Philly Strikes once again.

[LkptTiger 1]

Forget the fact that the personal punishments aren't fitting the crimes (in my opinion)...I'm absolutely dumbfounded that the Flyers organization still hasn't dealt with any repercussions to this point. How many separate incidents can one team have in the course of one season?

[mack 44]

When people refer to them simply as "Colin" and "Gary" I think of these guys:

[Theo 1]

I'd have to agree that a lot of the problem is the marginal players, although in the Flyers situation I think it trickles down from the top- Too many incidents this year, you have to question it.

Take Hollweg for example. Guy was quiet for a few games, and Callahan was expected to come back. The question was: Who to sit? So what does he do to get noticed. He goes out making insane hits again. I think the Islander stitches thing is BS (for those who head that cracker barrel story, but the point I am trying to make is the only way Hollweg really makes himself known is with big time hits, sometimes illegal of course. I like the guy and you need checkers- most teams have a Hollweg- but it is an issue. You get rid of guys like that and the league is probably safer, but expansion has created roles for them. But having said that, good players have done their share of BS as well. It really is a league wide lack of respect and integrity

[Law Goalie 147]

The regularity with which this is happening in Philadelphia makes the coaching staff and team management blame-worthy. It doesn't matter how or why each incident happens. When this many violations come from the same team with this consistency - it's becoming a night-in, night-out thing - you look to the source.

Here's an idea - make the Flyers pay the injured players' salaries as long as they stay on the IR, and have that count against their cap.

[Dougie8 0]

Here's an idea - make the Flyers pay the injured players' salaries as long as they stay on the IR, and have that count against their cap.

But all of a sudden you would have guys with a "minor concussion" (for example) out for 3 months if they're just a guy who isn't doing much to the team in the first place. But in Bergeron's case when a team really wants him back in the line up that might work. Philly needs to get fined big time.

[Chadd 916]

Here's an idea - make the Flyers pay the injured players' salaries as long as they stay on the IR, and have that count against their cap.

But all of a sudden you would have guys with a "minor concussion" (for example) out for 3 months if they're just a guy who isn't doing much to the team in the first place. But in Bergeron's case when a team really wants him back in the line up that might work. Philly needs to get fined big time.

Just making them pay the salary of the injured player would be an interesting concept. It doesn't have to come out of their cap, just making it come out of their pocket would be a punishment.

[psh 25]

Here's an idea - make the Flyers pay the injured players' salaries as long as they stay on the IR, and have that count against their cap.

But all of a sudden you would have guys with a "minor concussion" (for example) out for 3 months if they're just a guy who isn't doing much to the team in the first place. But in Bergeron's case when a team really wants him back in the line up that might work. Philly needs to get fined big time.

Just making them pay the salary of the injured player would be an interesting concept. It doesn't have to come out of their cap, just making it come out of their pocket would be a punishment.

My only problem with that is that it could make pluggers targets, given their low salaries.

How is Niskanen? Haven't heard anything. He was great in the Minnesota High School tournament not long ago. It's been fun to see him contribute for Dallas so quickly. I hope he's OK.

[narwhal 0]

Niskanen seemed ok after the hit. Haven't seen anything to indicate he's not playing tonight (Stars-Jackets on VS tonight).

[Law Goalie 147]

Here's an idea - make the Flyers pay the injured players' salaries as long as they stay on the IR, and have that count against their cap.

But all of a sudden you would have guys with a "minor concussion" (for example) out for 3 months if they're just a guy who isn't doing much to the team in the first place. But in Bergeron's case when a team really wants him back in the line up that might work. Philly needs to get fined big time.

I'm sure the NHL and NHLPA have doctors on the payroll and the cash to pay for expert opinions. As long as it wasn't simply up to the discretion of the team that stood to gain, there shouldn't be too much of a problem.

What I find so attractive about the IR-salary counting against the attacking team's cap is that it affords a huge protection for star players. Let's say someone from Boston decides to kill Briere in retaliation. Suddenly, the Bruins are in a position where they have to waive some pretty important players: Savard, Shaffer, Fernandez...

Now, you'd probably need a sort of 'Punitive Waiver' where guys could be sidelined or sent to the minors and *not* claimed by other teams. That's far too severe. There's no reason the Savard family should have to move to Columbus because Alberts goons Briere. However, forcing the Bruins to demote or sideline quality players while Briere recovers does seem to be just.

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

anyone find any video of this hit??

[chippa13 1844]

Here's an idea - make the Flyers pay the injured players' salaries as long as they stay on the IR, and have that count against their cap.

But all of a sudden you would have guys with a "minor concussion" (for example) out for 3 months if they're just a guy who isn't doing much to the team in the first place. But in Bergeron's case when a team really wants him back in the line up that might work. Philly needs to get fined big time.

I'm sure the NHL and NHLPA have doctors on the payroll and the cash to pay for expert opinions. As long as it wasn't simply up to the discretion of the team that stood to gain, there shouldn't be too much of a problem.

What I find so attractive about the IR-salary counting against the attacking team's cap is that it affords a huge protection for star players. Let's say someone from Boston decides to kill Briere in retaliation. Suddenly, the Bruins are in a position where they have to waive some pretty important players: Savard, Shaffer, Fernandez...

Now, you'd probably need a sort of 'Punitive Waiver' where guys could be sidelined or sent to the minors and *not* claimed by other teams. That's far too severe. There's no reason the Savard family should have to move to Columbus because Alberts goons Briere. However, forcing the Bruins to demote or sideline quality players while Briere recovers does seem to be just.

With something like concussions the idea just doesn't fly. It isn't like a x-ray or MRI can tell you when a concussion is healed. It would be far too easy for a player to extend their headache or other symptoms that just can't be proven false.

[troy 12]

And the word is 3 games.

[pisani34 10]

cip2k1

If NHL discipline czar Colin Campbell really wants to punish the Flyers for their run of bad behavior, he'd require that the club play Cote for at least 20 minutes per game for the duration of the suspension. If he took that action, these wayward Flyers just might learn their lesson.

-E.J. Hradek :writer at ESPN

that comment on the youtube video got me thinking, this idea is way out to left field but it would be interesting none the less. If a player gets a suspension, the team should not be able to replace him on the roster, so in phillys case, they would have a few empty spots on the roster, that would not be able to be filled, so they could potentially have a dangerous shortage in players for some games.

[Michael9 57]

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=224272&hubname=nhl

[SR27 0]

That´s something I thought about. A suspension on a marginal player is pretty much "worthless" unless the team is forced to keep him on the active (23-man?) roster. I thought that was the case but apparently it´s not. Same goes for sending him to the minors. He should still have to serve the number of games, once recalled.

cip2k1

If NHL discipline czar Colin Campbell really wants to punish the Flyers for their run of bad behavior, he'd require that the club play Cote for at least 20 minutes per game for the duration of the suspension. If he took that action, these wayward Flyers just might learn their lesson.

-E.J. Hradek :writer at ESPN

that comment on the youtube video got me thinking, this idea is way out to left field but it would be interesting none the less. If a player gets a suspension, the team should not be able to replace him on the roster, so in phillys case, they would have a few empty spots on the roster, that would not be able to be filled, so they could potentially have a dangerous shortage in players for some games.

[jon93 0]

Niskanen was fine after the hit, to me he seemed a little shocked he just stood there for a little bit and skated of to the bench without his helmet. Turco eventually brought it to him.

[mew1838 0]

That was idiotic....but hey, can they teach the sharks how to play dirty?

[bobovski 1]

Niskanen was fine after the hit, to me he seemed a little shocked he just stood there for a little bit and skated of to the bench without his helmet. Turco eventually brought it to him.

Sure he was fine, but the NHL *must* stop assessing fines+suspensions based on injuries. That hit was pure headhunting and deserved a rest, in my opinion.

[camhockey16 5]

well the flyers are officially "on notice" whatever that is supposed to mean -i'm sure they are shaking in their boots

i hope bettman gave them more details than just that, and that its not just an empty threat

[Chadd 916]

well the flyers are officially "on notice" whatever that is supposed to mean -i'm sure they are shaking in their boots

i hope bettman gave them more details than just that, and that its not just an empty threat

It lets the NHL sound tough to the general public and media outlets who are up in arms, but means nothing in the end.

[camhockey16 5]

well the flyers are officially "on notice" whatever that is supposed to mean -i'm sure they are shaking in their boots

i hope bettman gave them more details than just that, and that its not just an empty threat

It lets the NHL sound tough to the general public and media outlets who are up in arms, but means nothing in the end.

color me---->not suprised, and you are probably going to be correct

[Monty22 835]

well the flyers are officially "on notice" whatever that is supposed to mean -i'm sure they are shaking in their boots

i hope bettman gave them more details than just that, and that its not just an empty threat

Double secret probation?

[Theo 1]

Niskanen was fine after the hit, to me he seemed a little shocked he just stood there for a little bit and skated of to the bench without his helmet. Turco eventually brought it to him.

As others have said, the penalty/suspension should not based on the injury or lack thereof on the reciprocated player, but more so for the intent and actions of the aggressor on the play.

[psh 25]

I saw the replay last night. 3 games is a joke. Other than the Downie hit, this seems to be the worst of the 5. Cote was so blatantly trying to injure Niskanen, it's almost painful to watch. He hops up and tries to staple Niskanen's head to the glass with his forearm. What is the league looking for, the swing of a stick, or the pulling of a gun?

And, what kind of league lets a coach get away with lining up his goons with under 3 minutes to go in a 4-1 game? If there wasn't so much money at stake, I'd say this 5th strike calls for barring the Flyers from the playoffs or something like that--something that would make the coaching staff take note and something that would give the ownership a reason to seriously monitor the staff's behavior. The Flyers are once again an embarrassment, and this year it has nothing to do with Hatcher and Rathje!

[atomicpunk5150 2]

tell me the difference between the Flyers “hits” and the these ones. I have no problem with suspensions, but call it both ways.

Keep in mind, all of these hits took place during this current season.

Andy Sutton gives Ryan Callahan a nice elbow to the face.

Gaborik leaves his feet and elbows Kesler (came clear across the ice for the hit)

Parker on Phaneuf

Westcott on Parker

Johnson on Michalek

Volchenkov on Booth

Aren’t these hits dirty as some would call them? Do you want to guess the suspension length? 0 man games lost to suspension there.