But we're all still going to use it as a chance to sling the 'whiner' label, regardless of whatever details.
- BulliesPhan87

No more than another player complaining about said whiner slashing his wrists for an entire playoff series.

I think the whole thing was overblown, honestly. Chara is doing everything in his power to win a hockey game. If you can hurt the other team's best player by punching him in a recently-repaird jaw, you do it. And as a hockey player, you're expected to take it and play through it. Both did. Not a huge story.
- jmatchett383

It was a non issue but when two of the game's biggest stars are involved it will naturally get attention.

I do agree with Mr. Filonius, Sid should have kept the jaw piece on, he was less noticeable after he removed it. Was it a coincidence? Could be, but I don't think it can be argued that the timing of the equipment being removed also fell in line with Crosby's departure as being a noticeable force on the ice.

Some of that has to do with the Bruins high quality of play, but Crosby definitely did not look like his normal self.

I agree. He probably didn't like the shield, but as much as you can try, you're bound to be A BIT gunshy without it on. You can try with all of your heart to play the same, but your head won't let you be as reckless.
- jmatchett383

I'm still gun-shy while running and I had very minor knee surgery in February.

No more than another player complaining about said whiner slashing his wrists for an entire playoff series.
- jmatchett383

Yes, that was the implication.

Yes that was definitely the issue. I think they understand that now.
- Ryan_Wilson

Dressing guys like Engelland doesnt help change the thought process and dynamic of the team away from the "tougness" over scoring.

He should have left the shield on for the whole playoffs. He wasn't nearly as noticable out there after Chara popped him.
- Emperor Filonius

I couldn't agree more. When Sid said he would be a little timid without the shield (something like that), I thought to myself he's making a huge mistake by taking it off if that's the case.

If he's making a statement that he's been affected mentally by removing that equipment, the team should have made him keep it on. He was rounding into form at that point.

Dressing guys like Engelland doesnt help change the thought process and dynamic of the team away from the "tougness" over scoring.
- Deadstar

You trying to get me started....

Dressing guys like Engelland doesnt help change the thought process and dynamic of the team away from the "tougness" over scoring.
- Deadstar

No it does not. I am hoping that Engelland is the #7 guy moving forward.

Dressing guys like Engelland doesnt help change the thought process and dynamic of the team away from the "tougness" over scoring.
- Deadstar

To quote Madden, "The team who scores more will win the game" Boom

I think the whole thing was overblown, honestly. Chara is doing everything in his power to win a hockey game. If you can hurt the other team's best player by punching him in a recently-repaird jaw, you do it. And as a hockey player, you're expected to take it and play through it. Both did. Not a huge story.
- jmatchett383

I guess Matt Cooke should have introduced Bergeron to his forearm...

I guess Matt Cooke should have introduced Bergeron to his forearm...
- madmike71

I'm sure he did. But it's Matt Cooke and Patrice Bergeron, not Sidney Crosby and Zdeno Chara, so no one cares.

Yea trying to injure a guy in a post-whistle scrum is a pretty crummy way to try to win a series.

I guess Matt Cooke should have introduced Bergeron to his forearm...
- madmike71

Nope Raask. He was so insulated though it would have been hard for anyone to even bump in to him. Hopefully they truly learn a lesson this year because I'm tired of the lip service.

Yea trying to injure a guy in a post-whistle scrum is a pretty crummy way to try to win a series.
- Deadstar

You do whatever you can to win. People say Crosby dives and I agree. And why shouldn't he? If that helps his team win, he should be doing it. It's the NHL playoffs, not Disney On Ice. Now, taking a 2-handed chop to break a guy's leg is one thing. People take gloved shots to the face every NHL game. Again, if Crosby isn't allowed to have that happen to him, the team should have mandated he keep the shield on.

You do whatever you can to win. People say Crosby dives and I agree. And why shouldn't he? If that helps his team win, he should be doing it. It's the NHL playoffs, not Disney On Ice. Now, taking a 2-handed chop to break a guy's leg is one thing. People take gloved shots to the face every NHL game. Again, if Crosby isn't allowed to have that happen to him, the team should have mandated he keep the shield on.
- jmatchett383

There's a difference between 2 handed chop, full gloved punches and hard hits during the run of play.

Lets just send Tanner Glass out there to two hand Bergeron in the head and concuss him so we can win.

You do whatever you can to win. People say Crosby dives and I agree. And why shouldn't he? If that helps his team win, he should be doing it. It's the NHL playoffs, not Disney On Ice. Now, taking a 2-handed chop to break a guy's leg is one thing. People take gloved shots to the face every NHL game. Again, if Crosby isn't allowed to have that happen to him, the team should have mandated he keep the shield on.
- jmatchett383

If you do WHATEVER it takes to win , where do you draw the line ? Anything goes if it works because your trying to win right ? Again Crosby only talked about it at all because he was asked by reporters.

If you do WHATEVER it takes to win , where do you draw the line ? Anything goes if it works because your trying to win right ? Again Crosby only talked about it at all because he was asked by reporters.
- Bradlee3

Well, if you do something like 2-hand Crosby in the legs, you're going to be suspended, and you can expect like retaliation to your best player. If you play a bit outside the lines and try to hit the other team's best player in his most sensitive area (without defying man law), then you do it. If you know a player has a weak shoulder, maybe you "accidentally" lay some lumber on that shoulder when you hit him. If he's got a sensitive jaw, you make sure you hit that jaw.

Well, if you do something like 2-hand Crosby in the legs, you're going to be suspended, and you can expect like retaliation to your best player. If you play a bit outside the lines and try to hit the other team's best player in his most sensitive area (without defying man law), then you do it. If you know a player has a weak shoulder, maybe you "accidentally" lay some lumber on that shoulder when you hit him. If he's got a sensitive jaw, you make sure you hit that jaw.
- jmatchett383

Gregg Williams is that you?

Well, if you do something like 2-hand Crosby in the legs, you're going to be suspended, and you can expect like retaliation to your best player. If you play a bit outside the lines and try to hit the other team's best player in his most sensitive area (without defying man law), then you do it. If you know a player has a weak shoulder, maybe you "accidentally" lay some lumber on that shoulder when you hit him. If he's got a sensitive jaw, you make sure you hit that jaw.
- jmatchett383

I don't disagree with this. I better not see you crying when we do it to your best players though

I don't disagree with this. I better not see you crying when we do it to your best players though
- dbell646

I won't, as long as I don't hear that Braydon Schenn is a dirty player for cross checking Sidney Crosby after James Neal jumps elbow-first into Sean Couturier.

I won't, as long as I don't hear that Braydon Schenn is a dirty player for cross checking Sidney Crosby after James Neal jumps elbow-first into Sean Couturier.
- jmatchett383

That's why fan arguments about a dirty play are so pointless...

Instead of just debating the play, it turns into,"yeah, well last season your guy did this..."

That's why fan arguments about a dirty play are so pointless...

Instead of just debating the play, it turns into,"yeah, well last season your guy did this..."
- rival22

Exactly. Every team has dirty players (some more than others). Over a season, it evens out.

Every team has divers. Some get called more than others. It happens.

Nope Rask. He was so insulated though it would have been hard for anyone to even bump in to him. Hopefully they truly learn a lesson this year because I'm tired of the lip service.
- dbell646

crosby did his best to bump rask after the period, and stir sht up. then only yapped louder at chara when the refs were nearby. is that misinformed? perhaps pens fans saw it differently...

Pens signed D-man Brendan Mikkelson to a 1 year, 2 way deal worth 550,000 at the NHL level.

We just get bringing in the defensemen ?