Anyone who doesn't think that the NCAA isn't the worst and dirtiest example of a sports administration:

The punishments of Penn State have been rescinded - scholarships go back to normal next year, they're eligible for post-season play THIS YEAR - two years early.

A program that should have received the death penalty, a school that should have been kicked out of the Big Ten - if they had any integrity - now back in the good graces of sports universe and the TV networks that support it.

Disgusting.
- StLBravesFan

This.

Anyone who doesn't think that the NCAA isn't the worst and dirtiest example of a sports administration:

The punishments of Penn State have been rescinded - scholarships go back to normal next year, they're eligible for post-season play THIS YEAR - two years early.

A program that should have received the death penalty, a school that should have been kicked out of the Big Ten - if they had any integrity - now back in the good graces of sports universe and the TV networks that support it.

Disgusting.
- StLBravesFan

I agree the NCAA is a joke. Aren't they supposed to be looking out for the safety and best interests of everyone involved with activities involving their universities? To say they failed in this is a huge understatement. Sadly, they are not alone in their moral failure.

How does the NFL's initial slap on the wrist to Ray Rice look in light of today's news? They are equally disgusting. At least the NCAA isn't paying their head over $40M a year and then claiming that they are a non-profit entity.

16 fighting majors last season. Bolling and Brookbank with 6, Bickell with 2, Shaw and Versteeg with 1.
- EKolb13

OK, so I was low on that. It still doesn't change the basic premise of my post.

OK, so I was low on that. It still doesn't change the basic premise of my post.
- NewToHockey

Without looking it up, I would have believed that 5 was a pretty close guess. FWIW, I thought Brookbank had twice the fighting majors Bollig had last season before I looked it up.

16 fighting majors last season. Bolling and Brookbank with 6, Bickell with 2, Shaw and Versteeg with 1.
- EKolb13

Versteeg had a fighting major last season? It all makes sense now, Steeger will be our enforcer next year!!

Anyone who doesn't think that the NCAA isn't the worst and dirtiest example of a sports administration:

The punishments of Penn State have been rescinded - scholarships go back to normal next year, they're eligible for post-season play THIS YEAR - two years early.

A program that should have received the death penalty, a school that should have been kicked out of the Big Ten - if they had any integrity - now back in the good graces of sports universe and the TV networks that support it.

Disgusting.
- StLBravesFan

What's next Sandusky getting out on parole.

Versteeg had a fighting major last season? It all makes sense now, Steeger will be our enforcer next year!!
- DarthKane

I'm not thrilled by the premise of that. From what I've seen of Mashinter, he's a poor man's version of Bollig. His game in his own end is scary and has a tendency to take penalties at inopportune times.

If he does make the team, I don't think it's going to take Q long to relegate him to playing 3-5 mins a game, or banish him to the press box never to be heard from again. Then again, Q did ride John Scott in the defensive parings for forever until Bowman shipped him off. If Q wants to get rid of him, he might just play him until Bowman moves him.
- EKolb13

Damn. Alright, what are your thoughts on McNeil? He's the only other prospect who is rumored to have grit and skill as far as I can tell.

Anyone who doesn't think that the NCAA isn't the worst and dirtiest example of a sports administration:

The punishments of Penn State have been rescinded - scholarships go back to normal next year, they're eligible for post-season play THIS YEAR - two years early.

A program that should have received the death penalty, a school that should have been kicked out of the Big Ten - if they had any integrity - now back in the good graces of sports universe and the TV networks that support it.

Disgusting.
- StLBravesFan

+1

What's next Sandusky getting out on parole.


- jhawk159

Ray rice doesn't go to jail

Ray rice doesn't go to jail
- Shenanigans20

Maybe the video now changes that.

Maybe the video now changes that.
- StLBravesFan

Will they do that if she isn't interested in pursuing it?

Will they do that if she isn't interested in pursuing it?
- Ogilthorpe2

With this "new evidence", can't the prosecutors just go after him even without her help?

Unless he can claim it's not him, that's pretty damning evidence.

I'll ask McCoy and Schiff....

Risk of what - getting hurt in a fight? You're right - they aren't - and shouldn't be - fighters.

But they need to be able to risk injury doing what tough NHL skaters SHOULD be doing these days - going hard to the puck, winning board battles, getting to the net and winning the slot battles on both ends of the ice.

Hawks need tough players, not fighters.
- StLBravesFan

Yawn.

Bickell should fight more - seems to play better when he does - but he shoudn't be an enforcer. Shaw fights enough but is better as an agitator. Seabrooke should just steer clear now with his concussion issues.

Your idealism is sweet but doesn't fit with the NHL (yet). Filling a roster top to bottom with the type of player who will keep going to the corners, winning puck battles and going to the net when they are being constantly run at and suffering cheap shots etc is IMPOSSIBLE. That is why having a few players who can tussle is still necessary during that 82 game grind.

Fighting is still part of the NHL. Intimidation is still a factor on the ice. If the Hawks go through 8 games against the Blues turning the other cheek because no one responds in kind to Reaves and Jackman et al... it will end with an injured star or a Hawks team watching their backs instead of playing to win.

For the regular season at least - particularly with the makeup of teams in the Central - that element is still necessary until they finally ban fighting.

If some player like Johns doesn't fill this role then you will see something done via occasional call ups of Bass or Mashinter or some roster shuffling to get someone to handle it. Coaches and GMs can't afford to play lofty idealist yet.

Yawn.

Bickell should fight more - seems to play better when he does - but he shoudn't be an enforcer. Shaw fights enough but is better as an agitator. Seabrooke should just steer clear now with his concussion issues.

Your idealism is sweet but doesn't fit with the NHL (yet). Filling a roster top to bottom with the type of player who will keep going to the corners, winning puck battles and going to the net when they are being constantly run at and suffering cheap shots etc is IMPOSSIBLE. That is why having a few players who can tussle is still necessary during that 82 game grind.

Fighting is still part of the NHL. Intimidation is still a factor on the ice. If the Hawks go through 8 games against the Blues turning the other cheek because no one responds in kind to Reaves and Jackman et al... it will end with an injured star or a Hawks team watching their backs instead of playing to win.

For the regular season at least - particularly with the makeup of teams in the Central - that element is still necessary until they finally ban fighting.

If some player like Johns doesn't fill this role then you will see something done via occasional call ups of Bass or Mashinter or some roster shuffling to get someone to handle it. Coaches and GMs can't afford to play lofty idealist yet.
- tredbrta

Someone is still going to have to prove to me that FIGHTING creates intimidation - or stops aggressiveness in opponents.

Reaves, Jackson, Backes - do they really back off when someone on the other team drops his gloves?

Haven't seen it yet.

ESPN has a story up that Leddy's agent not expecting a trade. Smoke screen or what?
- z1990z

Leddy goes nowhere...trust me...

Will they do that if she isn't interested in pursuing it?
- Ogilthorpe2

she married him after the event.

Leddy goes nowhere...trust me...
- TrueGrit

You are probably right about that.

You are probably right about that.
- DarthKane

Just don't tell Nester.

You are probably right about that.
- DarthKane

Maybe?

I'm thinking that if training camp starts and a move hasn't been made, there has to be less certainty as to who is the odd man out to get the roster back under the cap ceiling.

It's possible that Bowman might be waiting for training camps and the pre-season to start. Maybe a team loses a player of some significance to a long-term injury that would justify that team to make a move for a player? That could be a forward or a defenseman, which means there really isn't any certainty as to who could be sent packing in a trade.

Damn. Alright, what are your thoughts on McNeil? He's the only other prospect who is rumored to have grit and skill as far as I can tell.
- Murph76

I believe McNeill could see some time in Chicago this season as a call-up to replace someone on the roster due to injury.

Unless Bowman moves out more than $3.3 million in cap space (Oduya's cap hit), I can't see Bowman being able to carry more than 13 forwards to start the season, with the ability to re-call a 14th forward or 8th defenseman for the oddball game or stretch of games here and there.

With the 13 forwards already under contract, there won't be much space and playing time to carry McNeill. It does McNeill no good to sit around the press box. He's better off playing full time minutes in Rockford.

I'd look for McNeill to push to be part of the Hawks roster full time in '15-'16.

Anyone who doesn't think that the NCAA isn't the worst and dirtiest example of a sports administration:

The punishments of Penn State have been rescinded - scholarships go back to normal next year, they're eligible for post-season play THIS YEAR - two years early.

A program that should have received the death penalty, a school that should have been kicked out of the Big Ten - if they had any integrity - now back in the good graces of sports universe and the TV networks that support it.

Disgusting.
- StLBravesFan

Follow the money. That's what it's all about.

she married him after the event.
- stljam

Follow the money. He's got (had?) the big contract.

Leddy goes nowhere...trust me...
- TrueGrit

We heard that before .... after we were assured San Jose not only had surpassed the Hawks, were the cream of the NHL but would win the cup .....

I agree the NCAA is a joke. Aren't they supposed to be looking out for the safety and best interests of everyone involved with activities involving their universities? To say they failed in this is a huge understatement. Sadly, they are not alone in their moral failure.

How does the NFL's initial slap on the wrist to Ray Rice look in light of today's news? They are equally disgusting. At least the NCAA isn't paying their head over $40M a year and then claiming that they are a non-profit entity.
- NewToHockey

Don't you find it odd that minutes after the Rice story broke the NCAA threw out the Penn State joke. It is like they were waiting for a big "bad" story to break to drop their own bomb. Both they and the NFL showed their true colors, it is all about the money