[News] Darnell Nurse suspended 3 games for attacking Roman Polak - Page 5 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Locke · 03-10-2016, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

Who cares what he did in Penticton. It is completely besides the point and irrelevant. What he did a couple of days ago was obviously crossing the line and that is why he was suspended.

As for celebrating after a fight being some sort of mortal sin...

Classic Flames deflection? Check.
Ridiculous comparison? Check.
Incomparable Situations? Check.

What Nurse did wasnt a fight.

Calgary4LIfe · 03-10-2016, 04:29 PM

Another 'pro-fighting' guy here, with my own take on it - as well as possible repercussions.

Before I start, let me say this is not a 'pro-fighting' argument, nor a 'anti-fighting' argument. I just want to make a distinction based on my own ideas.

People often call heavyweight fighters or enforcers 'goons'. I don't. Why?

There has always been 2 classes of these fighters, especially in the last decade when 'the code' between them became more apparent, and they treated one another with a bit more respect. The 70's and 80's saw the height of 'goons'. Guys with no code.

What does mean? You are crazy Calgary4Life. Those ARE goons that you are talking about!

My argument has always been this.

The heavyweight enforcer has always carried the toughest job on the team. Knowing he is going to play 'x' team who carries 'this big tough guy', and knowing he has to fight. Worse yet, something happened last game, and he knows he has to go out there and 'do something' - either him or his team did something against 'the code', or the other team did it. Either way, he has to answer for it.

That's tough enough. Read about most of these enforcers, and that is one common theme - the anticipation of having to do something against someone even weeks in advance. That is a lot of pressure. Your job is on the line. Your teammates' respect is on the line. Your coach expects you to fulfill your role on the team - you are useless if you don't fill your role, just as useless as a goal scorer who suddenly can't find the back of the net, or a goalie that is letting in beach-balls.

Now, he also has to remain controlled during the game, regardless of what happens. He steps onto the ice on edge, knowing he is going to have to literally battle with another guy using his fists - trying to hit someone as hard and as often as possible to end it quickly, and he knows he is going to get hit hard and often as well, possibly getting injured in the process.

He has to remain controlled enough not to hurt that guy unduly. To not 'lose it' and keep on throwing when his partner is in a vulnerable situation. Other guys on the team will try and goad him into taking a bad penalty. He has to remain controlled through all of that. McSorely got a lifetime ban. The league wants to reduce his role - if not completely eliminate it. He also doesn't want to be the guy that ends another guy's career. Believe it or not - he does not want to be 'that guy'.

There were not so many 'enforcers' back in the 80's when I was watching. There were a lot of outright goons.

They would lose it. They would jump guys. Sucker-punch guys. Kick guys. Jump on non-fighters. Heck, I love Tim Hunter - and I will forever argue that without him, Calgary would never have been able to get past those Oilers - but even though I loved the guy, some of the things he did back in the day made me cringe, and dislike it.

What Nurse did was goon someone. Complete goon job. Lost control. Made a bad decision. Jumped a guy who wasn't expecting it, and continued an assault on someone who was not even able to defend himself. That is not a fight. That is not an 'answer' to anything. That is a complete goon move. That is not the move of an enforcer sticking up for a teammate, or having respect for a fellow player. What he should have done is 'jumped him' by keeping his gloves on, bear-hugging him, pushing him and face-washing him - get the guy to get ready for the fight - and then they both throw down their gloves.

What he did was a complete goon job. He wasn't enforcing anything. Just gooning.

I am a guy who always loved the fighting aspect of hockey. I am someone that has always completely hated goons or goon moves.

The NHL wants to eliminate fighting completely (or at least, keep it to an absolute minimum). I will not agree or disagree with that sentiment.

Where I think they screw up is in disciplining these 'attempt to injure' events - especially ones that are so calculated. Predatory hits to the head I can at least somewhat understand at times. Things happen fast. Players adjust a bit at full speed. Bad decisions are made in a split-second - often less. The NHL has been doing a better job (not great, but definitely a HUGE step in the right direction in my opinion) of eliminating that in the game.

But then they go and give a 3 game suspension? I wrote above that now there is history on Nurse, and therefore the next time this idiot does this again, it will be longer. I don't think that is good enough.

This wasn't a split-second decision.

Nurse had lots of time to react to this. Bump Polak. Challenge him. Facewash him.

You don't throw down your mitts at the last second and start throwing haymakers.

Most importantly, you don't continue throwing them when you realize the other guy is not fighting back, and hasn't even been able to remove his mitts.

Now, what precedent does this set?

The NHL wants to remove fighting - they definitely want the heavyweights gone. Did McGrattan ever do this? This is uglier than any fight McGrattan was in that I know of. Polak is very, very lucky he wasn't seriously hurt. Bloodied, definitely.. but it could have been a lot of worse. I would say the result is often much worse.

3 games?

If I am San Jose's GM, do I think that is enough? Does it end there? If I am the coach on that team, do I think that is enough? Does it end there? If I am one of the players on that team, do I think that is enough?

Events like these is what makes teams think twice about not carrying a 'fighter'. Events like these often create line brawls on the next game - or have guys run each other. Events like these pull the NHL back into the 80's.

Now, this is just one event, and it isn't like it will be some catalyst that is suddenly going to undo the last decade+ of gradual elimination of the enforcer role, but the NHL got it wrong here I think.

I can understand the 20 game suspension on Wideman if nothing else than to make sure that message is sent to every single player in the game. I think that message was 'loud and clear' - regardless of the circumstances, that message was sent.

3 games for what Nurse got? I don't think that is much of a message. I don't think Polak feels it was much of a message. I don't think his teammates feel it was a message. I don't think the coach or GM felt it either. Maybe it is just me - and if it is, so be it. I just don't think a team that has traditionally carried a heavyweight enforcer, and was one of the last teams not to carry one - is satisfied that the league did enough.

That was a chicken-#### move by Nurse, and he had time to think it through. It wasn't a split-second decision that happened at high speed. He had a reasonable amount of time to decide on his course of action. That has no place in hockey.

Some of you probably think I am a bit overboard here. Maybe you guys are right and I am. This is just what I think.

And I am a huge fan of hockey fights.

taco.vidal · 03-10-2016, 04:44 PM

Fighting in hockey is a joke.

Its laughable the league hasnt taken it out. On ther hand, maybe they can get rid of the shouout after a acoreless 3 on 3, and make a fight decide a game. Wooooot! (Slams beer can on head)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Another 'pro-fighting' guy here, with my own take on it - as well as possible repercussions.

Before I start, let me say this is not a 'pro-fighting' argument, nor a 'anti-fighting' argument. I just want to make a distinction based on my own ideas.

People often call heavyweight fighters or enforcers 'goons'. I don't. Why?

There has always been 2 classes of these fighters, especially in the last decade when 'the code' between them became more apparent, and they treated one another with a bit more respect. The 70's and 80's saw the height of 'goons'. Guys with no code.

What does mean? You are crazy Calgary4Life. Those ARE goons that you are talking about!

My argument has always been this.

The heavyweight enforcer has always carried the toughest job on the team. Knowing he is going to play 'x' team who carries 'this big tough guy', and knowing he has to fight. Worse yet, something happened last game, and he knows he has to go out there and 'do something' - either him or his team did something against 'the code', or the other team did it. Either way, he has to answer for it.

That's tough enough. Read about most of these enforcers, and that is one common theme - the anticipation of having to do something against someone even weeks in advance. That is a lot of pressure. Your job is on the line. Your teammates' respect is on the line. Your coach expects you to fulfill your role on the team - you are useless if you don't fill your role, just as useless as a goal scorer who suddenly can't find the back of the net, or a goalie that is letting in beach-balls.

Now, he also has to remain controlled during the game, regardless of what happens. He steps onto the ice on edge, knowing he is going to have to literally battle with another guy using his fists - trying to hit someone as hard and as often as possible to end it quickly, and he knows he is going to get hit hard and often as well, possibly getting injured in the process.

He has to remain controlled enough not to hurt that guy unduly. To not 'lose it' and keep on throwing when his partner is in a vulnerable situation. Other guys on the team will try and goad him into taking a bad penalty. He has to remain controlled through all of that. McSorely got a lifetime ban. The league wants to reduce his role - if not completely eliminate it. He also doesn't want to be the guy that ends another guy's career. Believe it or not - he does not want to be 'that guy'.

There were not so many 'enforcers' back in the 80's when I was watching. There were a lot of outright goons.

They would lose it. They would jump guys. Sucker-punch guys. Kick guys. Jump on non-fighters. Heck, I love Tim Hunter - and I will forever argue that without him, Calgary would never have been able to get past those Oilers - but even though I loved the guy, some of the things he did back in the day made me cringe, and dislike it.

What Nurse did was goon someone. Complete goon job. Lost control. Made a bad decision. Jumped a guy who wasn't expecting it, and continued an assault on someone who was not even able to defend himself. That is not a fight. That is not an 'answer' to anything. That is a complete goon move. That is not the move of an enforcer sticking up for a teammate, or having respect for a fellow player. What he should have done is 'jumped him' by keeping his gloves on, bear-hugging him, pushing him and face-washing him - get the guy to get ready for the fight - and then they both throw down their gloves.

What he did was a complete goon job. He wasn't enforcing anything. Just gooning.

I am a guy who always loved the fighting aspect of hockey. I am someone that has always completely hated goons or goon moves.

The NHL wants to eliminate fighting completely (or at least, keep it to an absolute minimum). I will not agree or disagree with that sentiment.

Where I think they screw up is in disciplining these 'attempt to injure' events - especially ones that are so calculated. Predatory hits to the head I can at least somewhat understand at times. Things happen fast. Players adjust a bit at full speed. Bad decisions are made in a split-second - often less. The NHL has been doing a better job (not great, but definitely a HUGE step in the right direction in my opinion) of eliminating that in the game.

But then they go and give a 3 game suspension? I wrote above that now there is history on Nurse, and therefore the next time this idiot does this again, it will be longer. I don't think that is good enough.

This wasn't a split-second decision.

Nurse had lots of time to react to this. Bump Polak. Challenge him. Facewash him.

You don't throw down your mitts at the last second and start throwing haymakers.

Most importantly, you don't continue throwing them when you realize the other guy is not fighting back, and hasn't even been able to remove his mitts.

Now, what precedent does this set?

The NHL wants to remove fighting - they definitely want the heavyweights gone. Did McGrattan ever do this? This is uglier than any fight McGrattan was in that I know of. Polak is very, very lucky he wasn't seriously hurt. Bloodied, definitely.. but it could have been a lot of worse. I would say the result is often much worse.

3 games?

If I am San Jose's GM, do I think that is enough? Does it end there? If I am the coach on that team, do I think that is enough? Does it end there? If I am one of the players on that team, do I think that is enough?

Events like these is what makes teams think twice about not carrying a 'fighter'. Events like these often create line brawls on the next game - or have guys run each other. Events like these pull the NHL back into the 80's.

Now, this is just one event, and it isn't like it will be some catalyst that is suddenly going to undo the last decade+ of gradual elimination of the enforcer role, but the NHL got it wrong here I think.

I can understand the 20 game suspension on Wideman if nothing else than to make sure that message is sent to every single player in the game. I think that message was 'loud and clear' - regardless of the circumstances, that message was sent.

3 games for what Nurse got? I don't think that is much of a message. I don't think Polak feels it was much of a message. I don't think his teammates feel it was a message. I don't think the coach or GM felt it either. Maybe it is just me - and if it is, so be it. I just don't think a team that has traditionally carried a heavyweight enforcer, and was one of the last teams not to carry one - is satisfied that the league did enough.

That was a chicken-#### move by Nurse, and he had time to think it through. It wasn't a split-second decision that happened at high speed. He had a reasonable amount of time to decide on his course of action. That has no place in hockey.

Some of you probably think I am a bit overboard here. Maybe you guys are right and I am. This is just what I think.

And I am a huge fan of hockey fights.

Mean Mr. Mustard · 03-10-2016, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

I see the beating of Sestito by McGrattan still burns you inside. Excellent indeed.

Salute to you.

No, I just know that if you're going to criticize a player for anything make it something at least. A mild celebration after a fight is a ridiculous thing to get upset about. What Nurse did was obviously crossing the line, but the celebration afterwards was pretty inconsequential in both cases. I don't even know what celebration there was after this latest fight (I don't know what to call it because it obviously wasn't a fight).

I actually had no idea it was Section, completely forgot about him.

Split98 · 03-10-2016, 05:37 PM

Nurse definitely just put a huge target on his back. For a coward, that's not good news for this stupid kid.

Watch the Lucic fight. He went VERY easy on this dopey kid trying to make a name for himself. He ended the fight by twisting him to the ground ONE HANDED. Milan was done, and decided to end it by gently placing him to the ground. "Nighty night kiddo, that was fun".

Now that he's announced to the league he's a prick who isn't scared to maul any player on the ice he THINKS may have slighted a teammate when they least expect it, they'll make sure he's aware of what they think about that.

You think Burns isn't going to introduce himself to the kid? Mike Brown might see some icetime and Polak might want to show him what dropping the gloves looks like.

Nurse is not a kid who's going to win many fair fights. Any of the 3 on the Sharks I mentioned will loosen his jaw pretty handily, and all other 29 teams took notice as well. This kid is going to have a rough path if he wants to keep asserting himself as a 'tough guy'.

March 24th could be a fun game...

Bandwagon In Flames · 03-10-2016, 05:46 PM

Ya this has nothing to do about fighting in the league.

I'm pro-fighting, but anti sucker-punching.

Nurse is going to need a doctor the next time San Jose plays them. I'm sure other veterans around the league are taking notice as well. Surely not going to let a rookie get away with dumb crap like that. He's probably wishing he had a 10 game suspension.

savemedrzaius · 03-10-2016, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I heard that the NHL demanded his phone, but when they read his texts they were so full of childish emoticons, misspelling, bad grammar and terrible sentence structure that they decided that using it in NHL court would embarrass the NHL.

Is there any actual reason why so many people on here make comments about Nurse's intelligence? Or is it just subtle racism? Because when I think of NHL players I don't think smart and I haven't seen anything that would make Nurse any more stupid than all the other players in the NHL.

Now Bernier is stupid. That's a fact. But Nurse?

Split98 · 03-10-2016, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savemedrzaius

Is there any actual reason why so many people on here make comments about Nurse's intelligence? Or is it just subtle racism? Because when I think of NHL players I don't think smart and I haven't seen anything that would make Nurse any more stupid than all the other players in the NHL.

Now Bernier is stupid. That's a fact. But Nurse?

I find it racist that you immediately thought someone calling him stupid might have been related to race. Why did your mind even go there?

I think he's stupid because he made an unintelligent decision. I'm not a racist, so his race didn't factor into my thoughts.

Bandwagon In Flames · 03-10-2016, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savemedrzaius

Is there any actual reason why so many people on here make comments about Nurse's intelligence? Or is it just subtle racism? Because when I think of NHL players I don't think smart and I haven't seen anything that would make Nurse any more stupid than all the other players in the NHL.

Now Bernier is stupid. That's a fact. But Nurse?

You haven't seen anything hey? Did you see why he got this 3 game suspension? Have you seen him play? Oiler fans will tell you he has low hockey IQ which is the biggest thing holding him back. He's a beast and would be ripping up the NHL if he had the smarts to go along with his size.

Since you only actually follow the leafs, let me throw out a comparable. Why don't you tell me if Phaneuf is dumb? Especially now that he's out of the organization I think you can admit this guy makes very dumb decisions on the ice regularly. Same thing applies to Nurse, but he doesn't even have an offensive game to make up for it.

But sure, go ahead and call us racist instead of doing 2 minutes of research on a player.

Mean Mr. Mustard · 03-10-2016, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savemedrzaius

Is there any actual reason why so many people on here make comments about Nurse's intelligence? Or is it just subtle racism? Because when I think of NHL players I don't think smart and I haven't seen anything that would make Nurse any more stupid than all the other players in the NHL.

Now Bernier is stupid. That's a fact. But Nurse?

It isn't racism, but it is telling of the immaturity of some members of this forum who instead of putting together a good argument tend to just have ad hominem attacks against an individual, something which is overtly childish.

calumniate · 03-10-2016, 06:20 PM

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/o...ear-deterrent/

This spector article is a super tough read! So much trash in one place. Nuclear deterrent? Lol

Burner · 03-10-2016, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calumniate

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/o...ear-deterrent/

This spector article is a super tough read! So much trash in one place. Nuclear deterrent? Lol

and he's a journalist? what crap reporting

Bandwagon In Flames · 03-10-2016, 06:32 PM

Nurse smirking throughout the entire interview regarding his suspension. Thinks the suspension is because he 'took it a little too far'. He sure is proud of jumping somebody on their way off the ice...

Burner · 03-10-2016, 06:43 PM

so 85 percent of the NHL is scared of Nurse now?

Roof-Daddy · 03-10-2016, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burner

so 85 percent of the NHL is scared of Nurse now?

Well, they certainly won't want to turn their back on him that's for sure.

FurnaceFace · 03-10-2016, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burner

and he's a journalist? what crap reporting

And yet James Cybulski (among others) no longer have jobs.

powderjunkie · 03-10-2016, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

Nurse smirking throughout the entire interview regarding his suspension. Thinks the suspension is because he 'took it a little too far'. He sure is proud of jumping somebody on their way off the ice...

Just wait until you see the non-remorseful texts he sent his teammates that even further show what an awful person he is!!

McG · 03-10-2016, 08:51 PM

I didn't know that Nurse shot the puck at Polak first. That has to be an attempt to injure as well...

Samonadreau · 03-10-2016, 09:03 PM

I think it's a crock how everytime nurse fights he is trying to injure the other player but when Lucic fought him he was about to get a spanking until Lucic took mercy on him. He should have taken notes in that fight and been humbled a bit.

It's also a crock how he jumped polak and didn't give him a chance to drop his gloves. He's a coward.

I would love to see someone knock him on his ass.

JJ1532 · 03-10-2016, 09:05 PM

Ha, nuclear deterrent, what rubbish. No, what he is is a liability, if he intends to keep jumping into fights like that. But if he doesn't and he now tones his actions down, then he quickly loses this so called 'deterrent' and becomes just another low IQ defencemen.

No, what Nurse now knows is that he has to challenge a guy fairly. Lets see him challenge Polak straight up and see if there are different results. But are the big tough guys in the league suddenly worried about Nurse? No way. He's back in for the St Louis game. Are Reaves and Backes sitting there worried about going onto the ice with Nurse? No chance, I bet they are loving it. I bet they are slashing him, cross checking him, trash talking him, anything to get him to react and do something stupid. And if he does drop the gloves and they oblige in kind, I'm willing to bet he gets smacked a lot.

No, what Nurse now is is an unpredictable liability. I'm sure he feels like the big man, I'm sure the guys in the dressing room are all giving him a pat on the back and saying well done. But sooner or later, he'll challenge a guy that will put him truly on his arse. There might not be goons in the NHL anymore, but there are enough big guys who can throw punches still. He'll challenge the wrong guy and he'll look very silly at the end of it.

You can't have one of your top 4 guys being a liability and being a target for the opposition players. All he's done is make things worse for himself and the Oilers. But if they and their media want to paint it as a victory, let em. Shows how badly they are scrabbling for positives in what has been another car crash season.