Fifth fastest to 1,000 points. He is an all-time great player. Look at the four players he is close to, and consider the era he plays in versus the average goals per game when they played.

Greatest player in the game right now.

Yep, amazing player.
Not many of that quality.

I really respect the skill. I just don't like Cindy being a the whiny ass prima donna who is protected by the league.

I don't agree he is protected by the league. A hit hard enough to be concussed, another one hard enough to hurt his neck as to loose even more time. Hell he isn't even protected by his own team. I will say in his younger days he seemed to whine a bit. I haven't seen to much of that last or this year. And prima donna? Come on Joe. From Merriam-Webster... a vain or undisciplined person who finds it difficult to work under direction or as part of a team. Sid was the ultimate team player last year during the Pens run to the Cup.
Now you want a player protected by it's league?? How about Tommy Brady? :eek:

OK I concede that prima donna was inappropriate. He's just a very talented whiny ass and for years, every time he coughed there were 3 reporters wanting to talk to him about it. He didn't get the nickname of "Cindy" in the beginning of his career on for no reason.

His team mate Matt Cooke began the end Marc Savard's career in 2010 with a hit so vicious that caused a severe concussion. That hit along with Marc trying to continue to play cause Post Concussion Syndrome that he has never recovered from. Although technically not illegal at the time, the players have a code and they all knew it was dirty. The league created the blindside hit rule 48 because of it. Not a peep from Cindy.

When Cindy gets hit and has a concussion the following January, he becomes a champion for a kinder gentler NHL. Suddenly the league officials are crawling over the top of one another to enact a much stricter rule 48 that no longer requires the hit to be blindside or lateral and penalties become much harsher. Everyone applauds.

I feel that the league has done anything it can to tilt the ice in the favor of their golden boy. When Cindy talks Bettman listens. Not even the Great One got this much sway (which is why he had to have Marty McSorley to keep him safe.

True dat men

Joe you really don't expect a teammate to dis a teammate?, (I totally agree Cooke was dirty but he did clean up once going to Minnesota). Do the Brunes talk about Marchand's dirty play? Of course not. Again we'll go to the NFL, QBs were beat to a pulp until their golden boy TB busted up a knee. A new rule was drawn up. Blame Brady as you do Sid for a kinder/gentler league. It is money driven period. You take out a golden boy and rules are written. It's not Sid's or TB problem owners are greedy. And if you care, share a few facts on your comments that the NHL 'listens to' Crosby. Even if it is a a kinder/gentler league and saves players futures I say good for the league!!!! If it takes a 'golden boy', (in both leagues), to save players from them selves then that is a good thing. Even you can agree to that, no?

Crosby has a reputation of whining to the refs and diving. It has gotten better in the last year or two but here's an example of favoritism IMO: 2012 playoff with the Flyers. Game 3: Crosby's cheap shots started three different sets of fights. Pittsburgh's Craig Adams and James Neal both got 1 game suspensions and Arron Asham got 4games. Crosby was allowed to skate away without even a verbal warning.

I admit that when I pine for the "good old days" of hockey I am not the one that has to go out there and take the beating. I respect the league wanting to make the game safer but I hope it doesn't wussify it for the sake of protecting those big salary players to the detriment of the game.

BTW, Claude has called out Marchand in press conferences for stupid penalties. Should Crosby attack a team mate in the press? No but why the sudden interest in making the game safer only after he gets hurt? Maybe if he had a better reputation with the players and the fans it wouldn't be so obvious.

Great player? Heck yes. Good reputation? No. (but then again, I've heard that about Marchand so maybe we are all a little prejudiced).

Yes. Correct. No one cares if the plugs get hurt fighting. Take away the guy that sells the game and you have a problem that needs to be fixed.

It is that simple. (plus the speed of the game, and the post-lockout rule changes made players more vulnerable, which necessitated changes).

How you liking me now?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1489602072.jpg

Video: Brad Marchand imposed his will with third-period hat trick | ProHockeyTalk

Oh, and just two points away from Most Points in the league as well.

Nobody questions his ability. Doesn't mean he's still not a dink ;)

Funny thing, I say that about Cindy Crosby. ;)

Edit: Brad just past Cindy in total points. Just one point behind the leaders.

BM is a great player. Glad to see him growing up and getting enough self confidence to know he is a great player and doesn't have to be a douche.

Joe, you do have a serious man crush on him, it is what it is. Is it because he plays for your favorite team or because of how he plays? Would you like him as much if he played for Pittsburgh? A Boston homer, or a fan of a great player? Be honest...

Crosby is also a great player even though you take small man shots at him. I am just glad both he and BM will represent Canada at the next world championships, be it Olympics or other tournament...

Good one Jeff!

Cheers
JB

Fair questions. I miss the "good old days" of hockey when the game was a lot tougher. I also appreciate players who play right on the edge. Terrible Ted, Gordie, McSorley, Messier, Shanahan, Patrick Roy, Hextall, Chelios, Bobby Clark, Tim Thomas... I am not a fan of Cindy Crosby (although he has grown up a bit), the Sedin sisters, divers...

Agitators have always had a special place in the game. Sean Avery was fun to watch (although a dirtbag in real life), Matt Barnaby, Billy Smith, Claude Lemieux, Bobby Hull...

So here is Marchand. An agitator AND a great player. What's not to love?

Oh and in full disclosure, I grew up in NY as a fan of the Big Bad Bruins in the 60's and 70's. Being a Bruin doesn't hurt either.

I've said it a long time ago and I'll say it again. Marchand is the guy everyone loves to hate but wishes he was on their team.

Now in the true spirit of an agitator, I'll say that you're just upset that I was "A Marchand fan before you" :p

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1489805390.jpg

Fair enough.

I don't think BM is as much of an agitator anymore, though he still carries the stigma from the past. I think he is doing a much better job of letting his game do talking.

I do like his game now and think he is a great player. I did not care for his previous antics at all. And yes, you were a BM fan long before I was :)

Cheers

From what I can tell, he still chirps all the time. He now knows when to not get caught up in his own drama and make a bonehead move to trip or low bridge someone.
BTW, Keith Jones ala NBCSN commentator was a big agitator as well. Never stopped talking.

Everyone chirps, some are better at it than others.... :)

He has taken the dirty play mostly out of his game which is good. I think it all comes down to a rise in confidence in his skill set...

Nice try. Actually, Cindy is tied for first but March's face is on the graphic.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1489945783.jpg
Don't rest too easy. Marchand is in 2nd for points with one point less than McD.

In full disclosure: Why am I so all over this? Because it gives me great delight to agitate all the Marchand and/or Bruins haters.

NOW, you can be all warm and fuzzy for Cindy: as of this evening leads both points and goals.

I said Points per game. Not points.

But with the natural hat-trick today...

More dirty plays:

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RUnSZddpObo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

And just days later,

Methot ‘out for weeks’ after suffering a shattered finger from Crosby slash | ProHockeyTalk

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BHSiVYCagH0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Oh, wait, that is the fair haired child. The Golden Girl. The one everyone bows down to. Of course, no call on the ice and no review by the league. Cindy can do no wrong.

Hey Buck remember saying this?

Joe you should give those blinders you wear to Church Hill Downs. I'm sure a good horse could use them. ;)

So the only answer you have to my challenge that Cindy is protected, is a snarky remark about me? Watch those videos again. Just be careful, it may cause you to have a dose of reality about the Golden Girl.

You would have to be delusional or be in denial to say those plays were clean or you will have to feebly attempt to defend that Cindy is not getting preferential treatment. Do you want to choose: a) denial, b) defend or c) delusional as an insanity plea?

Remember, the question is concerning your quote:

The jerk is at it again. Hopefully it will cost the Brunes.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hCvFSjCh5a8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Oh wait! Listen...
Can you hear it?

Here comes the defender to defend the undefendable...

Shhhh... You might wake him.

Great line!

Hey Bill

Also waiting for it. Maybe he is busy thoughtfully composing his riposte/epistle. As for Marchie - old habits do die hard.
Go Flames.

Cheers
JB

What Marchand did was wrong and should be punished!



Here's another camera angle of the same offense:
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RUnSZddpObo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Well, I guess Joe proved you and the rest of us wrong :D:):D

Looks like Marchand may be suspended.

Hilarious!

Go Pens!

You have serious issues Joe.

Two games.

Guess there goes his chance at the Rocket Richard award. Awwwwww.

Lol. It is like he just cannot help himself!SmileWavy

From the Hockey News.
The Department of Player Safety blew it when it came to disciplining Brad Marchand. They could have sent a message to the repeat offender by suspending him for playoff games, but didn't.

This is what Brad Marchand is. He’s the NHL equivalent of the kid who is constantly being marched down to the principal’s office. He’s the kid who stands there shuffling his feet and looking down at the ground while the principal reads off his litany of offenses. He apologizes and promises to be better, and it works brilliantly because he gets off with a one-recess detention on a day when it’s minus-30 outside. He walks to the door forlornly and full of shame, then skips down the hall laughing the entire way back to class, where he simply picks up where he left off and runs amok, continuing to make life hell for his teacher and classmates.
Brad Marchand is a very, very effective player, as evidenced by the fact that he’s in the Hart Trophy conversation, is tied for second in the league in goals and starting next season will be on an eight-year contract extension that will earn him $49 million. Marchand is an engaging person, quick to smile, gregarious and generous with his time. He’s also a serial predator and a danger to every opponent who steps on the ice against him.

Somewhere along the line, somebody put it in Marchand’s head that because he’s a smaller and skilled player, he’ll always be a target. Because hockey. And the best way to defend against that is to either attack first or answer every offense - either real or perceived, large or inconsequential - with quick, effective and deliberate show of extreme force. Put it in your opponents’ heads that you’re teetering on the border of insanity, that you’ll do anything. And people will leave you well alone.
And that’s primarily why Marchand had been either suspended or fined a whopping seven times during his career before the absurdly laughable two-game sentence he received for drilling the tip of his stick blade into the testicles of Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Jake Dotchin Tuesday night. (In its suspension video, the NHL said the spear was delivered to Dotchin’s groin, which at the very least indicates these guys in the Department of Player Safety require some anatomy lessons.)

You are clueless!

Marchand deserved the 2 games. Crosby deserved disciple and he got SQUAT (except for the kisses and hugs from you). YOU are the one that is biased if you look at the video and think Cindy did nothing wrong. Same dirty spear but not even 2 minutes in the penalty box. Even the NBCSN announcers said it last night.

I'm tired of your same rant without ever seeing anything wrong with Cindy. Its time to stop wasting my time arguing with you.

“ “Stick infractions are common in the National Hockey League. With some exceptions, the vast majority can be sufficiently penalized by the on-ice officials. What causes this play to rise to the level of supplemental discipline is the intent, the amount of force used and Marchand’s substantial history of attacking the lower body of unsuspecting opponents.


“ “This is not light contact that, while illegal, does not rise to the level of supplemental discipline. Marchand drives his stick up and into Dotchin with substantial force.”


To drive it home we have Marchand’s suspension history, as he’s been fined or suspended seven times previously, and five of them have been for “attacking the lower body.”


From the NHL.

Too bad Brad

Go Pens!

No where in any post have I ever said Crosby never did anything wrong or I don't see anything wrong with his play. I don't even think he should have won the Conn Smythe last year. MHO is Phil Kessel should have won it.
The video you wasted your time finding is a bad spear. Hell you look hard enough I'm sure you can even find a bad hit/slash from the Great One himself. Oh wait I just happen to see one here...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CLeNkc5vOTo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The point my brune friend is they are not habitual offenders like your hero is.
It's fine. He arguably cost the Brunes a point last night, possibly more. NO chance at the Rocket award and NO chance at the Hart. Play on Mr. Marchand play on.
But thank you Joe for finally seeing the light and not 'discussing' this anymore with me. It's funny how you consider it arguing. SmileWavy

Putting aside Mr Marchand, remember that history doesn't determine if the infraction is worthy of discipline. It only determines the severity of punishment once the infraction is deemed to be punishable.

I still question why Cindy didn't get even 2 minutes in the box for his jab into the other player which just happened a week or so ago. The force? Not buying it but yes, I am biased. It will be an interesting playoff season to say the least.

Anyone want to setup an NHL Bracket Challenge?

That was from the NHL explaining the suspension. I don't know why Crosby didn't get a penalty a few weeks back--probably should have. Looks like he will get the Rocket though--added another tonight(and there is still 19 to play) and they may bounce the Leafs--Kessel getting one early was pretty sweet as well

Go Pens!