McGretzky Rips Chris Neil

[Eddie_Shack]

Bruins' McGrattan rips former teammate Neil


My favorite part:

With Boston cruising to a 4-0 victory, Neil engaged non-fighter Dennis Seidenberg in a late period tilt. Neil connected with a punch, opening a cut over Seidenberg's left eye. Both players received fighting majors on the play while Neil received an additional two minutes for roughing.

"I heard about it," McGrattan told Boston.com. "That's typical Chris Neil. I had to protect that guy for three years when I was there. He'd do that and I'd have to fight all his battles for him the next time we'd play a team after he'd do something stupid like that. It doesn't surprise me."


You heard about it? What, were you out for a smoke break when it happened? I know when you're a healthy scratch for 60 out of 82 games it's tough to keep your eyes glued to the tube... maybe you need to go back to riding the white pony to keep your concentration up?

 

[dash]

Neil does some stupid stuff at times, but at least he can skate, pot the occasional goal, and not be a liability on the ice (unlike McGrattan)

 

[Eddie_Shack]

Neil does some stupid stuff at times, but at least he can skate, pot the occasional goal, and not be a liability on the ice (unlike McGrattan)

Rumor has it Holland was gunning for him the other summer when he was a UFA. I would have taken him on the Wings.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Rumor has it Holland was gunning for him the other summer when he was a UFA. I would have taken him on the Wings.

Are you talking about Neil or McGrattan?

 

[Eddie_Shack]

Neil... although a coke fueled enforcer couldn't go wrong in Detroit, right?

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Neil... although a coke fueled enforcer couldn't go wrong in Detroit, right?

LOL... I just don't see McGratts putting up 29 goals like Probie did once upon a time.

As for Neil, I've always thought he was a solid teammate and 3rd/4th liner.

Perhaps McGrattan has his panties in a twist because Neil called out Brian's good buddy Emery for missing, and being late to, practices.

Meh. Should make the rest of the Bruins-Sens games entertaining this year.

 

[forty_three]

As for Neil, I've always thought he was a solid teammate and 3rd/4th liner.

Never any doubt as to what you're going to get from Neil. Him and Fisher are pretty much the ones I know I'm not going to get upset with too much or for long periods of time. Might call 'em boneheads, but I know their mistakes come from their wanting to put in the work.

McGrattan protected Neil. LOL.

 

[Urkie]

"I heard about it." That's classic...LOL

And he claims he stood up for Neil? When? Neil doesn't back down from anybody. He's fought all the best fighters out there.

 

[Urkie]

LOL... I just don't see McGratts putting up 29 goals like Probie did once upon a time.

As for Neil, I've always thought he was a solid teammate and 3rd/4th liner.

Perhaps McGrattan has his panties in a twist because Neil called out Brian's good buddy Emery for missing, and being late to, practices.

Meh. Should make the rest of the Bruins-Sens games entertaining this year.

I wanna see McGrattan go with Neil now...LOL

Hopefully Neil kicks his ass.

 

[Comeds]

Neil is a tough gritty player with some skill. I do think he goes after non-fighters or light weights at times though.

 

[Caps Revenge]

Chris Neil has definitely fought some of the baddest guys out there...That being said, Comeds is spot on about Neil going after players that are non-fighters/lightweights. He's done it for years and that's my biggest problem with him. I love his desire and willingness to do whatever it takes, but what he did to Seidenberg was bush league.

On a side note, it's ironic that one of the others who wasn't happy about the incident was none other than Milan Lucic...who is just like Neil but with alot more skill.

 

[Urkie]

Chris Neil has definitely fought some of the baddest guys out there...That being said, Comeds is spot on about Neil going after players that are non-fighters/lightweights. He's done it for years and that's my biggest problem with him. I love his desire and willingness to do whatever it takes, but what he did to Seidenberg was bush league.

On a side note, it's ironic that one of the others who wasn't happy about the incident was none other than Milan Lucic...who is just like Neil but with alot more skill.

Not that much anymore. In his earlier days I would agree that he fought everyone and anyone but now he doesn't really do that anymore. It's not like Seidenberg was completely innocent during the scuffle either. He gave Neil a shot after the whistle and Neil was already pissed off. It wasn't really much of a fight anyway and if Neil wanted to he could have destroyed Seidenberg but he didn't.

Plus McGrattan is basically saying that Neil doesn't fight his own battles. That's bull shit. In fact, him and McGrattan got along very well and they both bragged about how they were the best fighting duo in the league. They both stuck up for each other and helped each other out. I remember when Komisarek hit McGrattan from behind in one game and the rest of the year Neil tried to get Komi to fight. So for him to say what he said is completely revisionist history. The only time I recall Gratts sticking up for Neil was the game after the Buffalo brawl and in that same game Neil got into 2 fights.

If McGrattan or Lucic challenges Neil the next time they play the Bruins then he'll go with them. I don't recall him ever not fighting anyone who challenged him. The only time I remember him not going was in the playoffs the year after the lockout. That was bush league and after that he never did it again.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Not that much anymore. In his earlier days I would agree that he fought everyone and anyone but now he doesn't really do that anymore. It's not like Seidenberg was completely innocent during the scuffle either. He gave Neil a shot after the whistle and Neil was already pissed off. It wasn't really much of a fight anyway and if Neil wanted to he could have destroyed Seidenberg but he didn't.

Plus McGrattan is basically saying that Neil doesn't fight his own battles. That's bull shit. In fact, him and McGrattan got along very well and they both bragged about how they were the best fighting duo in the league. They both stuck up for each other and helped each other out. I remember when Komisarek hit McGrattan from behind in one game and the rest of the year Neil tried to get Komi to fight. So for him to say what he said is completely revisionist history. The only time I recall Gratts sticking up for Neil was the game after the Buffalo brawl and in that same game Neil got into 2 fights.

If McGrattan or Lucic challenges Neil the next time they play the Bruins then he'll go with them. I don't recall him ever not fighting anyone who challenged him. The only time I remember him not going was in the playoffs the year after the lockout. That was bush league and after that he never did it again.

I remember that. It was actually a team policy that NO ONE was allowed to fight if the team had a 4 goal (or greater) lead. It was a stupid policy by Neil as it let frustrated opponents have free shots at whoever they wanted. You fight to stick up for yourself and your teammates no matter what the score is. That being said, Neil was just obeying his coach's orders (no matter how stupid they were).

 

[Urkie]

I remember that. It was actually a team policy that NO ONE was allowed to fight if the team had a 4 goal (or greater) lead. It was a stupid policy by Neil as it let frustrated opponents have free shots at whoever they wanted. You fight to stick up for yourself and your teammates no matter what the score is. That being said, Neil was just obeying his coach's orders (no matter how stupid they were).

I didn't know that Kenny. IIRC, it was Dingman who wanted to go with Neil and later he called Neil out for it and so did Don Cherry.

That's a pretty stupid team policy though. I have to say.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

EDIT: The policy was put in place by Murray, obviously not Neil.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

I didn't know that Kenny. IIRC, it was Dingman who wanted to go with Neil and later he called Neil out for it and so did Don Cherry.

That's a pretty stupid team policy though. I have to say.

Yeah. Murray and Neil talked to the press about it after the game. I understand you don't want to get goaded into a fight and give the opposition 7 minutes of PP time, but if someone starts swinging, I say defend yourself.

 

[Urkie]

Yeah. Murray and Neil talked to the press about it after the game. I understand you don't want to get goaded into a fight and give the opposition 7 minutes of PP time, but if someone starts swinging, I say defend yourself.

Exactly, it's one thing to go after somebody when you're up 4 goals or something. But if someone on the other team wants to go then you fight them and stick up for yourself. To do otherwise makes you look like a coward.

 

[Urkie]

I also saw that Neil took the high road when asked about McGrattan's comments. He didn't want to say anything bad about his former teammate.

Unlike McGrattan, it appears Neil actually has some class.

 

[sbb122]

Looks like if Neil wants to settle it on the ice, McGrattan won't be in a B's uni...

Bruins waive McGrattan

 

[dash]

Looks like if Neil wants to settle it on the ice, McGrattan won't be in a B's uni...

lol...The Punch-Up in Providence doesn't have quite the same ring