82 replies to this topic

[chances14]

This was given a 5-game suspension and totaled $125,000 in fines back in the playoffs of 2007 (prior to suspension crackdowns).  Both plays were malicious attacks against the opponent using the hockey stick as a weapon, although McLennan gave more of a slash than a spear.  Personally, I think these two cases are fairy similar, but everyone else is free to make their own judgment.  Nonetheless, if the league thinks the above penalty is worth 5 games, in the playoffs no less, than I don't think its reaching to see Franzen get one game, or maybe even a fine.  Granted, there have been a few notable spears in recent memory which didn't result in suspensions, so if he gets nothing I wouldn't be surprised at all.  I'm not about to try to predict the outcome of this situation.
I still stand by my belief that this type of behavior is a joke and should be punished.  If Franzen wants retribution for a hit he doesn't agree with, then he needs to do it like a man and use his fists, face to face with his opponent.  Otherwise get on with the game because frankly its embarrassing and a waste of time.

2 completely different situations. Mclennan's was so obviously premeditated that the nhl had no choice but to come down hard on him. I believe that Jim playfair(Calgary head coach at the time) was also disciplined by the nhl.

Franzen's situation was a quick second reaction to dirty hit from behind. the 5 minute major and game misconduct (which was the right call) should be the only discipline he gets. I suppose a fine will be in order as well.

[skyphoenix]

LOL @ the commentators. "CSI St. Louis might find some remnants on that stick" Seriously? He gave him a quick jab and they compare it to a murder case. Makes perfect sense. Perron is acting, obviously. It was a slight jab and the match penalty was more than sufficient for what happened.

[Mors]

Perron dropped like a sack of bricks knowing he was going to the box for boarding, I don't even think the game misconduct was necessary, much less a suspension. I'd prefer Franzen stick up for himself as opposed to the usual...

[kipwinger]

Wasn't Chelios known for pretty much exactly this type of stick work?

[ogreslayer]

Instead of suspending Franzen, the NHL might want to use their resources to find that sniper in the upper deck that took out Perron instead.  Embellish much, Perron?

[RedWingsDad]

Instead of suspending Franzen, the NHL might want to use their resources to find that sniper in the upper deck that took out Perron instead.  Embellish much, Perron?

 

ha ha, funny. Yeah, I thought it was awesome... just don't do it too much Franzen. The Wings are so unemotional sometimes, it's nice to see Franzen get pissed and do something. This is HOCKEY, not figure skating. In hockey, you wear a cup so you can survive a stick to the crotch... just sayin. Perron was probably just a bit sore from the force of the impact... ah well.

[e_prime]

I'm all for Franzen taking exception to the hit from behind.  It would have been real nice to see Franzen turn Perron around, drop the gloves, and...  oh wait, it's Franzen.

[DyingAlive]

The way I see it Franzen was in the wrong for the slash. However, Perron sold that. Yeah it was a cheap shot by Franzen, but there is no way that that "took down" Perron. Both were equal cheapshots I don't see any reason to provide anymore discipline.

[GoalieManPat]

Franzen needs to be a man and go after him and drop the gloves. None of this childish spearing crap. But then again what do you expect from one of the softest "power forwards" to play. The guy is the king of the after whistle scrum. 

[Seraph]

Franzen needs to spend a summer at Aaron Downey's potato farm becoming a man.

[Wing-in-avs-town]

This was nothing more than a wack on the back of a guys leg, behind the play, when hopefully no one is looking. Because you get pissed off about something. The fact that he got his stick up warrented the 5 minutes, and that is it. No suspension, not comparible to McLennans play what-so-ever.  Really wished he just turned around and clocked him one, but what I am I thinking, he's a soft Euro :-)

[esteef]

Next time Reaves is just gonna come in and knock Franzen into next week. I noticed franzen got hammered by Oshie tonight and did absolutely nothing to get back at him (scoring, scrapping, hitting or otherwise), its freakin oshie... hes afraid of oshie and he will go pick on perron.

 

We both know Franzen will never drop the gloves with Reaves.  And Oshie's hit must've been legal and Franzen must've been fine with it within the rules of the game.  Perron's was completely cheap which is why Mule whacked him.  Don't be so dramatic dood.

 

esteef

[rrasco]

I don't even know what to think.  Perron did drop like a sack of potatoes.  You could tell Franzen was under the impression he was selling it too, which is why he went after him while he was laying there.

[P. Marlowe]

I can't take it seriously when words like "toughness" and "manliness" are mentioned when talking about hockey. It's a game after all and the players aren't facing any serious threats and struggles that most people do in their lives. Sure there are these unwritten rules (and millions of versions of them) by which Franzen should've acted here but what does that have to do with toughness? So he was pushed from behind in a hockey rink and what fans want him to do is to use his fists to hit the other player a few times in a seemingly menacing way but not seriously enough to kill the other player. "Hit the face not the testicles, use fists not stick, don't wear visor, don't wear gloves, don't celebrate afterwards if you've struck the other player down." It's a show and players are there to entertain. Being paid millions for playing hockey in America Is perhaps in the top 5% of the least toughness-requiring things in the world.

 

Don't get so upset when Franzen acts like an emotional man-child humanbeing they all are.

[55fan]

Spearing wasn't the best choice, but it sure was better than doing like Perron and falling to the ice in mock agony.

[13dangledangle]

It is certainly a dirty cheap shot, no doubt about that.  I was just happy that the Mule played with some emotion to be honest.

[Barrie]

This was given a 5-game suspension and totaled $125,000 in fines back in the playoffs of 2007 (prior to suspension crackdowns).  Both plays were malicious attacks against the opponent using the hockey stick as a weapon, although McLennan gave more of a slash than a spear.  Personally, I think these two cases are fairy similar, but everyone else is free to make their own judgment.  Nonetheless, if the league thinks the above penalty is worth 5 games, in the playoffs no less, than I don't think its reaching to see Franzen get one game, or maybe even a fine.  Granted, there have been a few notable spears in recent memory which didn't result in suspensions, so if he gets nothing I wouldn't be surprised at all.  I'm not about to try to predict the outcome of this situation.

I still stand by my belief that this type of behavior is a joke and should be punished.  If Franzen wants retribution for a hit he doesn't agree with, then he needs to do it like a man and use his fists, face to face with his opponent.  Otherwise get on with the game because frankly its embarrassing and a waste of time.

 

That hack by McLennan was one of the dirtiest things I've seen in sports. If you want to talk about premediation, that's a perfect example. It was the Flames teams of 2003-07 that really changed my opinions about Canadian hockey players, how dirty they are and that they're a bunch of sore losers when beaten by Europeans.

 

I have no problem with Franzen getting a game and a fine, but at the same time, I have no problem with what he did to Perron. I'm glad the refs gave Perron a penalty on the play too, I think they handled everything correctly. Perron should get a call from the League office today as well and be reminded that hits from behind are not allowed, espcially if he wants to keep his manhood in one piece.

Spearing wasn't the best choice, but it sure was better than doing like Perron and falling to the ice in mock agony.

 

Yea, I have to admit I laughed when Franzen half jumped on him. I can just imagine what he said to him.

I'm all for Franzen taking exception to the hit from behind.  It would have been real nice to see Franzen turn Perron around, drop the gloves, and...  oh wait, it's Franzen.

 

Perron would have probably turtled anyway. A spear to the groin sent the message.

LOL @ the commentators. "CSI St. Louis might find some remnants on that stick" Seriously? He gave him a quick jab and they compare it to a murder case. Makes perfect sense. Perron is acting, obviously. It was a slight jab and the match penalty was more than sufficient for what happened.

 

Add to that Panger saying Perron game him a nudge.

[dirtydangles]

Any word on a possible suspension yet?

[Euro_Twins]

anyone remember this beaut by franz?

 

[RedWingsDad]

I can't take it seriously when words like "toughness" and "manliness" are mentioned when talking about hockey. It's a game after all and the players aren't facing any serious threats and struggles that most people do in their lives. Sure there are these unwritten rules (and millions of versions of them) by which Franzen should've acted here but what does that have to do with toughness? So he was pushed from behind in a hockey rink and what fans want him to do is to use his fists to hit the other player a few times in a seemingly menacing way but not seriously enough to kill the other player. "Hit the face not the testicles, use fists not stick, don't wear visor, don't wear gloves, don't celebrate afterwards if you've struck the other player down." It's a show and players are there to entertain. Being paid millions for playing hockey in America Is perhaps in the top 5% of the least toughness-requiring things in the world.

 

Don't get so upset when Franzen acts like an emotional man-child humanbeing they all are.

 

I love hockey, and I also love manliness and toughness in relation to hockey. If the manliness and toughness in hockey are not manly and tough enough for you, perhaps you should advocate for Roman style gladiatorial events where combatants exhibit their manliness and toughness by fighting to the death. Although, you would say gladiators were neither tough nor manly because, after all, they were there to entertain and clearly the attributes of toughness and manliness cannot be displayed through entertainment.

 

In spite of that fact that it is entertainment, I will continue to refer to hockey as a tough and manly sport... I find that the hits, fights, scraps, and yes, occasion spear, illustrate toughness and manliness. I am now going to wrap up this post in order to go do some tough and manly things not related to hockey... because toughness and manliness are totally awesome, and deserve to be celebrated.