The highlight of the Stadium Series game at Heinz Field (other than these penguins) was Brandon Manning’s crushing hit on Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel.
Now it appears he might miss some time as penance.
The Philadelphia Flyers defenseman will meet with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Monday morning, when he will probably receive a suspension.
The hit in question came in the second period of the outdoor game. As Guentzel tried to lead a breakout of his own zone, Manning stepped up and leveled him:
Upon further review, it appeared that Manning left his feet on the hit:
Manning was not penalized for the play, and Guentzel continued on. Manning has no previous suspension history. The Penguins went on to win the outdoor game, 4-2, over their rivals from Philly.
Manning drew headlines in the hockey world earlier this year by feuding with Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid. This would be mostly for our collective amusement. I know Cutler isn’t the best locker room guy. I know he and Brandon Marshall didn’t end on good terms. But just imagine the weekly tabloid headlines, Cutler gallivanting about town. Watching Cutler throw to Marshall and Eric Decker and hand off to Matt Forte would be highly entertaining, too. This move also screams Jets. Cutler is basically a 2017 Joe Namath, no? Just call him Broadway Jay.
I think the Garoppolo sweepstakes will play out like the race to get to the top of the 2016 draft. The demand for a quarterback is so high that a year ago two teams traded to the top of the draft (the Rams to get Jared Goff, Philadelphia for Carson Wentz). A bunch of quarterback-needy teams are drafting high in this draft, too. The Patriots will play those teams against each other and drive up the price. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe believes the market for Garoppolo will be a second-round pick. I wouldn’t be surprised if a team ends up giving up a first. Garoppolo may be more of a sure thing than any of the quarterbacks in the draft.