in regards to the consistency, i would hope the nhl doesnt call this because its likely of no ones fault. im sure mcdonald didnt want to fall down to his knees and get hit in the head and likewise letang had no idea that would happen so there was no intention. there could be a gray area though where it's difficult to judge if the hitting player had enough time to see the player is in vulnerable position. with this hit i think its quite clear that letang had no time to realize mcdonald had become vulnerable and 90% of the time this hit is made in the corner with no problems.
- pens_66

Can't argue with that. I just have a hard time understanding the NHLs logic behind the Gryba hit/penalty/suspension when compared to no penalty for a more blatant headshot in the Letang hit which fortunately didn't result in any injuries.

If MacDonald had gotten hurt, think Letang would be having a disciplinary hearing today?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83qHq-RgEGM

Come on Guys!!!
1) Clearing puck over the glass should remain a penalty. The reason it was made a penalty is because it was abused. No team ever looses because a player recieved a penalty for that. They lost because in 60+ minutes they scored less than the other team. All the players know the rule, if they do not want a penalty, be more careful!!!
2) Streit deserved a penalty. Those that think otherwise, obviously do not ice skate, or play hockey. I watched it several times and understand the whole inertia, balance, skating, weight distribution situation it was. No I am not a Penguins fan, and would love to see the Islanders oust the Penguins, but that was a good call, and not a dive!!

3) I do not think Gryba deserved a 2 game suspension. He took advantage of an opportunity to hit someone with his head down. The ice is what caused the damage. If Eller had on a half shield it would not have been so bad. I feel really bad for Eller, hate to see a kid like that get hurt like that, but one needs to be more careful when skating through the middle of the ice like that, even if you are big like Eric Lindros!!!

3) I do not think Gryba deserved a 2 game suspension. He took advantage of an opportunity to hit someone with his head down. The ice is what caused the damage. If Eller had on a half shield it would not have been so bad. I feel really bad for Eller, hate to see a kid like that get hurt like that, but one needs to be more careful when skating through the middle of the ice like that, even if you are big like Eric Lindros!!!
- 89mogo

Can't argue with that. I just have a hard time understanding the NHLs logic behind the Gryba hit/penalty/suspension when compared to no penalty for a more blatant headshot in the Letang hit which fortunately didn't result in any injuries.

If MacDonald had gotten hurt, think Letang would be having a disciplinary hearing today?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83qHq-RgEGM
- wolfhounds

I don't think any one really understands the NHL's logic at this point (NHL and logic shouldn't even be in the same sentence). From what I saw Gryba hit Eller in the chest primarily and any contact to his head was secondary and due to the fact his head was down.

I wouldn't put it past the NHL to have a disciplinary hearing for Letang had MacDonald been injured but I would hope that no suspension or harsh discipline would be needed.

I don't think any one really understands the NHL's logic at this point (NHL and logic shouldn't even be in the same sentence). From what I saw Gryba hit Eller in the chest primarily and any contact to his head was secondary and due to the fact his head was down.

I wouldn't put it past the NHL to have a disciplinary hearing for Letang had MacDonald been injured but I would hope that no suspension or harsh discipline would be needed.
- pens_66

Agreed.

I can't fault Letang for the hit, and at this point I really don't know what the officials are going to call or let go. It's a bit annoying, and definitely not good for the game.

I hate the delay of game penalty. But I think having it at the discretion of the officials is even worse. You have to know, as a player, what is acceptable and what is not.

I've long been a proponent of just making it akin to an icing call. "Puck shot over the glass from the defensive zone". How is that worse than "puck shot to the other end of the ice from the defensive zone"? The only thing you could say is that players have less of a chance to hold the zone if someone shoots it over the glass.

So, faceoff in the defensive zone and defending team not allowed a line change. If you're worried about misuse, then levy a penalty if it happens more than twice in a game to keep the players honest and not actively trying to put it over the glass.