Chiarot will be much braver with no Simmonds in the Leafs lineup.
- gergeswillems

well the Leafs could call up Sabourin as he cleared waivers

The kid's been in the league for nine minutes, playing on a team that is guaranteed to finish last, and the guy feels the need to cross-check him in the back of the head?

That's franking gutless.
- Atomic Wedgie

With 2.4 seconds left on the clock in the third. Very sportsmanlike. The tougher game my ass, he should have got five games at least.

Well the Habs have brought in guys like Chiarot, Edmundson and Weber to play a tough, physical game.

If you have a big strong defense, you use them to their strenght, which implies playing rough and hitting guys in front of the net.

Star players are good enough to hurt you on the scoreboard if you give them too much room, so yeah, they probably go extra hard on them. Why wouldn't they? That's how they can play and be effective.

It's the way it's always been though. I don't understand why this comes as a complete surprise this season.

Until the NHL changes it's approach on the matter, I can't really feel bad about it either.
- Scabeh

There's a difference between tough hockey and dirty hockey. Habs were often accused of being too soft and too easy to play against. They addressed this in the off season. It's the main reason why I picked them to win the division. But I think Wedgie is right. You don't prove anything by targeting a young kid who's barely played in the NHL.

Well the Habs have brought in guys like Chiarot, Edmundson and Weber to play a tough, physical game.

If you have a big strong defense, you use them to their strenght, which implies playing rough and hitting guys in front of the net.

Star players are good enough to hurt you on the scoreboard if you give them too much room, so yeah, they probably go extra hard on them. Why wouldn't they? That's how they can play and be effective.

It's the way it's always been though. I don't understand why this comes as a complete surprise this season.

Until the NHL changes it's approach on the matter, I can't really feel bad about it either.
- Scabeh

It’s silly that you can crosscheck someone in the back while they are in a vulnerable position just because you are a worse player.

There's a difference between tough hockey and dirty hockey. Habs were often accused of being too soft and too easy to play against. They addressed this in the off season. It's the main reason why I picked them to win the division. But I think Wedgie is right. You don't prove anything by targeting a young kid who's barely played in the NHL.
- gergeswillems

Agreed.

That hit had no reason to happen.

Well the Habs have brought in guys like Chiarot, Edmundson and Weber to play a tough, physical game.

If you have a big strong defense, you use them to their strenght, which implies playing rough and hitting guys in front of the net.

Star players are good enough to hurt you on the scoreboard if you give them too much room, so yeah, they probably go extra hard on them. Why wouldn't they? That's how they can play and be effective.

It's the way it's always been though. I don't understand why this comes as a complete surprise this season.

Until the NHL changes it's approach on the matter, I can't really feel bad about it either.
- Scabeh

It's hard to defend the indefensible - this is like the Republicans defending the Giant Orange Weasle.

It’s silly that you can crosscheck someone in the back while they are in a vulnerable position just because you are a worse player.
- Santo_44

Again, people have received crosschecks in front of the net in the NHL during the last 100 years.

Until we see the league change it's views on such plays, like they did with the hooking or the headshots for example, I cannot blame players for playing that way.

It's hard to defend the indefensible - this is like the Republicans defending the Giant Orange Weasle.
- winsix

You're blaming the players for something they've always done and the league completely accepts.

I'm saying you can't blame the players until the league actually tells them to stop.

Now, should the league do something about this? That's a whole other debate. One I'm sure we'd agree on.

When did Chiarot fight Engvall?


- gergeswillems

Off topic question. When did our other blogger Lucas depart? Did he even say adios? Wonder if MIB disabled him in a bar?
- Leafsmart

He went fishing and got swallowed by a big fish. It's to bad he forgot his fisherman friends lozenge cause he could given it to the fish.


¯\_(ツ)_/¯

*crosschecks someone in the back*

You're blaming the players for something they've always done and the league completely accepts.

I'm saying you can't blame the players until the league actually tells them to stop.

Now, should the league do something about this? That's a whole other debate. One I'm sure we'd agree on.
- Scabeh

Honest question - If Chara delivers one of those legal crosss-checks to Suzuki and puts him out for a month - are you still going with this argument?

Again, people have received crosschecks in front of the net in the NHL during the last 100 years.

Until we see the league change it's views on such plays, like they did with the hooking or the headshots for example, I cannot blame players for playing that way.
- Scabeh

It was much worse in the Dead Puck era. Tommy Holmstrom used to take an absolute beating while screening the goalie. Players like Pronger and Hatcher cross checked him at will and penalties were rarely called. Especially by the time the Conference Finals rolled around.

You basically had to kill an opponent to get a penalty. I honestly believe Derian Hatcher shortened Peter Forsberg's career. They had some serious blood wars. Forsberg had to have his spline removed for crying out loud!

is that a bucket of chicken, pigeon or seagull?
- Northern Touch

both

Honest question - If Chara delivers one of those legal crosss-checks to Suzuki and puts him out for a month - are you still going with this argument?
- winsix

I'd be mad. Obviously. You never want to see your good players get hurt.

But how the hell could I blame Chara for something he's been taught was the right way to play his whole life?

Hate the game, not the player.

Where is Dozzer anyway?? Oh ya, Brain surgery on Wednesday.

By the way fellas, Dozzer is doing fantastic and is home in great spirits. On his way to a full recovery.

He is really looking forward to the pounding the Leafs are putting on the Hab-nots tonight.
- bixll

Thanks Bix

It was much worse in the Dead Puck era. Tommy Holmstrom used to take an absolute beating while screening the goalie. Players like Pronger and Hatcher cross checked him at will and penalties were rarely called. Especially by the time the Conference Finals rolled around.

You basically had to kill an opponent to get a penalty. I honestly believe Derian Hatcher shortened Peter Forsberg's career. They had some serious blood wars. Forsberg had to have his spline removed for crying out loud!
- gergeswillems

Agreed.

And yet Holmstrom kept going back in front of the goalie. That's courageous borderline insane.

It's stupid. It really is.

It’s silly that you can crosscheck someone in the back while they are in a vulnerable position just because you are a worse player.
- Santo_44

but if your stick come up and touch the other players pants or gloves, you're getting 2 or lesss

but if your stick come up and touch the other pplayers pants or gloves, you're getting 2 or lesss
- dmnted

Yes well that's just dangerous.

Agreed.

And yet Holmstrom kept going back in front of the goalie. That's courageous borderline insane.

It's stupid. It really is.
- Scabeh

Holmstrom didn't have much skill but he more than made up for it in guts! He knew it was the only way he could stay in the NHL and he carved out a nice long career for himself paying the price in front of the net.

Funny story about Holmstrom. He started wearing #96 in training camp and Bowman asked him why he was wearing that number. Holmstrom says "It's my first year in the NHL." Bowman fires back "Well if you don't start playing better it'll be your last year in the NHL." 🤣

Holmstrom didn't have much skill but he more than made up for it in guts! He knew it was the only way he could stay in the NHL and he carved out a nice long career for himself paying the price in front of the net.

Funny story about Holmstrom. He started wearing #96 in training camp and Bowman asked him why he was wearing that number. Holmstrom says "It's my first year in the NHL." Bowman fires back "Well if you don't start playing better it'll be your last year in the NHL." 🤣
- gergeswillems

Maybe Lucas was forced to read the top 40 Leafs prospects blogs all at once and tapped out at #25.
- gergeswillems

😂😂😂

but if your stick come up and touch the other players pants or gloves, you're getting 2 or lesss
- dmnted

Maybe or maybe not.

I have absolutely no franking idea what's a call and what isn't a call this year.

It seems like the "logic" of allowing more and more later in the game is gone.

Now it's just...random.

From last blog-

My more favourite question to ask when sipping wobbly-pops with guys my age:

If I gave you a coupon for any Blue Jays customized jersey, who would you get?

For me, it's Stieb, Barfield or Upshaw. I don't recall the powder blues having buttons up the front, so it would have to be a white uniform.

But of those three guys, I wouldn't be able to decide until I was actually standing at the counter and the kid working the embroidery machine getting impatient, and I blurt out one of the names.
- Atomic Wedgie

My dad would 100% be Stieb or Doc.

I would be Doc, Carter, or John McDonald. Although my boy Bo Bichette is rising up the list.

And this jersey-

It was much worse in the Dead Puck era. Tommy Holmstrom used to take an absolute beating while screening the goalie. Players like Pronger and Hatcher cross checked him at will and penalties were rarely called. Especially by the time the Conference Finals rolled around.

You basically had to kill an opponent to get a penalty. I honestly believe Derian Hatcher shortened Peter Forsberg's career. They had some serious blood wars. Forsberg had to have his spline removed for crying out loud!
- gergeswillems

Peter was such a wuss