http://njmg.typepad.com/devilsblog/

My best guess is Brookbank will be going back to defense for the duration of the suspension, will Bergfors be back to play on the fourth line?

I'm guessing Patrick Davis, since Sutter apparently wants a physical fourth line. But who knows, it could be Jay Leach coming back and Brookbank staying at wing.

I think once Madden is back they will have a Vrana-Rupp-Tallackson line.

I think if they bring up Leach, he will only be here for a 7th dman position.

http://njmg.typepad.com/devilsblog/

My best guess is Brookbank will be going back to defense for the duration of the suspension, will Bergfors be back to play on the fourth line?

I'm guessing Patrick Davis, since Sutter apparently wants a physical fourth line. But who knows, it could be Jay Leach coming back and Brookbank staying at wing.

Sutter <3's the new 4th line. Brookbank ain't goin nowhere.

I think once Madden is back they will have a Vrana-Rupp-Tallackson line.

I think if they bring up Leach, he will only be here for a 7th dman position.
My best guess is that Madden is also going to miss the next two games - if he's not even going with the team to Florida, then this injury is more serious than the team originally anticipated.

****!!!!! why couldnt it be 5

****!!!!! why couldnt it be 5

Where's the positive in losing Mottau?

Is he being replaced by someone better?

Where's the positive in losing Mottau?

Is he being replaced by someone better?

certainly not anyone worse

That insane because it no were near anything we have seen other players do. Not Mott fault he landed awkwardly on the ice. It the sort of thing that just happens and no one can control.

certainly not anyone worse

Brookbank and Jay Leach aren't worse?

You're wrong on this one.

This is ****ing repulsive. **** the NHL and their inconsistent ********. Where the **** was Kovalev's suspension? What he did was far, far, far worse.

certainly not anyone worse

What do you want from the guy?

Seriously, some of you people expect way too much out of some of our players...

"Yay for losing players when we're already depleted" :shakehead

Yeah, I guess it's fair. One game would've probably been more fitting. I mean, the guy did get seriously hurt as a result of the hit. Sure, the hit itself didn't hurt him, but he doesn't land like that if Mottau doesn't hit him like that.

A suspension was fitting. I'm glad it's not longer than 2 games though, because it wasn't worth more.

Corrente time?
I know, quit dreaming.

Corrente time?
I know, quit dreaming.

Yeah I dunno, it's tough. He's struggling but at the same time so was Salmela and he's been pretty solid since coming back up.

I think for 2 games it's worth giving the kid a chance - Tampa & Florida. Not a big deal, IMO. Not huge games but with enough talent to test the kid.

I'm all for Corrente's first 2 NHL games.

Yeah I dunno, it's tough. He's struggling but at the same time so was Salmela and he's been pretty solid since coming back up.

I think for 2 games it's worth giving the kid a chance - Tampa & Florida. Not a big deal, IMO. Not huge games but with enough talent to test the kid.

I'm all for Corrente's first 2 NHL games.

couldnt agree more. you could even do this with eckford.

That insane because it no were near anything we have seen other players do. Not Mott fault he landed awkwardly on the ice. It the sort of thing that just happens and no one can control.

This is ****ing repulsive. **** the NHL and their inconsistent ********. Where the **** was Kovalev's suspension? What he did was far, far, far worse.

Lets be clear.

Mike Mottau is being suspended 2 games for being Mike Mottau.

If this was Phaneuf or Lidstrom or Campbell there is NO suspension.

But the NHL wants to make a statement about dangerous hits, which this was, and since Mike Mottau is a nobody, it's "okay" to suspend him. The End.

Yeah I dunno, it's tough. He's struggling but at the same time so was Salmela and he's been pretty solid since coming back up.

I think for 2 games it's worth giving the kid a chance - Tampa & Florida. Not a big deal, IMO. Not huge games but with enough talent to test the kid.

I'm all for Corrente's first 2 NHL games.

I agree. I don't think he could be much worse than Brookbank anyway.
BTW, he has a goal, fight and two shots, is +1 after the second. Guess he thinks this could be his chance. :sarcasm:

I agree. I don't think he could be much worse than Brookbank anyway.
BTW, he has a goal, fight and two shots, is +1 after the second. Guess he thinks this could be his chance. :sarcasm:

he scored? and he thinks he has a chance? they better tell him not to score in the NHL if he wants to play for us...:sarcasm:

Lets be clear.

Mike Mottau is being suspended 2 games for being Mike Mottau.

If this was Phaneuf or Lidstrom or Campbell there is NO suspension.

But the NHL wants to make a statement about dangerous hits, which this was, and since Mike Mottau is a nobody, it's "okay" to suspend him. The End.

yeah it's really sad, man. This league has been incredibly politicized and biased and it's really sickening. **** like this makes the league harder and harder to respect.

Anyone have a clip of the hit? I didn't watch the game.

That insane because it no were near anything we have seen other players do. Not Mott fault he landed awkwardly on the ice. It the sort of thing that just happens and no one can control.

If that's what it takes for those retards to stop aiming at the head, then i'm all for it. Mottau wasn't even near the guy at the time of the hit because the opposing player avoided him so in order for Mottau not to look like a AHL'er (:sarcasm:) he opted to throw his hands in the other guys face... the rest is history.

P.S. Call up Bergfors and Corrente or Eckford or Frasier and send down Brookbank and Tallackson

Lets be clear.

Mike Mottau is being suspended 2 games for being Mike Mottau.

If this was Phaneuf or Lidstrom or Campbell there is NO suspension.

But the NHL wants to make a statement about dangerous hits, which this was, and since Mike Mottau is a nobody, it's "okay" to suspend him. The End.

Ya I know and its really sad too

Anyone have a clip of the hit? I didn't watch the game.

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If that's what it takes for those retards to stop aiming at the head, then i'm all for it. Mottau wasn't even near the guy at the time of the hit because the opposing player avoided him so in order for Mottau not to look like a AHL'er (:sarcasm:) he opted to throw his hands in the other guys face... the rest is history.

P.S. Call up Bergfors and Corrente or Eckford or Frasier and send down Brookbank and Tallackson

He didn't really hit is his face more like the side of his head. Since he was avoiding the hit, which I feel may have put himself in more of a worst position then before.


Either way it wasn't dirty but still and good call by the refs to give him two mins. This Mott for crying out loud and I wouldn't expect Mott to even think about doing something that everyone else is screaming for. I mean there isn't even anything wrong with his head. ITS HIS KNEE!!!!!!!!

Lets be clear.

Mike Mottau is being suspended 2 games for being Mike Mottau.

If this was Phaneuf or Lidstrom or Campbell there is NO suspension.

But the NHL wants to make a statement about dangerous hits, which this was, and since Mike Mottau is a nobody, it's "okay" to suspend him. The End.

Really. The league ****ing sucks when it comes to **** like this.
My main beef is they did nothing about Weight's hit on Sutter, but they're suspending Mike ****ing Mottau for almost the same thing. The hits normally wouldn't have been dangerous, but someone ended up injured. I know Sutter's injury was mostly his fault, and it wasn't as severe, but they need to call this **** consistently unless they wanna become even more of a laughing stock.

Thanks.

Lmao.. what was Mike thinking? You are NOT Scott Stevens, but it was a nice attempt at least..

I think Fraser also deserves a shot.

P.S. Call up Bergfors and Corrente or Eckford or Frasier and send down Brookbank and Tallackson

Ugh. I don't think I could get much happier than I would if they were to do that.

I think Fraser also deserves a shot.

I really don't think they like Fraser that much. He hasn't really been given a fair shot, and they've had plenty of chances to call him up, unless maybe he hasn't been playing too well. Does anyone know how he's been doing in Lowell?

He didn't really hit is his face. More like the side of his head since he was avoiding the hit, which I feel may have put himself in more of a worst position then before.

I don't care who you are... stop taking shots to the head and everything is going to be okay. Look at what the NFL did regarding QB's and head shots. It's a automatic 15 yard penalty regardless of the impact or the player that gives the hit... unlike the NHL. The salary cap comes from the NFL, maybe head shots should be penalised the same way. I'd give a double minor for every head shots... that wi'll get players thinking and if it doesn't work, the coach will probably bench his ass for putting his team in trouble.

I don't care who you are... stop taking shots to the head and everything is going to be okay. Look at what the NFL did regarding QB's and head shots. It's a automatic 15 yard penalty regardless of the impact or the player that gives the hit... unlike the NHL. The salary cap comes from the NFL, maybe head shots should be penalised the same way. I'd give a double minor for every head shots... that wi'll get players thinking and if it doesn't work, the coach will probably bench his ass for putting his team in trouble.

It's a contact sport, who gives a ****. This vaginafication of the game needs to stop, drop the instigator and most of this **** would cease. Otherwise, stop being ******* and thinking that these stupid ****ing suspensions to nobodies is going to change anything.

It's a contact sport, who gives a ****. This vaginafication of the game needs to stop, drop the instigator and most of this **** would cease. Otherwise, stop being ******* and thinking that these stupid ****ing suspensions to nobodies is going to change anything.

I'm not saying that a 2 game suspension to Mike Mottau will turn the league around regarding head shots but IF THEY COULD BE CONSISTENT, REGARDLESS OF THE NAME BEHIND THE SWEATER, EVERYTHING WOULD BE ALOT BETTER.

P.S. If one of our guys would've gotten hit the way Nielsen got clocked, we'd have a thread of over 200 posts and counting...

I'm not saying that a 2 game suspension to Mike Mottau will turn the league around regarding head shots but IF THEY COULD BE CONSISTENT, REGARDLESS OF THE NAME BEHIND THE SWEATER, EVERYTHING WOULD BE ALOT BETTER.

Letting tough guys beat the **** out of offenders does far better justice, period.

Letting tough guys beat the **** out of offenders does far better justice, period.

Maybe so, but if a player isn't smart enough to judge for himself that if he hits a opposing player to the face or head might get him suspended... then he fully deserves what he got.

If we are going to call up a promising d-man prospect, I think Eckford is more likely than Corrente.

If we are going to call up a promising d-man prospect, I think Eckford is more likely than Corrente.

If not one of them, it has to be fraser. How come he never gets called up? Does he have to go thru waivers?

If an Islander had done that to one of our players, i.e Parise, Zajac etc...we'd be infuriated as well by only 2 games, so I understand their reaction.

Two games is enough and fair, but I understand the Islanders fans calling for more.

I'm pretty sure we'll be calling up Pelley and Leach up before the game tomorrow. Pelley because he's a centerman and because he's defensively solid, something Sutter will want against players like Lecavalier, St.Louis, Stamkos etc...and we're also playing on the road, where we don't have the last change.

Pelley is back from injury and had 2+1 in a 4-1 Lowell win vs Norfolk today. And I doubt that the Devils would bring a rookie like Eckford or Corrente right now to play in a situation like this. Leach is a veteran and it will be him.

Leach: 15GP, 1G, 2A, +6 (team-best), 21PIM
Corrente: 15GP, 2G, 3A, +1, 34PIM
Eckford: 14GP, 1G, 6A, +1, 17PIM
Fraser: 14GP, 0G, 1A, -12 (team-worst), 20PIM

I doubt that the Devils would bring a rookie like Eckford or Corrente right now to play in a situation like this. Leach is a veteran and it will be him.

Just the taught of us bringing up Leach makes me wanna PUKE !!! It's not like he's gonna be matched against the opposition's top line so why can't we bring up someone with a little more experience like Frasier instead of Leach ?!?!?

I don't care who you are... stop taking shots to the head and everything is going to be okay. Look at what the NFL did regarding QB's and head shots. It's a automatic 15 yard penalty regardless of the impact or the player that gives the hit... unlike the NHL. The salary cap comes from the NFL, maybe head shots should be penalised the same way. I'd give a double minor for every head shots... that wi'll get players thinking and if it doesn't work, the coach will probably bench his ass for putting his team in trouble.

if that's the case then why hasn't the NHL suspend some other players in the league instead of allowing them to get away with it. ...............Mott was going for a big hit. I don't think he honestly was thinking about going for a head shot come on now.

OK give Mott a penalty during the game but the suspend for that come on.

Leach: 15GP, 1G, 2A, +6 (team-best), 21PIM
Corrente: 15GP, 2G, 3A, +1, 34PIM
Eckford: 14GP, 1G, 6A, +1, 17PIM
Fraser: 14GP, 0G, 1A, -12 (team-worst), 20PIM

+/- is the worst stat in all of sports :help:

It's a contact sport, who gives a ****. This vaginafication of the game needs to stop, drop the instigator and most of this **** would cease.

Exactly, what the hell. It's not "hits to the head" that need to stop, it's dirty or bad hits to the head. How many times did Stevens line a guy's mellon up perfectly because he was admiring the logo on the puck? That part of the game shouldnt be made illegal.

Frazee: 4 GP 1-1-1 2.49 GAA 0.923 S%. Those are better numbers than Clemmer put up in Lowell. Call him up.

2 games is fair. It certainly deserved at least a game.

Regardless of whether it was intentional or not, it was not a good play by Mottau.

ok guys Mottau definitely deserved to be suspended for that hit. if he didnt throw out his arm then nothing would have happened to anyone.

if that's the case then why hasn't the NHL suspend some other players in the league instead of allowing them to get away with it. ...............Mott was going for a big hit. I don't think he honestly was thinking about going for a head shot come on now.

OK give Mott a penalty during the game but the suspend for that come on.

I can almost garantee you that Mottau wasn't going for a cheap shot, he's not that kind of player but his arms were going for his head and the fact of the matter is that Nielsen had to dodge him, wich led to his leg injury.

ok guys Mottau definitely deserved to be suspended for that hit. if he didnt throw out his arm then nothing would have happened to anyone.

That's fine.

But then there should have been other suspensions this year. I'm sick of a league where salary level gets figured into whether or not you get suspended.


How is the Weight hit on Sutter not a suspension using the "Mottau suspension" as a guideline? Oh wait,,,,,that's right, Weight is on the books for a $4.3M cap hit and has been an NHL all-star.

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If someone could tell me how Mottau gets 2 games for a "hit to the head" in which a players LEG gets injured, but this gets no suspension whatsoever,,,,,, I'm all ears. Thanks.

5UDiUzP5pvU&feature=related

If someone could tell me how Mottau gets 2 games for a "hit to the head" in which a players LEG gets injured, but this gets no suspension whatsoever,,,,,, I'm all ears. Thanks.

5UDiUzP5pvU&feature=related

This one should've been called but the one were Doug Weight just clocks baby Sutter was a legal hit. Brandon put himself in a verry vulnerable position by trying to poke the puck past Weight and got leveled for his attemp. Sutter's head was about 4 feet off the ice because HE made a bonehead play.

I can garantee you that he'll never try to make that move at center ice ever again ;)

Leach: 15GP, 1G, 2A, +6 (team-best), 21PIM
Corrente: 15GP, 2G, 3A, +1, 34PIM
Eckford: 14GP, 1G, 6A, +1, 17PIM
Fraser: 14GP, 0G, 1A, -12 (team-worst), 20PIM

oh. wow, nvm.

If that happened to one of our players I would probably want more than two games. Two games is fair.

This one should've been called but the one were Doug Weight just clocks baby Sutter was a legal hit.

I wasnt saying the Weight hit was dirty, but I do think it falls into the grey area of between "clean" and "kindof clean" where it wouldnt have surprised me if action was taken. The second YT clip, however, IMO is 100% dirty.

I wasnt saying the Weight hit was dirty, but I do think it falls into the grey area of between "clean" and "kindof clean" where it wouldnt have surprised me if action was taken. The second YT clip, however, IMO is 100% dirty.

The league needs to separate "dirty" and "legal". If a player is gonna go out of his way to make a play but at the same time he's putting his body in jeopardy, then that's his problem but if you have someone giving you a flying elbow or a double fist punch to the face cause you got out of his way, then those kinda hits should be punished.

This one should've been called but the one were Doug Weight just clocks baby Sutter was a legal hit. Brandon put himself in a verry vulnerable position by trying to poke the puck past Weight and got leveled for his attemp. Sutter's head was about 4 feet off the ice because HE made a bonehead play.

I can garantee you that he'll never try to make that move at center ice ever again ;)

I agree that that hit was clean and that it was Brandon's fault, but I still think they should have done something about it. You can't just let something go because it was an accident, or the player who injured the other wasn't at fault. That's not going to fix the problem.

This one should've been called but the one were Doug Weight just clocks baby Sutter was a legal hit. Brandon put himself in a verry vulnerable position by trying to poke the puck past Weight and got leveled for his attemp. Sutter's head was about 4 feet off the ice because HE made a bonehead play.

I can garantee you that he'll never try to make that move at center ice ever again ;)

I completely agree. Nothing is wrong with the Weight hit at all. The only thing the NHL could possibly find "wrong" is that he hit him in the head... which I personally think shouldn't be a penalty.

2 games is fair. It certainly deserved at least a game.

Regardless of whether it was intentional or not, it was not a good play by Mottau.
I agree with this. It was Mottau being stupid. When he realized he was going to miss, he should have missed. What bothers me now is that we'll be without two more players for at least two more games. And of course, it's unfortunate for the Isles.

And the thinking that Mottau did this on Sutter's orders is absolutely ridiculous. :shakehead I might be in the minority, but I'm actually glad that Sutter didn't rip Mottau in the media. I'm sure the Isles think it was disingenuous of him given what he said after the hit on Brandon, but I'd prefer for our players to feel like they're in an environment where they are held accountable but not unsupported, or at least the appearance of it, even if he's ripping Mottau a new one in private. I know I would be if I were Sutter. I'd be pissed. I'd be all, "We're already missing players and you ****ing go and get yourself suspended?!" :rant: Sutter probably appreciates that Mottau was trying to be physical, but not that he was stupid.

Per the Ledger (http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2008/11/weighing_in_on_devils_defensem.html):
"In my mind, Mike isn't that type of a player,'' Lamoriello said of the incident. "Unfortunately, these things happen.''

"We accept it and move forward,'' Lamoriello said of Mottau's suspension.

Like that. I hope now Mottau will learn how to make open ice hits properly.

Brookbank and Jay Leach aren't worse?

You're wrong on this one.


What do you want from the guy?

Seriously, some of you people expect way too much out of some of our players...

"Yay for losing players when we're already depleted" :shakehead

yea, i was being a bit hard on mottau, i guess people cant pick up sarcasm without the little smilies. still, its not like he is irreplaceable and its not like we are going to struggle without him. brookbank and leach arent much worse.

yea, i was being a bit hard on mottau, i guess people cant pick up sarcasm without the little smilies. still, its not like he is irreplaceable and its not like we are going to struggle without him. brookbank and leach arent much worse.

You're right. It was very hard to pick up your sarcasm without the smileys on a message board, where tone of voice and facial expression can be very hard to interpret.

Maybe next time you could use one for our benefit and help us out.

the biggest problem is he was given 2 minutes for elbowing.

and, technically, ALL elbows are "head shots"

so are they going to suspend everyone who elbows?

Lets be clear.

Mike Mottau is being suspended 2 games for being Mike Mottau.

If this was Phaneuf or Lidstrom or Campbell there is NO suspension.

But the NHL wants to make a statement about dangerous hits, which this was, and since Mike Mottau is a nobody, it's "okay" to suspend him. The End.

Exactly.

Two big differences between Mottau and Kovalev:

1. Kovalev is a "name" player. Mottau is not.

2. Kovalev plays for the Montreal Canadians. Mottau plays for the NJ Devils.

yea, i was being a bit hard on mottau, i guess people cant pick up sarcasm without the little smilies. still, its not like he is irreplaceable and its not like we are going to struggle without him. brookbank and leach arent much worse.

I could tell you were being sarcastic by the tone of your voice. Oh wait.... :sarcasm:

People, Mike had a moment of retardism. He tried for a big hit and failed miserably due to his slow skating and lashed at the guy without thinking. 2 games is just and fair.

Bring up Leach because he is solid and is playing great shutdown hockey for Lowell.

yea, i was being a bit hard on mottau, i guess people cant pick up sarcasm without the little smilies. still, its not like he is irreplaceable and its not like we are going to struggle without him. brookbank and leach arent much worse.

Brookbank and Leach aren't much worse? :help:

Mottau is better defensively and better offensively then Brookbank and Leach. There is a good reason why Mottau almost averages 20 minutes/game and Brookbank and Leach around 10 minutes.

You're right. It was very hard to pick up your sarcasm without the smileys on a message board, where tone of voice and facial expression can be very hard to interpret.

Maybe next time you could use one for our benefit and help us out.

will do

Brookbank and Leach aren't much worse? :help:

Mottau is better defensively and better offensively then Brookbank and Leach. There is a good reason why Mottau almost averages 20 minutes/game and Brookbank and Leach around 10 minutes.

brookbank isnt much worse. he actually knows how to take a slap shot and is probably about the same level skating wise, mottau is a smarter player but brookbank is much bigger and stronger. like i said, it really wont make that big of a difference for 2 games to the point where we could say "we would have won that if we had mottau"

Call up Pelley. He's our most Maddenish centre.

I don't think a checking line centred by Mike Rupp is what's called for against a reinvigorated Lecavalier and St. Louis.

Anyway 30 other guys have had a game this season; must be Rodney's go.

Call up Pelley. He's our most Maddenish centre.

I don't think a checking line centred by Mike Rupp is what's called for against a reinvigorated Lecavalier and St. Louis.

Anyway 30 other guys have had a game this season; must be Rodney's go.

Totally forgot about Pelley, he played a bunch of games last year, but not sure if he's been called up this season.......and yeah, he is a Madden-ish type player, I'd rather have Pelley playing than Brookbank as a forward.

Frans is lucky Vish went to Russia

Is all I'm sayin'

Is their a clip of Guerin ranting about the hit or can someone give me a quick summary of it? I was at the game so I didn't see it.

Is their a clip of Guerin ranting about the hit or can someone give me a quick summary of it? I was at the game so I didn't see it.

They showed a clip before the Isles-Sabres game tonight. I didn't grab it but honestly I thought he said/insinuated the right things. Wasn't so much a rant as a captain saying what he should.

They showed a clip before the Isles-Sabres game tonight. I didn't grab it but honestly I thought he said/insinuated the right things. Wasn't so much a rant as a captain saying what he should.

Other post on our forums make it sound like it was this big long rant of him moaning and whining lol..............I figured it wasn't as bad as some people are saying about it. I just wanted to hear it for myself o well.

Mottau is useless and this will be the highlight of his career, injuring someone so they're out for 8-12 weeks while he gets 2 games.

2 games is fair, I'm still shocked he didn't get more of a penalty during the game, I was especially shocked when I heard they gave the Instigator to the Isles player who took him on.

It was to the head, more importantly, he left his feet to make the hit. The minute you leave your feet and cause injury, you're suspended, I don't care who you are.

2 games is fair, I'm still shocked he didn't get more of a penalty during the game, I was especially shocked when I heard they gave the Instigator to the Isles player who took him on.

It was to the head, more importantly, he left his feet to make the hit. The minute you leave your feet and cause injury, you're suspended, I don't care who you are.

The instigator is a given any time someone gets attacked.

I agree, I figured they'd get a 3 minute major. I thought it was going to be 5-5-game for Mottau and 5-2 for Hunter.

BUT, on the Isles thread (keeping it civil because I was pretty angry about that gigantic clod that ran Halischuk in the A)... you see it in slow motion, it wasn't that bad. It's just that Mottau got up in the air and it slams Nielsen down in a bad way.

The reverse angle looks terrible, but when you see what happens, he basically just kinda grazed Nielsen with some part of his arm as he was flying past, and then Nielsen got dumped on his head and landed bad on his leg.

So, basically, Mottau got suspended for being a clod.

EDIT: Also, there was nothing wrong with Weight's hit, at all. If that was suspendable, Stevens would have been suspended many times in the playoffs for taking advantage of a situation.

The instigator is a given any time someone gets attacked.

I agree, I figured they'd get a 3 minute major. I thought it was going to be 5-5-game for Mottau and 5-2 for Hunter.

BUT, on the Isles thread (keeping it civil because I was pretty angry about that gigantic clod that ran Halischuk in the A)... you see it in slow motion, it wasn't that bad. It's just that Mottau got up in the air and it slams Nielsen down in a bad way.

The reverse angle looks terrible, but when you see what happens, he basically just kinda grazed Nielsen with some part of his arm as he was flying past, and then Nielsen got dumped on his head and landed bad on his leg.

So, basically, Mottau got suspended for being a clod.

EDIT: Also, there was nothing wrong with Weight's hit, at all. If that was suspendable, Stevens would have been suspended many times in the playoffs for taking advantage of a situation.

I had no problem with Weight's hit either, we'd have a real problem if that warranted a suspension.

And yeah, Mottau's hit wasn't severe and he did look like a batter swinging and fouling off ball four in the dirt, but like I said, leaving your feet is major no-no for the league.

Win the next 2 games and no one will care.
I don't think the hit deserved a suspension at all, even if it were against a Devil.
I think anyone crying for a longer suspension does not understand hockey or has only been a fans for less than 2 seasons.
Yes, Mottau deserved a penalty, but he was leading with his shoulder and last second moved because Nielson moved. It's unfortunate that he injured his knee on the ice.
Does he also have a neck or head injury? I have not read reports of that.

You know he didn't even elbow him. He hit him with a glove to the face.

Well, it was a deserved suspension. Mottau was being careless and did extend his arm and leaned with his elbow and stick. Of course it wasn´t by far not the worst hits that we have seen, but enough to deserve a suspension.

Nielsen was lucky to escape a concussion, but terribly unlucky to land in a bad position on his leg.

Two games is a fair penalty for Mottau´s hit. Not because of Nielsen´s long injury time, but because of the risk for severe head injuries that this hit could´ve caused. But as I said, concussion or some other head injury didn´t luckily happen this time. But it is clear that the league is sending a message. And I am totally fine with this one.

The amount of whining on the Islanders broadcast last night was ****in ridiculous. And Bill Guerin is a total ****ing *****. I hope Clarkson knocks his ****ing teeth out next time they fight.

http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=575494 <--- Isles thread.

http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/blog/ <--blog that reported it.

8-12 weeks with multiple leg injuries. Poor guy.

Even if you dont mean to do it, laying a hit like that is careless and irresponsible.

Even if you dont mean to do it, laying a hit like that is careless and irresponsible.

Yeah, but on the flipside, if it worked out perfectly, he would've praised by us fans.

It's an unfortunate set of events. I just hope this doesn't bring the injury bad karma back on us...

The amount of whining on the Islanders broadcast last night was ****in ridiculous. And Bill Guerin is a total ****ing *****. I hope Clarkson knocks his ****ing teeth out next time they fight.

Their fans are no different and if it was the other way around they would think it was fair. If It happen the other way around I would have said the same thing in the other guys defense.

Just saw the hit for the first time.....not a smart play by Mottau. I'm honestly surprised he wasn't suspended for 5.

http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=575494 <--- Isles thread.

http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/blog/ <--blog that reported it.

8-12 weeks with multiple leg injuries. Poor guy.

God, I just went to that blog. Never saw so much whining in my life. Pathetic.

I can't believe there are actually people out there that believe this:

A number of Islanders fans have suggested Mottau's hit was payback for the clean knockout shot Doug Weight delivered to Brandon Sutter, son of Devils coach Brent Sutter, in a game earlier this season.

I can't believe there are actually people out there that believe this:
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Yeah, but on the flipside, if it worked out perfectly, he would've praised by us fans.

It's an unfortunate set of events. I just hope this doesn't bring the injury bad karma back on us...
Yeah, if he had hip-checked him instead of catching him with his forearm/elbow it wouldn't have been a problem :rolleyes:

Lets be clear.

Mike Mottau is being suspended 2 games for being Mike Mottau.

If this was Phaneuf or Lidstrom or Campbell there is NO suspension.

But the NHL wants to make a statement about dangerous hits, which this was, and since Mike Mottau is a nobody, it's "okay" to suspend him. The End.

Exactly, what the hell. It's not "hits to the head" that need to stop, it's dirty or bad hits to the head. How many times did Stevens line a guy's mellon up perfectly because he was admiring the logo on the puck? That part of the game shouldnt be made illegal.

Been offline while my boy Motts is in the news... did I miss something?:sarcasm:

Anyway, my feeling on these types of hits, including Weight's on baby Sutter, is that Rule #1 in pro hockey is keep your head up.

I had a clear view of the play, and Motts lined him up pretty well and Neilsen wasn't paying attention. He reacted late and awkwardly. And that lead to an unfortunate result, to a part of his body not struck on the play. A weird aftermath to a regular hockey play.

I agree with Brent Sutter, who said after the game that he thought it was a two minute minor penalty, as called, and there would be none of this reaction had the player not been hurt on the play.

The rabble rousing Newsday blog from "On the Islanders Beat" (http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/ho...slanders/blog) is appropriately "homerish", but this portion is particularly full of ****: "This was a case of a marginal NHL defenseman getting beaten by Nielsen, panicking and resorting to a desperate, dirty play in an attempt to stop his opponent."

Ummm. Frans was lollygagging with his head down in the middle of our zone, had beaten no one on any play, and a very unpanicked, non-desperate and generally dirty-free player cleaned his clock.

Then handed the much bigger Trent Hunter a beat down after being jumped.

I, for one, was very happy to see some intensity from our defense, especially against a division rival who owned us all last season. (And, as founder of the Mike Mottau Man Club, was particularly pumped it was Motts...)

Isn't smashmouth defense a huge part of Devils hockey?

When did hockey fans, and especially hockey reporters, all grow vaginas? (That is aside from the lady folks who already had them to begin with...) All the boo-hoo-ing over Motts laughing in the penalty box was particularly fey and mince-y. My seats are right behind the penalty box, so me, personally, going bat**** crazy hooting and hollering like a lunatic for my boy, and shouting that Neilsen should have kept his head up, and several other helpful reminders of the nature of the game of hockey, could have played a factor in Mottau laughing.

But then floating the Sutter retaliation rumor then dismissing it, a la Fox news, so it is out there for fans to chew on (without taking actual ownership) was particularly egregious and hack-y.

I don't think anyone -- Motts, Sutter, the fans, coaches, players or the NHL -- wanted their player to get injured. But hockey is a contact sport, and these type of incidents happen.

The league saved face with a somewhat B.S. suspension. Such is life. Everyone needs to move on, and hope that Neilsen recovers quickly. And keeps his head on a swivel next time.

I can't believe there are actually people out there that believe this:

That's so stupid. If Sutter wanted revenge for the hit on Brandon, wouldn't he have sent someone after Weight? And wouldn't he have used someone a little tougher than Mottau?

That's so stupid. If Sutter wanted revenge for the hit on Brandon, wouldn't he have sent someone after Weight? And wouldn't he have used someone a little tougher than Mottau?

In the blogger's defense, he was just reporting that some Isles fans felt that way.

Mottau clearly made no such effort. A number of Islanders fans have suggested Mottau's hit was payback for the clean knockout shot Doug Weight delivered to Brandon Sutter, son of Devils coach Brent Sutter, in a game earlier this season. I don't believe that for a second.

Anyone get the feeling that this could really add to the rivalry a bit?

If the Isle's want to react as half as much as the Isle's fans it certainly will.

A few are calling for the goon's to try and injure Parise, Zajac or Martin.:shakehead

Sutter has "no problem" with Mottau suspension; speaks out again against hits to the head (http://njmg.typepad.com/devilsblog/2008/11/sutter-has-no-problem-with-mottau-suspension-speaks-out-again-against-hits-to-the-head.html#more)
In fact, Sutter said he thought that the Islanders' Trent Hunter did the right thing in fighting Mottau right after the hit and he wished that there was no insitigator penalty called there.

"The situation after it occurred when Hunter sits for the whole period because he sticks up for a teammate. That, to me, is a big problem. Your'e coming to an aid of a teammate and yet that player gets punished for doing that. I'd expect my players to do the same thing and they will do the same. That's what the game is about. Yet, why are those players getting (penalized). To me, that's part of being allowed to police the game as players. That's the issue I have with it."

"I have no problem at all with the suspension that was handed down. When there's something being reviewed, you've got to expect that there's going to be something. And that's not being disrespectful to my player at all."
But...but...revenge!!

Again, not ripping Mottau, but making it clear that he wasn't changing his stance like that Isles blogger wanted to think.

i really liked the Sutter's comments on Gulitti's blog today. I thought it was a really good interview and he said all the right things.

link > http://njmg.typepad.com/devilsblog/

mottau was committed to the hit then he ducked and mike did what anyone would do in a reaction - extend to still connect on the hit. that hit did not cause the injury, the ducking to avoid the hit caused it and thus it should not be a suspension.

total bs yet again.

first they call of his goal last year on the skate deflection he didn't even move on - now this. the nhl hates MM for making it at this level.

mottau was committed to the hit then he ducked and mike did what anyone would do in a reaction - extend to still connect on the hit. that hit did not cause the injury, the ducking to avoid the hit caused it and thus it should not be a suspension.

total bs yet again.

first they call of his goal last year on the skate deflection he didn't even move on - now this. the nhl hates MM for making it at this level.

I said the same thing to guy sitting next to me at the game ...........But that just caused the islander fan to yell at me :laugh:


People want to see what they just want to see.