The official 2007-08 NHL Season discussion thread.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:26 pm

This is

Campbell only gives Hartnell a 2 game suspension.

I emailed Colin Campbell to express my feelings on this.

This is what I wrote...

"Mr. Campbell,

I am emailing you to express my concern and disgust with the dangerous play exhibited by the Philadelphia Flyers players this season. They show a disregard for their fellow players' safety. I can't describe the sick feeling I had in the pit of my stomach when Patrice Bergeron lay motionless after a dirty hit from Jones. I was relieved later that night when I found out he wasn't paralyzed. Unfortunately, this young man's career may be in jeopardy due to the lingering effects from the concussion suffered in that incident. Then in the Bruins' first game versus the Philadelphia Flyers, the Bruins decide to take the high road and exact revenge by outplaying the Flyers rather than "gooning it up". What happens? Another Flyer (Hartnell) takes a run at a Bruins player (Alberts), delivering a cheap shot with the potential to cause serious injury. There is clearly a pattern showing here. The Flyers are playing a dirty game and sooner or later someone is going to end up paralyzed or possibly even dead. The league cannot allow this to continue! I feel the suspensions you administered to these players is doing nothing to discourage this from happening again. 2 games? That's a slap on the wrist.

Please Mr. Campbell. I implore you to take a stronger stance with the Flyers and their reckless play. I've been a fan of the Boston Bruins and the NHL for over 20 years now but I'm reaching the point where I can't in good conscience devote my time, money, and emotions to a league that lets this sort of behavior go unchecked.

Thank you for your time and consideration."

I don't know if it will do any good but I felt like I should send something. If you would like to email him as well, his email is...

ccampbell@nhl.com

flea · Post by **flea** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:57 pm

Nice job on the mail, buddy!!!

Post by **B. Stinson** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:08 pm

I do agree in this case that Hartnell's hit was cheap and dirty, but I find it unfortunate to see that people still think the Flyers, as a team, are intentionally out to get everyone.

FromChaos · Post by **FromChaos** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:34 pm

maybe they aren't out to get everyone, but if four of their players have already gotten suspended, there is something going on. Maybe their coach should do something and tell his players to stop being idiots.

Post by **Danny** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:47 pm

Well the message from the league is pretty clear, "take Briere's and Richard's heads off, what do we care, we're busy talking about bigger nets"

Post by **B. Stinson** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 11:21 pm

maybe they aren't out to get everyone, but if four of their players have already gotten suspended, there is something going on

But that's what I'm trying to say: there isn't anything going on.

Trust me, I've seen every Flyers game this year from puck-drop to the final buzzer - their play is no more violent than any other team's play. It's the giant headlines isolating and highlighting these incidents that makes the team look like criminals.

And on top of that, the two pre-season incidents with Boulerice and Downie are irrelevant anyway, because Boulerice would have done what he did regardless of what team he was on. Everyone knows he's always been a stupid player like that. And Downie's incident was purely an act of desperation to make an impression for the sake of his future... again, nothing to do with the team.

That leaves us with only two suspensions... but one of those, Jones' hit, is arguable at best. It's easy to look at Bergeron not moving after the hit, and claim that Jones was trying to kill him. Yet, it's just as easy to look at very similar hits where no one got hurt and thousands of people stood-up and cheered the "exciting" hit.

Post by **batdad** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 5:57 pm

AHem..Boulerice not pre season. Boulerice is an idiot..period. That play is totally separate from the others.Nothing to do with anything..honestly it is a red herring used to bash the Flyers.

And plus (not that this justifies anything-just a rambling aside as I am known to do), Kesler is a dick. See Pronger on him last night? Every team hates the guy..almost more than Cooke now. After Kesler came back...Perry says "hey..I thought you were hurt" as he skated by him. Wicked x-check though from the dirtiest, sneakiest player in the game. Gotta love Pronger.

And I do not think any message is being sent directly to the flyer players by staff on the team. I think they are being told...go hard, finish your checks, be physical, get in on the forecheck...and if you don't you don't play. (What Stevens should add in here, which I am not sure if he does...is ..be smart about it..no head shots)

Unfortunately, this has involved some guys doing some things that are across the line. Head shots must be stopped though. Must be. Even accidental ones like Jones. Stick fouls are called rather intentional or not. Head shots need to be called seriously...match penalties (intentional) major/game misconduct (unintentional). let the refs judge the intent on the ice..and the league judge it off. Minimum suspensions should be 5 games for intentional, 2 for unintentional. Won't be, but should be. The boys can control their bodies.

Post by **vilifyingforce** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 10:25 pm

I think more should be put into teaching kids how to take checks, don't turtle and get squished, it'll hurt less if you stand up. These hits are so vicious looking because alot (not all) of the time the guys could have taken the hit better imho. I know the Downie hit wouldn't have been so bad if McAmmond had his head up and tried to avoid it, not that it's an excuse. And these guys, with exception of Boulerice aren't known to be retards, and if you read... I think it's Bob McKenzie's blog hew was at the Downie game, he said that right before Downie crushed mcammond he had his face crushed into he boards by volchenkov or some sens anyways and flew up the ice in a rage and hit the first thing he could. So the play should have probably been called after him getting hit, but, because the refs let'em play these things happen...of course maybe I make no sense and just rambling...

Post by **batdad** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 12:37 am

Anaheim Press Conference coming up. Nieds to return. So...Burkey has a problem. Stories everywhere suggest all d-men save Pronger are on the market and that Burke does not want players back. Beauchemin anyone?

holydogg · Post by **holydogg** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 1:55 am

batdad wrote:Anaheim Press Conference coming up. Nieds to return. So...Burkey has a problem. Stories everywhere suggest all d-men save Pronger are on the market and that Burke does not want players back. Beauchemin anyone?

I'll take it back, but we already have 9 d-men on our roster.

FromChaos · Post by **FromChaos** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 6:11 am

yeah, they have to move someone before he comes back. they have too much cap used up for next year already.

grazza · Post by **grazza** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 2:51 am

See the flyers have signed Mike Richards to an amazing 12 year deal which is worth $68.4 million. He had an injury hit last year and has made a good start to this season. Even so 12 years is a huge deal. They sure have faith in this guy. I suppose it is a gamble in that they ca save money over time if he lives up to expectations over the 12 years. Maybe that is what it took to convince him to fully commit for long enough. A longer deal as they cannot guarantee success short term. A dangerous deal though I feel will be interesting to see how it pans out.

Post by **Shadd666** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 11:02 am

10+ years contract are usually Snow's speciality... What are the Flyers doing here?

That kind of deals always sound stupid to me. They are gambles. If they win there gamble, then it's a great thing for them. But you generally loose on most of your gambles. What if he grabs recurrent injuries?...

Btw, is there any clause with this monstruous deal? A no-movement clause would be the top ridiculous move in such a deal

grazza · Post by **grazza** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 2:54 pm

[web]http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=pag ... eid=346538[/web]

Can't see anything about any get out clauses if he is regularly injured. NTC would be ridiculous but how many teams would want to pick up that deal even if he could be traded and they are only going to be wanting to trade him away if he is nto worth such a deal. Seems crazy such a long deal. If I was GM I would try and get a team option at some point to at least break it up. If the guy is confident in hsi own ability he should want to prove it.

For me there should be rules on contract lengths. These big deals could really push a team out of contention for much longer if they don't work. Seem to be seeign less trading this year certainly in terms of the big talents. In a way it is good for stablity both in the main rosters and arguably in the minors. Think the longest deal I've done in EHM for a player is usually 3 or 4 years. To be getting that 4 they would need to be a thornton or a ovechkin in their prime.

Post by **B. Stinson** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 5:32 pm

Personally, I think this is great. It's obvious Richards is far from being a gamble, when he's showing signs of heading down the same path Bobby Clarke did.

He's 22... already a great leader... already one of the top players on our team(he's generating more buzz around Philly than Danny Briere is). The way I see it, he's the Sidney Crosby of the Flyers right now. If anything, not solidifying his future right now would be the true gamble. The only thing that could possibly blow this deal is a catastrophic injury... which is a gamble everyone has to take if they want anyone on their team.

For me there should be rules on contract lengths. These big deals could really push a team out of contention for much longer if they don't work.

I disagree. I think the NHL already has too many rules regulating the sport... any more and we'll have nothing more than a Communist league. For real excitement, we need to allow teams to make their own decisions, and decide their own fates.

Post by **vilifyingforce** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 2:26 am

grazza wrote:[web]http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=pag ... eid=346538[/web]

If I was GM I would try and get a team option at some point to at least break it up. If the guy is confident in hsi own ability he should want to prove it.

I think there are rules against options now. And the guy is confident in his abilities, obviously so are the Flyers. Why should he prove it? He just got 12 years!

Post by **getzlaf15** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 5:44 pm

The Ducks have made the cap room for Nieds to come back, trading Andy McDonald for Doug Weight and a couple of extras, the Ducks now have a young line with Getz and Perry (Kunitz to join

), its nice to have a veteran line with Bertuzzi, Weight and May.

McDonald aint been too good this year, and with Getzlaf cemented as the first line centre on this team, good move.

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=pag ... eid=346684

grazza · Post by **grazza** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 4:30 am

yeah Mcdonald has been around for a while now. He is good player he has had potential to maybe be a great player but just hasn't quite made that push. Doug Weight certainly adds some more experience in the forward line. An interesting mix of experience and youth as you say. I would expect Weight's contract is to the end of the season. He hasn't been too great in recent times but you could argue he hasn't had great quality around. Lets say Weight and Neidermeyer go at the end of the season that is gonna certainly give the Ducks some cap space to work with next season.

Hopefully Neidermeyer can show Ducks patience was worth it as to be fair it has disrupted the team this season waiting on him. How about Teemu he still hasn't made his mind. Ok he ain't under contract but still if he plays again he says it will be for Ducks. I just think that what he is looking for is a less hectic shedule, less travel really he should play in Europe probably in Finland. Of course he could do a job in the NHL still but maybe not for that much longer and the longer he sits out the harder it is to get back in. Why not Finish off in his Finnish hometown.

Post by **Shadd666** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 11:02 am

It seems that Samsonov plays even worse in Chicago than he did in Montreal. 23 games, 0 goals, 4 assists, -7... for 3.525M$... Not surprising that the Hawks decided to waive him...

LINK

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 5:13 pm

WOW! What ever happened to Samsonov? He may not have been a superstar in Boston but he was never this bad.

Post by **batdad** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 8:10 pm

Where he is not a key player...he is not a good player. You cannot play Sergei for 10 minutes a night and expect him to do anything. That being said, he is horrible defensively, and lazy (always has been). When he does not have a great center moving the puck to him...he is not a star.

Anyway..in Chicago he apparently was getting chances just was not able to finish as his timing was off. My bet..San Jose takes a flyer on him when he goes on recall waivers. At 1/2 price why not? The SHarks can't score anyway...and with Clowe in trouble...why not take a chance? if it works, you can make a deal, and still have tons of room on the cap. If it does not work...can still make a deal.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 8:55 pm

I wonder if being reunited with Joe in San Jose would be the spark he needs?

I totally agree with the rest of what you said. When he was in Boston he was so frustrating to watch. He'd make some amazing moves but he'd always make 1 or 2 too many and cough up the puck. Half the time he was on the ice I was screaming for him just to shoot the puck. Either that or dish it off. Don't sit there playing with it.

Post by **batdad** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:38 pm

The Joe part of things is why it came up...but I dunno. maybe Sergei is just done.

Oh and not an NHL runour but...Backstrom may be on his way to WHL Kelowna Rockets after W juniors.

Hypnotist · Post by **Hypnotist** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:57 pm

While a life-long Wing Nut, I was never a fan of Pavel Datsyuk. That has now officially changed. In interest of full disclosure, the first hockey game that I was able to watch since the lockout was Game 7 of the Cup finals last year. But prior to the lockout, my opinion of Pavel was this: He's just what Detroit doesn't need; 1) another small forward 2) another Box-of-Chocolates type player(i.e. you never know what you're going to get) and 3) another seemingly disinterested Russian center (a la Sergie Fedorov)

Maybe it is the crackdown on obstruction, maybe he grew into his talent, maybe I just formed a premature opinion of him. His size hasn't limited him in production, and he hasn't shied away from opponents running at him all season. He'll take a hit if there is a good play in it, plus he has really done some hitting of his own this year (not Phaneuf type hits, but well placed and pretty hard checks). When a scrum breaks out he always has a hold of someone and gives good face-washes. But above all, his skills are just sick, I mean ruin your best shoes-see what you had for dinner 3 nights ago SICK! I'm almost surprised that oppents coaches don't have his stick examined on the ice to see where the string is attached. His defensive play is Selke worthy. I love when he turns on the jets and sneaks up on an opposing player while they are streaking up the ice, lift their stick and steal the puck from behind and be going the other way before they even know the puck is gone. It is honestly breathtaking. What I took for disinterest was actually just a shyness about his English speaking. He did his first full interview in English this season. While you definately had to pay attention to understand him, he really made the effort. Since then he has come out of that shell and shown a sense of humor and leadership in the room.

In the off chance that Mr. Datsyuk would read this, I apologize for my quick judgement and I'm very happy to have you signed for a long time and look forward to you and Zetterberg leading us back to Cup glory!

End of Homeristic diatribe

Post by **batdad** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 7:07 am

oops I meant Backlund. Not Backstrom. darn back, so sore.