He should have got 20 games.

Also Claude Julian should have to give up fried chicken, pizza and wings for a month.
- powerhouse

And Neal should have gotten more than 5, give it a rest...

And who in their right mind gives up fried chicken, pizza and wings for a month!!! Sheesh

Thorton's suspension seems appropriate. Neal should have received more.

As every year, major discrepancies exist when determining how may games a player should be suspended for. Zack Kassian was suspended for 3 pre-season games and 5 regular season games when he hit Sam Gagner in the head with his stick. It was determined that while he didn't do it intentionally, he should have known where his stick was. James Neal intentionally skates into the head of a player who is laying on the ice and gets 5 games. For a league which is determined to crack down on head shots, especially those which are premeditated, the similarity is ludicrous. Kassian didn't attempt to injure, but it's quite clear that Neal did.

I hope the league re thinks the 15 games after the appeal and makes it 30. As for the money ....you must be joking. Think of the consequences if a senseless act costs a kid his career. Steve Moore after being mugged by Bertuzzi never played another game. Never.

This Thornton incident is road rage on ice and in society he would be charged and locked up.

Donate the da m money to the Boston homeless and move on.

The appeal is shameful.

This guy is a scum bag. I have no sympathy for fighters having the book thrown at them. If the Bruins were unhappy from the hit Orpik threw on Eriksson then either Eriksson or someone in Orpik's weight class should have stepped up to challenge him.

I love big clean hits in hockey and find it stupid that good hitters always have to deal with a marginal player coming after them to justify his existence. I think if Iginla or even Bergeron steps up then Orpik answers the bell and it would probably be a wrestling match.

Orpik is a top 4 D man on Pitt, Thornton is a 4th liner on Boston. If they fight and both get 5, the advantage is all Boston's. Orpik was smart not to answer Thornton's challenge and let the B's go crazy.

I hope Bettman increases the suspension for Thornton to 30 games to be honest.

I do also think Neal should have been given at least 15 as well for a stupid action. For what Neal did, Thornton should have gone after him. That's when a 'fighter' is useful.

Thorton's suspension seems appropriate. Neal should have received more.

As every year, major discrepancies exist when determining how may games a player should be suspended for. Zack Kassian was suspended for 3 pre-season games and 5 regular season games when he hit Sam Gagner in the head with his stick. It was determined that while he didn't do it intentionally, he should have known where his stick was. James Neal intentionally skates into the head of a player who is laying on the ice and gets 5 games. For a league which is determined to crack down on head shots, especially those which are premeditated, the similarity is ludicrous. Kassian didn't attempt to injure, but it's quite clear that Neal did.
- Canuckleafer

However, Neal failed at his attempt, and Kass didn't.

Ty Anderson: Mass Appeal: Thornton fighting 15-game ban
- tyanderson

The suspension should be upheld, the league needs to be clear that these attacks cannot happen. I'm a Thornton fan, I thought 10 would have been enough with his clean track record but 15 is sending the message.

Unrelated to the Orpik hit would be players that jump someone during play, drop their gloves and just start swinging on another player that doesn't know it is coming. It happened in a Dallas Stars game this year and I don't think there was a hearing. I think those plays deserve a suspension too. Its a different game now, and no matter what Don Cherry days, players that don't want to fight can't be forced to.

So it's money and not maybe Shanny Clown went overboard based on his own precedents of giving repeat offenders only 5 and 10 game bans? You might want to remember who you're blogging for, Ty.

10 games and he would not have appealed. Hopefully he appeals again to the independent arbiter after Gary rubber stamps Shanny Clown's decision. Thornton was a clean player for 11 years before having to deal with Orpik.

However, Neal failed at his attempt, and Kass didn't.
- bixll

You're missing the point - Kassian didn't attempt to, Neal did.

He wan't even looking in the same direction as Gagner. Unless he has eyes in the back of his head, he didn't attempt to do a thing. He lost his balance.

This guy is a scum bag. I have no sympathy for fighters having the book thrown at them. If the Bruins were unhappy from the hit Orpik threw on Eriksson then either Eriksson or someone in Orpik's weight class should have stepped up to challenge him.

I love big clean hits in hockey and find it stupid that good hitters always have to deal with a marginal player coming after them to justify his existence. I think if Iginla or even Bergeron steps up then Orpik answers the bell and it would probably be a wrestling match.

Orpik is a top 4 D man on Pitt, Thornton is a 4th liner on Boston. If they fight and both get 5, the advantage is all Boston's. Orpik was smart not to answer Thornton's challenge and let the B's go crazy.

I hope Bettman increases the suspension for Thornton to 30 games to be honest.

I do also think Neal should have been given at least 15 as well for a stupid action. For what Neal did, Thornton should have gone after him. That's when a 'fighter' is useful.
- riceroni

Orpik: 6'2" and 219
Thornton: 6'2 and 217

And how does Eriksson go after Orpik while he's talking the concussion test in the quiet room.

Canuck fans always bring the fun to the party.

80% of hockey actions "on the street" could likely get you charged correctly....

If not, feel free to taker a stick and smash someone across the hands or legs while they are walking down the road and see if that, also, results in criminal action lol

God I hate that rationale
- MrBeanTown

Or sucker punch a guy who could kill you in a bar...

This guy is a scum bag. I have no sympathy for fighters having the book thrown at them. If the Bruins were unhappy from the hit Orpik threw on Eriksson then either Eriksson or someone in Orpik's weight class should have stepped up to challenge him.

I love big clean hits in hockey and find it stupid that good hitters always have to deal with a marginal player coming after them to justify his existence. I think if Iginla or even Bergeron steps up then Orpik answers the bell and it would probably be a wrestling match.

Orpik is a top 4 D man on Pitt, Thornton is a 4th liner on Boston. If they fight and both get 5, the advantage is all Boston's. Orpik was smart not to answer Thornton's challenge and let the B's go crazy.

I hope Bettman increases the suspension for Thornton to 30 games to be honest.

I do also think Neal should have been given at least 15 as well for a stupid action. For what Neal did, Thornton should have gone after him. That's when a 'fighter' is useful.
- riceroni

Loui would have, but he still hasn't been able to come to the rink or turn on the lights without puking for the last week.

You want to stop the head shots, hits from behind, attempts to injure, etc. Fine the owners $1M each time there is a blatant attempt to injure. These problems would end overnight.
- paulr

The PA would NEVER accept that. There are a ton of players would don't even make that in a season.

Orpik: 6'2" and 219
Thornton: 6'2 and 217

And how does Eriksson go after Orpik while he's talking the concussion test in the quiet room.
- GSDIV

The body composition of Thornton and Orpik are very different.

Why would Orpik want to or have to fight a guy like Thornton?

Thornton is like Chris Neil on my team. Useless!

You're missing the point - Kassian didn't attempt to, Neal did.

He wan't even looking in the same direction as Gagner. Unless he has eyes in the back of his head, he didn't attempt to do a thing. He lost his balance.
- Canuckleafer

Your missing the point, one man was injured and one was not. That played , big time into, the resulting suspensions.

The optics of the Thornton appeal aren't great, but I'm sure there's a bit of pressure from the PA to test the new appeal system given the lack of precedent for his situation. Also, when you have an opportunity that costs nothing to lose less than the $100k you got dinged, it's probably tough to just say "d'ahhhh well". If it saves you a few $10k's I doubt there are many in here who wouldn't persue it. Of course when you have the opportunity to ride a high horse, that's hard to pass up too.

Orpik: 6'2" and 219
Thornton: 6'2 and 217

And how does Eriksson go after Orpik while he's talking the concussion test in the quiet room.
- GSDIV

Hamilton also gave him a couple slashes and had a few words, Orpik still refused.

Hamilton also gave him a couple slashes and had a few words, Orpik still refused.
- BagOfPucks

When Beaker challenges you and you decline, you know you're man card has been run through the shredder.

Your missing the point, one man was injured and one was not. That played , big time into, the resulting suspensions.
- bixll

It shouldn't play in as much as the intent. One was accidental, one was premeditated.
Neal purposely attempted to injure Marchand in a manner which is well outside the regular standards of play.

Or sucker punch a guy who could kill you in a bar...
- glove_was_stuck

Idiots exist in every fan base. Just like the guy who sucker punched the Leafs fan in Boston last year, the DB in Toronto who raised up the Toronto stronger sign....etc.

The full story in Vancouver remains to be seen but if the one DB in Van did hit Lucic twice, he should count himself very fortunate that he's still upright.

Hamilton also gave him a couple slashes and had a few words, Orpik still refused.
- BagOfPucks

Orpik shouldn't have to answer to a clean hit just because a player gets injured. Personally, i think it should have been 20, but 15 seems about right.

And for the record, Neal should have gotten at least 10. There is no room for that garbage in this game. He is too talented a player to resort to that trash.

For all those stating that Orpik should have taken his medicine like a man and fought Thornton, shouldn't the same apply here? Take your medicine buddy, and just be grateful it wasn't more. Everyone knows it was a heinous, cowardly act, so what possible basis/justification could there be for an appeal on Thornton's part? I don't care that Thornton doesn't make much $$ comparatively to other NHL'ers, that should never be a consideration when assessing a suspension...IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE PAINFUL IN THE WALLET, OTHERWISE WHAT'S THE POINT?

The suspension should be upheld, the league needs to be clear that these attacks cannot happen. I'm a Thornton fan, I thought 10 would have been enough with his clean track record but 15 is sending the message.

Unrelated to the Orpik hit would be players that jump someone during play, drop their gloves and just start swinging on another player that doesn't know it is coming. It happened in a Dallas Stars game this year and I don't think there was a hearing. I think those plays deserve a suspension too. Its a different game now, and no matter what Don Cherry days, players that don't want to fight can't be forced to.
- GSDIV

Agreed. It was Rinaldo, and he ended up giving the Stars a 7-minute PP (2, 5, 10, game). He should have definitely been suspended. Rousell was lucky to duck the first one, or Rinaldo would have knocked him out cold and gotten at least 5 games. It sucks, because last year, Rinaldo was doing a good job of walking the line well, but this year he's regressed. But a few points:

- Neal and Thornton both should have gotten more games.
- Orpik shouldn't have to fight for throwing a clean hit.
- Hockey players play a game that has rules that differ from society, so please stop talking about what would happen "on the street."

For all those stating that Orpik should have taken his medicine like a man and fought Thornton, shouldn't the same apply here? Take your medicine buddy, and just be grateful it wasn't more. Everyone knows it was a heinous, cowardly act, so what possible basis/justification could there be for an appeal on Thornton's part? I don't care that Thornton doesn't make much $$ comparatively to other NHL'ers, that should never be a consideration when assessing a suspension...IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE PAINFUL IN THE WALLET, OTHERWISE WHAT'S THE POINT?
- Emperor Filonius

Ding ding!

Will be nice to see Olympic hockey - void of the likes of Thornton, Orr, McLaren

If the NHL lost these types of players - I believe players like Marchand would cause havoc

Interesting years ahead to see if Bettman leaves his mark on hockey by eliminating fighting altogether

The body composition of Thornton and Orpik are very different.

Why would Orpik want to or have to fight a guy like Thornton?

Thornton is like Chris Neil on my team. Useless!
- riceroni

Orpik - 14 fights in 662 career NHL games

Thornton - 155 fights in 522 career NHL games

Different weight classes............