michigan U.  The Wolverines led the NCAA in NHL draft picks with 7
3.  China.  Their first ever NHL draft pick came in this year's draft.  I didn't know Yao Ming could skate (ha ha ha.. no really, this kid, Song is his last name, seems to be a pretty decent skater)
4.  BU and BC had great representation in the first two rounds
5.  Team USA:  MANY drafted
6.  Buffalo and Edmonton.  Edmonton drafted and traded well, but I think Buffalo was the best overall in every respect on draft day.

Losers:

1.  Boston Bruins.  Sorry Goon.  First, they trade for Martin Jones.  Why?  I guess that's a strong endorsement for Malcolm Subban's development?  They couldn't keep Svedberg (who Siriux/XM said Boston had soured over but I didn't think he was all that bad) but really...  Sean McIndoe (@DownGoesBrown) tweeted:  Martin Jones: I hate being stuck behind an all-star on a long term deal. Agent: You just got traded. Jones: Awesome! Where to? Agent: Um...

And the three picks.  Ok, the two picks.  The #13 pick was fine.  The other two?  Sorry.  There were FAR FAR FAR better players on the board.  In fact, the #15 pick, Senyshyn, wasn't on anyone's draft board before the Boston's 4th pick, #39 in the second round so they could have chosen someone like UMich commit Kyle Connor or Matthew Barzal.

I know Goon's a big B's fan and will probably disagree with me but this is NOT a good debut for Don Sweeney.  Sadly, a snarky commentby Sean McIndoe (@DownGoesBrown) stated "$100 to Chiarelli if he goes up there for this pick and leads off with "Miss me yet, Boston?"

Hindsight might prove me wrong.  Senyshyn may be a great pick.  Debrusk might be a great pick.  But only hindsight will change most people's minds.

For the record, however, I think trading Lucic was a good idea.  Sometimes you have to let a guy you love go.  I remember when my Wings let Federov go.  Now, that wasn't as amicable a parting as Lucic's situation, but still... I loved Federov.  As for Hamilton, I think money was the issue, sure, but there is NO WAY.. NO ING WAY Calgary's offer was the best out there, even if Boston didn't want to trade him to Edmonton.  NO WAY.

2.  Vancouver Canucks:  Another awesome snarky comment on Twitter:  Fear The Fin ‏@fearthefin Jun 27

Five years ago the Canucks had Roberto Luongo, Cory Schneider and Eddie Lack. Now they have no cash, no jobs and no goaltending.

Ok, I'm not sure if I necessarily agree with "no" goaltending.  Ryan Miller is a good goaltender, but sadly he's no longer great.  And Jacob Markstromm is actually looking to be solid.  I've seen him play on TV a few times and he looked inconsistent but solid.  In other words, a Swedish Marc Andre Fleury.

3.  Pittsburgh Penguins:  They did nothing.  Nothing at all.  Well, they were talked about a lot in the Kessel sweepstakes.  They were mentioned in acquiring Jeff Skinner from Carolina.... but Pierre McGuire couldn't even make the Penguins relevant in this year's draft.  They need cap relief and the Pens didn't seem to care to do it this way, whereas many other teams did.

4.  Peter Chiarelli - Former B's GM and current Edmonton GM called Florida a city.  Good for you Peter. 

5.  Pierre McGuire - Just because he's got no excuse for being as ill-informed as he always seems to be.  If it isn't related to Crosby, he doesn't know.  Time for TSN to assign a "minder" to McGuire to stop him from sticking his foot in his mouth.  Oh, and if he's going to be between the benches, he needs to wear a helmet.  He's been hit a few too many times.

Maxim Lapierre is a Fraud

This is the kind of shenanigans that disgusts me. It should disgust other NHL hockey fans as well.

There's no way around it, Maxim Lapierre of the Pittsburgh Penguins is a fraud and a disgrace to the game of hockey. Lapierre should be ashamed of himself after this lackluster acting job that drew a power play. If I was a GM in the NHL I wouldn't employ a player like this.

If you watch the video you will see that  Dominic Moore of the NY Rangers barely touches Lapierre. These are the kind bush-league moves that should warrant a suspension from the NHL.

The Rangers forward Moore was incorrectly given a two-minute minor for roughing. I hope the Rangers sent a tape to the NHL, for further review. The on-ice officials in this game should also be upset because Lapierre made an ass out of them. I also think that the Penguins head coach should be given a fine for this bravo sierra.

Duguay on Max Lapierre acting: "Doesn't even come close to his face. This does not belong in the #NHL. This is stuff you do when you're 12."
— Sean Hartnett (@HartnettHockey) April 23, 2015

(Video) Penguins Blake Comeau Scores a Goal Against the Rangers

There was a battle in front of the net. Pittsburgh Penguins forward Blake Comeau scores a gritty goal against the New York Rangers. Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist didn't seem real pleased with the play and thought there was goalie interference on the play. What do you think?

Malkin Hurt in Bruins Game

Pittsburgh Penguins All-World forward Evgeni Malkin was hurt on this check by Chris Kelly.

HCMJ on Malkin: "With Geno, I saw the hit in the game. Then he tried to come back after that. Just couldn’t come back."
— Jason Mackey (@Mackey_Trib) March 14, 2015

Alex Ovechkin Hits, Slashes Kris Letang, Scrums Develop

Exciting game in Pittsburgh tonight. Washington Capitals forward slashed Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang on the back of the legs and then Letang blew a tire. It was kind of an odd the way that things transpired. Letang has returned to the game.

Should there have been a penalty on Ovie?

Bedlam here in the 'Burgh. Pens losing their cool and refs losing control. #Caps would be wise to take advantage, if they're able. #CapsPens
— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) February 18, 2015