Burke on Niskanen/Crosby hit: It’s a hockey play

[@JCTiggs1]

Burke could be a mob boss godfather type in a feature film.

[@lazylank]

Or in real life...

[@Pouzar1]

I am an Oiler fan who has always loved Burkie. I was so happy to hear him say the NHL needs to play less games, something which I have been saying for decades. The quality of play would be so much higher if teams never played back-to-backs or more than 3 games a week. The problem is the reduction in revenues. The owners and players would all make less money, so they would not support it, but knowledgable fans would love it.

[@colatrl.damg3167]

They don't discuss Crosby hit until 11:30 - and spend a whole 45 seconds discussing. 15 minutes?

[@TheWitchOvAgnesi]

Clickbait

[@tlzmuraldo]

thnx

[@gbhnjmkiol]

it's a giant deal since It was Crosby if it was anyone else no one would talk about it

[@danielsciarra6869]

no way it drops to 70 games. I would like to see it back to 72 - but I think 75 is as low as it would get.

[@AJR-zg2py]

LOVE his comments at around the 5:00 minute mark - so insightful.

[@Susrek]

Sort of agree on the wider ice. Seems silly they haven't just gone to Olympic ice. Swedes can trap any size ice.

[@robert19271]

O and now we all should follow Boston Collage for ice size. Why don't you apply for water boy for there team, it would be a great fit.

[@cinemaclassics2127]

The problem with these NHL guys is that 90% of the would say it was OK unless it happens to their player. Then when it's their player they scream bloody murder. I guarantee that Burke would be talking coast to coast about it being a dirty play if a Flame got the concussion. How Burke even has a job after his debacle in Toronto is the question they should be asking him. Trade away draft picks, don't worry about developing your minor league system, just build a Cup contender through trades and free agency. How bad could it go? The fans take it out on the players, instead, take it out on this guy. See what Calgary wins with him. I'm betting sweet FA.

[@KerryParkIslanders-nq4rm]

Some people say the nhl should suspend niskanen to protect stars and send a message. I'll tell you this though, that play never happens if you take away the instigator penalty

[@kinggoten]

but do we really want to see all the line brawls and such that comes from removing that? and besides the instigator penalty is there so the NHL and the Refs have to do more to protect the stars

[@itsimmortalplays473]

KerryPark Islanders2603 the thing thay bugs me the most is that they want Niskanen suspended because he hurt Crosby, not some other random player. If he was to do the same thing to a lesser known player, nowone would say anything. This has been proven countless times.

[@TheWitchOvAgnesi]

Buddy, it wasn't even premeditated on Niskanen's part. Any talk about what he should have been given as a supplemental (getting tossed was excessive in my opinion) is ludicruous.

[@JesseMartineau]

I'd have to agree with Brian on this one, it wasn't malicious.

[@timmullens9479]

Burkie's in the bag! He is right on the hit though.

[@koosfam]

A hockey play? A crosscheck to the head is a hockey play? Maybe Burke took too many to the head when he played and thinks it's normal? Niskanen holds his stick with one (left), hand before and after hitting Crosby: One hand on his stick before he meets Crosby, then brings up his right hand to hold his stick to cross check Crosby in the head, then drops his right hand and holds his stick with one hand again. If Crosby's head had been turned toward Niskanen he would've lost four teeth, even with a mouth guard. The cross check is a cheap, lazy check that is becoming more common as refs let more players get away with it. Instead of checking a player, it's easier, quicker, and takes less energy. The danger is that sticks break ribs, wrists, noses more easily than other checks. There was no need at all for Niskanen to cross check Crosby who was already falling down, on one knee, and off balance. The "hockey play" is what Niskanen did after he checked Crosby: he doesn't fall on him but he doesn't get out of his way, he makes sure that Crosby stays out of the play by not getting off him. That's good hockey, but a cross check to the head is goon hockey.

[@timmanto1022]

Brad Treliving will replace Ken King because his dad is part owner and they will hire a successor GM. Treliving will work in both business and hockey operations on the team.

[@almo8989]

Both of Burkie's suggestions are legit, but NHL would never approve because both cost money.

[@ssmith87]

A player needs to be in control of their stick at all times and Niskanen certainly was. I thought when a player gets a 5 and a game misconduct for a shot to another player's head it was automatically up for review?

[@Dajiban0124]

Fkn awesome interview

[@Susrek]

Why don't they look back at Ovi sticking Crosby in the head? It doesn't matter if he only meant to break Crosby's arm, he hit him in the head with his stick. No penalty.

[@shehryarshaukat2393]

i agree with the 70 game schedule, 82 + playoffs is alot. might get some better quality hockey as a result

[@royroberts5925]

NIskanen was finishing the play, Crosby was going down because of the hit to the head from Ovechkin. That is the dirtiest part of this play, but as usual all everyone ever sees is the result if there is an injury. Three things caused this. 1. In the playoffs, very few calls are made that are flagrant calls during the regular season: thus giving the players the feeling they can get away with anything and push "the envelope", and if you say this doesn't happen you have never played. 2. If Crosby was not injured on this play, no one would say anything. That is wrong. 3. Ovechkin slashed Crosby on the back and on the head on this play. If you watch, Sid is going down because of this. Niskanen was finishing the check the way all defencemen do around the net, every single play of every single game. The only difference is Sid is now going down. Don't believe me? Watch hockey, not just the highlights and you will see. Ovechkin should be suspended as it was a viscous hack on the back on the head. But will the NHL have two star players out? Not a chance.

[@jonathanb9929]

Ròy Roberts Crosby didn't fall because of the slash, he fell because Ovi's skate hit his and he lost balance. Go back and watch it and you'll see what I mean. The slash had nothing to do with it.

[@royroberts5925]

I see that , but it could be the result of the slash and the fact that Sid was trying to avoid contact with the goalie. I do agree with the no suspension on Niskanen. Ove did slash him though, not even two minutes? Playoff hockey I guess. Like the NFL, not....

[@epicphailure88]

Im not a Caps or Pens fan but If Ovechkin is going to suspended for that Crosby should have been suspended for slashing Methot's finger off. Gotta be consistent.

[@royroberts5925]

I agree

[@Krokodilius]

Brian '2 firsts and a second' Burke. also: unless you're chris pronger, cross-checking someone's face is not a "hockey play". granted it didn't look dirty. crosby was slashed, distracted and kind of fell towards the stick and we all know hockey is on rails most of the time.

[@OskarHellstroem]

Always like to listen to Burkey!

[@antoniast.arnault2032]

Oskar Hellstroem

[@antoniast.arnault2032]

Oskar Hellstroem vfr

[@jgfergus]

Can't believe this guy is still a GM in the NHL. He couldn't manage a Tim Hortons!

[@cantthinkofaname7247]

Jeff Ferguson you are actually really dumb

[@Purplexity]

DOUBL E Don't worry he's an edmonton spoliers fan most likely.

[@besthockeymoments9857]

Why Donald Trump Here

[@Stonecold724]

Where he actually starts talking about the Crosby hit: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGW4ZHSnlrJprqsm30s

[@p19ko]

Steven politely well agree to disagree on perspective.... have a great day

[@Design3rDrugz]

i wish i have that much hair when I get to that age

[@bavideomaker29]

Yes! Bigger rink!

[@imann871]

Bet it ain’t a hockey play now that he’s with the Penguins..

[@illusion9966]

And now you know why guys like 87 take head shots... " hockey play" Really? So a 2 hand slash to the back that hits the head is ok.. And then when a guy is falling and the puck is nowhere near its ok to polish him off with a 2 hand cross check to the head.. Yeah... no big deal

[@davids6734]

Another Crosby dive leads to a concussions. Bout time. Maybe he will learn to play the game with some balls.

[@torontokravmagaacademychri780]

Easy to say from the couch.

[@AdrianMutu87]

why are four dinosaurs chatting on the radio of a major network?

[@booishoois309]

Ovechkin slashed him. He couldn't stand that Crosby was going to beat him again.

[@SL-oe6tj]

In the arm....it's high sticking at best to the back of his helmet due to readjusting his stick after slashing his arm. If something that soft actually knocked Crosby off/gave a concussion which led him to falling then he really does need to quit the game....guys takes sticks and pucks to the head far worse than that and are able to keep going.

[@torontokravmagaacademychri780]

Yes, Crosby isn't very strong on his skates? You will have to get on the ice and show him how to maintain his balance.

[@hemihead001]

If you really watched it , there was a trip involved there too .

[@robert19271]

Boois Hoois I love it so true. Full of himself ,Yep all the owners call Burke for advice. I like my boss, he will eat those words.

[@robert19271]

steven lemmeyer Sure Steven what beer league did you play in, go back to your job at Tim's.

[@6hughmungus9]

I love Burke lol

[@higherthanu2551]

ovis slew foot is wat deserved the misconduct

[@shazambroe3173]

"hockey play" my ass

[@croccifixiooneill475]

He looks like Ron WHite the comedian....

[@Sandler23]

Burke is the Steve Bannon of Hockey.

[@JimFox-vm9rx]

Hey Brian is it a Hockey Play if Johnny hockey gets slashed twice, once in the shoulder and head and then cross-checked in the head that leads to a concussion. Your opinion would definitely be different if it was your guy and not Crosby. A Hole

[@lazylank]

If it happened the way it happened here, yes, it would be the same. Niskanen was going in for the hit, sure, but his hands were at chest level when Crosby started to fall down. He had almost no time to react and adjust. This coming from a Pens fan.

[@makerdude1415]

Skip to 11:30

[@robert19271]

Yep Burke I think believes his own bullshit. Have another one. If it was one of his stiff players I'm sure he would be crying to league .

[@abdullahking3738]

Donald trump

[@MrEdSharp]

Two minute high stick #8 Ovechkin.

[@MrEdSharp]

Does not matter if it hit his face or not, the stick was high and he used the stick as an axe, no debate.

[@kayla3857]

MrEdSharp his stick hit the back of crosbys head making him lose balance and so on from that

[@xFaitt-]

Capitals are classless af

[@cccccc782]

xFaiit- not at all, crosby was on his knees as usual

[@samlittleton1491]

Explain hahahahah cause Crosby got hit in the head while he was on his knees and Te Capitals got a 5 minute major (the right call) and have a Game Misconduct.

[@brooksscorepik8888]

what? it was unintentional

[@gfals2130]

Boxer Dogs1515 apparently Crosby fans whine like him..

[@dbsommers1]

No, dude. You see, Olvy 'accidentily' slashed him (and it's cool since it's Olvy, so no penalty) and then Niskanen 'accidentily' hit him in the back of the head and concussed him. I mean, if someone did that to Olvy, the Caps would never complain. That would say, like their coach, Tater Tot said, It's a 'hockey play'. No, wait, he didn't. When confronted with his team's goonery, he flipped out and claimed the Penguins did it all the time and his team are angels (apparently only his team executes injurous 'Hockey plays'. It's also an odd concidence the Caps concussed him before in the Winter Classic with a cheap shot. I mean 'hockey play'.

[@Donovan1765]

why's no one talking about the ovi slash

[@nickb7666]

Donovan1765 Because no one talked about the Crosby slash.

[@aryanbodalia3392]

Donovan1765 Watch the reply, the slash was on the head not on the shoulder

[@chadfbm]

Watch the slow motion replay. The stick whips around and hits him in the face. They showed the really slow one on tv and it's clear as day.

[@chadfbm]

Nope. No point in telling you otherwise.

[@sikuaka2]

The hell it is, the caps goal early last game was to injure Crosby, they knew what they were doing.

[@nickb7666]

Slapshot Gaming I think it was to win the game...I'm sure you can offer proof to back up that claim though, right?

[@mrvonfukustein]

they targeted him, no doubt about that. you'd have to be mentally ill not to agree with that. maybe the fact that they dressed an extra d-man would offer some kind of proof. and the fact that they nailed him in the head twice inside of 2 seconds.

[@tomservo2202]

lol dude stfu. the only people "mentally ill" are the ones claiming that a super fast bang bang play like this is intentional.

[@Cordoba78]

Says the random nobody on KZbin. You know every players intent. Grow up.

[@nickb7666]

mrvonfukustein I'll try and explain this in simple terms so you can understand. Trotz dressed 7 defenseman because Karl Alzner is a strong shot blocking defenseman and Nate Schmidt has speed for 5v5 play. Their fourth line forward Brett Connolly was only playing about five minutes a night so they scratched him....but I'm sure you're right. It's more likely that they dressed 7 defenseman so they could attack Crosby lol