We know you're a Neuvirth supporter
- YuenglingJagr

Haha well I changed the avatar from Mase to start this year. The way it works, whoever I put on the avatar immediately goes into the tank until I change it. Sorry Neuvy.

I actually like both tenders, but Neuvy does seem off this year. As has been discussed, you keep both all year unless you are out of it by the TDL and someone overpays. You need two solid tenders in today's NHL if you want to get to the dance. Look at the mess LA is in. I thought he'd be amazing having played in the World cup.

It is very rare that there's a hearing without a suspension that follows -- can only think of one instance where that was the case (and that happened after the player who got hit said right after a game it was accidental and he was just as much responsible). Usually, the hearing is basically a formality. The soon-to-be suspended player gives his side and is then suspended.
- bmeltzer

I should have been more clear in my post. I expected a hearing and at least some sort of suspension. Be it 1 game or up to 3 like Weise's

I was going to ask for your opinion on this Bill. Do you think it was suspension worthy?

Both guys are struggling defensively. I'd think Hakstol would stay away from considering this right now.
- bmeltzer

Isn't MacDonald also struggling defensively, though? That seems to be the popular opinion.

I should have been more clear in my post. I expected a hearing and at least some sort of suspension. Be it 1 game or up to 3 like Weise's

I was going to ask for your opinion on this Bill. Do you think it was suspension worthy?
- Hextall271

The problem is that the league, in their infinite lack of wisdom, bases their punishments on the result of the action, rather than the action itself.

It shouldn't matter one whit if Jake is concussed, the opposing player left his feet to make an illegal and extremely dangerous hit. He should be suspended. Period.

Isn't MacDonald also struggling defensively, though? That seems to be the popular opinion.
- Feanor

At this point, I cringe any time AMac, Ghost or Streit is forced to defend in their D zone

The problem is that the league, in their infinite lack of wisdom, bases their punishments on the result of the action, rather than the action itself.

It shouldn't matter one whit if Jake is concussed, the opposing player left his feet to make an illegal and extremely dangerous hit. He should be suspended. Period.
- BiggE

This is a very reactive way of doing business and does little in the way of prevention.

If the league is serious about protecting players, they need to be more active in calling out players and actions that are unsafe on the ice (such as, what Kulikov did).

Instead, they arbitrarily pick and choose and wait for injury (and media?) reports to see who they need to to suspend or chastise.

A good hard hit where he charged, left his feet and made head contact. If Voracek had been concussed, they would have suspended. (Actually, Holzer was not injured,e either).
- bmeltzer

During my driving yesterday I was listening to NHLRadio and I forget which show it was but they were talking about Kulikov. It seems he's been a very reckless player in the past but they believed the hit was cleaner than most local people believe. They said his skates were on the ice at contact but he went off the ice after contact which was high chest area per the video/pictures they had. I haven't been able to go back and find anything but this is also what DoPS said on the reason for no hearing/discipline.

A good hard hit where he charged, left his feet and made head contact. If Voracek had been concussed, they would have suspended. (Actually, Holzer was not injured,e either).
- bmeltzer

he cut his nose!

Haha well I changed the avatar from Mase to start this year. The way it works, whoever I put on the avatar immediately goes into the tank until I change it. Sorry Neuvy.

I actually like both tenders, but Neuvy does seem off this year. As has been discussed, you keep both all year unless you are out of it by the TDL and someone overpays. You need two solid tenders in today's NHL if you want to get to the dance. Look at the mess LA is in. I thought he'd be amazing having played in the World cup.
- Hextall271

He was fantastic in the WCoH. I dont think it is a very big deal. Slumps happen, especially to goalies

Isn't MacDonald also struggling defensively, though? That seems to be the popular opinion.
- Feanor

Yes but he is riding pine!

I would like to see the pairings change whoever plays:

Ghost-Streit
Provorov-Manning
Schultz/MacDonald-Gudas
- Feanor

I would be satisfied with the simple Schultz I. Replacement of Mac next to Ghost.

I would be satisfied with the simple Schultz I. Replacement of Mac next to Ghost.
- SuperSchennBros

I think Streit Gudas is okay for now and Ghost Schultz/AMac is fine too

Isn't MacDonald also struggling defensively, though? That seems to be the popular opinion.
- Feanor

You're the man with numbers. A Ghost and Streit pair would probably take the heat off Mac.

You're the man with numbers. A Ghost and Streit pair would probably take the heat off Mac.
- SuperSchennBros

Well we're talking about what Hakstol may or may not be comfortable with, and I don't think he gives a (frank) about the standard advanced stats or Bellemare wouldn't still be the 3C after 7 games of getting blown up.

Ghost is getting around 70% OZ starts, so why not stick him the 2nd best offensive dman on the team and send them out with the 1st and 2nd lines to pile up points.

During my driving yesterday I was listening to NHLRadio and I forget which show it was but they were talking about Kulikov. It seems he's been a very reckless player in the past but they believed the hit was cleaner than most local people believe. They said his skates were on the ice at contact but he went off the ice after contact which was high chest area per the video/pictures they had. I haven't been able to go back and find anything but this is also what DoPS said on the reason for no hearing/discipline.
- dragonoffrost

Honestly feels as though they are removing anything aggressive from the game. Fights are at an all time low. 3/4 open hits are considered illegal. ANY contact to the head results in at least a penalty. Hell, even if a guy put himself in a bad spot YOU are expected to not hit him. Basically allows the sport to continue to get faster and faster, which continues to allow for more big hits and more injuries and more suspensions.

If you're in a sales meeting, and you blame a poor sales quarter on lack of 5v5 puck possession, you might get noticed.
- johndewar

What if you blame it on a lack of truculence?

Bob McKenzieVerified account
‏@TSNBobMcKenzie
Hampus Lindholm and ANA agree to terms on a six-year contract with an AAV of $5.25M. #TSNHockey

Well we're talking about what Hakstol may or may not be comfortable with, and I don't think he gives a (frank) about the standard advanced stats or Bellemare wouldn't still be the 3C after 7 games of getting blown up.

Ghost is getting around 70% OZ starts, so why not stick him the 2nd best offensive dman on the team and send them out with the 1st and 2nd lines to pile up points.
- Feanor

Because our first and second lines are matching up against top lines of the other team (albeit on the road a lot). Gudas provides enough offense to help Streit. I thought that pair played well

Why no Tim Kerr? Would have loved to see him get his due, SO under-rated...

Honestly feels as though they are removing anything aggressive from the game. Fights are at an all time low. 3/4 open hits are considered illegal. ANY contact to the head results in at least a penalty. Hell, even if a guy put himself in a bad spot YOU are expected to not hit him. Basically allows the sport to continue to get faster and faster, which continues to allow for more big hits and more injuries and more suspensions.
- jak521

You'd like to think they are trying to protect players because they care about them, as human beings, but what the league really cares about is not getting sued:

https://www.washingtonpos...4-42391ba52c91_story.html

And I'd be OK with eliminating fighting, completely.

Bob McKenzieVerified account
‏@TSNBobMcKenzie
Hampus Lindholm and ANA agree to terms on a six-year contract with an AAV of $5.25M. #TSNHockey
- PhillySportsGuy

"Hampus Lindholm" is such a great name.

It could either be the name of a European "Die Hard" villain or the lead guitar player of some Scandinavian death metal group that 5 people have heard of.

You'd like to think they are trying to protect players because they care about them, as human beings, but what the league really cares about is not getting sued:

https://www.washingtonpos...4-42391ba52c91_story.html

And I'd be OK with eliminating fighting, completely.
- johndewar

So, after Ghost gets boarded and breaks his arm, you want the Flyers to just shout, "Hey, that's not very nice!" at the guy?

I don't like staged fighting where it's 2 guys fighting just to fight. But if it's in retaliation for a dirty play against yourself or a teammate, I have no issue with it. I think removing fighting will lead to more cheap shots.

It seems like all of the stick fouls and head shots weren't as prevalent back when fighting was more common, because you knew that you'd have to answer physically, not with a penalty. I have no statistics to back this up.

So, after Ghost gets boarded and breaks his arm, you want the Flyers to just shout, "Hey, that's not very nice!" at the guy?
- jmatchett383

Kinda like how they reacted to Jake getting leveled?

"Hampus Lindholm" is such a great name.

It could either be the name of a European "Die Hard" villain or the lead guitar player of some Scandinavian death metal group that 5 people have heard of.
- johndewar

I personally think he should just drop his last name...go by Hampus

Kinda like how they reacted to Jake getting leveled?
- YuenglingJagr

Well yes, clearly we want Gostisbehere fighting him in the last 3 minutes of a game when we're going on a PP. Ask Darren McCarty and Claude Lemieux if there's a better time and place than late in a game/a playoff game to settle matters.

Kinda like Simmonds with Wilson last year. He chose a horrible time to remove himself for 5 minutes, as he could have challenged Wilson earlier on in the next game.