Who is it in the Flyers system that teaches their players it’s okay to be absolute goons?  Maybe it’s just a feeling on my end, and should not be a concern at all, but I feel like the Flyers are in the news more than any other team due to their players skating with a little extra (vicious) intent.

Take this hit for example from the Flyers’ Jeff Carter. As Devils’ newly acquired forward, Anssi Salmela, just completes a shot on goal (and a goal, no less), he gets drilled in the head by an oncoming Flyers skater.  The puck is already off of Salmela’s stick and Carter puts his shoulder down into Salmela’s head/neck region, dropping Salmela into the ice, face first.

Salmela broke his jaw and lost some teeth, but otherwise should be okay.  He needed a stretcher to be taken off the ice, though.

The more I look at  the play, the more I guess Carter wasn’t heading toward Salmela at full speed with any added intent, and I know it’s awfully hard to avoid a player on a dime when you’re skating toward him for what will  eventually be a clean hit.  No penalty was called on the play, but I’m sure many people will have a good, hearty debate about this and whether or not Campbell should see a fine, or suspension.

When we’ve seen a  flurry of dirty hits over the past couple months in hockey, seeing a guy go off on a stretcher as a result of a controversial hit is always going to strike a chord with some people.

Hat Tip Video – [PuckDaddy]