Hartnell at it again!

[Hank 0]

I was a big Hartnell fan at the start of his career. I was on board with a lot of other hockey people in that I thought he was going to be an elite power forward in the league.

But he's degraded into a stone-handed, cheap-shot artist who hide's behind a massive visor.

That's 4 suspensions for the Flyers. Obviously the games missed and money lost is not deterring this team from playing like a group of barbarians. Maybe it's time to sit their best player when a team reaches "x" amount of supsensions?

I'm sure the Flyers would make the message clear that they need to get their heads straightened out if they were forced to sit Daniel Briere for 5 games.

Regarding the lack of respect in the league, that's what happens when equipment gets better and better. I guarentee you there would be none of this if helmets weren't allowed and shoulder pads had to look like the ones Guy Lafleur wore.

Obviously that'll never happen and I don't want to see guys getting killed because they aren't wearing helmets. But idiots like Hartnell and Downie are fearless because they're dressed like a damn Gladiator. Maybe if their noodles were a little more exposed they wouldn't be so inclined to ram guys into the boards from behind.

Edited November 27, 2007 by Hank

[interminded 1]

I can't say if I like or dislike Hartnell very much.

I know the dude, but haven't followed his career enough to have an opinion.

But some of you say he's a cheapshot, so there's obviously some truth to that.

However, I've watched the hit a couple of times, but to be fair, I don't think it's a very bad hit. It doesn't look intentional to me at least.

I think it's just very unlucky.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I like this quote from Hartnell in the article:

"I did not try to hurt him," Hartnell explained. "There was no intent at all. I am not that type of player.

Umm, actually Scott, you are. you've proved it over and over.

Hartnell had him lined up before Alberts went to his knees, but he still had plenty of time to avoid him, instead of basically hip-checking his head into the dasher.

The league needs to go after Philly in a big way. This is getting ridiculous.

Edited November 27, 2007 by haroldsnepsts

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

I like this quote from Hartnell in the article:

Umm, actually Scott, you are. you've proved it over and over.

Hartnell had him lined up before Alberts went to his knees, but he still had plenty of time to avoid him, instead of basically hip-checking his head into the dasher.

The league needs to go after Philly in a big way. This is getting ridiculous.

To their credit alot of Flyers fans know that was a bad hit and agree he should've been tossed from the game. Still, as per usual there are those blaming Alberts and those claiming Hartnell tried to stop even though in his post game comments he clearly stated he "always finishes his checks", indicating to me that he had no intention of stopping.

Anyway, is it the Flyers? I don't know. You look at Randy Jones, that could've happened to anyone. Anybody remember when Fisch drilled Scott Thornton from behind with a nice cross check to the back when he was facing the boards? By the way Thornton got up and bloodied Fisch badly after that in a fight. Jones isn't a nasty player and hits like that unfortunately happen more often than we'd like to believe. Its just that most of the time the victim does get up after a few moments of lying on the ice.

For me, I throw that hit out of the equation. Now you look at the other hits: Downie, Boulerice and Hartnell. All three of those players have had controversy follow them. They are players who play on the edge and have displayed poor judgement at times. I think its more coincidence that they all play for the Flyers rather than the Flyers are up to something sinister.

That being said, they're still the team that seems to be involved in all this so at some point yes, something does need to be said to them, and to all teams for that matter not just the Flyers.

[BringHomeTheCup! 0]

I just saw the clip, while Hartnell obviously could have let up, the hit wasn't all that bad.

That being said, it was still a shot to the head. This is what supposedly got Downie his HUGE suspension. I think Hartnell should get at least 10 games. He won't. But if the NHL really is trying to crack down on hits to the head, this is a great opportunity to send a message to the rest of the league.

I also believe at some point the Flyers as an organization need to be punished. Fine the coach, the GM the owner. I don't care. But when these incidents keep happening, it becomes something more than coincidence. I'm not saying that there is some conspiracy, or the Flyers are telling guys to play like this, but they obviously aren't getting the point across that playing like this isn't acceptable.

[Mors 201]

Yea wow, the Flyers again what a shocker...they're really proving their toughness.

[edicius 3,269]

I like this quote from Hartnell in the article:

Umm, actually Scott, you are. you've proved it over and over.

I was going to post that until I saw that you beat me to the punch, harold. That's quite possibly the most asinine statement to ever emerge from Hartnell's lips.

[BringHomeTheCup! 0]

From Bob McKenzie's Blog on TSN....

"On the mega-suspensions of 20 and 25 games to Steve Downie and Jesse Boulerice, respectively: Burke had questioned whether the GMs ever signed off on or were advised of a dramatic change in standards for supplementary discipline, but was told each discipline situation is handled on a case by case basis and that the two big suspensions are not necessarily indicative of a sweeping across the board change to the approach on supplementary discipline."

Is anyone really surprised?

FULL ARTICLE

[edicius 3,269]

From Bob McKenzie's Blog on TSN....

"On the mega-suspensions of 20 and 25 games to Steve Downie and Jesse Boulerice, respectively: Burke had questioned whether the GMs ever signed off on or were advised of a dramatic change in standards for supplementary discipline, but was told each discipline situation is handled on a case by case basis and that the two big suspensions are not necessarily indicative of a sweeping across the board change to the approach on supplementary discipline."

Is anyone really surprised?

FULL ARTICLE

Burke is just worried that Pronger will be in line for one of those suspensions when his next cheap shot occurs.

[auxlepli 17]

I'd be surprised if this hit warrants more than a two-game suspension from the NHL. Campbell lacks the cojones to do more than that.

[Hank 0]

Burke is just worried that Pronger will be in line for one of those suspensions when his next cheap shot occurs.

LOL. That is exactly what first came to my head when I heard about Burke's complaints about suspension length.

[96warrior 11]

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/200711...r_two_games.htm

Hartnell suspended two games.l

[Opie 308]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=223776&hubname=

2 games

was about to post it until I saw warriors, oh well here it is anyways!

[Dabura 12,232]

Now you look at the other hits: Downie, Boulerice and Hartnell. All three of those players have had controversy follow them. They are players who play on the edge and have displayed poor judgement at times. I think its more coincidence that they all play for the Flyers rather than the Flyers are up to something sinister.

Put it this way: it's no coincidence that the Flyers would have three guys like that on their roster.

[12Newf 0]

completely ridiculous! i honestly thought he would get around 10 games and there would be some sort of discipline towards the entire organization. come on, its still november and the season is less than 2 months old and they have 4 suspensions? two of which are some or the longest in the history of the league.

[vangvace 12]

Edit: after watching the video and not just reading the discription I am surprised that he didn't get closer to 10 games with his track record.

Edited November 28, 2007 by vangvace

[Lou_Siffer 1]

To their credit alot of Flyers fans know that was a bad hit and agree he should've been tossed from the game. Still, as per usual there are those blaming Alberts and those claiming Hartnell tried to stop even though in his post game comments he clearly stated he "always finishes his checks", indicating to me that he had no intention of stopping.

Anyway, is it the Flyers? I don't know. You look at Randy Jones, that could've happened to anyone. Anybody remember when Fisch drilled Scott Thornton from behind with a nice cross check to the back when he was facing the boards? By the way Thornton got up and bloodied Fisch badly after that in a fight. Jones isn't a nasty player and hits like that unfortunately happen more often than we'd like to believe. Its just that most of the time the victim does get up after a few moments of lying on the ice.

For me, I throw that hit out of the equation. Now you look at the other hits: Downie, Boulerice and Hartnell. All three of those players have had controversy follow them. They are players who play on the edge and have displayed poor judgement at times. I think its more coincidence that they all play for the Flyers rather than the Flyers are up to something sinister.

That being said, they're still the team that seems to be involved in all this so at some point yes, something does need to be said to them, and to all teams for that matter not just the Flyers.

Exactly what i was going to say. Its not like the Flyers are making it a team-wise point to be dirty as hell. Jesse Boulerice has also been on Carolina and St Louis, are these teams dirty as well because they employed him? No, of course not, Boulerice just happened to be wearing a Flyers jersey when he decided to be an idiot and snap again. If he hadnt made the Flyers club because of a couple injuries....he couldve just as easily found his way on another NHL team as he had a nice preseason fighting -wise. I hate Scott Hartnell...but can you blame the Flyers for acquiring him? He does happen to be a pretty good player....and i also recall people on this site who wanted the Red Wings to get him! This incident last night wouldve been in a Wings uniform had you gotten your wish! So again, its more coincidental that he's on the Flyers.

[Drimo 0]

Here is a youtube video of the hit.

I don't see why the ref skated away. Maybe he was going to center ice to make a call, but clearly there was an injured player and you can tell by the way he slumps after then initial hit.

[OsGOD 3]

2 games max and a pat on the ass i gather...

^^ i am good!

Hartnell gets 2 games

Edited November 28, 2007 by OsGOD

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I know I'm late in throwing in my two cents here, but I agree with those that think this is getting out of hand and just plain ridiculous. Scott had him lined up well before he went to his knees and finished strong with the hips when he had ample time to ease up/pull off the hit.

Dirty. Simple as that.

[commadore183 103]

Seems like someone in the Flyers org is failing at leadership if they've had four suspensions for their players. I doubt the org is telling their players to be like this, no one can be that stupid. Maybe they told their players to be tougher and they took it a little too far. Who knows. But someone, whether it be the team captain, coach, gm or owner needs to pound it in the player's skulls to get their act together, or at very least, be mindful of the player you're gonna hit. If he's vulnerable, either give up the hit or let off quite a bit. I would hate to see a player permenently injured by a hit like that, but I fear it will happer if there isn't some for of discipline from the players.

I think the hit looked worst that it was, but it was still cheap and dirty, IMO. Wish it was more than a 2 game suspension, maybe 5 or 10, but definately more than 2. Well, we'll just have to see if everyone wises up or not.

[Dabura 12,232]

Its not like the Flyers are making it a team-wise point to be dirty as hell.

Moot point.

Players represent their respective organizations. As such, organizations are partially accountable for their players' actions. Over the span of just two months, Philly has accumulated four suspensions, two of which were relatively very serious -- and justifiably so. While I don't necessarily think all of these guys were under orders to go headhunting, a track record like that is indicative of a poor culture within the organization where stuff like this may not be actively encouraged (although we all know it secretly is), but is not seen as criminal enough to warrant keeping dirty tendencies in check. Were this not the case, they would only have one, maybe two suspensions to their name this season.

But they have four. And who knows, it could very well be up to seven by the time January rolls around, as the league has done nothing to truly curb this nonsense.

I will admit, though: those phantom calls have done a marvelous job of reigning in the monster that is Tomas Holmstrom. I mean, let's be serious: he's the real menace here. And that diver guy -- what's his name? Flask? Hatchet? Hasek? Talk about a disgrace to the game of hockey.

Edited November 28, 2007 by Dabura

[Wings_Fan_In_Exile 3]

''It appears that Mr. Hartnell was attempting to let up on delivering a check to an opponent that was in a vulnerable position,'' NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell said

Not sure how Campbell came to that conclusion at all....