Comments for January 23, 2012 at http://hockey.dobbersports.com , comment 1 to 14 out of 14 comments http://hockey.dobbersports.com Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:07:29 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/other-features-mainmenu-89/archived-ramblings/4317-january-23-2012#comment-19098 ...admits that concussion-like-symptoms may actually be signs of a concussion. Other GMs shake heads in disapproval. - Thieving Giraffe Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:15:04 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/other-features-mainmenu-89/archived-ramblings/4317-january-23-2012#comment-19094 Maybe Thomas should spend more time on his game than worrying about politics. His refusal (for political reasons) to visit the White House today with the rest of the Bruins as they were honored by President Obama is a disgrace. Even if a person disagrees with the politics of the President, you honor the office and support your team by going on this special visit. I have lost all respect for Thomas after this grandstanding move. - 19 Straight Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:12:50 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/other-features-mainmenu-89/archived-ramblings/4317-january-23-2012#comment-19093 It is amazing (and embarrassing) that ESPN left Tavares off its list of the top 25 players under the age of 25. He might be one of the top 10-15 players in all of hockey right now. - 19 Straight Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:07:46 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/other-features-mainmenu-89/archived-ramblings/4317-january-23-2012#comment-19089 This is the definition of the hits the league wants to get rid of but like it was mentioned below, it will be 1 game and Ovechkin will be at the All-Star game. personally, based on the way suspension go for repeat offenders, Ovechkin should get 5+ games. No intent to injure? Are you sure? I am pretty sure whenever the Caps and Pens suit up, there is intent to injure with every hit. These teams DO NOT like each other and i am sure Ovechkin was hoping to inflict pain to Michalek (the Pens best shot blocker and 2nd best shut down D). If Matt Cooke can change his ways, anyone can. he was made an example of and because of that cost his team in the playoffs, he has totally adjusted his style. Why is that? Because of the length and weight of the suspension. Until the NHL throws the book at the high flying Ovechkin, he will continue to run and injure players. - Maximus Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:34:42 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/other-features-mainmenu-89/archived-ramblings/4317-january-23-2012#comment-19088 His icetime is down mainly because Letang has returned. When all top 4 dmen are healthy, Bylsma does not really trust the third pairing with key minutes late in close games. Letang also plays close to the full two minutes on the powerplay if he can. With Martin starting to play better and the top 4 D finally healthy, sorry, Niskanen owners, the ride is likely over. In fact, I wouldn't be shocked to see the Pens add a Hal Gill player closer to the deadline, which may result in Niskanen being scratched for some games in favor of Engelland. Story of Matt Niskanen's career: he's only worthwhile from a fantasy standpoint when he finds himself in a high opportunity situation as a matter of default. He doesn't have the game to earn the time when he's competing against other competent top 4 dmen. Michalek also has a hearing with Shanahan and will likely receive a game or two. Niskanen will probably see a bump in icetime during the game(s) Zibby is out but don't be misled by that. - Kraftster Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:37:49 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/other-features-mainmenu-89/archived-ramblings/4317-january-23-2012#comment-19087 Oh, I don't know, leaving ones feet, aiming above the neck. Yep, no intent whatsoever. - Jeff Sabatine Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:57:20 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/other-features-mainmenu-89/archived-ramblings/4317-january-23-2012#comment-19086 Excellent rambling today. Lots of great items... love it much! Thanks (as always)!!! - Pengwin7 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:50:47 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/other-features-mainmenu-89/archived-ramblings/4317-january-23-2012#comment-19084 To me, Ovechkin's hit looked very similar to Sutton's hit on Ponikarovsky, and therefore he should be suspended for eight games. Then again, there's no way the NHL suspends a superstar like Ovechkin for that long, so I'm leaning toward a one- or two-game joke suspension. Nasty hit regardless. - Username Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:35:04 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/other-features-mainmenu-89/archived-ramblings/4317-january-23-2012#comment-19082 I watched the game. I can't watch the clip, but in case it doesn't show it, Ovie was interfered with on his initial dump into the corner. If that had been called, then the Ovie hit never happens. Then later in the game Michalek rammed Hendricks head into the glass (with a penalty called). I'm not saying Ovie shouldn't be suspended, but what does anyone expect to happen when the NHL officials treat every rivalry game like a playoff game? If they are going to stop calling small penalties for things like interference, hooks, slashes and any hits that don't result with the hittEE laying on the ice, then your going to get a game full of hard hits, and it's the NHL that is encouraging this with the whistle in the pocket mentality for anything broadcast nationally or between rivals. I'd be interesting for someone to try to find out the average # of penalties for games, then what is the average number for those broadcast on NBC? - james Mon, 23 Jan 2012 03:52:38 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/other-features-mainmenu-89/archived-ramblings/4317-january-23-2012#comment-19081 Whether intentional or not, all the power was directed from his upper arm to Michalek's head. I'm pretty sure that is what the league is trying to prevent with all these suspensions. Still don't know if OV [i]will[/i] be suspended however (see below and comment about All-Star game). In my opinion: whether the player is alright or not should bear no influence on the punishment. That's the problem I believe with the inconsistencies of the suspension lengths. The lengths should be determined by the type of hit/contact, and if there is blatant intent to injure (I'm not saying that OV was blatantly attempting to injure here). A player like Mueller would be out the entire season after that hit, a player like Savard would be out forever, and a player that's never been concussed before would maybe not even miss a game. - Marc Mon, 23 Jan 2012 03:24:05 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/other-features-mainmenu-89/archived-ramblings/4317-january-23-2012#comment-19080 I think 1 game makes a complete mockery of the system here - either he walks or he gets whacked for more than he was suspended for last time. Ovechkin doesn't get it - why bother suspending him? It will just keep happening - he thinks he is entitled to endanger the livelihood of others in the name of being a tough hard hitting hockey player. Get serious or do nothing. Here OV - 8 games - your choice if one of them is the all-star game. Do you get it now? - Shoeless Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:44:40 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/other-features-mainmenu-89/archived-ramblings/4317-january-23-2012#comment-19079 Nice to see him back - must have the sauce under control. I still remember having him on my team in 05-06 when he punched home 9 goals in 8 games - actually I picked him up after the first goal - didn't score the next game and then kapow - 8 goals in 6 games - he had one more nice little spurt of about 5 games shortly after that then he just vanished - I thought forever. - Shoeless Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:16:38 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/other-features-mainmenu-89/archived-ramblings/4317-january-23-2012#comment-19078 With the All-Star Game next week, the NHL will likely downplay this one. Ovechkin is too big a name to suspend during the most important sponsorship event of the year. In the end, it's all about business. Caps got 1 game until the All-Star break, so 1 game max. - mamon Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:41:40 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/other-features-mainmenu-89/archived-ramblings/4317-january-23-2012#comment-19077 I also don't think there was intent to injure. But he left his feet and targeted the head region. Exactly the kind of hits the NHL wants to abolish. I say maybe a game. Now what if Michalek breaks a collarbone there or gets concussed? OV gets more but Michalek seemed alright so I think OV gets off lightly. - Mr Sausage Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:15:33 +0100