I used to play hockey at a high level (Junior B), and through bantam, midget and beyond, we were always taught that as a puck carrier, it was our responsibility to square ourselves when we expected to be hit because if not we shouldn't whine when we got injured.As hitters, we were told to aim for the crest on the jersey and to follow through, and this is at speeds of bicycling downhill with a lot of momentum AND with players that are all different sizes due to puberty and the like. You try and transpose that and make the players almost a foot or more tall and 50 pounds heavier and skating at highway speeds and tell me if it's that easy to avoid a player in a vulnerable position when you're committed to hit it and if you say it is, I'll call you a liar. Anyone here that's played hockey beyond a rec league in minor hockey will agree with me.
- DariusKnight

Actually, from watching the gameplay last night it looked like all Edler did was skate in Hertl's path. The only reasons Hertl took a hit to the head is because a) he was extended b) he wasn't paying attention. I'd probably be pissed about the suspension if I didn't already realize that NHL justice is a complete joke.

Also, the news out of the NFL makes these matters seem rather meaningless.

Bingo.

The similarities are that both hits were made dirty by the actions of the guy getting hit. But in one case Canuck fans screamed blue murder and in the other they saw nothing wrong.

Newsflash...they were both dirty hits.
- djamon

Except that Edler doesn't target the head or leave his feet...

It does matter that the head was targeted, because that's what makes it illegal...

Oh, and leaving his feet.

You can't just say "well regardless of everything else that happened, they both made contact with the head, so they're the same..."
- Fosco

All im saying is that both players made contact with the head. So the NHL has a stance that if the head is targeted or contacted it will be an auto 2 game suspension. We can argue to the severity of the plays. I never once said the moore hit wasnt dirty.

But from the video edler made contact with Hertl's head. That is a fact. I dont care if he didnt mean to. The fact is that he made contact.

The bigger issue is the NHL not being consistent. The NFL has the same rules in place. The difference is they are MUCH MORE consistent with the rulings and you dont have discrepancies like there is in the NHL.

Bingo.

The similarities are that both hits were made dirty by the actions of the guy getting hit. But in one case Canuck fans screamed blue murder and in the other they saw nothing wrong.

Newsflash...they were both dirty hits.
- djamon

They weren't the same. Again, if that was Kesler or Booth and Vlasic got 3 games I'd also say it was too much and be surprised, just look at where Edler was targeting and how Hertl as the one who put his own head in harm's way unintentionally as he was trying to avoid the hit. And Edler actually lowered his body in order to line him up shoulder to shoulder and din't have time to adjust. No extension of the elbow or jumping off of the ice either.

I used to play hockey at a high level (Junior B), and through bantam, midget and beyond, we were always taught that as a puck carrier, it was our responsibility to square ourselves when we expected to be hit because if not we shouldn't whine when we got injured.As hitters, we were told to aim for the crest on the jersey and to follow through, and this is at speeds of bicycling downhill with a lot of momentum AND with players that are all different sizes due to puberty and the like. You try and transpose that and make the players almost a foot or more tall and 50 pounds heavier and skating at highway speeds and tell me if it's that easy to avoid a player in a vulnerable position when you're committed to hit it and if you say it is, I'll call you a liar. Anyone here that's played hockey beyond a rec league in minor hockey will agree with me.
- DariusKnight

I don't disagree with any of this at all. I have railed at players who deliberately put themselves in vulnerable positions...many times.

But the game is different than when we played as kids. They're trying their damndest to take away hits that have the head as the principal point of contact. It's very difficult, and it may seem impossible...but that's just the way it is now.

Lets change the topic here. Its starting to get ugly. It was so peaceful for a few weeks with actual hockey talk.

Can we talk about the beat down that Yeti is taking in the pool by yours truly.

Well said, it always seems to be armchair pundits who have either never played the game or have only played it a very low level that always know better.

On a bit of a side-note, no one seems to bring up the fact that once you commit to a hit there is no way you can make any sort of attempt to stop or even mitigate a situation. In fact, not following through on a hit can often cause injury to the hitter.
- Zogg

Yeah...Brendan Shanahan was an accountant I hear.

Yeah...Brendan Shanahan was an accountant I hear.
- djamon

Not every ex-hockey player would be good at this job. I'm sure there's plenty that haven't even played at a high level that could be pretty good at it. It's a difficult task and you're going to piss off someone either way, but all the fans want is consistency and sound reasoning.

Except that Edler doesn't target the head or leave his feet...
- Fosco

You have no idea what Edler targeted...but the head was the principal point of contact. That's clear.

And you can keep spouting this nonsense about Moore leaving his feet, but it just isn't true. If anything, he bent over to get a better shot at Naslund. And he fell...after contact.

Lets change the topic here. Its starting to get ugly. It was so peaceful for a few weeks with actual hockey talk.

Can we talk about the beat down that Yeti is taking in the pool by yours truly.
- Bluechip23

I hear SMP has Hertl on his team, not sure if everyone knows yet.

You have no idea what Edler targeted...but the head was the principal point of contact. That's clear.

And you can keep spouting this nonsense about Moore leaving his feet, but it just isn't true. If anything, he bent over to get a better shot at Naslund. And he fell...after contact.
- djamon

Look at where he had him lined up before Hertl moved out of the way. Not that hard to see when you pause and zoom in and play it slowly. I get that you're not a big Canuck fan and I am, but I'm just looking at the tale of the tape not just the result.

I hear SMP has Hertl on his team, not sure if everyone knows yet.
- Nucker101

Can they stop the jagr comparisons to this dude. He has played 4 games. When I heard that I was like I need to tell Yeti that Bernier is Patty Roy and maybe I can get Ovi from him.

Not every ex-hockey player would be good at this job. I'm sure there's plenty that haven't even played at a high level that could be pretty good at it. It's a difficult task and you're going to piss off someone either way, but all the fans want is consistency and sound reasoning.
- Nucker101

Agreed.

Can they stop the jagr comparisons to this dude. He has played 4 games. When I heard that I was like I need to tell Yeti that Bernier is Patty Roy and maybe I can get Ovi from him.
- Bluechip23

He's the real deal, but he'll fall back down to earth and hit a cold streak. Law of averages will bring hit shooting percentage down and his on-ice shooting percentage down.

You have no idea what Edler targeted...but the head was the principal point of contact. That's clear.

And you can keep spouting this nonsense about Moore leaving his feet, but it just isn't true. If anything, he bent over to get a better shot at Naslund. And he fell...after contact.
- djamon

What are you talking about?

Moore CLEARLY leaves his feet. He doesn't trip over Naslund's stick (first try), or his knee (second try)—his forward momentum and and the motion he makes with his upper body through Naslund lifts him off his feet.

It's very clear in the video I posted.

Anyways, I'm out. Gotta enjoy this long weekend.

Edit: One last thing:




Preseason game a month ago, saw this posted at HF. No suspension or hearing.



I've never bought into the conspiracy crap, but all I can say is FUKK YOUU Shanahan!

Might have been the shoulder as well ons second look, but whatever.

Look at where he had him lined up before Hertl moved out of the way. Not that hard to see when you pause and zoom in and play it slowly. I get that you're not a big Canuck fan and I am, but I'm just looking at the tale of the tape not just the result.
- Nucker101

I don't even think Hertl's head actually changes position much when he lunged. He was already skating pretty low. The head was the principal point of contact.

Edler makes no move to the puck...which was loose. He's lucky Hertl wasn't hurt or the suspension would have been longer.

I don't even think Hertl's head actually changes position much when he lunged. He was already skating pretty low. The head was the principal point of contact.

Edler makes no move to the puck...which was loose. He's lucky Hertl wasn't hurt or the suspension would have been longer.
- djamon

He doesn't have to. He's allowed to play the body if the puck is in the vicinity, which it is.

What are you talking about?

Moore CLEARLY leaves his feet. He doesn't trip over Naslund's stick (first try), or his knee (second try)—his forward momentum and and the motion he makes with his upper body through Naslund lifts him off his feet.

It's very clear in the video I posted.
- Fosco

Fine...you want to argue about a hit we both think was dirty. But please stop mis-quoting me...I never said Moore tripped over Naslund's stick. You kinda lose credibility when you base your arguments on poop you're making up.

Yeah...Brendan Shanahan was an accountant I hear.
- djamon

Actually, based on Shanahan's bulk of work, I'll take the accountant any day.

Fine...you want to argue about a hit we both think was dirty. But please stop mis-quoting me...I never said Moore tripped over Naslund's stick. You kinda lose credibility when you base your arguments on poop you're making up.
- djamon

You lose credibility when you start calling names...if you had any to begin with.

Anyways, I'm out. Gotta enjoy this long weekend.

Edit: One last thing:




Preseason game a month ago, saw this posted at HF. No suspension or hearing.



I've never bought into the conspiracy crap, but all I can say is FUKK YOUU Shanahan!



Might have been the shoulder as well ons second look, but whatever.
- Nucker101

Couldn't have said to better - as a player I absolutely loved his game, tenacity, toughness, and goal-scoring prowess. As the disciplinarian of the NHL, he is a fukking joke

Edit: and I have lost a lot of respect for him.

He doesn't have to. He's allowed to play the body if the puck is in the vicinity, which it is.
- Fosco

I know that. But it clearly shows Edler's intent was to hit Hertl. Which makes me wonder why he just didn't hit Hertl squarely in the body and not the head.

You lose credibility when you start calling names...if you had any to begin with.
- Fosco

Fair enough. I'll just tell you to piss off instead?

Except that Edler doesn't target the head or leave his feet...
- Fosco

Eddie was indisicive on what he was going to do. If he goes for the puck Hertl might get on a breakaway. If he backs off he gets beat. He has to hit. Hertl knew he was coming and kept his head low going for the puck. It is still a suspend-able play IMO but no intent to hurt him was there. Edler has to make that play but it wasn't square because he took to much time thinking about it. I know the game is quick but the thoughts and decisions happen fast. 2 or 3 games is fair.
P.S. Shanahan is still a Douche bag.