Chris Simon, Professional Thug

by Jes

Chris Simon is one of those 'puck-optional' players in the NHL. It doesn't matter what is happening with the puck, Simon's job is simply to inflict physical pain and suffering on the opposing team. Simon isn't out there to score goals, or do anything useful.

Last night, Chris Simon did a very dangerous thing and tried to scalp Jarkko Ruutu with his skate blade.


Let's not forget the vicious lumberjack chop on Ryan Hollweg after being hit, cleanly, by the Rangers winger.


... or this whack job on Sergei Fedorov ...



Given his past history, and what could have happened to Ruutu, Simon should get AT LEAST 20 games. Unfortunately, he'll get 1-2, at most, knowing how soft the NHL is.

Tuesday's Thoughts: Flyers Goon it Up

span style="font-style: italic;">by Jes

After what happened between Flyers d-man Randy Jones and Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron, you'd figure that the Philadelphia Flyers might exercise a little caution in last night's rematch

But, as we know, the goonish mentality is alive and well in the City of Brotherly Love. (Hat tip to Mirtle for the video link)

Philadelphia's Scott Hartnell was given a five-minute boarding penalty and a game misconduct for hitting defenceman Andrew Alberts at 14:22 of the second period. Andrews left the game with an unspecified head injury and will be evaluated on Tuesday.

Boston's Zdeno Chara said that his team decided not to retaliate after Alberts was injured.

"It's something we talked about," Chara said. "We probably ended up with some bruises, but we have two points and that's the most important thing right now. It's up to the league to address things like that."

Hartnell said that the hit on Alberts was not deliberate.

"I did not try to hurt him," Hartnell explained. "There was no intent at all. I am not that type of player. If you look at all the games this year and past years, I finish my checks every time I have an opportunity."

Not deliberate? From the little highlight we do see (near the end), Hartnell was absolutely rocketing towards Alberts with the full intention of doing some damage. While I defended Jones' hit on Bergergon, I believe Hartnell's hit was fully intended to injure the Bruins' player, and a very lengthy suspension ought to be on the way.

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Other goodies over at the NHL FanHouse ...

1. We have a new contributor in Kevin Schultz (from Barry Melrose Rocks). His debit column is a beauty, as he gives Gary Bettman some tips on how to run his new radio show.

2. Imagine winning a hard-to-come-by Nintendo Wii, and then dying on the way to pick up your prize. Well, that's what happened to one poor kid at a Providence Bruins game. Greg Wyshynski has all the gory details.

3. Rome continues to burn as rumours surface that JFJ wanted to fire Paul Maurice, but couldn't. More Steve Simmons bullshit or the real deal? We report, YOU DECIDE!! Muhahaha

Jesse Boulerice Gets Light 25-Game Suspension

by Jes

If you had guessed 25 games as the length of the suspension Colin Campbell would hand out to Jesse Boulerice, you'd be right.

The NHL Hand of Justice tapped three Icatian townsfolk and destroyed a good chunk of Boulerice's season.

National Hockey League disciplinarian Colin Campbell has handed Flyers forward Jesse Boulerice a 25-game suspension for cross-checking Vancouver Canucks centre Ryan Kesler in the head Wednesday night.

It's the longest suspension handed out in NHL history for an on-ice incident. New York Islanders forward Chris Simon also got 25 games for his two-handed slash to the face of Ryan Hollweg of the New York Rangers last season.

Is it nearly enough? To me, it certainly is not. I don't care if the previous maximum was 25, why should the NHL continue to put a glass ceiling on suspensions?

Boulerice is a pure thug, and he's almost killed people with his actions. Stick-swinging should never be tolerated, and 25-games, while severe in NHL terms, is not nearly sufficient to send a real message. Boulerice will be back, and will enjoy a nice vacation.

As a side topic, why do players named JESSE always suck? Jesse Boulerice, Jesse Belanger, Jesse Schultz...crap, crap, and more crap.

Today's Headshot Victim: Dean McAmmond

by Jes

*SIGH*, how long is the NHL going to let this crap continue?

Head shots, in case you don't know, are the NHL's biggest problem that needs to be fixed NOW!

Workhorse Dean McAmmond is the latest victim of a cheap shot ...

Senators centre Dean McAmmond left Tuesday night's game against Philadelphia with a concussion after he was sent to the ice by a flying body check by Flyers prospect Steve Downie.

McAmmond had lost possession of the puck early and skated behind the Philadelphia net when he was checked hard by Downie at 2:39 of the second period. Downie's feet left the ice before the violent collision.

Senators team doctor Don Chow immediately went to McAmmond's aid even as players from both teams squared off in the aftermath.

Ottawa enforcer Brian McGrattan went after Downie, who was assessed a match penalty for the hit on McAmmond. McGrattan got a misconduct and a game misconduct in addition to his major for fighting with Philadelphia's Jesse Boulerice.

Watch the NHL totally soft-pedal the issue and give Downie a small suspension.

Why, why, why doesn't the NHL come down hard on idiots like this? Head shots are some of the most dangerous activities an NHL player can do to another, and it just seems to be getting worse these days.