Something has to be done with the Flyers

One time it's simply an event. Twice it can be a coincidence. Three times is a trend. But four times? It's become a disturbing trend.

Fresh in the mind of all Senators' fans is the Steve Downie incident, where he threw a cheapshot breaking every rule in the book to give Dean McAmmond a concussion earlier in the season. Here is a list of the shit we've seen from this Philadelphia Flyers organization so far in this young season:

1. Sept. 25, 2007: Downie crushes McAmmond into the boards, jumping at him, leading with his elbow, and hitting Deaner from behind, is suspended 20 games.
2. Oct. 10, 2007: Jesse Boulerice cross-checks Canucks' Ryan Kesler in the face, suspended 25 games.
3. Oct. 27, 2007: Randy Jones hits Boston's Patrice Bergeron face-first into the boards, breaking his nose and giving him a concussion; suspended two games.
4. Nov. 26, 2007: Scott Hartnell elbows Boston's Andrew Alberts to the head while Alberts is in a vulnerable position, suspension hearing forthcoming.

Those four events, all from Flyers players, are some of the most gruesome acts that have happened in the NHL this season. They may even be the four worst, leading one to wonder what the reasoning is behind this trend.

It gets to a point where you have to question what to what extent Flyers' head coach John Stevens is accountable for the actions of his players. Not to suggest he's telling his players to injure their opponents with dirty hits, but inaction can also be a fault if you've got the chance to prevent something and you fail to do so.

I have to wonder what a skilled player like Daniel Briere thinks when he sees so many of his teammates suspended for such heinous demonstrations. Can't be anything good, that is for sure.