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Calgary, AB • Canada • 55 Years Old • Male
PLAYERS YOU LOVE TO HATE

This blog is part one of two. The idea came from steal_your_faceoff who will be known here as syf. Each of the friends below has suggested two names of players we love to hate; as usual I will leave my two cents worth at the end.

SYF

SYF's first pick was Darius Kasparaitis, for that famed hipcheck (legal...yes) on Eric Lindros in 1998 that gave Big E his first of many concussions. Lindros missed 18 games and it was the beginning of the end, which was completed by Scott Stevens as #88 came up ice with his head down and was met with a crushing hit at the blue line that effectively ended Eric's storied career in Philadelphia in May of 2000 (6th concussion). Kasparaitis is revered in Pittsburgh for that hit. It was a crushing blow for one of the game's superstars, just a few short years removed from his Hart Trophy performance of June 1995.

Kasparaitis is always pushing it to the limit. His hit on Lindros is one of many. His famous hip check is often targeted when the player is most vulnerable, often ending in injury. Great Choice by Syf.

SYF says about his second pick, Claude Lemieux: He is the devil incarnate for me. He epitomizes the New Jersey Devils as he won two cups with them in 1995 and 2000. He was, without question, the dirtiest player in modern NHL history. He also was a clutch player when in playoffs, Top 10 Most Hated NHL Players of All Time while he was a Colorado Av, and three times scoring more goals in playoff games than during the whole regular season. While playing for the Habs he bit the FINGER of Calgary's Jim Peplinski during his first playoff game. The famous phrase "I didn't know they allowed cannibalism in the NHL" was directly attributed to Mr. Lemieux about the bite. The other major incident that caused Claude Lemieux to be ranked #1 in the ESPN special violently checked Detroit's Kris Draper from behind into the boards during a playoff series in 1996. Draper was so badly injured, that he had to have reconstructive surgery to his face due to a broken jaw, nose, and cheekbone. And for his troubles, he also received a concussion. All Lemieux got was a 2 game suspension, and the Red Wings have not forgotten it to this day. My memories of Lemieux always focus around his questionable play as a Jersey Devil and how he would hurt you not only physically, but also with his play during the playoffs that inevitably ran through the swamp to get to the Eastern Finals. He makes me so angry.

The Drapier hit from behind brought on the ire of many Devils fans. Even though I was pulling for the Devils, that hit on Draper was bordering on a cheap shot. I still have trouble with seeing the hit. Lemieux is a player fans love to hate. Another great pick by syf.


saberscraz
y

Mmmmmm interesting. I would say I love to hate Darcy Tucker, but would love to have him on my team. The same goes for Sean Avery. These are the kind of guys who help win championships. The instigator is becoming a lost art. These guys can change the flow of a game with one hit (clean or dirty) and help their team capture much needed points.

Darcy Tucker is probably one of the most disliked players in the league for his hits on players and for his . . . embellishment . . . after players have hit him. Word on Tucker is he might even have taken a few dives to draw penalties, but you didn’t hear that from me. A great pick from Sabercrazy.

Sean Avery has probably gotten himself in more trouble over his mouth. This guys says the silliest things. I think it s just to get a reaction, and yet he still finds employment in the NHL. Good thing he is a very good hockey player. Another great pick from Sabercrazy.


Beleafer#1

Now this is really cool! I hate Daniel Alfredson. No real reason except that he's good and plays for the dreaded Senators. I also hate the Dominator, for most of the same reasons, especially how he bails out on the teams he played for. At the same time, I am not embarrassed to say I would take them on my team anytime.

Daniel Alfredson. Leafer brings up a really good point. Sometimes there is no rational reason for hating a player, except for playing on the team you hate the worst. It seemed like Daniel scored every winning goal against my beloved Leafs. Thanks leafer for a respectful dislike. Good pick by leafer.

And Dominik Hasek; he really let down the Sens and I completely understand why you picked him Leafer. I have no idea if he was injured, but he really distracted the sens with this injury. Great Pick by leafer.

KingsLOVE1

Chris Pronger - A few years back, I watched a Kings/Oilers game. The Kings put Dustin Brown on Chris to forecheck him. Pronger got so frustrated with him, he started throwing punches at him. He was a sore looser that game . . . I can't tolerate that. Plus he is a Duck now!!!

I still have a hard time with what Pronger did to the Oil. But even more, I have a hard time with his head hits in the playoffs. Good job, Kingslove.

Bryan Murray (OTT GM ) I have noticed he talks the talk . . . Then he runs. ie Buffalo/Ottawa game or his verbal abuse of Jim Fox of the LA Kings Broadcasting. Someone just needs to shut him up . . .

The Manager/Coach often really ticks fans off from the opposing team. He has a tendency to shoot off his mouth. He does not offend me; but on the other hand, I was pulling for the Sens last year. Good Job by kingslove.

KICKSAVE

With Martin Brodure, I'm a big fan of the goalies. I never could skate, so I grew up playing deck hockey - but I was a goalie. I just loved that position. So it's a major part of the game that I key in on when watching. I am supposed to be able to enjoy watching him, he has been so good for so long. Like I enjoyed Patrick Roy, you know? But I couldn't. I had to hate him - he was doing it for the DEVILS! And beating us every chance he got.

Martin Brodure

Again, I have to love the honesty from Kicksave ; sometimes you dislike for a player just for kicking the crap out of your team. Martin Brodure has beaten Philly constantly. Completely understandable; the competitive juices can motivate you to dislike a player.

With Sidney Crosby, I'm just SUPPOSED to hate him. It's obvious to me now. If he's not on your team, he's a villain. I tried to like him. Even though he came in a Pen (and you just know that he's staying there) I wanted to like him when he was drafted. Why go through the whole 'Brodeur Thing', right? But he whines too much for me. And he just rubs me the wrong way for some reason. I tried multiple times to give him a chance to be the next Wayne Gretzky to me, but then he'd be yapping at a proven veteran, or crying to the refs. I just couldn't get comfortable with liking him. But that's GOOD, anyway. I should have a villain on the next great team in the Flyer's division. So it all works out.

Sydney Crosby is well know for his conversations with the Refs. He often ticks off opposing fans with his conversations after the whistle. I love this pick just simply because its based on real emotion. Great pick by kick.

MagicBob

One name came right to my head when I finished reading your question and it was . . . Eric Lindros. When he came into the league, he was suppose do be the next big thing, and he has been nothing but a liability. The rumors had him at one point as possibly going to Buffalo and all I could think was "God, No".

Secondly, I'd have to say Ray Emery. It's more for personal reasons though, not for his performance on the ice. He made comments about Buffalo towards the end of the season, and when confronted about them he made excuses about how everyone interpreted what he said wrong. "You're suppose to be a professional Ray . . . so act like it."

Lindros was heavily disliked by the Quebec fans, for not playing for the team when they drafted him. When a player refuses to play for a certain team, it really gives him a bad rep with in a city. Great pick by MagicBob.

Emery's comment on the city of Buffalo being boring was not exactly very tactful. Being an athlete means you have to uphold certain standards. Emery was fooling around, and I think he shouldn't have said it. Great pick by MagicBob.

There you have it. Great answers. The dislike can be emotional and honest; from dirty hits, to competitive juices, to having one player who never loses to your team. These were great answers by my friends.

FLAMESTR
Filed Under:   NHL dislikplayers   private messages  
August 28, 2007 9:39 AM ET | Delete
Mike Comrie, Numinen, Michael Peca, Joffre Lupul, Sean Avery, Chris Pronger, Chris Chelios,
August 28, 2007 9:40 AM ET | Delete
and lest we forget....MICK MCGEOUGH
August 28, 2007 9:42 AM ET | Delete
Great Flames, these 2 questions you've asked makes one really think as there is a plethora of choices available. I am looking forward to part 2 of this posting. Thanx.
August 28, 2007 9:54 AM ET | Delete
Marchment, when he was playing, was there a more dirty player?? Ville Nieminen, with his toothy grin after giving slough foots or cheap elbows... well I love to hate them when they weren't playing for the Flames anyway... great topic!
August 28, 2007 10:13 AM ET | Delete
i hate crosby...when he cam into the league i liked him but then we he started playing and acting like he thinks he runs the nhl with his whinying and complaining and i dont think he should captain the pens what does he know about being a captain.. give the c to rechhi he deserves it
August 28, 2007 10:25 AM ET | Delete
Nice work Flamestr! I love your comments and the way you put this blog together. Keep up the good work and keep writing, as you do it well. Congrats on another great blog! SYF
August 28, 2007 10:35 AM ET | Delete
Every player that is, will or have play(ing/ed) for the Montreal Canadians is my answer to this question. I hate this team so much, it's in my blood !
August 28, 2007 10:55 AM ET | Delete
Lappiere (class A dooshbag), Sundin (He's the Leafs best player... slim pickings, I know), Pat Quinn as a player (for what he did to Bobby Orr), Pat Quinn as a coach, Pat Quinn as a GM, Peter Shaefer ( for deserting the team when he was needed).Eh, thats a few.
August 28, 2007 11:07 AM ET | Delete
No Chris Neil from Buffalo fans? Also, I gotta go with Tucker, Roy, Pronger, Armstrong, Perry and Andrew Peters.
August 28, 2007 11:09 AM ET | Delete
Flamestr...........I almost forgot Brooks Orpik for his dirty hit on Erik Cole. And for that matterCole for basically delivering the same hit after returning from that injury.
August 28, 2007 11:09 AM ET | Delete
Brayn Marchment, Rich Pilon, Darcy Tucker all come to mind immediately.
August 28, 2007 11:45 AM ET | Delete
Avery is probably my biggest. I'm not a big Chris Neil or Alfie fan either.I imagine I wouldn't like Tucker too much if he was on another team.
August 28, 2007 12:10 PM ET | Delete
it's obvious you hate brodeur because you can't spell his name right
August 28, 2007 12:24 PM ET | Delete
Nice work Flame. Oh , has everyone forgotten about Theo Fluery !
August 28, 2007 12:25 PM ET | Delete
dion phaneuf. hands down the player i love to hate in today's nhl. always willing to deliver a crushing blow and even more willing to disappear when the going gets tough. if theo fleury was still skating for the flames, i'm sure dion would hide behind him if a fight broke out.
August 28, 2007 12:27 PM ET | Delete
Mike Ribiero and Daniel Briere are probably my two least favourite players in the NHL.
August 28, 2007 12:40 PM ET | Delete
Mark Messier for his contributions (sic!) to the Canucks' organization and team when he collected a paycheck from Vancouver...and Marchment for being a classless, characterless player and person.
August 28, 2007 12:55 PM ET | Delete
Actually put Ribiero on my list too...I don't even remember the details but I remember he had the biggest dive when he was with the Habs (was playing against the Bruins). I was also a pretty big Berard fan when he was with the Leafs so I'm not a big fan of Marian Hossa...even though it was completely accidental, it still kind of irks me.Although I wouldn't mind as much if Hossa played for the Buds ;)
August 28, 2007 1:52 PM ET | Delete
Fukufuji, ok I lied I love this guy
August 28, 2007 2:54 PM ET | Delete
Tucker, for being a whiny diver, the Lindros family for being a whiny and refusing to play in Quebec, Messier for being an overrated leader, Sean Avery (*see Darcy Tucker) and Glen Sather for being so smug all those years in Edmonton. Oh did I mention Darcy Tucker.
August 28, 2007 3:22 PM ET | Delete
Ray Boy
August 28, 2007 3:24 PM ET | Delete
Rat Boy
August 28, 2007 3:33 PM ET | Delete
Mike Ribiero. Everyone in this part of Canada was going for the Habs against Boston...until 'the incident'.Darcy Tucker. You could only like this guy if you're a Leaf fan (yeah I get that Chris Neil is the same type of player).Lapierre from Montreal. Someone needs to break his face this season. Arms up from Neil and Grats on that one.
August 28, 2007 3:53 PM ET | Delete
Except Tucker is better...
August 28, 2007 4:45 PM ET | Delete
sundin_500: If you're talking about Tucker being better than Neil - I agree 100%. I just meant they're the same type of player.
August 28, 2007 4:46 PM ET | Delete
chelios and maltby and one thats a little more unusual. mike primadano
August 28, 2007 6:23 PM ET | Delete
Tie Domi - Really could not stand him.Ricci - Perhaps it was just the ugliness.Brett Hull - A canadian who plays for the states say no more....Nice post as usual flamestr!
August 28, 2007 10:16 PM ET | Delete
How about Jagr? Philly fans love to heckle him whenever he's in Philly, and some of my clearest memories of my first live Flyers games were fans whistling at him while he was on the Pens. He still gets whistles at the Wac, and his ability to throw him off his game by pestering him makes him an easy target with the fans and players. Of course, there's no doubt he has talent, and I'd love to have him on my team, but he is one player I love to hate.
August 29, 2007 12:39 AM ET | Delete
you know, Tucker really had cleaned up his game, he doesn't dive anymore... and is actually showing positive leadership, and some good skill... he has an awesome shot on the fly (not all his goals where tip-ins)
August 29, 2007 12:44 AM ET | Delete
but I gotta say I do not like Briere or Alfredsson... and its not that I 'love to hate these guys'... I just hate them... wouldn't want them on my team... Briere is a cheapshot expert, and Alfredsson is a huge jackass... seriously, based on attitude I'd take Janssen before these guys... why? because he did wrong, and made up for it fighting Belak... and he did it willingly... not to mention that was a really fun fight :P... as for Crosby, he seems whiny and all... but he played 2 weeks with a broken foot! he sucked it up and played well.... maybe he turned a new leaf? although now he has his own clothing line... whats next, Crosby energy drink? Crosby perfume?
August 29, 2007 2:23 AM ET | Delete
Well done Flames...Making me responsible...Ohh wait I really don't care...I love the topic. Thanks for using me.
August 29, 2007 2:25 AM ET | Delete
Someone said Alfredsson...Doesn't he look like Bozo The Clown with a Helmet on????
August 29, 2007 9:02 AM ET | Delete
Well he used to look like Bozo (Although his nickname is Krusty). He shaved his head though...so he doesn't really look so bad.
August 29, 2007 11:00 AM ET | Delete
Kinglove1: Are you seriously making fun of the way Alfie looks? Don't you have the great, legendary, long-haired Handzus on your team? LOL. I have a dog who's more attractive (and has better hair).
August 29, 2007 11:43 AM ET | Delete
Derek Roy, this guy must have some scuba gear or something that he never gets to use. I wish they would suspend players for repeat offenders of diving. Its a disgrace to our region that he is from the Ottawa area.
August 29, 2007 12:09 PM ET | Delete
Players I love to hate today: Avery, Tucker and the whiny superstar, Sid the Kid. Players I love to hate all-time: Matthew Barnaby and Ulf Samuelsson
August 29, 2007 12:33 PM ET | Delete
Claude Lemieux-He was always my most hated player..a true devil..Ricci-Following in the footsteps of Lemieux as a player who is just as ugly as his play..Ribiero-A 12 year old with an NHL contract..Brashear-Always loved to see him get his butt whipped..Patrick Roy-French cockiness at it worst..mister bobble head wife beater..regarded as a saint in Quebec..nuff said..Cam Janssen-Destructive player on the ice who couldnt score a goal with all the money in New Jersey..Sean Avery-Complete loose cannon with a mouth bigger than the goal crease..Alfredsson-An ugly troll who scores too many goals..lol.As far as Tucker,Blake,Lindros,Domi and Peca I love these guys as they have all worn the blue and white...If I could get Pronger to come to Toronto I would be popping a cork!...My kind of defensman!..Go Leafs!
August 29, 2007 7:48 PM ET | Delete
Randy Carlyle the coach of the Ducks, The Gm of the Ducks Brian Burke, Brad May for Sucker Punching Kim Johnsson, Chris Pronger for illegal headshots in the playoffs
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