NHL players whining a lot

By Jeff

NHL players are as tough as they come, especially when the playoffs roll around. Broken bones, sports hernias and torn ligaments are just some of the injuries they play through. But it seems like players and coaches are doing a lot more whining then usual this postseason.

- Philadelphia Flyers captain Mike Richards was crying about the Buffalo Sabres "getting away with murder". The same Mike Richards who says Sidney Crosby whines too much.

Think I could sell this to the city of Buffalo?

- Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller said Mike Richards was getting away with "mass murder". Yeah, Richards boarded Tim Connolly in a reckless play, but mass murder? That's a bit much.

- Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff called out the Flyers for complaining too much, then was telling the media how dirty he thought the Richards hit on Connolly was.

- Prior to last night's Game 7 against the Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks general manager Mike Gillis called for an "even playing field". He then went on a rant about how the Canucks have been called for a lot more penalties than the Blackhawks. This might sound crazy, but maybe the Canucks should have been called for more penalties.

- Tampa Bay Lightning coach Guy "Next Bond Bad Guy" Boucher told the media that Pittsburgh Penguins Brooks Orpik tried to gauge out Steven Stamkos' eye. While face washing is embarrassing and probably very unhygienic, it happens all the time. It's doubtful Orpik was intentionally going for an eye. Also, Boucher didn't seem to have anything to say for the goon hockey Ryan Malone is playing this series.

- Anaheim Ducks general manager Bob Murray was complaining the Nashville Predators were getting away with dives and his team needed to start diving more. It has not been confirmed or denied that Murray is planning on applying for general manager of the Italy national soccer team.

- Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau not only called out the New York Rangers for hitting Mike Green in the head, but he went after all of New York by complaining about the attention Madison Square Garden gets as a venue.

If this were the NBA, all of these comments would have resulted in fines. Some may have resulted in assassination/mysterious disappearance.

While I understand that some of the comments were made to take attention away from a team's performance, or to defend a player, it's still annoying to hear this chatter. Play the game.

Johnny Cash - Cry, Cry, Cry