CARRYING THAT WEIGHT
Doug says he may try to reach out to Brandon
7:00 pm - A conversation with Doug Weight today revealed the many ways the veteran center feels about the fall-out from his hit on Carolina forward Brandon Sutter, the 19-year old son of former Islanders captain Brent Sutter.
As an Islander: “When I realized it was Brandon Sutter who was hurt, that’s the first thing I thought about: his connection to our team. That was just one of a lot of reasons why I felt so terrible about what happened.”
As a father: “I’m a father, a lot of us are fathers, Brent Sutter’s his dad. How can you not feel something? He’s a 19-year old kid just coming into the league. I did not have any malicious intent. I’ve heard that in some places and it’s wrong. The whole thing has been on my mind ever since. It affected me for days after – even during the Rangers game.”
As a Cup-winner with Carolina: “I know half that franchise. I talked to (medical trainer) Pete Friesen a few times on Sunday and we’re still in touch. I want to know how Brandon’s doing, I hope every day that he’s getting better.
“I’ve been texting with eight players on that team. I wanted to make sure they knew how I felt and I wanted updates on Brandon as soon as they heard anything. Those guys know how much this has been killing me, know the kind of player I am. It’s gotten to the point where a few of them have texted me, ‘Enough already! He’s gonna be okay. We’re good. Leave us alone’”!
As a former player under GM Jim Rutherford: “I read Jimmy’s comments and let me tell you for the record I agree with everything he said about hits to the head and the league choosing to not do anything about it. The only thing I disagree about what Jimmy said is that Brandon was vulnerable. That’s not true. He saw me coming and then made the split-second decision that he could get to the puck and make the play.”
As a hockey fan: “I saw on TSN where they did a Top Ten on violent hits in the wake of what happened Saturday. There was the play with Paul Kariya, the one with R.J. Umberger. In every single instance of their Top 10, every player was vulnerable. That’s not what happened Saturday.
“I knew it was going to be a good hit, but there was no malice. I’m going to check him and then he leans down into me. There’s so much speed out there. It’s a fast, spontaneous sport. Unless the league wants to outlaw open-ice hitting – obviously, some people like it – this can happen.”
As a fellow NHL player: “When the time is right, I may reach out to Brandon. I want to see how he’s doing and tell him how I feel. I don’t know if he’ll take the call, but it’s something I want to do.”
39 Responses to CARRYING THAT WEIGHT
Doug says he may try to reach out to Brandon
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Joe says:
The guy lays a good clean hit and people make it out to be attempted murder, sucks. Nice to see something like this though, hope Sutters ok.
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Strummer's Army says:
I think Weight is a good guy and has always been a class act. I am baffled at the deal that is being made about the hit he put on Sutter. I see much more dangerous plays that the media and the league never bother to mention. Where was TSN going nuts with coverage when Avery intentionally dove on the back of Rick’s head driving into the ice a week after he had suffered a concussion? Yes, please protect the players but take issue to real acts of violence and intents to injure and not this stuff.
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Peter says:
Or some of the hits from behind like those perfected by Mr. Hollweig
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Rick says:
It was a clean hit, period. Why there continues to be ‘outrage’ over this is beyond me. It’s too bad that Sutter got injured, but as Weight said – “He saw me coming and then made the split-second decision that he could get to the puck and make the play.”
Maybe Troy Polamalu was talking about the NHL & not the NFL when he said it’s becoming a pansy sport?
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Chris TMC says:
Great comment, Strummer’s Army- well said.
Weight is a good guy, I am proud of how he is handling this. -
Brooks Simpson (Joy's brother) says:
Doug Weight’s a class act, and the hit, although hard, was legitimate. It’s a shame Brandon Sutter was hurt. But we have to be able to separate the hit itself (or attempted hit) from the results. Some times guys try cheap shots, and just because the player hit isn’t hurt doesn’t mean it’s a cheap shot, any more than a clean hit that results in an injury immediately becomes a dirty hit.
If the league wants to crack down on cheap shots and dirty play, do it regardless of the result in terms of injury. And please, please try to set a consistent standard. So long as the standard’s inconsistent, the temptation is there to see what you might get away with.
Hey Chris … if you make the road trip to Phoenix, I’ll be waiting.
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"The Dissillusioned Brian" in VA says:
I think I saw the overrated prima donna is on IR. See ya Ricky!
I like Doug Weight a lot! -
kevin says:
btw we know everything on there isnt always true but check out hockeybuzz.com . its interesting and he does make a good point and it could help us in the future
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It’s really ashame that a good clean hit has come to this. Even worse is that a good clean hit is affecting a player this much. Just ashame…
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Chuck DiMaggio says:
Chris Botta: Did Doug Weight mention if he feels the need to clear the air with Brent Sutter (Brandon’s father / Devils head coach) or if he has any intention to do so? Does he expect any indirect retaliation from New Jersey? Thank you very much for these great stories and details we were previously not privy to.
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Brian from Massapequa says:
Brian in VA – Yes I checked the website and Dipietro is definitely listed as being on the IR. I must say I am completely blown away by this news. NOT!!!
Kevin – I had alredy been thinking about Bulin and this is a no brainer unless Chicago demands the farm…literally!
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chuck what are you talking about the devils for?? and brian from massapequa, trade comrie and bostons second for bulin and cam barker.
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Kev – How’d did we get Boston’s second rounder?
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ISLESFAN999 says:
Why should we give up the 2nd. Trade Comrie straight up for bulin and barker. We are doing them a favor and saving them $ and cap space.
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we got bostons second for nokelianen
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Right! Thank you
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999 – Comrie makes $4 mil. They’ll only save $2.75 mil of cap space. Trade that pick to sweeten the pot, but only if necessary.
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i agree brian, if neccesary but remember that barker is a 3rd overall in the first round in 2004 so he is worth value and comrie isn’t exactly starter and prospect value but they are in need and in a goalie predictement so were in luck ( if we make the trade). also, anyone think we should aquire rob schremp??? a third and 5th should do it, and he wants to get traded. form syracuse so he is very close to home. look him up
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islanders1984 says:
how is schremps attitude now, I remember when he was drafted, he drop some because of his attitude
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im not sure but my guess is because he never got a real chance in the nhl. isles could use him
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Kevin – Barker does have value and that is why it might be necessary to give up that second. In regards to Schremp, it would appear based upon stat progression that he would be a good pickup. I know you are talking about a third and a fifth, but I am wary of giving up two picks.
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tifoso says:
Well, take Eklund for what he is, but it’s not everyday he puts out two Islanders rumors in just one day. Maybe he’s just impressed by the job BD did stepping in last weekend.
Anyway, I like the theory he’s putting out there. But I don’t know if it’s been done before. Trading for a player just to be bulking up for the trade deadline. Comrie would be a better fit in Chicago though. He seems a bit lost in this system without the proper talent surrounding him.
I would like to hear your take on this CB.
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OK, I have a few thoughts on this potential trade. It seems a bit crazy at first, gets OK in the middle and gets a bit loopy at the end again.
Taking a player to give the team salary cap relieve obviously has to gain some value in return so no prob there. The Bulin wall hasn’t been that great the past few years so what is his real value? Will someone give us a first round pick for him? I would think if Chi could have gotten a first rounder for him they would have jumped on it since his contract is a bad one for them and they went out of their way to sign another goalie.
If all that is possible then great.
Barker hasn’t managed to be a regular on their blue line yet. It is past time for him to have already grabbed a spot on a defense that while better now hasn’t been for years. I’d really like Seabrook from them.
Then what is this crazy stuff about if we had the 4th overall pick giving up 2 #1′s to move up? A bit excessive EK!
I have no problem in moving Comrie.
Do we have three 2nd rounders this year?
Ours, Tor, and Bos? -
As a hockey player, the last thing I ever want is to intentionally injure someone. When it happens because of a clean hit or incidental contact – it flat out sucks.
I can understand the weight that is on Doug’s shoulders, but in continuing to talk about the hit and in defense of himself – it sort of makes it worse.
It was a clean hit, he wanted to clear the air and his name – get past this and reach out to Sutter when possible, that’s all you can do.
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Mike says:
Chico Resch blasted Wieght last night during the leaf game. Chico was a graet Isles but what a HORRIBLE announcer!
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Steve says:
A Devil announcer complaining? I mean, how many players did Scott Stevens take out in his career? He was known for taking out players with their heads down.
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Complaining, huh? Well, its sad that Chico is evidently going blind.
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Jax says:
Chico is an idiot.
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toorude says:
Chico es loco.
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dmarie says:
I am so glad you wrote about this! And put an end to all the negative chatter about how he did it on purpose, this story shows what kind of guy or better yet.. “man” he really is.
thank you! C.. -
guerin13 says:
chico resch is probably the worst analyst in all of hockey. he couldn’t be more of a homer if he tried. he has no objectivity whatsoever. weight’s a good guy too. it was a clean hit and i’m sure that he hopes sutter is ok.
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Islander505 says:
Hey CB….
Any comment or insight about some other news around the NHL, and how it affects/impacts/compares to the Isles situation on LI and NVMC?
Franchises in trouble?
Florida just laid off 10 employees and will no longer permit FedEx or UPS shipments without written approval (a SURE sign of bigger trouble).Atlanta is rumored to be in danger of not making payroll down the road.
Any predictions there?
Are the Isles cutting back on olives at the pre/post game spreads yet?
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Joey303 says:
Speaking of Atlanta, I will be at the Isles/Thrasher game next Thurs. Any other Isles fans making the trek?
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is that in atlanta?? i am prob goin to almmost every home game
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Tony says:
Mr. Weight–you did nothing wrong. Keep doing what you’re doing. Have no remorse over the hit. If anything, Sutter will keep his head up from now on. You actually did him a favor.
thats a true player