Dany Heatley is coming off a big week, even though the Senators might not be...

The Legion of Goons

The Philadelphia Flyers are back at the top of the standings after last season saw their prolific offense disappear as injuries plagued the club. Now one year later Philly is fighting for the lead in the Atlantic and the entire East, but taking the physical aspect of the game to another level in the process.

Last night’s Bruins-Flyers game was a clear indicator of the Flyers current status throughout the league, looking more like the Philadelphia teams from a few decades ago, engaging in numerous tilts and heavy hits. However, their heavy hitting usually borders on dangerous and most of the time threatens the livelihood of opposing players.

Philly forward Steve Downie started the season on the wrong foot, and it was not even the regular season yet. Downie threw a ridiculous hit on Ottawa center Dean McAmmond in September that left McAmmond with a concussion as he was carried off the ice in a stretcher in the exhibition game. The league handed Downie a 20-game suspension for his actions as Colin Campbell, the NHL Executive Vice-President and Director of Hockey Operations, cited Downie's hit on McAmmond as “deliberate, dangerous and has no place in our league."

About two weeks after Downie was lifted from the league, trying to get reinstated to play in the AHL, Flyers teammate Jesse Boulerice earned a 25-game suspension of his own after cross-checking Vancouver forward Ryan Kesler across the head. Boulerice’s punishment tied for the longest suspension in the history of the NHL.

And now, about one month after Boston forward Patrice Bergeron was carted off the ice in a stretcher due to an illegal hit-from-behind by Flyers’ Randy Jones, it appears Philly is not letting down on their unsafe style of play. It was just last night that Scott Hartnell of Philadelphia was given a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct for checking Boston defenceman Andrew Alberts in the head while Alberts was on his knees on the ice after playing the puck along the boards. It is unclear as to whether or not the league will fine or suspend Hartnell for his actions, but given the situation, the teams, and the history, along with the fact that he did receive a game misconduct, I would say Colin Campbell will put his foot down.

The Flyers are winning hockey games these days and have much improved since their long, treacherous season in 2006-07, and there is nothing wrong with playing physical or getting in a few scraps to give your team an emotional boost. But there is a problem with playing the game outside the rules set forth by the NHL, and there is a problem when you jeopardize the careers and well being of other players. The Flyers’ need to be disciplined, possibly from within their organization or locker room, but it has to happen now, before another devastating blow occurs.

Dangler of the Week

Dany Heatley put together quite the week, but his Ottawa Senators as a whole dropped three out of four. Heatley scored four goals and three assists over the week including a three-point night in a win over Montreal last week.

Bender of the Week

Mike Cammalleri got off to quite the start this season, but this week the Los Angeles scorer was held to one assist over four games and has not recorded a goal in six straight dating back over two weeks to November 13th. The Kings were 1-3 this week.