Well you know my opinion on that there's no sense beating that dead horse but there were quite a few Pens fans that agreed with me and had their posts deleted soon after? Irregardless Martin leads the league in hits every year and I can literally count on half a hand how many of those could be deemed as dirty. One of them was this year against the Flyers on Schenn. Other than that I can't even recall?

The guy hits a lot and is really effective in doing so and removing players from the puck. If he were hitting players without the puck he'd get penalized and if he were the type to "take runs" at players I'd think he would have been suspended by now for it wouldn't you?
- Cptmjl

I agree he has stayed out of the comish's office, but there is no doubt that he plays very close to the edge; im not going to lie I would love Martin on the Pens; dirty players are my favorite players.

Every team has someone who crosses the line, that argument should be put to bed. You guys would love Downie on your team, and us with Martin likely as well.

The hypocrite thoughts can sleep in the same bed. As was covered earlier the Pens had to adapt to the leagues persistent blind eyes.
- Topshelf Mountain

To be honest no i wouldn't. Downie is a Matt Cooke variety player. He has intent to injure. Martin isn't in that category. I would not want a player who intentionally tries to injure other players. Hopefully he answers for his numerous hits to Boychucks leg the last couple of games.

I agree he has stayed out of the comish's office, but there is no doubt that he plays very close to the edge; im not going to lie I would love Martin on the Pens; dirty players are my favorite players.
- nbartley9

see what you did there...

Wow, pot calling kettle ...........
- Ur Not Me

See that's my point. All I said is that Islander fans are sensitive and you got your knickers twisted.

Just like what will happen if the refs call two penalties on the Islanders tonight. Both the Islanders and this comment section will be filled with:

"The Penguins dive."

"The league favours Crosby and Malkin."

And a litany of posts along those topics.

isles have been trending upward for a few years now so it was only a matter of time, wont argue there...we havent had a game since the minny game so there isnt much to discuss...halak is playing very well for you...hes always had a pretty bad attitude if I recall but he hasnt shown much if any of that this year...

brock nelsons stats sure have fallen off...is he just not gettting the bounces or are the isles using him different now that grabner is back?
- JLT168

He's been moved around a little in the last couple of weeks trying to get other guys going. He still does everything right and even though the points aren't there lately he is as solid as they come especially for a guy in only his second year. Strome is the one who has really taken off

Couple issues here. Lemieux tried to give the league some advice for cleaning it up. The Pens even told Cooke he had to change or he was gone, which to Cooke's credit he did clean up his game and the Pens still didn't bring him back. Then the league proved it didn't care, and in that time when the Pens didn't have "cheap shot artists" they got pushed around and beaten. Why the F should the Pens have to be a shiny example for the rest of the league? F that crap. The NHL doesn't care, no other team cares, so now the Pens don't either. It's not hypocracy when you ask for change, you even lead by example and then nobody follows suit, so you say F it and join the rest of the league.
- PensFan1103

One of your posters wanted an argument, just trying to help lol

Don't you get it? They can't talk about anything related to what's actually going on during games this year so they have to go back in time. That's a tell tale sign that the isles are good again
- Vukota

Are you implying they're reaching?

- Cptmjl

Should we start talking about the dynasty years next?

See that's my point. All I said is that Islander fans are sensitive and you got your knickers twisted.

Just like what will happen if the refs call two penalties on the Islanders tonight. Both the Islanders and this comment section will be filled with:

"The Penguins dive."

"The league favours Crosby and Malkin."

And a litany of posts along those topics.
- Ben37

You can find this on any teams thread when you're playing them. Coincidence?

He's been moved around a little in the last couple of weeks trying to get other guys going. He still does everything right and even though the points aren't there lately he is as solid as they come especially for a guy in only his second year. Strome is the one who has really taken off
- Vukota

Moving him off the line with Strome and Lee hasn't helped his points but he is still playing quite well, Vukota is spot on.

Well you know my opinion on that there's no sense beating that dead horse but there were quite a few Pens fans that agreed with me and had their posts deleted soon after? Irregardless Martin leads the league in hits every year and I can literally count on half a hand how many of those could be deemed as dirty. One of them was this year against the Flyers on Schenn. Other than that I can't even recall?

The guy hits a lot and is really effective in doing so and removing players from the puck. If he were hitting players without the puck he'd get penalized and if he were the type to "take runs" at players I'd think he would have been suspended by now for it wouldn't you?
- Cptmjl

this is the nhl we're talking about. no one knows the answer to these questions.

Moving him off the line with Strome and Lee hasn't helped his points but he is still playing quite well, Vukota is spot on.
- Isles_since_6

Yeah I get what Capuano is doing trying to spread the wealth but that was our best line for many, many games but we are winning so...

this is the nhl we're talking about. no one knows the answer to these questions.
- stayinthefnnet

So he's been flying under the radar for the last four years leading the league in hits? I see.

To be honest no i wouldn't. Downie is a Matt Cooke variety player. He has intent to injure. Martin isn't in that category. I would not want a player who intentionally tries to injure other players. Hopefully he answers for his numerous hits to Boychucks leg the last couple of games.
- Cptmjl

I know how you feel about that play, I don't agree with you; but I guarantee that the rest of the Pens haven't forgotten about Boychucks knee to Geno either. Downie does his job, and does it well.

I know how you feel about that play, I don't agree with you; but I guarantee that the rest of the Pens haven't forgotten about Boychucks knee to Geno either. Downie does his job, and does it well.
- nbartley9

Injure players intentionally?

Injure players intentionally?
- Cptmjl

It is what it is, if it deters players from kneeing our guys im all for it.



Also im not one to cry if our guys get hurt, when Sid got blindsided; it was the most impactful thing David Steckel has ever and will ever do. I don't blame him one bit.

I know how you feel about that play, I don't agree with you; but I guarantee that the rest of the Pens haven't forgotten about Boychucks knee to Geno either. Downie does his job, and does it well.
- nbartley9

Let's hope not. I want blood tonight

Couldn't be further from the truth. Guy holds up on hits when he can. He could have destroyed Talbot in that game you guys loved so much and held up. If that were Downie Talbot wouldn't be playing anymore. How many suspensions does Martin have? Martin hits and plays with an edge but dirty he's not.
- Cptmjl

Are you really trying to validate an attempted sucker punch?

He literally waited for Talbot to pass him in an attempt to make it so he wouldn't see it coming. Of all things to try and defend someone on.

Also if that same play happens today, it is a suspension. No doubt about it.

EDIT: Nevermind, he was suspended for 4 games. I guess I shouldn't have taken your word that he has never been suspended.

Injure players intentionally?
- Cptmjl

Once a Flyer, always a Flyer.

To be honest no i wouldn't. Downie is a Matt Cooke variety player. He has intent to injure. Martin isn't in that category. I would not want a player who intentionally tries to injure other players. Hopefully he answers for his numerous hits to Boychucks leg the last couple of games.
- Cptmjl

Interesting. I see some of the stuff he does and I don't like it either, but without guys like that on a team thwn guys like Crosby, Tavares, and Nash are on IR for extended stints. It's the way the league is now! It certainly isn't Leroux vs Twist, now it's guys punching concussed players after they're down.

So he's been flying under the radar for the last four years leading the league in hits? I see.
- Cptmjl

i just mean that there is no consistency in the league with reffing.

he could sooner get put in the box for skating too quickly past somebody as he could for making an official eat his stick.

i just mean that there is no consistency in the league with reffing.

he could sooner get put in the box for skating too quickly past somebody as he could for making an official eat his stick.
- stayinthefnnet

I agree 100%

You can find this on any teams thread when you're playing them. Coincidence?
- Cptmjl

I think it's more that fans are unoriginal and their disdain toward the Penguins because of Crosby's NHL and media appointed moniker of "face of the league". Fact is that the Pens get no special treatment from the NHL, as shown by the fact that the Penguins were 12th last year and are currently 20th in the NHL in Power play opportunities. As for the diving, it's no more than any other star player in the NHL.

Once a Flyer, always a Flyer.
- Johnny Wrath

Most offensive post I have ever read on HB, hands down.

It is what it is, if it deters players from kneeing our guys im all for it.



Also im not one to cry if our guys get hurt, when Sid got blindsided; it was the most impactful thing David Steckel has ever and will ever do. I don't blame him one bit.
- nbartley9

ha. sad but this made me chuckle