If you’re like me, you’re still simmering over last night’s end-of-the-game incident involving Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry and the Bruins’ Brad Marchand. Check that…Marchand’s blatant and vile assault on our goalie. First with a blind-side sucker punch followed in short-order by a high stick to the mask.
All of this happened in a flash, before the Pens could really respond. To his credit, Kris Letang tried to get at Marchand, but a linesman and Charlie McAvoy quickly intervened. Of course, not before the Bruins’ weasel got in a parting shot with his stick.
I shudder to think what would’ve happened had Jarry sustained a concussion…or worse. Our season would’ve gone up in smoke in one ugly swoop.
Think no one gets hurt in incidents like these? You’re wrong. Dead wrong. In January 1982, black-and-gold center Paul Gardner was enjoying a career season. He was riding a six-game point streak with four goals over that span.
Then the Pens visited Winnipeg on January 13.
“It was a heated game, near the end,” Gardner told Paul Steigerwald in an article for the Tribune-Review. “All of a sudden we’re on a power play, and I’m standing there talking to Dave Babych, just like I’m talking to you, and the next thing you know, I ended up in the ambulance.”
What happened was this. Jets goon Jimmy Mann, who remarkably would later play for the Penguins, skated up behind Gardner and punched him not once but twice. The blows were delivered with such brutality and force that Gardner’s jaw was knocked off its hinges.
Mann received a 10-game suspension. Gardner missed 21 games with a fractured jaw. Although he’d go on to tally a career-high 36 goals in only 59 games and would lead the NHL with 21 power-play goals, he was never really the same player. By December 1985…less than three years after the assault…he was out of the NHL at age 29, his promising career cut short.
Gardner still has wires in his jaw to hold it in place.
I’ll cite another incident.
During Game 5 of the 1967 Quarter-Finals, a line brawl erupted between the first-place Flyers and the Blues, a nasty bunch that featured the notorious Plager brothers, Barclay and Bob. During the melee hulking Blues defenseman Noel Picard moved in on peace-loving Flyers forward Claude “Pepsi” Laforge and sucker-punched him from behind.
“While Laforge lie on the ice in an ever-widening pool of blood, Picard and the Blues took on the Flyers, and quite successfully,” wrote Gene Hart in his book Score.
Flyers owner Ed Snider was appalled. “Never again,” he told his scouts. “I want size and I want meanness.”
Enter Dave “the Hammer” Schultz and henchmen Bob “Hound” Kelly and Don “Big Bird” Saleski. The Broad Street Bullies were born, inciting decades of lawless and on-ice mayhem.
Fast forward to the present day. Over the past half-dozen seasons, really since Mike Sullivan became our coach, the Pens have cultivated a culture of not fighting back. That’s not to say we’re wimpy…far from it. In terms of hockey toughness, players like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Letang compete as hard if not harder than anyone. We have the Stanley Cups to prove it.
Still, without a willing and able pugilist to do some enforcing, our stars are vulnerable to opponents who know they can take liberties without fear of retribution. Just like Marchand did last night.
To his credit, former GM Jim Rutherford tried to remedy the situation. In response to the abuse Crosby and his fellow stars absorbed during the 2017 Cup run, Rutherford imported top gun Ryan Reaves, the toughest fighter in the game. “Reavo” lasted two-thirds of a season before Sullivan began to sit him. In effect forcing a trade to Vegas, where Reaves served as a fourth-line hammer and enforcer…and quite successfully…for three-plus seasons. He’s presently a member in good standing of the division-rival Rangers. Bet his teammates sleep better at night knowing there’s a “Sheriff” in town.
In 2019, JR acquired defenseman Erik Gudbranson, nearly Reaves’ equal as a fighter and physical presence. Despite a solid start in the Steel City, it was only a matter of time before Sullivan weeded him out, too. The same would probably have happened had the Pens acquired Anaheim thumper Nicolas Deslauriers as rumored at last season’s trade deadline.
The message is crystal clear. If you can’t fit Sullivan’s up-tempo style, he doesn’t want you. And I get it…to an extent. But not at the risk at leaving your players unprotected.
Relying on the league to handle disciplinary matters, as Sullivan seems to prefer? Puh-lease. If Marchand is suspended for more than one or two games, I’ll be stunned. Especially since it appears Patrice Bergeron might miss some time following an inadvertent collision with Crosby. Wouldn’t want to handicap the poor Bruins just because Marchand went haywire. Never mind the damage he might’ve inflicted to Jarry.
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of watching our guys take it on the chin.
Somewhere out there in junior or the collegiate ranks or US amateur programs or even Europe is a kid who can play and score and fight. Ron Hextall and his scouts need to find him.
…… Liam O’Brien…..
You think that little love tap from Marchand is the same as any of the examples you gave in this article then I have to wonder if you understand hockey at all.
Anyone who defends Marchand is not worth listening to.
Actually Jamie, yes I do think any attack from behind at a Goalies head is equal to the example Rick cited. Attacks from behind are craven and extremely dangerous. And I played and coached hockey for more years than I can count.
Your statement, without any attempt to present evidence, is nothing more than sour grapes opinion – since your friend and repeat offender, Marchand, was hit with his 8th suspension; this one being 6 games and it makes one question whether you have ever watched hockey.
Hey Jamie,
Love tap, my butt. In case you didn’t watch the video, Marchand punched (actually, sucker-punched from the blind side) Jarry hard enough to turn his head and knock him to the ice. Had Marchand caught Jarry in a slightly different spot or way, he might have inflicted serious damage.
It’s the punch you don’t see coming that often does the most damage.
But that wasn’t the worst offense. Marchand then attempted to spear Jarry head high. That was no high-stick. It was a clear thrusting, jabbing motion that made contact with Jarry’s throat guard, again turning his head. Had he jabbed a little lower, it might’ve caught Tristan in the throat.
Plain and simple, a vile and gutless act.
Rick
I’d like to see you get that so called love tap
Lol…great comment, Brett.
Amen Rick,
Great Comment Brett
OK, boomer.
This is a ridiculously out-of-touch take. Those 80s goons wouldn’t be fit to wash jockstraps in Wheeling these days, much less skate in today’s NHL.
There are, what? 5-6 guys in the league that can skate, score, and fight? But sure, Hextall needs to find one. And Geno & Tanger should re-sign for 3 more years @ $5M per season. And Gibson should come home, in exchange for DeSmith and a Primanti Bros gift card.
Get real.
GenX,
We love hearing from new people here on PP. However, a couple of quick tips
If you want to get people to listen to you, name calling is mot a very good strategy. Bellicose, personal attacks only cause the recipient of the the abuse to tune the angry assaulter out.,
Second, unless you were adult enough to follow hockey in the 80s, really follow hockey in the 80s and not simply viewing through the lens of a preteen to teen, then your comment on the goons of the 80s not being fit to wash any article of clothing in Wheeling is prattle and not worth hearing or reading by anyone, particularly when you do not support your position with any evidence what-so-ever (Skating Speed, Shot Speed, Shot Accuracy, Skating Mobility, any metric)
Furthermore, find a Center or D-man UFA this off-season that put up the numbers either of those 2-players put up and who are willing to take a 3 year contract for $5 million, then you can make that statement.
You can be Sarcastic and even cynical but be civil about it, belligerence is unacceptable.
Hey Other Rick,
Thanks for having my back.
Rick
Hey GenXcynic,
A little history lesson. Those ‘80s goons (‘70s actually) who couldn’t wash jockstraps at Wheeling? Schultz had 20 goals one season (if you find math troublesome that’s 18 more than present Pen Dominik Simon). Hound Kelly had two 20-goal seasons…including a 26-goal, 62-point season late in his career. And Saleski had three straight 20-goal seasons…including a career-best 27.
Oh, and they won back-to-back Cups, largely by scaring the crap out of other teams.
To your point (I think), yes, it’s a different game today. Predicated much more on speed and skill and less on beating up the opposition. And that’s a good thing. But hockey’s still hockey, and stuff still happens. Just like the other night.
Perhaps I made it poorly, but my point is this. It doesn’t hurt to have at least one guy in the lineup who’s ready, willing and…here’s where we consistently miss the boat…able to throw some punches in defense of a teammate.
Would that prevent incidents like the other night? Maybe not. But if we had, say, a Tom Wilson or Wayne Simmonds in the lineup, you’d better believe Marchand would be looking over his shoulder the next time the teams met. Which, in addition to keeping him in check might distract him from playing his typical game (he is a heck of a player).
Think he’s going to fear any type of retribution from our present lineup? Of course not.
The past three Stanley Cup champions have included a forward named Pat Maroon. Six-foot-three and 238 pounds. Not the fastest skater in the world…you could probably time him with a sun dial. But an effective grinder who’s been known to throw (and land) a punch or two in defense of a teammate. The Lightning just extended him for two more seasons.
I guess in your eyes, the two-time defending Cup champs have no idea of what they’re doing. Gee…if they’d only listen to you…
FYI: Tampa Bay also employed the likes of Luke Schenn and Zach Bogosian, two other guys who can handle their dukes. In 2018…the Caps hoisted the Cup with guys like Tom Wilson and ex-Pen Brooks Orpik. The heavy Islanders team that knocked us out of the playoffs in two of past three postseasons have Matt Martin to do their policing.
Like it or not, want to admit it or not, there’s value to having a guy who can play and serve as a deterrent.
I’ll close with a sentiment Sidney Crosby shared with Tom Sestito’s son. “I felt a foot taller with your dad in the lineup.”
Rick
Rick
I’m a little late to the party but I definitely would of had your back. I think a great example is Maroon
with the Lightning – Average skater “at best”, picks up a lot of goals by making himself a goal front
presence and has been on the Stanley Cup winning teams the last 3 seasons.
I listed 5 players I would have on my roster over Ashton-Reese or Simon and there current stats. I
know this is sort of random but to me the impact of players like Maroon, Reaves, etc….etc….vs
players like Simon or Ashton-Reese for your team is substantial. When you look at the comparisons
based on stats and playing time its a no-brainer. There is absolutely no way you can give a valid
argument for not having a “HAMMER” on your bench.
Maroon 7goals 7assists 65 PIM 13 Plus minutes per game
Reaves 2goals 7assists 26 PIM 10 Plus minutes per game
Simmonds 4goals 9assists 47 PIM 10 minutes per game
Deslauriers 2goals 4assists 61 PIM 12 minutes per game
Gudbranson 1goal 8assists 44PIM 18 minutes per game
_____________________________________________________________________
Ashton-Reese 1goal 8assists 20PIM 13+minutes per game
Simon 2goals 6assists 16PIM 10 minutes per game
GO PENS
Hey all,
Just a little add-on. The guy I wish we would’ve gone after was Wayne Simmonds, now plying his trade with Toronto. Apparently we were looking at him at the 2020 trade deadline but opted for Patrick Marleau instead. We see how well that worked out.
Simmonds was a free agent this past summer but the Leafs quickly reupped him.
No, he isn’t the player he used to be when he routinely notched 20-30 goals a season for the Flyers. (Ron Hextall’s Flyers, I should add.) And he’s a minus skater, although his intangibles more than make up for it. Just a very tough customer who brooks no offenses against his teammates and a great leader to boot.
Rick Buker
Rick,
I agree .
Sully gets the team to generally compete at a high level during the regular season. The average game intensity ( and hence average game physicality) is generally light to moderate and the Pens hustle and physicality often carries the day.
Come playoffs, other teams understand they have to up both tempo and physicality and the Pens really struggle to match them for more than a game or two in a series.
One of tHe only guys that could skate like Sully wants and be a hammer is Tom Wilson. I hate to say it but he’d be a perfect fit.
Hello Lightning,
Again, very astute comments. You’re spot-on about the Pens generally outhustling and outworking teams during the regular season. Then come the playoffs and opposing teams ratchet up the intensity level…not to mention the physical play…the Pens don’t really have another level to go to. Plus, there’s less room to make plays and it becomes harder to get to the prime scoring areas. That’s where some functional muscle would come in handy. Carter should help in that regard…I’m hoping Zohorna might work his way in as well.
Agree about Wilson. Hate him, but would love to have a player just like him.
Rick