Oh, that silly Bob Clarke on that silly Steve Downie

[akustyk 84]

Yeah, because Anaheim didnt fair so well last year with there goon squad

there's but this distinct difference between having a gun and shooting people it

in Philly it's become way too easy to play dirty rather than focus on winning games.

with Ducks... they were pest at times but it was mostly controled because they

knew there are more important things going on the ice.

Face it people, the new NHL is gonna have douchebags and tough guys. I wish there werent as many douchebags, but the fighting aspect is just going to grow. Espicially if Calgary, Anaheim or Philly do anything in the playoffs this year.

you don't win playoffs because of tough guys. you do play them if they give you

clear advantage over the other team which is missing toughness (read: Wings)

but you can never forget this is a part of the story. much more important is your

quality in goal and forwards up front.

not to mention: doing some real s*** in playoffs often hits you in behind because

you risk giving the other team extra motivation. see: Noodles on Franzenstein

or Hatcher on Sykora (back in 2000). or the very ***** Claude on Drapes

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

there's but this distinct difference between having a gun and shooting people it

in Philly it's become way too easy to play dirty rather than focus on winning games.

with Ducks... they were pest at times but it was mostly controled because they

knew there are more important things going on the ice.

you don't win playoffs because of tough guys. you do play them if they give you

clear advantage over the other team which is missing toughness (read: Wings)

but you can never forget this is a part of the story. much more important is your

quality in goal and forwards up front.

not to mention: doing some real s*** in playoffs often hits you in behind because

you risk giving the other team extra motivation. see: Noodles on Franzenstein

or Hatcher on Sykora (back in 2000). or the very ***** Claude on Drapes

Haha, I thought you were going in a different direction with what you were saying, but you jsut think like I do. I do not like Phillys style of play because I see it as cheap and dirty instead of good and tough (Like Anaheim). I also agree with your last point, if Downie pulls this stuff in the playoffs, he's gonna get hurt. Bad.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Yeah, because Anaheim didnt fair so well last year with there goon squad . Face it people, the new NHL is gonna have douchebags and tough guys. I wish there werent as many douchebags, but the fighting aspect is just going to grow. Espicially if Calgary, Anaheim or Philly do anything in the playoffs this year.

I don't follow how the new NHL is more likely to have cheapshot artists and tough guys, or why the fighting aspect is going to grow, as opposed to the old NHL.

With the salary cap, the more open game, and the instigator rule, it seems like it's less likely teams can afford (monetarily, roster spot, and liability on the ice) guys who have little value other than fighting or cheapshots.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

I don't follow how the new NHL is more likely to have cheapshot artists and tough guys, or why the fighting aspect is going to grow, as opposed to the old NHL.

With the salary cap, the more open game, and the instigator rule, it seems like it's less likely teams can afford (monetarily, roster spot, and liability on the ice) guys who have little value other than fighting or cheapshots.

This season is a pretty good indicator for me. The fighting is way up, and sadly, so are the cheapshots. Another thing to look at, once the instigator rule is gone, there will be more fights, and since the players can police themselve, less cheapshots.

[thegerkin 189]

Bob Clarke is a dinosaur wishing for his "glory" days of the Bullies... Terrible GM and a general dumb ass. Condoning and applauding Downie's actions is just sad. I guess Clarke is happy with an underperforming team and being a "tough guy" by proxy with his band of miscreants.

[BlueMonk 102]

I can't stand Downie, but linesmen are supposed to restrain both players equally so this stuff never happens. If they don't, someone is going to take advantage and throw a punch. Tempers get hot out there, but I haven't seen anyone blaming the linesmen yet. That's one of their responsibilities.

Totally agree, surprise this hasn't gotten more press. The only other person I've seen mention this is Grapes, I think. I know the job the officials have isn't easy, but things can get ugly when they don't handle these things correctly.

[akustyk 84]

With Flyers GM Clarke all but patting Downie on the head - telling him how proud he was with the cheapshot on Blake (whom by no means is an angel himself) gets me to think that there'll be another "Bertuzzi/Moore" incident in the making

I think it's more about the coach for such incidents to happen. and Stevens

doesn't seem to be the guy who want his players to murder other guys.

if that was guy like Ruff, Crawford, Sutter or even Playdirty... with Clarke

in background that would stink like a huge murder-poo. thanks god, those

are employed in other places

[A.T.Hun 0]

If this were the NCAA, the term would be "Lack of institutional control." If you want to know why the Flyers have had so many suspensions this season, you need look no further than Clarke. I'm relatively surprised that the NHL powers-what-is haven't called him in for a little chat after those quotes.