xganarchy

i know the pro-kronwall side keeps quoting how "even Voracek called it clean", but i really don't think that's relevant. How many players in the league want to be known as a whiner about a "dirty" hit? Shanahan and the NHL already made their opinion known so what good would it do even if they DID think it was dirty? Regardless it's over with so it makes no difference talking about it now.

at one point in last night's game i said to my wife "wow it's nice to have a dman who can actually clear the crease!". Grossman has impressed me, he isn't afraid to get his hands dirty in the crease. I've been surprised some crosschecks/hits haven't been called on him as hard as he works to get the opposition away from our goalie.

and i hope when this player DOES injure Kronwall, he shrugs his shoulders with a quizzical look on his face and refuses to drop the gloves. "Who, me? What? That was perfectly FINE! Why is everyone always angry when I do this?"

On a similar note, did anyone see Giroux whack Carle on the shin pads rather hard just before a faceoff? Crossing Broad had the link on their website yesterday. Found it! http://www.crossingbroad.com/2012/03/skate-bites-we-have-a-goalie-.html

I'm glad that you admit you would like for it to have been reviewed/explained, but I think your comparisons are way off. It's not like Voracek decided to not wear a helmet. He looked up, Kronwall backed off like he was going to skate backwards/follow the play, then when Voracek looked back down Kronwall took the opportunity to throw the hit. A "good" play on his part but I think it's more comparable to the NFL trying to protect a vulnerable QB or WR. Would fans look down on a WR who decided to bail out of a catch b/c a defender was coming? No, they expect his primary focus to be on the ball and to sacrifice his body for the catch. I know it's a bit different, but the NHL has come out to say they're going to crack down on headshots. This instance proved they are not, in the case you wear a Red Wings uniform. They've set the precedent that they're going to put the responsibilty on the "checker" to know when to "hold up" and not lay out an opposing player when he's vulnerable. Yet Kronwall has gotten away with it several times this season (as well as others). It just doesn't seem consistent to me.

First off, let me commend you for being gracious about the incident unlike that "yave" character, celebrating the injury. Secondly, I (and most Flyers fans) agree that in the "old" NHL, that was a perfectly legal hit. Players SHOULD be aware of their surroundings and Voracek did skate with his head down. BUT....the main problem I have is the NEW rules, as you stated, deem that an illegal hit in the fact that Kronwall hit a "vulnerable" player in the head. I would expect a penalty, HOPEFULLY a suspension (as was the case in many similar hits) but I doubt we'll see either. Forgive my frustration, but Flyers fans had to live through losing their franchise player due to repeated concussions (Lindros, of course) and back then everyone just laughed and told Lindros he was silly for skating with his head down. Now, years later, the NHL decides they better start protecting the Crosby's of the league and change the rules to make the hard hitters of the league almost obsolete. Now the Flyers have to deal with multiple concussions and no repurcussions to the opposing teams.

fair enough, I'm with you on that. When they started cracking down on these "shots to the head", i was up in arms. I still think players need to keep their heads up and with all the penalties/suspensions, the NHL is essentially rewarding players who aren't taking care of themselves. I definitely agree with you there. My main problem is, even though they're "cracking down" on concussion causing hits, the Flyers aren't getting the same protection as most other teams are. OR you also have certain teams/players who always seem to avoid discipline.

I think Kronwall COULD have let up a bit and still prevented Voracek from getting by him. Not that difficult. I've always been on the side of the old rules, guys should play with their heads up, etc. But is our team supposed to abide by these "new" rules of letting up only to be hammered when OUR guy is the one with his head down?

I agree, I felt almost "disappointed" after the game, even with the win. I was hoping someone on the Wings would get laid out. Revenge for that hit was needed. With the stupid instigator rule our hands are tied if we're not willing to give up multiple powerplays. How about some of those B.S. penalties called on the Flyers right after the hit though? We ended up shorthanded anyway, might as well have run Kronwall.

C'mon guys, how are you going to be okay with this ruling when the Flyers are always shafted for the same things?? I agree, this was a "legal" hit by previous standards. The league has ALREADY shown it's the checkers responsibility to take the other players well being into account (which i do not agree with). Other players have already been suspended for very similar situations. Yes, Voracek dropped his head. In years past, we wouldn't be having this conversation. But personally I can't just nod and say "yup, that sure was a purty hit" when Rinaldo gets suspended for a much more minor hit the last time these two very teams met. So, to reiterate, I think the hit was clean (under the old NHL), but if you're suspending other players under the guise of "protecting vulnerable players", then it has to apply for ALL teams/players.

personally i'd like to see Kessel. Not sure how he's been doing down in the AHL but he was looking pretty good preseason

I disagree. With all of the responsibility being put on the CHECKER recently, why should it change when it happens to be a Flyer on the receiving end?

Ok...what i THINK? Flyers win 1 round, then lose in the 2nd round. what I HOPE is Bryz gets hot, defense gels, and forwards help on the backcheck. If those three things happen, and the stars & planets align just right...we COULD get a Cup. This team is too young to realize the odds are against them once they get deep. And hopefully their young legs will keep them going game after game.

well that certainly wasn't the reaction i was expecting. I, like you, love a good hit, but the NHL certainly seems intent on trying to eliminate that from the game these days :-/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xtHdbV1UU8

That is just total B.S. by the league, he left his feet, but the bigger issue is, where is the "concern for the puck handler"? They've set the precedent that it doesn't matter if it's a clean check that is landed b/c the puck handler isn't paying attention. If you can paste a guy, it's the checker's responsibility NOW to "hold up" and take it easy (not that I agree with that) but I guess Kronwall has found a loophole: "turn your back to the puck carrier, b/c hey, i can't SEE that the guy is vulnerable!"

Any way we could convince Bryz to waive his NMC to go to Toronto? They need a "#1 goalie" (haha) and love the big names. Bryz/Zolnierczyk for Schenn??

Perhaps I'm being swayed by previous seasons I've seen Brown but I'd be on the bandwagon hoping he got his game back. It'd be a gamble, but both have been disappointments recently. I'd be more inclined to use JVR for a young dman though.

JVR for Brown would be more than fair imo.

Yeah they couldn't clear the puck all night. I saw a few things I liked from Grossman the past couple games, really clearing the crease on the instances I noticed him

True, I do think one of the goals was pretty soft, BUT he came up big on some others that I thought were sure goals. But still, better than his usual 4 spot he gives hehe

The only logical explanation left....some sort of Philadelphia Flyers curse. We should have realized this by now

Yeah, Bryz actually performed last night. Had at least 2-3 huge saves but the team couldn't score. Another marginal NHL goalie on the opposing team made to look like an All Star

Didn't Halak put up just average numbers last year? St Louis isn't going to part with him while he's playing lights out, not to mention They'd want a TON for him, we'd be spending way too much on the goalie position (i'd assume they'd want Bobs IF they want a goalie included) and we'd have the most expensive duo in the league. Also, goalies go from stellar to crap and back sometimes. We could be booing HIM next season and be stuck with TWO horrible, overpaid goalies.

Another fair point, but unfortunately Pronger can't provide his services. I think he would be stepping in and taking that spotlight off of Bryz to give him some room purposely. Timo stepped in recently but his comments that called out the team's poor play didn't really hit the mark. Hell, even some fans were trying to twist it into him saying Lavi doesn't have a system. Bryz would be better off just giving boring answers so the media will stop looking for those sound bites and concentrating on his game.