What can I say, I accidentally swallowed War & Peace during my formative years

I agree that there is a fine line between player safety and entertainment. However, I don't necessarily think that they are mutually exclusive. As touched on, I think if the instigator rule was taken out, the amount of fighting would actually decrease (just having that as a psychological element; that is, knowing there are going to be consequences to your actions, should be a deterrent in itself and keep ''tough guys' like Marchand in line)

And just to clarify, like most people on the board, I really dislike the staged aspect. To me THAT is not hockey and you will note has crept into the game slowly but surely since the instigator rule was introduced.

I think we can all agree that this is a controversial topic - there doesn't seem to be that much middle ground (although it seems like you have an open mind as to both sides of the coin
- Zogg

I don't mind what they do as long as the system gets fixed! Right now it is most certainly broken. As you said, dbags like Marchand can run rampant in this league

I don't mind what they do as long as the system gets fixed! Right now it is most certainly broken. As you said, dbags like Marchand can run rampant in this league
- bezz44

Since the instigator rule there has been a serious lack of respect between the players.

Since the instigator rule there has been a serious lack of respect between the players.
- thundachunk

I agree, it's a stupid rule

Who cares that Trevor Linden doesn't want fighting in hockey! Maybe because he couldn't fight his way out of a wet paper bag? I'm not saying I agree that you should send a goon after a guy lays a good body check at all. That's what they have the instigator rule for! If two guys want to have at it to give the team a lift, or to avenge a CHEAP shot, then it works as should, and has, since hockey came to the US. Hey Trevor, do me a favor.......just shut up!

Agreed. I can't stand the fights that are a result of a thundering, clean hit. Also, it would have been nice to see someone rag-doll Marchand when he speed-bagged Sedin.
- Marwood

Like Daniel?

Like Daniel?
- VANTEL

Don't start with me!!!!!

All I can say is get rid the instigator penalty. Also, add a 10 minute misconduct penalty for staged fights. Those right there could sort a lot of the BS we see in today's game.
- PetrolSexual

Fine a coach 50 000 for every fight his team is involved in and fighting will be gone instantly.

Don't start with me!!!!!



- LeftCoaster

C'mon Daniel is 5 inches taller than the little puke , does he really need a bodyguard for him?

C'mon Daniel is 5 inches taller than the little puke , does he really need a bodyguard for him?
- VANTEL

C'mon Daniel is 5 inches taller than the little puke , does he really need a bodyguard for him?
- VANTEL

Oh I agree 100% - as a man, not a hockey player, he should be embarrassed to let that happen to him. (frank) the hockey side of it, be a man, whether you're a fighter or not, and stick up for yourself FFS.

Oh I agree 100% - as a man, not a hockey player, he should be embarrassed to let that happen to him. (frank) the hockey side of it, be a man, whether you're a fighter or not, and stick up for yourself FFS.
- LeftCoaster

That's all I am saying . Right after that I send my tough guy out to rag doll their star too !if I am the coach.

Just wanted to let you know that the posters name "BAKWAS" is an Urdu/hindi word and literal translation is garbage, of no value, untrue,

And I think based on his post his handle name is quite fitting.

My apologies Kaptaan if I offended any of your racism policies.
- Linden_4_Capt

Haha awesome!

It was confirmed on Facebook;therefore, it must be true!!! Didn't you know that nothing is true until it is Facebook confirmed?

Who cares that Trevor Linden doesn't want fighting in hockey! Maybe because he couldn't fight his way out of a wet paper bag? I'm not saying I agree that you should send a goon after a guy lays a good body check at all. That's what they have the instigator rule for! If two guys want to have at it to give the team a lift, or to avenge a CHEAP shot, then it works as should, and has, since hockey came to the US. Hey Trevor, do me a favor.......just shut up!
- Hokeeguy9

These inspirational and wisdom-filled nuggets brought to you by Mike Keenan

All these soft as pop tart Vancouver fans u can tell they've been cheering for Linden and the pinky n the brain twins their whole lives. I don't agree with a clean hit on a guy with his head down but if its on a star player and the guy throwing the hit has even taken a half stride more than 3, lifted his pinky toe off the ice than go beat the piss out of him. Love a good hip check too but if u drop low on taylor Hall cause ur gonna get burned expect to man up for ur actions. Lets start with getting ridd of the instigator before we get rid of fighting. Fights don't happen in the playoffs cause fighterss don't get dressed because this rule and grinders wont come to a teammates aid because of it. U don't think matt cooke thinks twice on Tyson Barrie if he might lose a few teeth. WAKE UP NHL AND ALL YOU SOFTIES WHO NEVER HAD THE BALLS TO STICK UP FOR YOURSELF OR A FRIEND! Who cares if two guys wanna stage a fight and get paid they know what their doing and r skilled in it . They probably r making more a year than the average ufc fighter

These inspirational and wisdom-filled nuggets brought to you by Mike Keenan
- Zogg

.....make that Stanley Cup winner, Mike Keenan! HA HA HA HA!!

All these soft as pop tart Vancouver fans u can tell they've been cheering for Linden and the pinky n the brain twins their whole lives. I don't agree with a clean hit on a guy with his head down but if its on a star player and the guy throwing the hit has even taken a half stride more than 3, lifted his pinky toe off the ice than go beat the piss out of him. Love a good hip check too but if u drop low on taylor Hall cause ur gonna get burned expect to man up for ur actions. Lets start with getting ridd of the instigator before we get rid of fighting. Fights don't happen in the playoffs cause fighterss don't get dressed because this rule and grinders wont come to a teammates aid because of it. U don't think matt cooke thinks twice on Tyson Barrie if he might lose a few teeth. WAKE UP NHL AND ALL YOU SOFTIES WHO NEVER HAD THE BALLS TO STICK UP FOR YOURSELF OR A FRIEND! Who cares if two guys wanna stage a fight and get paid they know what their doing and r skilled in it . They probably r making more a year than the average ufc fighter
- Jordy8

.....make that Stanley Cup winner, Mike Keenan! HA HA HA HA!!
- Hokeeguy9

"......make that Stanley Cup winner, in spite of himself, Mike Keenan!HA HA HA"

(P.S. to expand on my point, even a blind squirrel occasionally gets boinked )

That said, it's nice to see how he's parlayed that accomplishment into working the past few years with such luminaries, visionaries, legends, and esteemed colleagues as per the following :

"The last foreign-born coach to reach the KHL final was Finland’s Kari Heikkila with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in the league’s inaugural 2008-09 season" . Mikey,ya done good! but I know what you're thinking, what's next? Kazakhstan Division III?

To quote Sergei Boinklofski, captain of the national squad "Goolag officer force me to Kazakhstan to make hockey. Kidnap family and goats. Please, come and see game. If it not success, I will be execute"

All these soft as pop tart Vancouver fans u can tell they've been cheering for Linden and the pinky n the brain twins their whole lives. I don't agree with a clean hit on a guy with his head down but if its on a star player and the guy throwing the hit has even taken a half stride more than 3, lifted his pinky toe off the ice than go beat the piss out of him. Love a good hip check too but if u drop low on taylor Hall cause ur gonna get burned expect to man up for ur actions. Lets start with getting ridd of the instigator before we get rid of fighting. Fights don't happen in the playoffs cause fighterss don't get dressed because this rule and grinders wont come to a teammates aid because of it. U don't think matt cooke thinks twice on Tyson Barrie if he might lose a few teeth. WAKE UP NHL AND ALL YOU SOFTIES WHO NEVER HAD THE BALLS TO STICK UP FOR YOURSELF OR A FRIEND! Who cares if two guys wanna stage a fight and get paid they know what their doing and r skilled in it . They probably r making more a year than the average ufc fighter
- Jordy8

All these soft as pop tart Vancouver fans u can tell they've been cheering for Linden and the pinky n the brain twins their whole lives. I don't agree with a clean hit on a guy with his head down but if its on a star player and the guy throwing the hit has even taken a half stride more than 3, lifted his pinky toe off the ice than go beat the piss out of him. Love a good hip check too but if u drop low on taylor Hall cause ur gonna get burned expect to man up for ur actions. Lets start with getting ridd of the instigator before we get rid of fighting. Fights don't happen in the playoffs cause fighterss don't get dressed because this rule and grinders wont come to a teammates aid because of it. U don't think matt cooke thinks twice on Tyson Barrie if he might lose a few teeth. WAKE UP NHL AND ALL YOU SOFTIES WHO NEVER HAD THE BALLS TO STICK UP FOR YOURSELF OR A FRIEND! Who cares if two guys wanna stage a fight and get paid they know what their doing and r skilled in it . They probably r making more a year than the average ufc fighter
- Jordy8

Pop tart, soft? Bro, you are making your pop tarts wrong!

All these soft as pop tart Vancouver fans u can tell they've been cheering for Linden and the pinky n the brain twins their whole lives. I don't agree with a clean hit on a guy with his head down but if its on a star player and the guy throwing the hit has even taken a half stride more than 3, lifted his pinky toe off the ice than go beat the piss out of him. Love a good hip check too but if u drop low on taylor Hall cause ur gonna get burned expect to man up for ur actions. Lets start with getting ridd of the instigator before we get rid of fighting. Fights don't happen in the playoffs cause fighterss don't get dressed because this rule and grinders wont come to a teammates aid because of it. U don't think matt cooke thinks twice on Tyson Barrie if he might lose a few teeth. WAKE UP NHL AND ALL YOU SOFTIES WHO NEVER HAD THE BALLS TO STICK UP FOR YOURSELF OR A FRIEND! Who cares if two guys wanna stage a fight and get paid they know what their doing and r skilled in it . They probably r making more a year than the average ufc fighter
- Jordy8

Dis guy......

Dis guy......
- Nucker101

New rumor. EK is saying we are getting Del Zotto.
Discuss...

New rumor. EK is saying we are getting Del Zotto.
Discuss...
- Linden_4_Capt

I would have no problem taking a flyer on MDZ. He just turned 24 (still very young for a D-man). Low risk. Has lots of upside still. With some good coaching...

He isn't the big, pounding, tough, physical, angry, mean, D-man we are missing though.

New rumor. EK is saying we are getting Del Zotto.
Discuss...
- Linden_4_Capt

I'm still laughing my bag off from yesterdays post were some poster claimed that Rock 101 was saying the Canucks were all in on E. Kane. Rock 101!!!!!

"......make that Stanley Cup winner, in spite of himself, Mike Keenan!HA HA HA"

(P.S. to expand on my point, even a blind squirrel occasionally gets boinked )

That said, it's nice to see how he's parlayed that accomplishment into working the past few years with such luminaries, visionaries, legends, and esteemed colleagues as per the following :

"The last foreign-born coach to reach the KHL final was Finland’s Kari Heikkila with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in the league’s inaugural 2008-09 season" . Mikey,ya done good! but I know what you're thinking, what's next? Kazakhstan Division III?

To quote Sergei Boinklofski, captain of the national squad "Goolag officer force me to Kazakhstan to make hockey. Kidnap family and goats. Please, come and see game. If it not success, I will be execute"
- Zogg

I'm still laughing my bag off from yesterdays post were some poster claimed that Rock 101 was saying the Canucks were all in on E. Kane. Rock 101!!!!!
- Marwood

Apparently Rock 101 gets their sports news from @HockeyyInsiderr. Helps to explain Bro Jake's sports... uh... knowledge?