Brendan Shanahan, the Czar of the Suspension, has laid down another suspension that is without a doubt to send a message early and now often to players that any hits to the head won't be tolerated. Shanahan gave James Wisniewski of the Blue Jackets a suspension that will be for the rest of the pre-season and the first 8 games of the regular season. This comes on the heels of former Blue Jacket and current Flyer Jody Shelley's the rest of pre-season and 5 games of the regular season.
I applaud the NHL for taking their stance against hits to the heads as the world of hockey has taken too many hits due to the initial and long lasting effects of hits to the head and concussions.
I will say this, there is no way that the punishments are consistent as Shelley's hit is far more dangerous and it was on a truly defenseless player. While Cal Clutterbuck of the Minnesota Wild, looked as if he had no signs of retribution but Shanahan needs to take into account that Clutterbuck has more than enough of a history of such things that Wisniewski's actions are not completely without cause.
Shanahan tough stance is needed but also consistency and some common sense to his punishments. He doesn't want to get the reputation that Roger Goodell has in the NFL where most players feel he has personal agendas with his punishments.
The Dispatch has reported that it will cost Wisniewski $536,585.36 but based off of the $7,000,000 salary that he is earning this year in his new front loaded contract (based off CapGeek.com), the eight games should cost the Wiz $682,926.30.
The next one to watch to see what Shanahan does is on another former Blue Jacket, Tom Sestito. As you can see by the video below, Shanahan might not let Sestito play until snow flies...in Nashville.
Preseason Game Result
By the way, the Blue Jackets were in action last night against the Washington Capitals and ended up on the short end of the stick with a 3-1 defeat in Washington.
Dennis Wideman, Cody Eakin and Mathieu Perreault who also had an assist were the goal scorers for the Caps. Chris Bourque assisted on all three goals.
Vinny Prospal was the lone goal scorer for the Jackets but was at the 12:33 mark of the third period and Washington had already done the damage needed to win the game.
Curtis Sanford (0-2-0 pre-season) was in net for Columbus and turned away 32 of 35 shots in the contest. His play will be watched much more closely as he will most likely be the back-up goalie for Steve Mason as Mark Dekanich's ankle heals.
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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