Supplemental Discpline 2013-14

[CommodoreColt 19]

I have said pretty much all of those things, he must have no idea what he's talking about.

He's putting some sunlight on the most predictable arguments and showing that they don't hold up to scrutiny. That adds just as much to the discussion as any other viewpoint so far.

[wrangler 157]

I disagree, the NHL decision shows how much it cares about having a circus off the ice. Hartley received only a pass the hat fine and Tortorella was punished for his actions between periods.

It shows both. The Hartley fine was embarassingly small.

It doesn't sound like we disagree.

[Chadd 916]

He's putting some sunlight on the most predictable arguments and showing that they don't hold up to scrutiny. That adds just as much to the discussion as any other viewpoint so far.

Sorry, that was a joke on my part. I was making fun of myself more than anything.

[CommodoreColt 19]

Sorry, that was a joke on my part. I was making fun of myself more than anything.

Apologies, I get it now!

Commodore Serious over here.

[Chadd 916]

I think the league needs to address the amount of kicking we're seeing in the league lately. On nearly every check near the boards, you see the guy delivering the check sweeping at the legs. In the Caps - WIngs game, there was a ton of it away from the boards as well. I've been seeing it in a lot of other games, not just this one. If this keeps up you are going to see an increase in players being cut, not to mention the other potential injuries.

[IPv6Freely 2094]

I think the league needs to address the amount of kicking we're seeing in the league lately. On nearly every check near the boards, you see the guy delivering the check sweeping at the legs. In the Caps - WIngs game, there was a ton of it away from the boards as well. I've been seeing it in a lot of other games, not just this one. If this keeps up you are going to see an increase in players being cut, not to mention the other potential injuries.

I agree, and you see injuries like to Karlsson and Bolland as a result.

I do have to wonder though if guys are trying to find a way to.. kind of... soften the blow, with how afraid everyone is of being suspended for hits now. Kind of like Brian Burke's "bear hug" idea a few years ago. Pin and contain instead of hit, which includes driving the inner knee/inner thigh/inner calf into the back of the leg to immobilize the opponent.

[Chadd 916]

I agree, and you see injuries like to Karlsson and Bolland as a result.

I do have to wonder though if guys are trying to find a way to.. kind of... soften the blow, with how afraid everyone is of being suspended for hits now. Kind of like Brian Burke's "bear hug" idea a few years ago. Pin and contain instead of hit, which includes driving the inner knee/inner thigh/inner calf into the back of the leg to immobilize the opponent.

Sweeping the leg is a lot easier than being in a good position to make a hit and is rarely called, unlike using a free hand. But I'm not even talking about "pins", it's happening on a lot of hits.

[IPv6Freely 2094]

Sweeping the leg is a lot easier than being in a good position to make a hit and is rarely called, unlike using a free hand. But I'm not even talking about "pins", it's happening on a lot of hits.

Ah okay. I haven't noticed that. I'll try to pay more attention and see if I can see what you're seeing.

[chippa13 1844]

Clutterbuck did the hit and kick to Chara in open ice on Thursday. He wasn't trying to pin him anywhere.

[wrangler 157]

Lost in the shuffle lately.

Erik Johnson gets 2 games for the slash on Nielsen: http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=560334&catid=60

Orlov gets 3 games for the hit on Schenn: http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=566398&catid=60

Kassian gets three games for boarding on Dillon: http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=570194

[Chadd 916]

Lost in the shuffle lately.

Erik Johnson gets 2 games for the slash on Nielsen: http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=560334&catid=60

That seems to be a lot for that play. You see that in almost every game, often without penalty.

[IPv6Freely 2094]

I agree. 1...maybe. 2? No way.

[EBondo 233]

Does this guy even care anymore? It's embarrassing that he's able to do this kind of dirty crap time and time again.

Those constant concussions must really be killing some serious brain cells, because he surely doesn't have many left.

https://vine.co/v/MMa0nFbHZ9M

[wrangler 157]

Video doesn't work for me.

[Chadd 916]

Works for me, but it was just James Neal with a cross check to the side of the face/head. Nothing new from the Pens there. I still think they're the worst team in the league for that kind of stuff.

[wrangler 157]

I just got a screen with a big "VINE" in the middle. If I need to set up an account, or download an app, I'm not interested.

[psh 25]

Does this guy even care anymore? It's embarrassing that he's able to do this kind of dirty crap time and time again.

Those constant concussions must really be killing some serious brain cells, because he surely doesn't have many left.

https://vine.co/v/MMa0nFbHZ9M

It's too bad because he's a heck of a player and would be valuable to just about any team if he dropped the dirty play. Maybe he can learn something from Cooke's evolution.

[Chadd 916]

It's too bad because he's a heck of a player and would be valuable to just about any team if he dropped the dirty play. Maybe he can learn something from Cooke's evolution.

The team obviously encourages that type of play until it gets bad publicity for them. Cooke, Kunitz, Sid, Malkin, Neal, Orpik, etc... most of those guys dish out at least one cheap shot per game.

[All Flash 49]

That's because the league has set precedent that a lesser or no suspension/ penalty is given for stick work.

Too much focus on the out come of an infraction instead of the act. Take less for a cross check to the head or get more for trying to lay a clean hit and accidentally contacting the head. Even if its not the first point of contact , it could be labelled a dangerous play and you could still get games. Although thoroughly dirty seems to be the smarter play to avoid punishment. Just ask Geoffrey Lupul. (Among a great many others I'm sure)

[215BroadStBullies610 435]

The team obviously encourages that type of play until it gets bad publicity for them. Cooke, Kunitz, Sid, Malkin, Neal, Orpik, etc... most of those guys dish out at least one cheap shot per game.

You think some of that falls on the coaching staff?

[Chadd 916]

You think some of that falls on the coaching staff?

Absolutely, but it also goes to the front office and the players that they pick up. Remember, this is the organization that put an A on Matt Cooke, before they threw him under the bus when public opinion went against them/him.

[psh 25]

The team obviously encourages that type of play until it gets bad publicity for them. Cooke, Kunitz, Sid, Malkin, Neal, Orpik, etc... most of those guys dish out at least one cheap shot per game.

Chadd, this article by former ref, Paul Stewart, gets at precisely what you have said. It's a discouraging read.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Paul-Stewart/James-Neal-The-Poster-Child-for-Whats-Wrong-With8230/196/58889

[chippa13 1844]

I think Mr. Stewart has been reading my MSH posts:

"When I was an active referee, I would tell the team leaders and the coach to get control of such players or I would have to do it for them -- and they wouldn't like the result. If I told Ray Bourque or Dave Poulin to get someone on their team in line, I never had another problem with that guy. I would hope Sidney Crosby could be told the same thing by an official, but I have not seen that sort of leadership from him.

Lest you think I am picking on the Pittsburgh Penguins, this has nothing to do with the uniform anyone wears. I don't care about that. I could just as easily be talking about the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs or any other club. Fill in the blanks.

What I am talking about there is a player who pushes things too far and becomes more of a detriment than a help to his team. The NHL does not hold this player accountable and, thus far, neither have the leaders in his dressing room."

[Chadd 916]

Chadd, this article by former ref, Paul Stewart, gets at precisely what you have said. It's a discouraging read.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Paul-Stewart/James-Neal-The-Poster-Child-for-Whats-Wrong-With8230/196/58889

Wow, that's incredibly well said by someone I respect immensely. When I was starting as a ref, I found a lot of his comments to be logical and used many of them as a basis for creating my on style.

[Tailboard Jockey 25]

If you're on Twitter, check out #AskNeal. It's hilarious, unless you're a Pens fan.