Downie loophole

Listening to xm this morning , the phone topic was a loophole in Downie punishmnet. First of all his punishment is not mandatory in the ahl. 2nd, there is a plan afoot by flyers to "recall" him for regular flyer games he is not schedule (ahl) games only to serve his suspension, and not missing any hockey per se'.
I think he should be rostered on the flyers, serve his suspension & move on. Pulling this "stunt" would make a mockery of the nhl. any comments?

If they put him on the NHL roster, not only would he not count toward the 23-man roster but he still wouldn't count against the cap; the only real consequence would be that the Flyers would have to hold payroll room open for him while he's suspended.

Honestly, it doesn't bother me that much. At best, he still can't play in the NHL until late November - which is a far cry from what he and the team were expecting before he ran McAmmond ... and that's still a big hit to both of them.

I think they are just looking for a way to extend his suspension a few more games so that he doesn't have to face Ottawa Nov 24th. If he sat out all the games in a row he would have been out of suspension 2-3 games prior. This way they can say 'well he's suspended what can you do' instead of having to sit him on purpose to avoid McGrattan;) Also this way he'll be able to keep in game shape by playing in the AHL.

Wait, I thought the AHL upheld NHL suspensions most of the time.

Wait, I thought the AHL upheld NHL suspensions most of the time.

They do, but by choice - not by rule.

They do, but by choice - not by rule.

I know. But why wouldn't they uphold such a high profile suspension? Would just create needless controversy.

I think they are just looking for a way to extend his suspension a few more games so that he doesn't have to face Ottawa Nov 24th. If he sat out all the games in a row he would have been out of suspension 2-3 games prior. This way they can say 'well he's suspended what can you do' instead of having to sit him on purpose to avoid McGrattan;) Also this way he'll be able to keep in game shape by playing in the AHL.

Fortunately, you play them more than once. :) I can't wait to see McGrattan treat him like a ragdoll!

I would hope the AHL would uphold his suspension if he were to remain on their rosters and not in the NHL.

The loophole is interesting and it sort of makes you question the comments made after the decision where, I believe Holmgren said something to the extent of "we accept the penalty that the league has handed out. I understand Colin's position with these types of situations and Downie was there and he accepts the consequences to his actions as well."

If that were a true and honest statement, then wouldn't using a loophole be in, well, direct contradiction of such a statement?

I would more than love for someone to Bogaard his ass and break his face like he did with Fedoruk last season. To me, that's honest to goodness retribution if this loophole is exploited or the AHL simply doesn't enforce the punishment.

So if the AHL upholds the suspension, he'll still be back faster with the NHL game loophole? Hey, maybe the suspension can be reduced to "fair" or less unfair at least after all. 20 games is ridiculous but if he comes back without missing any games then thats not cool...the team should at least sit him 5-10 games even if the AHL doesnt enforce it.

go on youtube and watch all this ignorant ass's crap... there's only one hole he should get in - and that's the toilet

::FLUSH::

bye:rant:

Fortunately, you play them more than once. :) I can't wait to see McGrattan treat him like a ragdoll!

I can't wait either. Then maybe the sens fans will talk about something else.

Wait, I thought the AHL upheld NHL suspensions most of the time.
They didn't when Purinton got 10 games for gouging Colton Orr in the eye right before the start of the '05-06 season.

So if the AHL upholds the suspension, he'll still be back faster with the NHL game loophole? Hey, maybe the suspension can be reduced to "fair" or less unfair at least after all. 20 games is ridiculous but if he comes back without missing any games then thats not cool...the team should at least sit him 5-10 games even if the AHL doesnt enforce it.
No. The AHL is free to impose whatever suspension it wants - but any games he's suspended there do not count in any way, shape, or form toward the 20 games he's suspended in the NHL [for which he has to be on an NHL roster for a game to tick off]. It's why Purinton still has 2 games left on his 10 game suspension.


Sorry ... I don't see this "loophole" unless we're talking about his ability to play in the AHL while suspended by the NHL [which to me isn't as big of a deal as some would like to think]. He's suspended for 20 NHL games; if it takes him 20 games or 20 years to serve it, he can't play in the NHL until all 20 games are served on an NHL roster. It's not like he's able to go across the street, sit there for 2 months, and then go back over to the Flyers and suit up and go run all over the ice again. He can't - so the longer the team takes to have him serve his suspension, the longer it takes for them to have him actually playing for the team in a semi-useful role.

They didn't when Purinton got 10 games for gouging Colton Orr in the eye right before the start of the '05-06 season.


No. The AHL is free to impose whatever suspension it wants - but any games he's suspended there do not count in any way, shape, or form toward the 20 games he's suspended in the NHL [for which he has to be on an NHL roster for a game to tick off]. It's why Purinton still has 2 games left on his 10 game suspension.


Sorry ... I don't see this "loophole" unless we're talking about his ability to play in the AHL while suspended by the NHL [which to me isn't as big of a deal as some would like to think]. He's suspended for 20 NHL games; if it takes him 20 games or 20 years to serve it, he can't play in the NHL until all 20 games are served on an NHL roster. It's not like he's able to go across the street, sit there for 2 months, and then go back over to the Flyers and suit up and go run all over the ice again. He can't - so the longer the team takes to have him serve his suspension, the longer it takes for them to have him actually playing for the team in a semi-useful role.

I think you missed the point about Philly calling him up on his AHL off-nights and using that to count down his suspension although he technically wouldn't be playing anyway.

The Ahl ruled he is not allowed to play the 1st month of regular season. So hes not allowed to play in the AHL till Nov. He should just sit in the NHL, serve his suspension.