Who here hasn't said it was dirty?
- Chipd

That Richards is being accused of acting is assuming the hit wasn't that filthy. Richards' face was bright red.

Not acting.

Thats not the point, it was a bad hit. But Richards acted like he broke something, and was fine 5 minutes later.....how does this not bother anyone. I love soccer, still play, and absolutely hate how acting has become an art in the sport. Never thought hockey players would actually do this.
- SoCalSabres

Why is what Richards did even part of the conversation? I hate embellishment too but that's an entirely different discussion to have. If it was a bad hit it's a bad hit, that's all there is to it. Why do we have to wait until someone actually does break their neck before something is done about it? This whole idea that if the guy isn't seriously hurt then it's not a problem is so stupid.

Regardless of the outcome, or whether Richards sold it, it was a dangerous hit. Kaleta has a history of being a dangerous player. What's the issue here?
- Jeffmt

your right. not mad about the suspension. its just something to talk about.

Probably deserved, but still have a problem with Richards soccer antics.
- SoCalSabres

soccer antics... BIG diff...

in case of a severe injury you are suppose to sit in a "quiet room" for an alotted amount of time with no signs or symptoms.

richards went in the back and didnt even have time to take a leak and was back out on the ice. dude spent more time rolling around on the ice grabbing his body parts in alphabetical order then he did getting looked at by the physicians.
- joshs

Ding ding ding ding.

No one is mentioning that if he was hurt, or had the possibility of a concussion, it is reckless by the training staff to let him immediately return to the ice. Brad Richards is a drama queen. PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

Regardless of the outcome, or whether Richards sold it, it was a dangerous hit. Kaleta has a history of being a dangerous player. What's the issue here?
- Jeffmt

The issue is the trolls need to leave.

They all do, their coaches and agents TELL THEM TO. Your point has no bearing whatsoever.
- JLO961

No, they don't have to do any of that stuff. Just because an agent says "You should do this" doesn't mean they're going to follow those instructions. You know nothing about Kaleta off the ice, so don't try and act like you do.

I could go back and watch it, but it's not really worth it. I'm not going to comment on it, but from what I heard, he really only nudged him. That being said, Richards didn't know it was coming and where he was standing put him in a vulnerable position. It's a play that I would prefer Kaleta to not make. But, it happens. If it was Crosby that did it to Richards, he would have gotten 1 game, if that. But because Kaleta has a reputation, he got more. It is what it is. The team will have to survive without him for the next 5 games.

I do like the game that Kaleta has played this year. He just needs to be a bit more careful. I don't know if he got carried away or anything but I would hope that he learned from this not to do something like that again.
- HonkFortheGoose

It was a dumb play...he said it after the game...he pushed him and I'd have a hard time believing he didn't know he would crash into the boards. Just stupid but he's done more good than bad this year.

Glad Richards didn't break his neck...although he acted like he did for about 2 minutes.

I didn't see it, but the way I look at it is that he plays with an edge. Sometimes when players play like that the line gets crossed. He's going to serve his punishment and it doesn't seem that Richards is really any worse for wear. So it's time everyone just lets it go an moves on.
- HonkFortheGoose

"playing with an edge" would imply that Kaleta was banging into the boards WITH Richards...fighting for the puck, aggressively fighting and banging to WIN THE PUCK...he coasted. He snuck in behind Richards and premeditatedly shoved him from behind. It's the worst of the worst, totally, unequivocally premeditated.

They all do, their coaches and agents TELL THEM TO. Your point has no bearing whatsoever.
- JLO961

Really? Because he was doing these things before he even got to Buffalo. Before he made it as a full NHLer. Goes to show how much you "think" you know. Like I said before unless you have met him you have no idea what kind of person he is. Just because you don't like how he plays doesn't make him a bad person. The hit was dirty he plays with an edge its what got him to this league its what he needs to do to stay in this league.

Why is what Richards did even part of the conversation? I hate embellishment too but that's an entirely different discussion to have. If it was a bad hit it's a bad hit, that's all there is to it. Why do we have to wait until someone actually does break their neck before something is done about it? This whole idea that if the guy isn't seriously hurt then it's not a problem is so stupid.
- Jeffmt

OK, for the sixth time, because people are obviously skipping pages here......I SAID THE HIT WAS DIRTY. My problem was with the embellishment. There is no place for soccer antics in hockey.

yes but when i smash my knee on the table i dont roll on the floor and throw my oven mits all over the kitchen...
- DarcyTucker16

you might be doing it wrong then

yes but when i smash my knee on the table i dont roll on the floor and throw my oven mits all over the kitchen...
- DarcyTucker16

The issue is the trolls need to leave.
- c1067

Who's trolling?

I just rewatched the hit. Kaleta did not even make an attempt to try to skate and catch up to Richards (i.e. he KNEW what he was going to do to him).

The comments about Richards' antics are so offbase. "gloves 10ft in either direction"...haha, one of his gloves was literally TOUCHING his hockey pants. "grabbing different parts of his arm/shoulder/etc"...yeah, it's because his SPINE was crumpled.

I have never really paid much attention before but you Buffalo fans are quite the bunch.

Here's a quote for you "if it waddles and it quacks....it's probably a duck".

Get over it, he's not even a good player and he cost you the game.
- JLO961

You do know they were already shorthanded and that PKers normally try to stay in a box to defend the power play correct? Skating at him to try to catch up to him would have taken him out of position. But since he IS such a bad player, he must not have made the right choice.

Who's trolling?
- Jeffmt

Read pages 1 and 2.

"playing with an edge" would imply that Kaleta was banging into the boards WITH Richards...fighting for the puck, aggressively fighting and banging to WIN THE PUCK...he coasted. He snuck in behind Richards and premeditatedly shoved him from behind. It's the worst of the worst, totally, unequivocally premeditated.
- JLO961

Really because "playing with an edge" has nothing to do with banging into the boards with anyone. Danny Briere plays with an edge which is why he was suspended back in the day.

- broadstreet11Philadelphia and it's fans are the definition of scum..[/quote

OK, for the sixth time, because people are obviously skipping pages here......I SAID THE HIT WAS DIRTY. My problem was with the embellishment. There is no place for soccer antics in hockey.
- SoCalSabres

If this was ANY different player in the NHL besides Kaleta. Mark my words the embellishment would be talked about more.

yes but when i smash my knee on the table i dont roll on the floor and throw my oven mits all over the kitchen...
- DarcyTucker16

his gloves were at his side...maybe 2ft away.

"playing with an edge" would imply that Kaleta was banging into the boards WITH Richards...fighting for the puck, aggressively fighting and banging to WIN THE PUCK...he coasted. He snuck in behind Richards and premeditatedly shoved him from behind. It's the worst of the worst, totally, unequivocally premeditated.
- JLO961

Why don't you go worry about your star players like Hall being suspended for a dirty knee on knee hit? Or did you forget how recently that happened?

OK, for the sixth time, because people are obviously skipping pages here......I SAID THE HIT WAS DIRTY. My problem was with the embellishment. There is no place for soccer antics in hockey.
- SoCalSabres

It's just kind of weird that you see a hit like that and you're biggest issue is with the embellishment. Yes, embellishments are gutless, embarrassing, and a black eye on the league, but an embellishment isn't going to end someone's career. I don't know, maybe I'm being unfair here, at least you've acknowledged it's a bad hit.

Why don't you go worry about your star players like Hall being suspended for a dirty knee on knee hit? Or did you forget how recently that happened?
- HonkFortheGoose

He only remembers what he wants to remember just like I remember when Quebec had another NHL team

Richards probably did sell it, but it wasn't some sort of ticky-tack hit where he bumped him off the puck and then took a dive to embelish it. guy went head first into the boards on a hit from behind. i think most people would give anybody the benefit of the doubt.

yes, I'm sure Kaleta goes out there every night with the intention of trying to end someone else's career.

Seriously, get a life.
- HonkFortheGoose

Ask one of the various headbutt, knee on knee, and boarding victims how good his intentions are. Take the blinders off, the guy is Matt Cooke lite.