It was a cheap shot, too -- he got five and the game for it. He absolutely drilled Downie, and he hasn't looked right since.
- AllInForFlyers

did not see that game, unfortunately

I don't think he has a concussion. He's been practicing. I think this is completely based on poor/lazy play. If he remains out for a 3rd straight game, I think there is a problem. Schenn got 2 games, so I don't see Downie being forced to sit more than that.
- PhillySportsGuy

There's been speculation that he returned before he was fully healthy, and that is playing a role in the scratch.

Matt Read was playing after being concussed, was he not?
- AllInForFlyers

They said he felt no symptoms until he began practicing. Concussions are all different. If Downie were feeling any effects they would have completely shut him down.

You could also wait for conditions to continue to not matter. Or' y'know, use the only free, effective option that is floating the wagon. But I'm glad they left that "willingly march to your watery grave" button in for good measure.
- BulliesPhan87

I never, ever, ever did anything but crank that whip and make those oxen drive onward. If Jesus could do it, so can some cattle.

There's been speculation that he returned before he was fully healthy, and that is playing a role in the scratch.
- Jsaquella

It's clear he wasn't fully healthy -- anybody who watched the games saw that he's been slower, less decisive with the puck, and more inaccurate with his passes...the kind of stuff you see when a guy's taken a head shot.

There's been speculation that he returned before he was fully healthy, and that is playing a role in the scratch.
- Jsaquella

Did he return too early from a concussion or something else? Because if it's a concussion he would not be practicing until fully cleared.

They said he felt no symptoms until he began practicing. Concussions are all different. If Downie were feeling any effects they would have completely shut him down.
- PhillySportsGuy

That's the point: He might have told them that we was good to go, whereas Read did not.

Did he return too early from a concussion or something else? Because if it's a concussion he would not be practicing until fully cleared.
- PhillySportsGuy

Dude, we cleared this up. He's got some horrible disease. Or he's had a brain swap with Jaroslav Modry.

Although Modry did have that one sweet pass to Carter in (I think) game 3 vs. Washington.

They said he felt no symptoms until he began practicing. Concussions are all different. If Downie were feeling any effects they would have completely shut him down.
- PhillySportsGuy

If Downie reported feeling any symptoms, sure. But Downie wouldn't be the first guy to not mention symptoms.

That's the point: He might have told them that we was good to go, whereas Read did not.
- AllInForFlyers

So they're punishing him for lying about a concussion? I don't understand. To me, if Downie were hurt, they wouldn't be listing him as a healthy scratch and have him practicing with the team. Are they trying to make it seem like they're benching him when they aren't? That would be a wienerhead thing to do to a potential UFA

That's the point: He might have told them that we was good to go, whereas Read did not.
- AllInForFlyers

Then Read was smarter, and both he and the team will benefit from it in the long run. If you're too injured to play well, you're not doing yourself or the team any favors.

I don't think he has a concussion. He's been practicing. I think this is completely based on poor/lazy play. If he remains out for a 3rd straight game, I think there is a problem. Schenn got 2 games, so I don't see Downie being forced to sit more than that.
- PhillySportsGuy

Downie's been accused of a lot of things in his career, but lazy and passive are new ones for sure.

If Downie reported feeling any symptoms, sure. But Downie wouldn't be the first guy to not mention symptoms.
- Jsaquella

/looks at Marc-Andre Bourdon

/looks at Marc-Andre Bourdon
- johndewar

Worked well for him.

Dude, we cleared this up. He's got some horrible disease. Or he's had a brain swap with Jaroslav Modry.

Although Modry did have that one sweet pass to Carter in (I think) game 3 vs. Washington.
- jmatchett383

ED?

Did he return too early from a concussion or something else? Because if it's a concussion he would not be practicing until fully cleared.
- PhillySportsGuy

If he had concussion symptoms and said they had cleared up, and passed a baseline/IMPACT test, he'd be cleared to play.

But guys can certainly say they have no symptoms and pass a test-or even not disclose symptoms at all.

Downie's been accused of a lot of things in his career, but lazy and passive are new ones for sure.
- Tomahawk

That's the problem.

/looks at Marc-Andre Bourdon
- johndewar

Exactly.

ED?
- PhillySportsGuy

They have a cure for that. Although he'd be skating kinda funny for 4 hours.

Downie's been accused of a lot of things in his career, but lazy and passive are new ones for sure.
- Tomahawk

I just don't understand why the team would sit an injured player but call him a healthy scratch and have him practice with the team.

That's the problem.
- jmatchett383

Either he's suddenly developed a split personality, or there's something amiss.

Worked well for him.
- jmatchett383

You'd hope guys wouldn't hide symptoms, yet if you are THISCLOSE to your next contract or sticking with an NHL team and you believe that you can gut it out....you'll probably try to gut it out, much to your own detriment.

Exactly.
- AllInForFlyers

Well, using him as a case study, it's definitely a good idea to lie about it.

I heard a rumor that MAB can not sit fully upright without heaving his guts out.

So they're punishing him for lying about a concussion? I don't understand. To me, if Downie were hurt, they wouldn't be listing him as a healthy scratch and have him practicing with the team. Are they trying to make it seem like they're benching him when they aren't? That would be a wienerhead thing to do to a potential UFA
- PhillySportsGuy

The thing is, of all the things one could say about Steve Downie's game, lazy and lacking intensity are about the last two things I'd ever expect to hear.

Even if he didn't have a concussion, there's other injuries that could be hampering his level of play.

They have a cure for that. Although he'd be skating kinda funny for 4 hours.
- jmatchett383

I thought two sticks weren't allowed