I agree but stick swinging crosses a line and Shanahans decision sends the wrong message to the players.
- jhawk159

That ship has already sailed. Do you recall Hall's viscous slash of Michalek last year? It was a lot worse and he didn't get suspended.

John Scott is a worthless hockey player. To call him a pylon when describing his defensive prowess is an insult to orange cones around the world. He has no business being on any NHL team's roster. He's also still nowhere near the total asshat D-bag that Backes is...even after his shenanigans the other night. (frank) David Backes.
- Ogilthorpe2

I hate when players use their sticks as weapons. It is a bad message to send. For some it is just a quick reaction thing. Ur all pissed off and ur stick is right there. I don't agree with ever using it, though. I also don't agree with the league's joke of a steroid policy. There is no doubt some ( I think a lot more than people think) use enhancers. That would get rid of a lot of wasted roster spaces. And while I don't like scott, he usually just does the staged fight thing. There are a lot more dangerous players out there. A few on the blues we all hate, the Bruins, and Kings come to mind

I don't get Shanahans logic about Kessel swinging in self defense. Scott was not swinging his stick at Kessel. Shanny is setting a dangerous precedent here that stick swinging is ok if a bigger player is coming after you.
- jhawk159

THIS, UPPER CASE CAPS LOCKED


My condolences as well JJ...good friends are hard to find !

Under the new CBA there are no more re-entry waivers. If the Blackhawks waived Brookbank (for example) and he was claimed, the team that claimed him would be on the hook for 100% of his contract and cap hit.
- DarthKane

Thanks for the clarification.

JJ condolences on losing your friend.

Shanny's been busy for sure metering out uneven punishments as usual. How bout those Nucks new coach same garbage.

http://deadspin.com/sam-g...w-is-grotesque-1376904365

Didn't the Hawks or the Icehogs lose that game to the Pens in the shootout?
Can't wait until next week. Drop the puck!!!

I don't get Shanahans logic about Kessel swinging in self defense. Scott was not swinging his stick at Kessel. Shanny is setting a dangerous precedent here that stick swinging is ok if a bigger player is coming after you.
- jhawk159

Kessel should have been suspended for 1 or 2 reular season games. You are right stick swinging cannot be tolerated, but part of me can't blame Kessel for the first slash.

Off topic...

I haven't seen Esplen put out a blog in a while. Is he gone?

Sorry JJ. Major bummer.

I think that Hawks' brass really want the Hayes experiment to work. They love his reach and he'd be huge on the power play. However, I think that he's tier below other guys in terms of hockey smarts and grit, namely Nordstrom, Smith, and Morin. It will be interesting to see how it plays out but I agree with JJ.

Pirri's injury really hurt his chance but I think he will be the first player called up. I could see him traded for picks, especially with TT and Danault waiting in the wings.

I also agree that this will be Hossa's last season. I can't see him playing more than 60 games. They'll try to save him for the playoffs just like Zus.

Off topic...

I haven't seen Esplen put out a blog in a while. Is he gone?
- EKolb13

Yes, he's been gone for a week or two. I follow him on Twitter and he makes it seem that it was a mutual decision for them to part ways. Personally, I'm thinking it was probably more of Eklund'd decision.

Esplen seemed like a nice enough guy, but his blogs were extremely biased. Maybe we're spoiled with JJ, but reading Esplen didn't give me anything I couldn't find by any Canucks fan on any message board.

Yes, he's been gone for a week or two. I follow him on Twitter and he makes it seem that it was a mutual decision for them to part ways. Personally, I'm thinking it was probably more of Eklund'd decision.

Esplen seemed like a nice enough guy, but his blogs were extremely biased. Maybe we're spoiled with JJ, but reading Esplen didn't give me anything I couldn't find by any Canucks fan on any message board.
- DarthKane

I think it's for the best. The guy was the Pied Piper of Trollville as far as I'm concerned. However, I will miss his homerism that translated into comedic gold.

Maybe I should follow him on twitter? Perhaps I'll still gets those nuggets of comedic gold that way?

Using the Axim that if you lose speed you add size , I would take Hayes over Morin and work on his physical game.

Using the Axim that if you lose speed you add size , I would take Hayes over Morin and work on his physical game.
- Q...argh

I think there's a pretty good chance both make the opening day roster.

Scott told him he was going to jump him. What do you expect him to do really. Try to fight him?
- Gerk

DEFINITELY did not have to swing the stick. Tie up with him for half a second and then the linesman and his teammates would come to the rescue. No need to swing the stick. Scott shouldnt have gone after him in the first place, but Kessel didnt need to hack and whack.

DEFINITELY did not have to swing the stick. Tie up with him for half a second and then the linesman and his teammates would come to the rescue. No need to swing the stick. Scott shouldnt have gone after him in the first place, but Kessel didnt need to hack and whack.
- BlazinMike

What he said.

I think it's for the best. The guy was the Pied Piper of Trollville as far as I'm concerned. However, I will miss his homerism that translated into comedic gold.

Maybe I should follow him on twitter? Perhaps I'll still gets those nuggets of comedic gold that way?


- EKolb13

Damn! Lil Ian is gone.... He was becoming a regular source of comic relief for me. I was really excited to see his spin of the Weiss and Kassian suspensions. Torts is obviously not skipping a beat when it comes to that locker room's belief in cheap shots and play.

Twitter won't cut it. I needed his typical 8-12 paragraph rationalizations of why Gillis is a genius and the Nucks are the cleanest team in hockey.

We should start a petition to bring him back. This new guy seems too objective to be a real Nucks fan.

DEFINITELY did not have to swing the stick. Tie up with him for half a second and then the linesman and his teammates would come to the rescue. No need to swing the stick. Scott shouldnt have gone after him in the first place, but Kessel didnt need to hack and whack.
- BlazinMike

Yes. What made it worse, was the fact that Kessel dropped his stick and gloves and started fighting with Flynn. He then puts his gloves back on, grabs his stick and "spears" Scott - granted, it was a love tap, but it's bush league.

Damn! Lil Ian is gone.... He was becoming a regular source of comic relief for me. I was really excited to see his spin of the Weiss and Kassian suspensions. Torts is obviously not skipping a beat when it comes to that locker room's belief in cheap shots and play.

Twitter won't cut it. I needed his typical 8-12 paragraph rationalizations of why Gillis is a genius and the Nucks are the cleanest team in hockey.

We should start a petition to bring him back. This new guy seems too objective to be a real Nucks fan.
- tredbrta

He does have another blog elsewhere and he tweets when he's written something new.

My guess is the new guy is just temporary until a permanent replacement is found. I have nothing against Cordell, his writing is actually pretty good. But he also writes the Devils blog and I don't know how close he is with the Canucks.

If we're looking to have one writer do 2 blogs we should have Tessier write for the Canucks and Jets. Next to JJ Pete is my favourite writer here.

Damn! Lil Ian is gone.... He was becoming a regular source of comic relief for me. I was really excited to see his spin of the Weiss and Kassian suspensions. Torts is obviously not skipping a beat when it comes to that locker room's belief in cheap shots and play.

Twitter won't cut it. I needed his typical 8-12 paragraph rationalizations of why Gillis is a genius and the Nucks are the cleanest team in hockey.

We should start a petition to bring him back. This new guy seems too objective to be a real Nucks fan.
- tredbrta

No, let's not do that. Bad idea.

No, let's not do that. Bad idea.
- EKolb13

Agreed, I'm sure Nucks fans will find a different homer to rally around so they can stay in denial about how f**ked their team is thanks to the hard work of one Mr. Gillis.

Agreed, I'm sure Nucks fans will find a different homer to rally around so they can stay in denial about how f**ked their team is thanks to the hard work of one Mr. Gillis.
- prd797

Really, I do hope that the Nucks fans get an actual writer as opposed to some homer fanboy to rally the Nucks Troll Army.

Nucker101 has been writing over on the My Hockeybuzz side of things. It looks like he has good stuff. For what it's worth, he's about the only Canucks poster I have respect for.

Really, I do hope that the Nucks fans get an actual writer as opposed to some homer fanboy to rally the Nucks Troll Army.

Nucker101 has been writing over on the My Hockeybuzz side of things. It looks like he has good stuff. For what it's worth, he's about the only Canucks poster I have respect for.
- EKolb13

I've always had pretty healthy and respectable banter with Nucker. I certainly wouldn't mind if he tried to get his fellow fans to be a bit more objective and took over blogging for the Nucks.

Unrelated note: Ryan Jones is on waivers. Anyone think he'd be a good pickup?

I've always had pretty healthy and respectable banter with Nucker. I certainly wouldn't mind if he tried to get his fellow fans to be a bit more objective and took over blogging for the Nucks.

Unrelated note: Ryan Jones is on waivers. Anyone think he'd be a good pickup?
- prd797

If we pick up Jones who loses their roster spot? I'd rather give a guy like Morin or Nordstrom a chance to play. Especially with a cap hit of $1.5 million.

I've always had pretty healthy and respectable banter with Nucker. I certainly wouldn't mind if he tried to get his fellow fans to be a bit more objective and took over blogging for the Nucks.

Unrelated note: Ryan Jones is on waivers. Anyone think he'd be a good pickup?
- prd797

Ryan Jones is a large physical style wing. Edm needs this sort to work with all the top end talent. Yet he is on waivers. Experienced too. What is media reaction to this? Anything on hockeybuzz Edm writer? I know that Ben Eager is on a wing but with him it is a different kind of wing (wing and a prayer) to survive. One concussion away from calling it a career.

That being said about Eager, so why is Jones on waivers? Eager is only a part time TOI player; nonetheless, Jones' status doesn't make sense. Eye injury?

If we pick up Jones who loses their roster spot? I'd rather give a guy like Morin or Nordstrom a chance to play. Especially with a cap hit of $1.5 million.
- DarthKane

Totally fair, just noticed and figured I'd relay the info. The contract is fairly steep, but I am a bit confused as I think Edmonton needs more players in the Jones mold. Perhaps they're hoping to free up some cap space as a trade is on the way, or maybe are still concerned that Jones is not very effective because of the severe eye injury he suffered.