Really? 1976 says hello.
- Oilhab

Seriously? Let's not try and overplay the fact that the Habs were once relevant because they aren't now. I clearly meant for the 2 cups they won. I wasn't implying they won every cup of the 70s.

Seriously? Let's not try and overplay the fact that the Habs were once relevant because they aren't now. I clearly meant for the 2 cups they won. I wasn't implying they won every cup of the 70s.
- skipfab74

So when they lost in the cup final they weren't a dominate team?

Not sure Id call it "fair" but it is refreshing to see the Penguin organization properly fined for the behavior of their players. For too long, the NHL has looked the other way when it comes to Cindy & Co.

Nice to see the shoe on the other foot and the Penguins get what they deserve.

I am no fan of the Philly, but I am rooting for them to finish the Pens off tonight with another humiliating snowman posted on the scoreboard for the Flyers.

I recall a time when MA Fleury and Brent Johnson thought it was funny to belittle opposing team — laughing and having a good time. Think they are laughing now?

Its not fair with Neal but its time to move on. Should have gotten 4 like Asham.

4 elements needed to protect the game:

1) Good officials and calling of the game
2) Harsh punishment for reckless hits (leaving feet, guy without puck, turnbuckle smashing)
3) Players allowed to settle affairs (by the refs), i.e. squaring off to atone for sins
4) Players steping up and settling affairs

Once you have 1-4 there still needs to be respect for the game, but the first 4 are necessary to create a better environment where expectations are under a strict construct

So when they lost in the cup final they weren't a dominate team?
- Oilhab

Reggie Leach actually won MVP even though Flyers were swept by Habs 75/76

Icedog you just keep missing the point, i don't deny the flyers past, the flyers didn't win two cups because they gooned it up. Those teams had the reigning mvp, tje best goalie until dryden came along and a coach that was way ahead of his time. The issue is that the league is creating an environment where its ok to headhunt. I guess its going to take seeing ome of your star players crippled before you can start discussing the real problem.
- twotoekenn

I think you are crossing the lines between two different conversations you are having.

I never commented about the Flyers winning cups.

My original comment and the ones that followed were attributed to this remark:

"Flyers teams in the past could be called goons and thugs, but under lavy things have been different. I think its lazy and tired that so many posters keep bringing up the past. How about the pens past? Sucking so bad that they almost had to move, twice. Tanking seasons to get the first overall pick. Being given the highest chance at the first pick after the lockout even though they already were awarded a lottery pick for the 03-04 season. I've got more if you want to keep going, but lets keep it to what is going on now.
- twotoekenn"

I just tried to get you to see that you have to own up to your past...we all do.

Sure, headshots are an issue.

Would love nothing better than to see stiff penalties for them.

You may be a Flyer fan that doesn't like the comparison...and there are others like you I am sure...but a whole bunch of your fans would like nothing better than to see Crosby's career ended by a Flyer.

- icedog97

I 100% would hate to see Crosby's career ended by anyone.
The only sport I follow is hockey so seeing one of the top 1-5 players in the game removed would be horrible.

At least use proper english.

What will the effect be? Is the ruling fair?
- mathonwy

Maybe he's trying to bring in the "young and hip" readers who like to use improper English and use slang? YOLO!

You would think such an awesome team of the 70's would had won more then 2 cups
- Oilhab

Would have had Bernie not gotten hurt. FACT.

Its not fair with Neal but its time to move on. Should have gotten 4 like Asham.

4 elements needed to protect the game:

1) Good officials and calling of the game
2) Harsh punishment for reckless hits (leaving feet, guy without puck, turnbuckle smashing)
3) Players allowed to settle affairs (by the refs), i.e. squaring off to atone for sins
4) Players steping up and settling affairs

Once you have 1-4 there still needs to be respect for the game, but the first 4 are necessary to create a better environment where expectations are under a strict construct
- Daman

You really want to make it safer...play by Olympic rules.

But you won't see that happening because violence and fighting sells.

Also, you don't need to have fighting if you have strict penalties that are enforced.

Hockey allows fighting...allows slashing...allows cross checking...meaning it only results in an in game penalty...and 3 of those 4 are only going to get you 2 minutes 90% of the time.

If you told the players a cross check will result in a match penalty...you'd see a whole lot less of it...wouldn't you?

I'm not saying take it all away...just realize...like the players already do...that when you allow the level of violence the NHL game does...you take the good (the organized violence) with the bad (the occasional out of control violence).

Would have had Bernie not gotten hurt. FACT.
- maine_mariner

- Symba007

Greg Wyshynski ‏ @wyshynski
Sidney Crosby on the Daily News cover “That’s one of the nicer things they’ve said about me here.”

Greg Wyshynski ‏ @wyshynski
Sidney Crosby on the Daily News cover “That’s one of the nicer things they’ve said about me here.”
- icedog97

I hope the Pens win this one, I want to see Neil play in game 5 in Pitts

but a whole bunch of your fans would like nothing better than to see Crosby's career ended by a Flyer.
- icedog97

Not this one.

I would also like to add that I was completely against Pittsburgh's rumored move to Kansas City before they got the arena deal.

I think the NHL needs good rivalries and this is one of the best.

Neal gets one game, but Schenn, who has been allowed to turn into a hooligan the entire series with shots - including intentionally going in with a flying leap to try to injure Paul Martin and not get suspended. Yep, that seems fair. Schenn not being suspended is a joke.

I 100% would hate to see Crosby's career ended by anyone.
The only sport I follow is hockey so seeing one of the top 1-5 players in the game removed would be horrible.
- opeth_pa

You are in the vast minority. 99.9999999% of your fan base not only cheered with Crosby's injury, but have made jokes about it and want to see him finished forever. However, your fan base would get appalled when someone posts they hope Giroux, Briere and Schenn get sent to the hospital on a stretcher and are finished for the play-offs.

Neal gets one game, but Schenn, who has been allowed to turn into a hooligan the entire series with shots - including intentionally going in with a flying leap to try to injure Paul Martin and not get suspended. Yep, that seems fair. Schenn not being suspended is a joke.
- Oneonta Penguin

I disagree with that...

He left his feet...a little at least...and I clearly don't like some of the things he has done...but it doesn't mean that play should result in a suspension.

Greg Wyshynski ‏ @wyshynski
Sidney Crosby on the Daily News cover “That’s one of the nicer things they’ve said about me here.”
- icedog97

They should had used the pic were he is licking his stick.

Where in the flyers past have they head hunted star players? Fighting is fighting. Hard hitting is part of hockey. Players that can't control themselves who have worn the flyers jersey are traded away. Need an example. Ask steve downie. Ask me to own up to our past, see losing lindros and primeau to head shots.

How Shanny can talk about the Couturier hit and then make the transition to talk about the Giroux hit by saying, "once again launching prior to making contact.”, and suspend Neal for the Giroux hit, but do nothing about the Couturier hit is baffling.

It was on the same shift. He was clearly head hunting on the Couturier and Giroux hits. If you call one, you MUST call the other.

Neal gets one game, but Schenn, who has been allowed to turn into a hooligan the entire series with shots - including intentionally going in with a flying leap to try to injure Paul Martin and not get suspended. Yep, that seems fair. Schenn not being suspended is a joke.
- Oneonta Penguin

At least Martin had the puck. Charging is not suspendable, at least according to Shanny. Neal didn't get the game for his hit on Coots. He got suspended because he went after G's head.

How Shanny can talk about the Couturier hit and then make the transition to talk about the Giroux hit by saying, "once again launching prior to making contact.”, and suspend Neal for the Giroux hit, but do nothing about the Couturier hit is baffling.

It was on the same shift. He was clearly head hunting on the Couturier and Giroux hits. If you call one, you MUST call the other.
- Shephardbd

YES!!! And now Torres is suspended indefinitely for doing what Shanny basically said was not worth suspending Neal for. Its become a joke!

Neal gets one game, but Schenn, who has been allowed to turn into a hooligan the entire series with shots - including intentionally going in with a flying leap to try to injure Paul Martin and not get suspended. Yep, that seems fair. Schenn not being suspended is a joke.
- Oneonta Penguin

Flying leap???? He glided into Martin. Hahaha wow watch the hit again bud.

Don't agree. Think neal should have gotten a couple more. But would it be insane to only hand out suspensions when a player gets hurt? and the suspension is however long the injured player is out for? Maybe not thinking that all the way through but it seems fair.
- Deadmau55

I agree with this whole post...i would add a clause of a minimum of one more game than the other player misses, in theory i would not want someone getting off easy because a guy like couturier who wasnt too hurt thankfully, is missing zero games and thus neal would not either in that regard.