Originally Posted by lockman21 (Post 14881342)

Now here's my opinion on the John Scott incident, and it'll probably be an unpopular one.

John Scott is not a shit bag, is not "classless", is not a thug. The hit looks bad, yes, and I really hope Loui can come back soon...HOWEVER...I don't think it was a "dirty" hit. I don't in any way think Scott intended to injure Loui. Not only because Scott is almost notoriously known for being one of the nicest and most genuine guys in the NHL, but because I don't think Scott is good enough on his skates to really make that kind of split second decision.

He is sent out there with 1 mission from his coaches, which Mr. Juilen so nicely reminded us all of post game. I quote, "He did his job. He's there to do 2 things: to fight and to hurt. He did both of those things" This is 100% true. He's an enforcer. He's sent out there to put some hurt into guys. Does he intend to injure them? I in no way believe so...but that's the role of an enforcer. Hockey teams need different role guys. Not everyone is sent out there to score goals. Scott is sent out to make star players a little more timid when they handle the puck.

John Scott has about 8 inches on Eriksson. His shoulder lines up with Eriksson's head. He probably saw an opportunity to check a star player for the other team, lined him up, and just so happened to hit him in a bad spot. Scott is a huge guy. This is a size difference issue as much as anything.

Also, Eriksson needs to keep his fucking head up in the neutral zone, and I would bet my next paycheck that Loui said the same thing, or at least thought it. Toews learned that early when he got ROCKED by Willie Mitchell:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLbLiGXqHIA

You know what Toews said postgame about that hit? Not that Mitchell is a dirty player, but that it was his fault for having his head down (which you actually hear the announcer say something about that after the hit too).

Long story short, let's not start a witch hunt for John Scott.

Originally Posted by HallowBillies7 (Post 14881603)

I thought Scott was classy after the Thornton fight last year too with what he said to the media. I don't put him in the category of the Cooke' and Kaleta's in the league. I also agree with Loui needing to keep his head up.

With that said, the size argument doesn't work for me because there are players in the NHL near his size that can lay people out and not have this happen, like Chara. To me the hit would be a 5 game suspension.

Originally Posted by lockman21 (Post 14881704)

Yeah, I mean, Scott is known as a good guy. I'm sure it wasn't intentional.

And, well yeah, Scott has payed plenty of people out and this hasn't happened, but this particular hit seemed to be a size issue. Clearly not every hit from the monster skaters (Chara, Scott, Myers, etc) are going to result in this, but this one did because of size, not malicious intent, IMO.

Originally Posted by ~Crashintome89~ (Post 14881836)

To be fair, I consider John Scott more of an oafy teddy bear than anything else.

I'm more inclined to hate the Sabres for employing Patrick Kaleta who absolutely has no hockey skill whatsoever and is the biggest baby on the face of the Earth.

Simply put, I'd rather have a five minute conversation with Sidney Crosby than shake Patrick Kaleta's hand.

Originally Posted by fonzz41 (Post 14881725)

Myers has hit somebody? Ever?

EDIT: And yes, I agree that a bit of a witch hunt is being started. I don't see Scott in the light some of you do, and I do think he should have been much smarter about the play last night. I'm not too big on the size argument. Like you said Chris, he's done it a few times with no problems. He could have been more smart about that hit. HOWEVER, I do not see a ton of malice there.

Originally Posted by ~Crashintome89~ (Post 14881836)

To be fair, I consider John Scott more of an oafy teddy bear than anything else.

I'm more inclined to hate the Sabres for employing Patrick Kaleta who absolutely has no hockey skill whatsoever and is the biggest baby on the face of the Earth.

Simply put, I'd rather have a five minute conversation with Sidney Crosby than shake Patrick Kaleta's hand.

Originally Posted by DynastyDrummer1 (Post 14881901)

Hey! Kaleta is good for a goal once every season!

Fun fact of the day: Tyler Myers got in a fight a few seasons ago. With Sheldon Brookbank, and I don't remember it going well for Myers.

Originally Posted by pathetic (Post 14882127)

Scott could be the greatest guy in the world, still was a dirty hit and something the NHL is trying to get out of the game.

Originally Posted by HallowBillies7 (Post 14882204)

Rask with 15 saves already tonight, Johnson had 14 the whole game against Buffalo. Anybody else see something wrong here?

Originally Posted by HallowBillies7 (Post 14882204)

Rask with 15 saves already tonight, Johnson had 14 the whole game against Buffalo. Anybody else see something wrong here?

Originally Posted by JRS1386 (Post 14882292)

Buffalo fucking sucks and San Jose is good?

Originally Posted by HallowBillies7 (Post 14882376)

Lol I didn't realize buffalo was that awful until seeing that game last night

Originally Posted by HallowBillies7 (Post 14882204)

Rask with 15 saves already tonight, Johnson had 14 the whole game against Buffalo. Anybody else see something wrong here?

Originally Posted by lockman21 (Post 14882198)

Agree to disagree. I think it's certainly suspendable, and probably 5-10 games.

There's a huge difference between a dirty hit and a malicious hit, though. People calling him classless and saying he doesn't have a place in the NHL are out of line, that's all I'm saying.

Originally Posted by swordo84 (Post 14882679)

The fact that he has 5 points in almost 200 games shows he has no place in the league. Get somebody with some talent to take his spot.

He's only on the team to a)hurt people and b)fight - both of which the NHL are (saying they are) trying to cut down on.

Originally Posted by Rebecca De Mornay (Post 14882692)

Is that much worse than anyone else on the sabres?