Richards annihilates Booth

[Carman 387]

We'll keep having incidents like that as long as the league allows players without the puck to be hit.

Hopefully they don't change anything then. I enjoy clean hits like this, it's a part of hockey that makes it exciting to watch. It's a horrible injury, but that's the game. If Booth didn't get a concussion I believe there would be a lot less people saying this was a dirty play. People are reacting over the outcome not the actually action(for the most part). It was a violent, yet legal hit. This hit isn't much more controversial then most of Kronwall's hits and both should have a part in the game of hockey.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

kronwall drills people in the head all the time

[dat's sick 1,002]

http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=58114

Everyone believes Kronwalls hits are clean. Which I would agree. Richards was cleaner then Havlat hit. Havlat NEVER touched the puck. It annoys me to think there are Wings fans saying that wasn't clean when they condone every hit clean or borderline by Kronwall.

Kronwall's hit on Havlat was shoulder-to-body. Havlat had the puck between his legs and to me that is pretty much the same as possession of the puck, but whatever, possession of the puck is not the big issue here.

The big issue here is that Richards barely made contact with Booth's body. He completely missed his shoulder, whether or not that was intentional or not I don't know, but hitting 90% head and 10% body is not okay. Take a look at Kronwall's hits again, you can argue that he leaves his feet or what not, but he doesn't go after player's heads.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

Since he's not talking to the Philadelphia media, I wonder if he'll have to open up to Mr. Campbell?

[Doc Holiday 0]

http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=58114

Everyone believes Kronwalls hits are clean. Which I would agree. Richards was cleaner then Havlat hit. Havlat NEVER touched the puck. It annoys me to think there are Wings fans saying that wasn't clean when they condone every hit clean or borderline by Kronwall.

Your entire premise is faulty, because not everyone believes Kronwall's hits are clean.

Also I haven't seen him make a hit similar to this one.

[dicksmack 33]

Cheap ass hit. It was late and was all head. It's a surprisingly bush league hit from Richards and he deserves every game for which he will be suspended. Mitchell's hit on Toews was a thing of beauty (all shoulder and you hear the puck hit Toews' stick just before the check).

[NGKEIB 32]

It looks like the puck has left his stick for quite some time, but when you watch it in real time, it's a small margin. Not a pretty hit, but legally nothing wrong with it - stayed on his feet and didn't use his elbow, two things Kronwall often does.

It's an ugly play, but I don't think that it should be a suspension. If the league is getting pissy about hits to the head, then it should make rules, not examples of players.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

No suspension, per TSN.

And maybe if the Wings hit more people like that they would have other things on their mind during the game other than "Gee, I sure hope Lebda is out when I am, I need a boost in my +/-."

[StormJH1 231]

I can't even keep track of the number of guys in this league that are having their careers ruined by concussions. This type of thing can't be allowed to happen. It's not like he was caught by surprise and hit his head on the ice...the hit was ON his head and he was unconscious before he hit the ice, which is why his glove flew off like it did.

Who cares about "intent'? David Booth could be wrecked for life, or at least for a significant part of this seasons, so personally, I could give a crap if Richards has to sit at least 5 games and lose some money.

I'd have to watch the Havlat hit again before commenting on that. If I recall correctly, the puck was in Havlat's feet, he just didn't THINK he had possession of it.

[RusDRW 155]

I think there is no place for head hits in hockey irrespective of how clean it is. I wouldn't like to watch a league full of Richards (Hartnells, Prongers, Tootoos) instead of Gaborics (Zetterbergs, Crosbys, Kanes)...

[jollymania 162]

No suspnsion nor should there be.

[jollymania 162]

I think there is no place for head hits in hockey irrespective of how clean it is. I wouldn't like to watch a league full of Richards (Hartnells, Prongers, Tootoos) instead of Gaborics (Zetterbergs, Crosbys, Kanes)...

Tootoo is always going for the head on purpose, right he i think it was just a product of the position richards was in

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

No suspnsion nor should there be.

Would you feel the same way if it was Zetterberg or Datsyuk who got caught in the head like that?

[zettie85 106]

Your entire premise is faulty, because not everyone believes Kronwall's hits are clean.

Also I haven't seen him make a hit similar to this one.

Obviously I'm generalizing that opinion but from what I have seen the majority of fans applaud Kronwall's play. I myself love the grit he shows but when fans come on here and cheer on Kronwall and then vilify Richards for attempting to make a solid hit, connecting with said hit and knocking Booth into next week, it tends to take the credibility of the posters away. The hit was clean. His arms were in tight to only allow shoulder contact. Kronwall jumps sometimes and blindsides ppl yet he is glorified by "some" of the posters on here. I agree with the glorification but give credit where it's due. The favoritism on this site is ridiculous(Yes I get the irony of that statement).

[Hockeytown_Ryan 122]

Would you feel the same way if it was Zetterberg or Datsyuk who got caught in the head like that?

Hudler got caught like that last year in the playoffs..no suspension.

But all of us here DID indeed hope to get one. the hits are relatively close in nature...

(Wings-Ducks Series is when Huds got clocked)

Edited October 25, 2009 by Hockeytown_Ryan

[zettie85 106]

Would you feel the same way if it was Zetterberg or Datsyuk who got caught in the head like that?

I would. When hudler got smoked admiring his pass against the ducks last year that would have been fine but the puck was off his stick for like 3 seconds. The hit could even be considered borderline. It was unnecessary seeing how hudler was circleing back in to the defencive zone but ok with me none the less.

[zettie85 106]

I think there is no place for head hits in hockey irrespective of how clean it is. I wouldn't like to watch a league full of Richards (Hartnells, Prongers, Tootoos) instead of Gaborics (Zetterbergs, Crosbys, Kanes)...

Ummm Richards should not be categorized with those players. No matter how you feel about the hit. He plays hard. One incident and all of a sudden he's the dirtiest player in the NHL. Give me a break. That's laughable.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I would. When hudler got smoked admiring his pass against the ducks last year that would have been fine but the puck was off his stick for like 3 seconds. The hit could even be considered borderline. It was unnecessary seeing how hudler was circleing back in to the defencive zone but ok with me none the less.

To me the hit on Hudler was different. It was a full body hit, it's just that Hudler is a little guy. And real time, the puck was off his stick for less than a couple seconds.

Richards missed Booth's body and smoked him in the head. And Booth didn't really have his head down. He was looking at his pass but his head was looking forward again when he got smoked.

Technically there is no rule against headshots right now, but there needs to be, for the same reason knee on knee hits are illegal. They often happen when a player tries to line a guy up but doesn't do it successfully. they end up hitting knee on knee, and could cause a serious injury and even end a guys career. I don't see how a blow to the head is any different. A player's knee is more valuable than his brain?

Edited October 25, 2009 by haroldsnepsts

[Hockeytown_Ryan 122]

Hudler got caught like that last year in the playoffs..no suspension.

But all of us here DID indeed hope to get one. the hits are relatively close in nature...

(Wings-Ducks Series is when Huds got clocked)

This is the Hudler hit I was talking about.. (refresh the memory)

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[Yzerfan1999 81]

Shoulder to head = headshot. Is it illegal? No. Is it a dick move, and SHOULD it be illegal? Yes.

Richards went in late, and put his shoulder to his head, full out. It was a dumbass hit by Richards. Had it been shoulder on shoulder it would be a different story, but this just turned out ugly. I am surprised there was no suspension - in my opinion, it was worse then the Brown on Hudler hit from last years playoffs. Not to mention it was a late hit.

To all those saying it was a good hockey hit? You outta be on the receiving end of one of those.

[zettie85 106]

To me the hit on Hudler was different. It was a full body hit, it's just that Hudler is a little guy. And real time, the puck was off his stick for less than a couple seconds.

Richards missed Booth's body and smoked him in the head. And Booth didn't really have his head down. He was looking at his pass but his head was looking forward again when he got smoked.

Technically there is no rule against headshots right now, but there needs to be, for the same reason knee on knee hits are illegal. They often happen when a player tries to line a guy up but doesn't do it successfully. they end up hitting knee on knee, and could cause a serious injury and even end a guys career. I don't see how a blow to the head is any different. A player's knee is more valuable than his brain?

Maybe we should cover everyone in bubble-wrap. That might help against unintentional head hit injuries. Or ppl could just realize that s*** happens. I'm sure most of the players know it is a full contact sport, for the ones who don't, maybe someone should tell them.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Maybe we should cover everyone in bubble-wrap. That might help against unintentional head hit injuries. Or ppl could just realize that s*** happens. I'm sure most of the players know it is a full contact sport, for the ones who don't, maybe someone should tell them.

Yes, this is the typical overreaction. Carry it to a ridiculous extreme because you can't put together a sensible argument. There are already plenty of rules about how a guy can and cannot be hit. There is plenty of wiggle room between limiting head shots, and eliminating all hitting.

By your logic, why are knee on knee hits illegal? Hockey is a full contact sport, sometimes a guy may catch you in the knee.

Edited October 25, 2009 by haroldsnepsts

[Guest ToMaToToWnWinGsFaN_24]

whats even more amazing is richards is the teams captain..

i dont think hes setting a good example to his players with checks like that...

then again...philadelphia has always had a dirrty team dating back to the broadstreet bullies back in the 70s...

regardless of what people say about how dirrty or how clean the hit was..nobody wants to see somebody carried off in a stretcher...

[zettie85 106]

Yes, this is the typical overreaction. Carry it to a ridiculous extreme because you can't put together a sensible argument. There are already plenty of rules about how a guy can and cannot be hit. There is plenty of wiggle room between limiting head shots, and eliminating all hitting. But that's all you, and many other here seem capable of understanding. Two black and white extremes.

By your logic, why are knee on knee hits illegal? Hockey is a full contact sport, sometimes a guy may catch you in the knee.

You can blatantly tell an intentional knee on knee from an unintentional (e.i. Ulf Samuelson, Brian Marchment). Ovechkin on Gonchar last year unintentional and no call made.

Obviously sarcasm flys right over your head. What is the point in making an example of Richards. We get to see the hit from one angle. His intent was a clean hit. Shoulder tucked in. His intent was good his form was good. There is no reason for suspension and reason for argument. It's unfortunate for Booth but a clean hit is a clean hit.

[Carman 387]

In my opinion it's a lot easier to control your follow through with your leg then it is to avoid the head of another player. In a perfect world we would like to see no headshots, but when you are lining someone up it's nearly impossible to make direct contact to the body with your shoulder, you just do your best to have your body hit the other guy. It's a fast game people, the players aren't perfect and can't control the actions on the ice like a video game, if you are going to start giving suspensions on clean hits like this that are not late, and not with the elbow then you will affect the quality of hits for the future. It's an unfortunate incident, but I really doubt the ability to stop hits like this in the future without severely sacrificing a integrally important and fun part of the game.