It took agitator/repeat offender Max Lapierre less than 90 minutes to make the NHL community put Pat Kaleta on the back burner. Kaleta's 10 game suspension was announced just before 7pm EDT on Tuesday night. Lapierre sent Dan Boyle off the ice on a stretcher and to a local St. Louis hospital with this disgusting hit from behind. Trademark Lapierre, hitting a guy when he's not looking.
Stupid is as stupid does! You mean to tell me that news of the severe 10 game Kaleta suspension wasn't shared in the St. Louis Blues room before the start of the Sharks game? Lapierre has been playing this same dangerous brand of hockey for years. Its about time that he he held accountable for his punk actions.
Lapierre was in total control of his actions as he tracked Boyle into the left corner to retrieve a puck. Lapierre hammered Boyle from behind, causing the San Jose D-man's face to slam off the end wall.
Boyle was down on the ice for several minutes before being strapped onto a stretcher to be transported to a local St. Louis hospital.
For his idiocy and cowardice, Lapierre received a five-minute major for checking from behind and was ejected from the game along with teammate Ryan Reaves, Sharks players Matt Pelech and Andrew Desjardins after a fight ensued on the play
My take:
Look at the Kaleta-Johnson hit. Then look at the Lapierre-Boyle incident.
Kaleta got a 10 game suspension. No penalty, no injury to Johnson.
Lapierre has earned at a 20 game suspension for his despicable act.
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The NHL has spoken and Patrick Kaleta is now suspended for 10 games.
At first blush, I think that Kaleta got off easy this time. He's a repeat offender. I was expecting the NHL to throw the book at Kaleta. He's already served 2 of the 10 games. Kaleta will be eligible to return to the lineup for the 11/2 games vs. Anaheim. He will also be allowed to play in the home and home series with Toronto on 11/15 and 11/16.
Kaleta is no stranger to the NHL judicial system, having been suspended three times before this incident with Columbus D Jack Johnson.
Johnson was not injured by the hit. There was no penalty. This suspension is all about PK's reputation and his brushes with Shanahan
Sportsnet's John Shannon wonders if Kaleta will appeal his ten game suspension
Its well within Kaleta's rights to appeal the suspensions since Johnson wasn't injured and that there was no penalty levied against Kaleta.
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Lets assume that Sidney Crosby, Geno Malkin and the Pittsburgh Penguins take and the Edmonton Oilers back-up tender Jason LaBarbera behind the barn for a beat down tonight. Oilers fans are used to watching LaBarbera and Dubnyk struggle this season. Starter Dubnyk has zero confidence in himself and his game is off the rails right now. The Oilers need a goalie that they can rely on for 60 minutes of superior goaltending on a nightly basis. Dubnyk has proven that he is not the man for the job.
You better believe that Darcy Regier will be getting a call early Wednesday morning regarding the availability of one Ryan Miller.
Lets all agree that Miller will be dealt this season. There a tiny chance that he may re-sign with Buffalo, but that's looking more and more like a pope dream-- pun intended-- everyday.
Lets also assume that when Miller submitted to Darcy Regier his list of eight teams that he
would not accept a trade to, that Edmonton was on that list.
People. Lists were made to be changed everyday.
My wife adds items to my shopping list all the time.
Its likely that Miller, if its true that the Oilers do in fact appear on his "no move" team list, that he may be persuaded into taking them off the list.
According to Pierre LeBrun:
"as of Tuesday morning the Sabres hadn't approached Miller yet about anything; and you figure they will at some point have to approach him given his modified no-trade clause."
MacTavish may be willing to up the ante now to land a superior puck stopper like Miller now, rather than wait until later when another team may swoop in and make Regier an offer that he can't refuse.
For those bemoaning Miller's expiring contract, I say:
The salary cap will be increasing by $6M-$7M next season.
Edmonton have the scoring forward assets that Buffalo so desperately need to acquire right now. Seven goals in seven games projects to 82 goals in 82 games. Regier doesn't want to go there. He's in a deep enough hole with his season ticket holders and the buying public. Sabres fans are a loyal nation, however, their patience is reaching its end.
Swinging a deal for Miller now may well be the adjustment that the Sabres need to correct their course for the rest of the season.
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