Downie returns to NHL

Prelude - The Philadelphia Flyers Steve Downie is finished serving his suspension for his hit on Senator Dean McAmmond. Now that he is back, when we hear about him next, will it be for his goals or his future suspensions?

Sport - Hockey

Event - Steve Downie gets called up to the Flyers lineup after serving 20 game suspension.

Issue
As blogged back on October 29th, hits to the head continue in the NHL, in particular with the Flyers who just had their fifth player suspended for an illegal hit.

Now, The NHL has warned Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren that the franchise could be subject to further disciplinary action for any other hit.

With Downie back in the lineup, the issue turns to, will anything change with this team or are we going to see his name again in the headlines?

Point to say - "So, Downie is back with the Flyers, eh?"

Follow up point - "How long before he is suspended againt? (slight joke intended)"

Get out of the conversation - "I wouldn't want him on my team."

Backgrounder
Downie is a highly prized prospect of the Flyers. They love his "grit" and scoring combination. "Grit" and "dirty" are very close in definition though. Depending on the angle of a story you read on him, he always has been a gritty/dirty player, ever since day 1 of his junior days. Typically, hockey pundits love him for it. It's the old cliche "I hate him, but I want him on my team".

Steve Downie was given the fourth longest suspension (20 games) in the history of the NHL for his hit on Ottawa's Dean McAmmond. Since this event, the Flyers have since had four other members of their team serve suspension for illegal hits of various kinds.

After his hit on McAmmond, he was given the lengthy suspension because he was a rookie without a name, thereby letting the NHL use him as a case to send a message to the players without removing a star player from the ticket buying audience.

Did he get the message? Well, he is coming into the Flyers lineup having played 13 games for the Flyers farm team the Philadelphia Phantoms this season. Of note, he led the AHL team in penalty minutes with 63.

Links
Story on Downie's call-up to the Flyers.
Story on his suspension.