#100

Ken Linseman joins Chris and Tim for the 100th epsiode of Raw Knuckles! Linseman talks all about how he got the nickname "The Rat", fighting in hockey today, and The Brawl in the Hall!
Time Stamps:
0:00 Intro
0:35 The Brawl in the Hall
4:50 The Rat
10:40 Fighting Philosophy
22:55 Toronto/Ottowa Controversy and Changes to the Game
29:35 Stanley Cup
37:20 Philly/Boston/Edmonton
47:17 Fighting in Hockey Today
52:25 Life Outside of Hockey
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[@smittyinwootown5640]

This is the Best Podcast happening rite now. Period. 🙏

[@DTrent-uy1wl]

I agree. Chris and Tim are excellent

[@smittyinwootown5640]

@@DTrent-uy1wl I’m from Boston and am Chris Nilans age so the accent and lingo are nothing out of the ordinary to me. Gos Bless Em. 🙏

[@rebeltvr6046]

Periodt.

[@garysullivan3144]

Me too no one reminds me more of me than Chris!! @@smittyinwootown5640

[@garysullivan3144]

By a mile....No doubt about!!!

[@jw2478]

Kenny, Messier and Anderson - what a great line in Edmonton.

[@bbb462cid]

I hate to agree, as a B's fan. Today people forget about Glenn Anderson, especially.

[@justinsanft5134]

This is priceless as these two despised each other in the 80s

[@GoldCountryTrapping]

The Rat and Dino Ciccarelli were some of my favorites. My style of hockey.

[@todd3563]

As a Bruin fan it kills me how much I like Knuckles.

[@bigbadbruins1]

I feel the same way. I hated the SOB. But now I enjoy his GREAT personality

[@bbb462cid]

You do know he was a Bruin, right? And that he's a West Roxbury boy? Played for Northeastern? He and I went to the same High School.

[@todd3563]

@@bbb462cid Thank you, Captain Obvious.

[@bbb462cid]

@@todd3563 Oh sorry, I didn't realize you were sensitive like that.

[@todd3563]

@@bbb462cid Just screwing with ya. I livedi in West Roxbury in the 80's so i'm well aware that Chris grew up there. I was sort of glad that he came to the Bruins but it was late in his career and he was not that effective.

[@bigbadbruins1]

I would love to pick Kenny’s brain about the year he played for Birmingham Bulls in the WHA. That was the team with Durbano,Hanson,Beaton,& Bad News Billodeau.

[@smittyinwootown5640]

That Durbano was completely Looney.

[@wadewishneski3075]

Great ep. These RK pods are a refreshing pod in the vast arena of podcasts. As a 58 yo long-time hockey fan many of your guests really hit home as these players were guys I enjoyed watching and I very much enjoyed the physical side of the game. As a long-time Flyers fan I remember many of your guests vividly, including Linesman. Again, great ep. 👍

[@jaypainespotter]

I can't remember whether it was Dedham or Brockton Youth Hockey but when i was 7 years old Ken Linseman and Jay Miller came to the end of the season banquet and presented the trophies to us kids. Great memories.

[@bbb462cid]

Good old Kenny! I saw him play at a Bruins Alumni charity game at the Boch Ice Arena in Dedham MA about 10 years ago. He won every faceoff, the firefighter's centers were trying like hell LOL

[@GarnetBailey-jg5wz]

I still remember what Harry Neale said to Linseman during that massive brawl with Vancouver on 2/22/80. Kenny was paired off with Thomas Gradin, of all people. The two of them drifted by the Vancouver bench and Kenny said to Harry, "Why don't you sucker me?" Neale comes back with "Kenny, I knew your Dad and I know he'd be proud of who you've picked in this fight. I know it took you long enough to seek him out." OUCH!!

[@nutknowledge]

Linseman is my 4th favorite Bruin of all time after Neely, Middleton, Bergeron. Got to meet Linseman in 2014 when I took my 11 year old son (we're from Montreal) to a Bruins kids week long hockey camp. Each day there was an alumni player who would come speak to the kids and also did some Q&A. A kid asked him "why did they call you the rat"? and he chuckled and said "there are too many kids here and I could get in trouble for telling you all the stories behind the nickname". Spent about 10 minutes speaking to him after the event and as you realize with all former hockey players, most of them are just great guys.

[@user-bh5zg2bn9p]

MR Nilan you got the best podcast going.Thank you.

[@machader6736]

Mr. Chris Nilan,thank you for this podcsat! You & Stapes are the best! Congrats on 100 episodes!! Just please give us hundreds more! I’m Shawn from P.E.I. A life long Habs fan!!! And a big Raw Knuckles fan, like many others!!!😊

[@bobbasha-bt6ml]

Great interview again! Good to know Kenny is doing well,haven’t heard much from him after his NHL career.

[@jamesborg333maya]

What Tim said...Starting the podcast to bury the hatchet with 1000 guys.........! That is so cool ! But also are the stories behind the scenes that many fans would of had no idea is really awesome that gets talked about on this podcast which makes this podcast absolutely fun to watch and listen to.

[@dancrognale9418]

Growing up in the 70s and 80s, Kenny was my favorite player until he stopped playing. Was always wondering when you would get him on the show. I sure do miss hockey from those days. Great podcast and keep it up!

[@BadGrandpa2024]

Great Show, I went to the first matchup post brawl in the hall with the Canadians at the Garden I think it was mid Jan 1987 and that was a great game too, I've always insisted that Marchand be known as Rat Jr. there will always only be one Rat and that was Kenny Linesman.

[@jbull7126]

Such an important piece of the Oilers dynasty, Really brought them a something they needed

[@patrickkeenan8109]

Ken’s son played High School hockey with my Son and coached them .Ken went out of his way to come over to me and my son and chat. My son is still friends with Ken’s son. Great guy.

[@christopherhurley1669]

Also the Simmer, Lineman and Keith Crowder line was my favorite Bruins line. The playmaking center with a vicious edge the grinding winger in the corner and the guy that just camps in front of the bet to get the garbage goals! Whenever I played bubble hockey at the Garden arcade that was the line.. along with Curran and Bourque on defense!

[@seanmccaffrey7905]

Great talk, great guest

[@jamescoleman5317]

You guys are unreal - Kenny The Rat Linesman OMG what a guest and I have not even heard it yet. This guy was just a one in a million pest..

[@christopherhurley1669]

Quick note for Chris Nilan: Unfortunately Brian Curran was not involved in the Brawl in the Hall. He signed as as a restricted free agent with the New York islanders for the 1986-87 season. The Colonel was my favorite Bruin. The Bruins and islanders couldn't agree on compensation. The Bruins wanted Steve Konroyd. The Islanders wanted to send them Tomas Jonsson. The arbitrator awarded them Boutilier, instead who then wore Curran's old #34 jersey... And whenever I see this clip I think, I bet Harry wished he signed Curran now. Boots ended up getting waived and picked up by Minnesota by the end of the year. Brian went on to record a franchise record 356 penalty minutes on the island, a record which still stands! with a season high 10 points that season.... Thanks Harry!... looking forward to the day Knuckles does a Colonel podcast. That would rule!

[@josephcurran231]

Great show with the one of the most underrated players in his time. Kenny linsemen. Great podcast . Need more players like Kenny and knuckles. There is no personality in pro sports today.

[@joeg9540]

Congratulations

[@Jamesthepilgrimjourney]

I hope this podcast really takes off to the moon cause these guests and the stories with you guys interviewing and in some cases even reliving the stories is friggin awsome. I absolutely love this shit!!!!!!😊

[@therawknucklespodcast]

Thank you! sharing with your friends will help us take off

[@bigbadbruins1]

Guys I would love to see you interview. Jack Carlson, Jimmy Mann,Link Gaetz,Mel Angelsted,Gary Rissling,Dennis Polonich. I could name over a 100 but start with these.

[@luismoreno6336]

Congrats on the #100 episodes ❤

[@MrRp25]

Kenny never tried to embarrass the other team 😂

[@reking10]

Wahoo 100 shoes WTFG Chris! Looking forward to the next 100!

[@SeventhDayMessages]

It was always funny to me to hear Howie Meeker (Hockey Night in Canada) pronounce Chris's last name when mentioning him - Chris NYLON lol

[@christopherbenson9942]

Priceless!!! We loved Kenny in Boston....great session Chris & Tim.

[@jflefort9490]

I just had to pause this video and go watch that legendary brawl. What great rivalries existed back then. Loved seeing my homeboy Mike McPhee getting right in there. Look forward to you getting #35 on your podcast hopefully.

[@bigdaddy4197]

Great stuff as usual Chris

[@paulfraser8682]

Another great show, guys Didn't even recognize Kenny.

[@tommclaughlin5354]

Great interview. He was right about being a natural pain in the ass to go along with a good player and skater. That surfing thing he does at his age and in NE winter water is impressive. We used to think swimming in the Quincy Quaries in April was cold or the L St Brownies was a challenge; Linesman's on another level. Great lineup Chris! Always look forward to the sharing during these interviews.

[@tallmike6598]

Congrats on #100 keep up the great work !

[@therawknucklespodcast]

Thank you! Will do!

[@billivimey6478]

grew up with Kennys and his brothers awesome interview

[@DillonYoung-91]

Played my AAA with Ted. Great players …All of them

[@eiguch]

kenny linesman was a great hockey player

[@user-te5wy2ct3j]

You need a couple of “Rats” on every good team.

[@donaldfroud66]

Congrats on your 100th

[@jamesdelaney4741]

Another great one!!

[@therawknucklespodcast]

Thanks again!

[@user-hd5ee2rc6g]

Grew up watching Ken Linseman. Glad to see he is doing well in life.

[@MrGlovesave33]

Again fellas number one go to for the best stories from the guests playing career and life. Always a lesson in these. Chats there are.... NONE better! 😊 keep er goin . A goalie in NS ,play at the hfx forum.Ghg!

[@user-tg5bn2qm3l]

loved the Rat !

[@charlesjohnson166]

Wonderful nhler.entertaining as hell

[@jamescarnevale3312]

"Bury the hatchet with a thousand guys." Yep. Time is not our friend, so we have to do it faster.

[@seanonsports7362]

This is tremendous

[@bbb462cid]

When he played for the Bs, it was a fun night up at the Gallery in the Garden when Kenny would get caught with an illegal stick LOL it was bedlam. Those were the days. Love ya Kenny, even when you were at Philly and Edmonton. Cup of coffee in Toronto too I think!

[@garysullivan3144]

Bobby Orr 76 Happy Birthday!!!! No doubt it about it. Could Gretzky, Lemieux , Gordie, etc ever played as a defenseman and still lead the league in scoring 2 times?? THE GOAT NHL!

[@Raxman263]

Another great interview by Chris and Tim. An opponent I alway hated as a fan, but I'm really impressed by his post career activities. The only point I might have liked to hear was about the Birmingham Bulls year when he played for John Brophy.

[@yazdani3289]

15 years in the League 800 points, key player.

[@smartymceinstein4312]

A funny observation, I would have a hate on for some of these players back in the day but watching them now, being interviewed I can't help but like them.

[@stevenbiggar8223]

Kenny the rat liseman,,mike Gartner was my favorites,, players back in the 80

[@Nsdus5676]

Great podcast..

[@therawknucklespodcast]

Thanks for listening

[@1776patric]

Randy Holt

[@Cubaquois]

Love you brother, but i also love the Big Bad Bruins 😂.

[@yotoober1]

Another good show. Keep up the good work. Rat got to play with Gretz what a time that must of been, those 80s Oilers would have won at least 5 in a row of Steve Smith doesn't bang the puck off Grant Fuhr into his own net against Calgary.

[@timburr4453]

And he was an outstanding scorer too. This wasn't just some pest with a top end of 40 pts or so. Linseman was a very good playmaker and came close to 70 assists one season 120 pts in 113 playoff games too.

[@garysullivan3144]

Hey Chris talking you up and podcast here in Watertown. I now know what they mean by a thin line between Love and Hate.....Biggest fan now dude keep it up!!!

[@therawknucklespodcast]

Thank you so much Gary I appreciate that.

[@garysullivan3144]

Honored that you sent a personal reply!! Just finished reading Fighting Back... good stuff bro. Keep doin what ya doing man and thanks! @@therawknucklespodcast

[@user-ze6ho7pb7y]

Does Kenny still rock the MICRONS !!!!!!!!!!

[@Jamesthepilgrimjourney]

Great fu..in show knuckles and you were the toughest of them all and thats coming from a 54 year habs fan

[@therawknucklespodcast]

Thank you

[@chrisod22]

I would love to see Chris and Tim interview Bobby Sheehan.

[@garysimard5674]

Its true, I thought Linesman said something to Nilan on the way off the ice. Now I know the truth. I like these type of podcasts. Its cool.

[@michaels9874]

Fuck yeah !!!!

[@davidweum]

Every fan in Edmonton hated that bastard. Then we traded for him!

[@mrpostnorts5259]

I was at the game in Ottawa when he kicked Jeff Geiger in the face.

[@johnegan5]

I was there too... 3 rows back of 67's bench..I remember Geiger's shocked look when he got to the bench, his face completely covered in blood

[@Sullymaher]

The Rat!!

[@demianseale501]

It's too bad so many youth today have swallowed this dogma coming from Bettman and the NHL that the game is 'so much better today.' IT's different, for sure. It's more like soccer-on-ice. It's missing physicality, and also rivalry. I remember some of those rivalries. The fans would be in a frenzy before the puck was even dropped. Myabe the players weren't as fast, and didn't know as many 'dangles'. But the passion behind the game elevated the competition so much. To me, the game is really stale today. The players all play the same way because they're all trained the same way. It's much more uniform and homogenous. It's still fun to watch, but there's no visceral energy to it - which is what hockey should be about, to me. Players like Linseman and Nilan helped bring that visceral energy to the game. Without it, hockey's not hockey; it's more like soccer.

[@user-ox7dp5md5n]

As a kid I loved the Leafs and hated Habs. That explains my feelings for Nilan or most anybody who wore Canadiens jersey.

[@schmingusss]

Great interview. Ken is an interesting guy.

[@KK-vd5kw]

In junior, Wayne's coach wldnt allow him to be on the ice at the same time as Kenny. Dangerous man

[@johnbrowne2170]

Two NHLers who played with the Bruins were nicknamed 'the rat."

[@davidweum]

Whp cant love Knuckles podcast?

[@IronSikh44]

Say what you will about players who get called a “rat”…whether it’s Linseman, Marchand, Gilmour etc. Tell me a team that wouldn’t want those guys on their squad!

[@foxguy67]

R.I.P. Chris Simon😔

[@michaelfisher3468]

Hey Nuckles how about getting Bobby Clake on your podcast

[@Jamesthepilgrimjourney]

Man, ive been a habs fan for 54 years since I was 4 years old. Knuckles you are the 😅toughest hab ever but you probably didnt look forward to playing against the i mean who would. Ya you were the toughest but linseman was probably the biggest pain in the ass for anyone!!

[@bb-gc2tx]

a lot of his teamates did not like kenny he carried himself like he was better than everyone else. he always had a briefcase with him for his multiple side projects

[@Skankhunt-bl1tl]

Where do I buy that shirt !!

[@therawknucklespodcast]

Right here! www.knucklesnilan.com/shop/p/brawl-sweatshirt-heather-grey

[@neilm2794]

Linseman was exactly right about the 1980 Finals; if that goes to Game 7 the Flyers win for sure. The offside goal was just before the end of the 2nd period and put the Islanders ahead 4-2. PHI scored two in the 3rd period to tie the game 4-4 before Nystrom's OT goal. The Islanders won 4 straight Cups, but the Flyers were the better team in 1980 and should have won.

[@herbboucher816]

Flyers were not the better team

[@neilm2794]

@@herbboucher816 right ... the Islanders lagged 25 points behind them in the standings, just because

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

Was that the year you guys had that crazy unbeaten run?

[@raymondschmalz4300]

Wrong! LFGI

[@davidweum]

"The Rat" was a real little prick. I wish he was on my team!!!

[@fosterch11]

The thing with Linseman is he could cause trouble, and then would turn around and score on you. So you had to be careful not to take the bait.

[@gorgeoushammer]

interestingly, the leafs have gone 9-1 since the ottawa incident and look like a different team. the hot dog kid may have done the leafs a favour.

[@jonbuckley5049]

No way he was 5’11

[@brotzmannsax]

Not even with his skates on!

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

Who popped nilan in the hall? You see his head snap back.

[@foxguy67]

McArthy had Big Nose Chelios, Jay just got finished pulverizing Maley..........Jay wasn't near Chelios and not sure Curran was anywhere or even on the team at that point?

[@garyknowles8378]

What a shit disturber Linseman was. That said he could play and his intensity was something a lot of guys these days don’t have. I never liked him then but would have taken him anyday on the Habs. Relentless,obnoxious,dirty and one effing good hockey player. Kinda like Bobby Clarke.

[@brotzmannsax]

The Rat and Paul Baxter were two of the dirtiest players ever and deserved everything they received which wasn't enough!

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

Chelios had jay?? That's hilarious..jay would've wrecked him... Kevin Collins had jay..he saved your life knucks

[@Fish-Erman]

Who was a bigger pain, Linesman or Acton?

[@bigbadbruins1]

Kenny . Not even close.

[@stanlee399]

Ciccarelli ?

[@Raxman263]

Kenny was a better player, but they drank from the same "irritant" fountain.

[@Fish-Erman]

I remember some guy on the Penguins sucker punched Linesman during a brawl. I was a teenager at the time, but I remember when I saw it I was all smiles!

[@stealthbomber2127]

Kasparitus or Ulf Samuelson. Bobby Clark was the greatest rat I ever saw, but he could play like hell too. Claude "cheap artist" Lemieux too.

[@daniel-jm7lj]

I still hate the rat 🐀

[@user-ox7dp5md5n]

He is a rat for sure. The only thing made him human was being traded to the Oilers