Thornton, earlier last week...


“People could probably criticize that I’m a little too honorable, I suppose, in some instances … If you’re one of those guys that suckers someone when they’re down or you go after somebody that doesn’t deserve it or isn’t the same category as you, that will come back and bite you at some point, too.”

this is from pens blog.
- big_dion

This whole situation and backlash vs. Thornton makes me sick. If Orpik is prepared to run at and re-concuss a star player on the first shift of the game (aka targeted), he better be prepared to drop them with the opponents' tough guy. If Neal is prepared to intentionally knee an opponent in the head as he skates by, the whole team better be prepared for cheap shots coming from anyone at any time.

They have nothing we want that they would give up. Only interesting thing in Carolina is a Staal and they're never moving. Sad thing is, all we're missing is a Staal
- iTOLDu

yeah, and his name is Marc

According to Sportsnet, Carolina is interested in Gardiner.
- MCharisma91

So Bozak, Liles, and Gardiner for E. Staal to make the cap work?

yeah, and his name is Marc
- MCharisma91

I'd take any of them to be honest, any of them would immediately make the Leafs a poop ton better. But yeah, him too.

So Bozak, Liles, and Gardiner for E. Staal to make the cap work?
- Not_Stee

Better throw in a 1st. Whoever takes Bozak at that contract is automatically getting a 1st with it

This whole situation and backlash vs. Thornton makes me sick. If Orpik is prepared to run at and re-concuss a star player on the first shift of the game (aka targeted), he better be prepared to drop them with the opponents' tough guy. If Neal is prepared to intentionally knee an opponent in the head as he skates by, the whole team better be prepared for cheap shots coming from anyone at any time.
- 1979AD

So in short you're saying turf the instigator rule?

They should remove the Bruins from the NHL.
- Scabeh

just watched the hits/sucker punch.

Orpik hit was clean as clean gets. Good hard hit... Eriksson should have had his head up.

Neal's knee on Marchand's head is dirty, but it happens so fast, I have a hard time believing it was intentional... just a happy accident.

Thorton should sit out the rest of the season. Going after a guy for a clean hit, and not even giving him the chance to defend himself is as low as it gets.

Down Goes Brown‏@DownGoesBrown2h
More like J-"aims knee"-l!

(Reflects quietly on the quality of that joke.)

(Sobs openly.)

This whole situation and backlash vs. Thornton makes me sick. If Orpik is prepared to run at and re-concuss a star player on the first shift of the game (aka targeted), he better be prepared to drop them with the opponents' tough guy. If Neal is prepared to intentionally knee an opponent in the head as he skates by, the whole team better be prepared for cheap shots coming from anyone at any time.
- 1979AD

Orpik shoulda hit em harder.

This whole situation and backlash vs. Thornton makes me sick. If Orpik is prepared to run at and re-concuss a star player on the first shift of the game (aka targeted), he better be prepared to drop them with the opponents' tough guy. If Neal is prepared to intentionally knee an opponent in the head as he skates by, the whole team better be prepared for cheap shots coming from anyone at any time.
- 1979AD

Nothing wrong with Orpik's hit. Good hard hit to set the tone of the game against a team that likes to play rough.

So in short you're saying turf the instigator rule?
- Woderwick

worst. rule. ever.

just watched the hits/sucker punch.

Orpik hit was clean as clean gets. Good hard hit... Eriksson should have had his head up.

Neal's knee on Marchand's head is dirty, but it happens so fast, I have a hard time believing it was intentional... just a happy accident.

Thorton should sit out the rest of the season. Going after a guy for a clean hit, and not even giving him the chance to defend himself is as low as it gets.
- Feeling Glucky?

Watch it again - you can see Neal adjust his course and stick his knee out. There's no doubt it was intentional and one of the dirtiest and ugliest plays I've ever seen in hockey. If Marchand left on a stretcher, Neal would be suspended for 20+.

If Orpik didn't leave on a stretcher from a couple gloved jabs in the face, do you think Thornton would be suspended for even one day?

yeah, and his name is Marc
- MCharisma91

Marc and Eric together would be the two things the Leaf need in spades.

just watched the hits/sucker punch.

Orpik hit was clean as clean gets. Good hard hit... Eriksson should have had his head up.

Neal's knee on Marchand's head is dirty, but it happens so fast, I have a hard time believing it was intentional... just a happy accident.

Thorton should sit out the rest of the season. Going after a guy for a clean hit, and not even giving him the chance to defend himself is as low as it gets.
- Feeling Glucky?

No, no way. That's intentional for sure.

No, no way. That's intentional for sure.
- prock

Moot (frank)ing point... it was to Marchand's head so all is good. Let's move on.

Moot (frank)ing point... it was to Marchand's head so all is good. Let's move on.
- Not_Stee

No, no way. That's intentional for sure.
- prock

Absolutely - the change of direction is far too obvious.
But I have Neal in my pool.

worst. rule. ever.
- 1979AD

agreed there... but Orpik didn't pass out from a couple of gloved jabs... he passed out from having his head banged into the ice twice without any way to brace himself.

What Thornton did is up there with what Bertuzzi did.


As for Neal, it does look like he adjusts... but that's in super-slow-mo. At full speed the whole thing happens in a couple of seconds.

In any case, the Neal knee is a spur of the moment thing. If you see Thronton's reaction to Orpik's hit, you know he was thinking "I'm coming for you" the whole time. What he does has nothing to do with what Neal did... he was just out to punish the guy that hurt his buddy... makes it premeditated.

Watch it again - you can see Neal adjust his course and stick his knee out. There's no doubt it was intentional and one of the dirtiest and ugliest plays I've ever seen in hockey. If Marchand left on a stretcher, Neal would be suspended for 20+.

If Orpik didn't leave on a stretcher from a couple gloved jabs in the face, do you think Thornton would be suspended for even one day?
- 1979AD

That would have been perfect as both of them would be out.

agreed there... but Orpik didn't pass out from a couple of gloved jabs... he passed out from having his head banged into the ice twice without any way to brace himself.

What Thornton did is up there with what Bertuzzi did.


As for Neal, it does look like he adjusts... but that's in super-slow-mo. At full speed the whole thing happens in a couple of seconds.
- Feeling Glucky?

I watched 3 times trying to see his head bang off the ice and I couldn't see it.

edit: Yup - watch again, his head never hits the ice (start: 00:25) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuVq-TZ7AJM

Moot (frank)ing point... it was to Marchand's head so all is good. Let's move on.
- Not_Stee

I use that on my daughter all the time. "Did you hit your head? Good thing, you could have been hurt."
She's cried a few times after I've said it though.

agreed there... but Orpik didn't pass out from a couple of gloved jabs... he passed out from having his head banged into the ice twice without any way to brace himself.

What Thornton did is up there with what Bertuzzi did.


As for Neal, it does look like he adjusts... but that's in super-slow-mo. At full speed the whole thing happens in a couple of seconds.
- Feeling Glucky?

I think if you start a retaliation fight you should get a game misconduct in addition to the 5 minute major. What happens though if someone chooses not to fight back?

I watched 3 times trying to see his head bang off the ice and I couldn't see it.
- 1979AD

Try 4 times then. It happens.

Try 4 times then. It happens.
- iTOLDu

hilarious

hilarious
- 1979AD

Wasn't trying to be funny. Just stating the obvious.