Carman

I feel so bad for laughing at that video, but I can't help it

Janik? Eh? 7-0 Wing's win. Janik with double hat trick.

I've had my fair share of on ice injuries(3 concussions, countless separated shoulders, who knows what else). I'm only about 5'8" and about 175 soaking wet, I've been lined up and on a receiving end of plenty of big hits(poor little guys always getting on peoples lists ). I really think it comes down to how fast paced a play like that happens to be on the ice. When you start slowing footage down you'll see much more then is really there like in the Wisniewski hit there wasn't even a pentalty called until after Doan got to the bench and the outcome was assessed. The players cannot make perfect contact every time, and they will hit higher then they wanted to. If we suspend them for every hit like this then I can really see it effect the passion of the physical aspect of hockey. For example this is an intentional. Lining up a player-Blind siding him- and being able to aim for the head. That too me is a hit deserving of a suspension. Now the Wisniewski hit. Lining up a player with his head down- Did not blindside him, Doan knew he was there- Aiming for a check and getting higher then he wanted. I think there is a clear difference between the two, one was a intentional dirty play, and one was a unintentional "dirty" hit that happened to get high. Also I don't think respect is a problem in the game at all, most of the controversial hits in today's game would of been highlights in the 80's. I think one issue is the padding is getting a lot like football pads and need to be made differently, players seem to play like they are invincible with some of the pads in today's game. So I do agree something needs to be done to start avoiding all these injuries that seem to be happening this year especially.

Bill Clement and Gary Thorne need to do the play by play for every hockey game.

They sure as hell better. Or I have no clue in hell what Babcock does to pick the lines each game.

Yes, 8 years AAA, 2 years high school, 3 years ECHL/USHL. I think there is a clear deference between incidental contact to the head and intentional elbow to the head. In this case I think it's a miss timed hit that should not be suspended as I don't think it was intentional. I hate using example of hits in the 80's, but hits like these would of been praised and put on a highlite reel not suspended. I have a fear that if they keep suspending clean hard working players for these 'dirty' hits it's going to impact the integrity of the game. Players will start letting up on open ice hits because of how hard the are to line up, players will keep turning backs and get injured on the boards etc. Just my two cents.

Clean hit. They are taking the aggression out of the game, this is pathetic.

Kopitar, Neal, peverly, Goligoski will have career/very good years in my opinion.

Oh I agree, I probably wouldn't have called charging either. But in a Junior league I wouldn't be surprised if it was called after the outcome.

That was a follow through. His elbow seemed to be tucked in when he made contact.

Good hit, players need to stop turning their back. No way a guy can let up when you turn your back half a second before the guy hits you. Should of probably been a charging though, that's it. I agree with Doc.

Sorry for not anticipating the injuries this season... I didn't think we needed his scoring but seeing the start of this season it looks like we could benefit from his play.

It's funny seeing all these jealous "fans" bash one of the best hockey players in the game over a normal hockey event. The hypocrisy in most of the posters in this thread is astonishing.

Not to mention the poster is complaining about Crosby being a cheap fighter, yet has Bob Probert in the sig. Now I love Probbie, but he certainly wasn't a church boy when it came to fights/hockey...

Well read the post I responded too first. I responded sarcastically to this poster that brought up the unfounded argument that the NHL only cares about Crosby. I probably should have just ignored it considering the thread, but it was late and I was bored... Then from then on I responded to different posters giving my opinion. Pretty much I was just feeding off the Crosby hate, because it's so easy and I think the irrational hate of Crosby is funny so I do the opposite with Ovechkin. I do think Ovechkin is a great player and most of the things' I've said in this thread weren't serious about him, but I personally think Crosby is a better player and people seem to crucify anyone that likes Crosby. Anyways just my p.o.v on the thread.

If he isn't responsible for the D, then what the hell is he behind the bench for anyway?

Ilya Kovalchuk. In the real world I'd guess maybe Alex Tanguay. I'd hope to add a 5-6th D, but I don't see the Wing's doing that unless we get another big injury on D. And a goalie isn't going to happen unless it's a 1-2 year left veteran.

Glad to see I'm not the only one that thinks the thread was ridiculous...

It was a sarcastic comment to someone bringing up Crosby negatively in a Ovechkin thread. Although I disagree that a winger is the best player in the game, this isn't a thread to have that discussion.

When I say most complete player in the game, it was mostly a sarcastic comment to the OP for saying that a referee broke up the fight to protect Crosby which is about as ridicioulous as my statement. Anyways I think you underrate Backstrom/Semin. Penguins' top 6 is about equal as the Capitals' top 6, but Penguins' have a better 3rd and 4th line. +/- is not a very telling defensive stat in my opinion. If it was the Selke/Norris would be solely based on it. Ovechkin really only hits on the forecheck, which is important part of the game, and defensively I suppose, but once the puck is in his zone he is practically only responsible for a D-man, and breakout and that's it. Where as Crosby has to be the 3rd defenseman and win battles below the net, cover people in front of the net, anticipate cycles, battle clearing the front of the net, not to mention is required to be high in the offensive zone as well as be a integral role in the breakout. There is a lot more then just stats that have to do with defensive play, most of which can only really be understood through watching games(not saying you don't). I'm just one to pick a franchise center over a franchise winger any day of the week. And before anyone says Malkin>Crosby, I'm not going to argue with them, I just think Crosby is more consistent for the most part. In other news, I'm starting to ramble it's getting late, good night everyone and don't dream about running Crosby over with your car too much:P.

Some people take my posts way too seriously. Why I think Crosby is a complete player. Very rarely goes into slumps. PPG+ playoff and regular season performer. Plays on the PK. Leading or at least tied for the top faceoff man in the league with Thornton. I'm just impressed with his ability to improve area's of his game each season. Not to say Ovechkin, Malkin or even Datsyuk can't be in the discussion it's just my opinion that I would chose him to build a team around. You brought up +/- well he is improving on that this year, it's still early but so far he has the best +/- of any forward. He is one of the best battlers along the boards in the league, it's hard to prove as that's not really a statistic, but's its something I really am impressed by. Now Crosby isn't at the defensive level of Datsyuk atleast not yet, but I haven't seen Ovechkin put the dedication into the defensive game yet in his career. That's all I'm saying. Some people seem to think I'm insulting their mother with some of my posts... I don't get it.

I love you too

They were protecting that soft Euro that slew footed the most complete player in the league. Not to mention Zidlicky wasn't wearing a fight strap and was put into a vulnerable posistion by Crosby because of it. And if you think Crosby lost that fight then you have a lot bigger issues then your completely skewed views on Crosby. By no means is Crosby a good fighter, but he did win that fight.

Don't you dare insult Yzerman by comparing his team commitment to Ovechkin. Yzerman was the youngest captain in the team's history. Ovechkin refuses to take the main leadership role on his team and instead let's a 4th line player be the captain and before anyone says that's not his decision Ovechkin can do practically whatever he wants. I'm hoping he matures and commits himself to playing a more complete game, he certainly has all the physical tools to be one of the greatest players of all time.

Thanks, great job as always!