I don't always agree with Burke, but what he is saying here makes a lot of sense. Sometimes we just need to step back.


http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=393538

Burke told USA Today's Kevin Allen on Wednesday that the media's focus on the incidents that have happened on the ice are taking away from the 'third-round intensity' and drama of the first-round of the postseason.

"This is like people complaining about the rain at Woodstock," Burke told USA Today. "Yes, there was lots of mud, but it was the greatest music gathering in history."

"I hope we continue to nail the people who are crossing the line," Burke told USA Today. "But this is a small number of incidents, and it's unfortunate that non-hockey media is focusing on that. But what I see is great hockey. It's awesome."

"Nine times of 10 when players cross the line, it's emotional," Burke explained to USA Today. "It's not cognitive. (Washington's Nicklas) Backstrom didn't say the other night, I'm going to go in and cross-check this guy. Aaron Asham didn't say to himself. I'm going to cross-check Brayden Schenn in the throat. It's adrenaline. It's reaction."

Burke also has no issue with the work Shanahan has done assessing incidents and handing out his decisions. "You can't make people happy, so just do the job," Burke said. "And I think Brendan is doing that. It's impossible for fans to be rationale at this time of year. It's impossible for Detroit fans not to be outraged when Shea Weber wasn't suspended (for slamming Henrik Zetterberg's head into the glass). But I don't think he should have been."
- Lahey

****. That. Noise.
The fact that a grown man is unable or unwilling to control his temper does not justify him attempting to cripple a fellow athelete. I am a lifelong athelete and I have always played with emotion and intensity, and I've never cross-checked someone in the throat (although I admit I have definitely wanted to).
There are acts that should not be tolerated or apologized for. There is a certain standard of personal responsibility expected of an adult, and I'm fairly sure it is violated by saying "it's not his fault he crippled that other guy... he lost his temper." Grow up and take some damn responsibility.

Also, did anyone else notice "I hope we continue to nail the people who are crossing the line...." Is there a single person willing to stand up and say they think the NHL disciplinarians and referees have done even an adequate job this post-season?

Sounds like a guy we could use.

http://thehockeywriters.c...ted-gem-alexandre-mallet/

A typical power-forward, Mallet is strong with the puck and doesn’t shy away from a good tussle as shown below. He is also very adept at screening goalies, especially on the power play, and he’s fairly efficient at it, modelling his play on Tomas Holmstrom of the Detroit Red Wings.

Mallet is not simply a fighter that picks up garbage goals around the net, he can also score beauties thanks to a booming slap shot and soft hands,

Alex Mallet is eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, and while he will not be drafted in the first few rounds because of his age (he will turn 20 in May), he has certainly garnered attention from NHL scouts and could be an interesting option in the middle rounds for teams looking for a player ready to make an immediate impact at the pro level (most likely the AHL).


NHL Potential: 3rd line two-way player
NHL Comparable: Steve Downie
NHL ETA: 2014

Sounds like a guy we could use.

http://thehockeywriters.c...ted-gem-alexandre-mallet/

A typical power-forward, Mallet is strong with the puck and doesn’t shy away from a good tussle as shown below. He is also very adept at screening goalies, especially on the power play, and he’s fairly efficient at it, modelling his play on Tomas Holmstrom of the Detroit Red Wings.

Mallet is not simply a fighter that picks up garbage goals around the net, he can also score beauties thanks to a booming slap shot and soft hands,

Alex Mallet is eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, and while he will not be drafted in the first few rounds because of his age (he will turn 20 in May), he has certainly garnered attention from NHL scouts and could be an interesting option in the middle rounds for teams looking for a player ready to make an immediate impact at the pro level (most likely the AHL).


NHL Potential: 3rd line two-way player
NHL Comparable: Steve Downie
NHL ETA: 2014
- Lahey

Yes please... Don't we have an extra 3rd or 4th this year?

Yes please... Don't we have an extra 3rd or 4th this year?
- Reveen

(frank) the extra, just use ours. 6'1 195lbs.

Odd though he went from 19 points as a 17 year old, 19 as an 18 year old and now 81 points as a 19 year old.

Sounds like a guy we could use.

http://thehockeywriters.c...ted-gem-alexandre-mallet/

A typical power-forward, Mallet is strong with the puck and doesn’t shy away from a good tussle as shown below. He is also very adept at screening goalies, especially on the power play, and he’s fairly efficient at it, modelling his play on Tomas Holmstrom of the Detroit Red Wings.

Mallet is not simply a fighter that picks up garbage goals around the net, he can also score beauties thanks to a booming slap shot and soft hands,

Alex Mallet is eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, and while he will not be drafted in the first few rounds because of his age (he will turn 20 in May), he has certainly garnered attention from NHL scouts and could be an interesting option in the middle rounds for teams looking for a player ready to make an immediate impact at the pro level (most likely the AHL).


NHL Potential: 3rd line two-way player
NHL Comparable: Steve Downie
NHL ETA: 2014
- Lahey

I like em' already.

(frank) the extra, just use ours. 6'1 195lbs.

Odd though he went from 19 points as a 17 year old, 19 as an 18 year old and now 81 points as a 19 year old.
- Lahey

Late bloomer (see Tanner Pearson).

You should care that Hossa got injured, because unless they do something about it, it'll happen to guys like The Nuge, Hall, Eberle, and Yakupov... It's a shame that talented players like those are at risk because of goons like Torres. If Torres was around in the 70's/80's, he would have snapped Gretzky's neck, and instead of the wonderful memories we have of greatness, we'd be left with a big bag of "what ifs?"... Don't get me wrong, I'm not against physical play... I'm against head-hunters like Torres. If Torres wants to do this sort of thing, maybe he should join the UFC (Where he would undoubtedly be killed.)

Anyway, I take your game of "Ball" and change it to "Possession." Basically the same game, but the first team to total 30 minutes and 1 second of possession, wins! This way each second means something.
- laughs2907

Na, Torres would have Messier once then the next shift Messier would have left Torres laying doing the funky chicken on the ice after a late hit from behind ala the hit on Modano. RNH and Gretzky have 1 thing in comman he slides out of the way of the hit. One player actually hit Gretzky hard and I do not believe he played another game in the NHL.

Nope,and that's where the notion of having players police themselves fails. Torres and others of his ilk will still lay those hits, and be ok with a scrap after, because they're highly unlikely to be hurt in that fight, and they've already done their damage.

The NHL needs to look at NFL discipline. Star or not, the NFL doesn't care. You (frank) around, the hammer drops. No exceptions. Too bad Bettman isn't Roger Goodell.
- GuyLaDouche

Who was the player who layed out Gretzky? I remember he din't play too many games after the hit if any.

Na, Torres would have Messier once then the next shift Messier would have left Torres laying doing the funky chicken on the ice after a late hit from behind ala the hit on Modano. RNH and Gretzky have 1 thing in comman he slides out of the way of the hit. One player actually hit Gretzky hard and I do not believe he played another game in the NHL.
- longbottom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XmB9TWrC7o

I disagree... see Suter cream Gretzky @ 3:13

Yes please... Don't we have an extra 3rd or 4th this year?
- Reveen

2nd and third.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XmB9TWrC7o

I disagree... see Suter cream Gretzky @ 3:13
- Reveen

TY for reminding me about Suter, But the guy I am thinking about played for Toronto and he had a complete blindside hit. Then the leafs buried him in the Minors or something.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XmB9TWrC7o

I disagree... see Suter cream Gretzky @ 3:13
- Reveen

I still don't know how to post videos on here but this is the hit I am talking about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb09Ce8tZ0E

****. That. Noise.
The fact that a grown man is unable or unwilling to control his temper does not justify him attempting to cripple a fellow athelete. I am a lifelong athelete and I have always played with emotion and intensity, and I've never cross-checked someone in the throat (although I admit I have definitely wanted to).
There are acts that should not be tolerated or apologized for. There is a certain standard of personal responsibility expected of an adult, and I'm fairly sure it is violated by saying "it's not his fault he crippled that other guy... he lost his temper." Grow up and take some damn responsibility.

Also, did anyone else notice "I hope we continue to nail the people who are crossing the line...." Is there a single person willing to stand up and say they think the NHL disciplinarians and referees have done even an adequate job this post-season?
- thefullnelson

C'mon now, everyone is allowed a lapse of judgement. While Backstrom's cross-check was stupid, he is #1 Swedish so he is too chickenpoop to do business with his fists, and #2 a first time offense. If he comes back at some point next year and does the same thing, league disciplinarians need to can him for 20 games. First time offenders should be given the benefit of the doubt. It's guys that are literally a danger to others, like Torres and Cooke, that need to be made an example out of. Guys that are not bright enough to learn from their mistakes need to be heavily suspended.

(frank) the extra, just use ours. 6'1 195lbs.

Odd though he went from 19 points as a 17 year old, 19 as an 18 year old and now 81 points as a 19 year old.
- Lahey

That's a major jump at any age. Late bloomer or not that's impressive. Should be in Tambo's back pocket to take him.

(frank) the extra, just use ours. 6'1 195lbs.

Odd though he went from 19 points as a 17 year old, 19 as an 18 year old and now 81 points as a 19 year old.
- Lahey

Yakupov, Wilson , This guy

Turris is a god.

Turris is a god.
- Oil Tycoon

We found Pilgor's alternate.

C'mon now, everyone is allowed a lapse of judgement. While Backstrom's cross-check was stupid, he is #1 Swedish so he is too chickenpoop to do business with his fists, and #2 a first time offense. If he comes back at some point next year and does the same thing, league disciplinarians need to can him for 20 games. First time offenders should be given the benefit of the doubt. It's guys that are literally a danger to others, like Torres and Cooke, that need to be made an example out of. Guys that are not bright enough to learn from their mistakes need to be heavily suspended.
- kingbrehm

Exactly.

C'mon now, everyone is allowed a lapse of judgement. While Backstrom's cross-check was stupid, he is #1 Swedish so he is too chickenpoop to do business with his fists, and #2 a first time offense. If he comes back at some point next year and does the same thing, league disciplinarians need to can him for 20 games. First time offenders should be given the benefit of the doubt. It's guys that are literally a danger to others, like Torres and Cooke, that need to be made an example out of. Guys that are not bright enough to learn from their mistakes need to be heavily suspended.
- kingbrehm

I dunno, maybe you're right. I just think it would be so much easier to just enforce the rules regardless of the players or the circumstance than try to guess whatever Shanahan's gonna do next.
Also, my inner cynic has a hard time believing that Backstrom has played competitive hockey his entire life and never wanted to cross check someone in the throat before. My bet?... I think he's wanted to do stuff like that several times, but before now he always chose to restrain himself. Perhaps that was partly because before now, he believed there would be predictable and severe consequences to doing so, and now he believes the consequences will be less severe because "everyone is doing it."

Turris is a god.
- Oil Tycoon

-1
Great finish though - good to see a player with such high pedigree finally deliver on it.
Turris may finally be about to start playing the sort of hockey he should have been playing all along.