The problem is that by the book thats exactly how it should be handled. If we followed the book.. to a T.. issues would be resolved.

If he had injured him with the charge.. by the rules he should receive a match penalty and face disciplinary action. Although I dont necessarily agree with that WRITTEN rule.. I think it is a great place to start. He didnt injure him. He didnt make contact with the head. So suspend the guy for a routine penalty because he was a bad boy a few games earlier? Thats garbage to me.

This is how I see it. It is either a suspendable offense, or it isnt. Not.. it was a penalty that we wouldnt normally find suspendable, but because were pissed at you.. youre suspended for 2 games. That is bullpoop to me.

Of course this is all just my opinion of how poop is handled in this league.
- jak521

That's what I mean by using the slew foot as an example. He could have gotten a game or two for that. The NHL decided to cut him a bit of slack and then he leaves his feet for a hit.

Granted, a penalty was called, but if we say that he was punished already, should a guy who gets a major for hitting from behind escape a suspension because he got a 5 minute major?

Guys who have been disciplined will face greater penalties from the league than guys who haven't. I'm not that upset with the decision.

I just want consistency...one of the biggest slew footers and dirty players out there is Malkin. It's funny how Ovie has gotten suspended but Malkin continues to be the apple of the leagues eye since Sidney has been injured.
No matter if you are a star in the league or just an average player, you do the time if you do the crime.

I remember one play in the playoffs a couple of years ago that Malkin, I think, was third man in (suspendable offense) and someone the league turned a blind eye. Star treatment. This is what the the fans are constantly b!tching about.
- phi1671

He threw 17 uncontested punches at Zetterberg with like :40 left in the 3rd period of a SCF game, before Z even dropped a glove. He got a pat on the back.

No, your missing what I am saying.

IF Rinaldo through a suspendable hit.. then by all means. If he had attempted to/ made contact with the head, and had a history of it.. by all means give him a bit longer then last time.

But dont suspend a guy for truly unworthy of suspension hit, just because he had been fined before. He paid his fine.. which was their (Shannys) form of punishment.
- jak521

Simply leaving one's feet to throw a hit has been suspendable in the past, it's not something new that Shanahan pulled out for Rinaldo.

What I'm saying is that, once a guy is fined or suspended, his future actions are scrutinized more closely and he's held to a different standard than a player with no record of past discipline.

He threw 17 uncontested punches at Zetterberg with like :40 left in the 3rd period of a SCF game, before Z even dropped a glove. He got a pat on the back.
- jak521

Star players get away with murder for years (minus Lindros). The NHL always protects their money players.

He threw 17 uncontested punches at Zetterberg with like :40 left in the 3rd period of a SCF game, before Z even dropped a glove. He got a pat on the back.
- jak521

Thanks Jak...
all i want is consistency.

Just like I love Fraser column on TSN.CA when it actually admits that some of the refs blew the call.

He also mentioned in his book on how Walcom really (frank)ed up the Refs Association. I haven't finished it to see why he thinks this but Walcom does look like a pompous a$$...

That's what I mean by using the slew foot as an example. He could have gotten a game or two for that. The NHL decided to cut him a bit of slack and then he leaves his feet for a hit.

Granted, a penalty was called, but if we say that he was punished already, should a guy who gets a major for hitting from behind escape a suspension because he got a 5 minute major?

Guys who have been disciplined will face greater penalties from the league than guys who haven't. I'm not that upset with the decision.
- Jsaquella

they shouldn't have cut him slack at that time and then suspend later for nonsense

address the specific action only

I just want consistency...one of the biggest slew footers and dirty players out there is Malkin. It's funny how Ovie has gotten suspended but Malkin continues to be the apple of the leagues eye since Sidney has been injured.
No matter if you are a star in the league or just an average player, you do the time if you do the crime.

I remember one play in the playoffs a couple of years ago that Malkin, I think, was third man in (suspendable offense) and someone the league turned a blind eye. Star treatment. This is what the the fans are constantly b!tching about.
- phi1671

I'd like consistency, too.

But you'll never see a superstar player held to a standard for a guy like Rinaldo or Cooke. Even Ovechkin deserved more than the games he's gotten suspended for in his career.

Star players will always get a break, unless they pull a Bertuzzi.

Simply leaving one's feet to throw a hit has been suspendable in the past, it's not something new that Shanahan pulled out for Rinaldo.

What I'm saying is that, once a guy is fined or suspended, his future actions are scrutinized more closely and he's held to a different standard than a player with no record of past discipline.
- Jsaquella

No question about it. He was fined twice (like warnings) and this time he got banged for leaving his skates. I thought the hit was good until I watch the video over that explained it. Very simple concept: dont jump into the check/leave your feet.

He threw 17 uncontested punches at Zetterberg with like :40 left in the 3rd period of a SCF game, before Z even dropped a glove. He got a pat on the back.
- jak521

and is no innocent when it comes to slew foots

Star players get away with murder for years (minus Lindros). The NHL always protects their money players.
- stveshdy

which is really sad because Lindros drew a lot of fans from all over the US and Canada and he hardly caught a break.

That's what I mean by using the slew foot as an example. He could have gotten a game or two for that. The NHL decided to cut him a bit of slack and then he leaves his feet for a hit.

Granted, a penalty was called, but if we say that he was punished already, should a guy who gets a major for hitting from behind escape a suspension because he got a 5 minute major?

Guys who have been disciplined will face greater penalties from the league than guys who haven't. I'm not that upset with the decision.
- Jsaquella

Its either a suspendable hit or it isnt. I dont care if you are Matt Cooke or Martin St. Louis. Dont suspend a guy for a hit that doesnt fit a suspendable description because he has been suspended in the past for suspendable hits.

By doing that it makes everything hard to ascertain what is or isnt suspension worthy.

You n me both. Definitely nice to see him getting over the initial struggles and getting his "pro" legs under him.

As they maturem he, Cooter, and Giroux down the middle have the potential to be nearly as potent as Crosby, Malkin, Staal.
- Lexington Flyer

That is lofty heights.

I'd like consistency, too.

But you'll never see a superstar player held to a standard for a guy like Rinaldo or Cooke. Even Ovechkin deserved more than the games he's gotten suspended for in his career.

Star players will always get a break, unless they pull a Bertuzzi.
- Jsaquella

I hear ya...
just like the Jordan CARRY (NBA)

"The team needs veterans such as Jaromir Jagr and Danny Briere to get going again up front, and for the defensive quartet of Timonen, Braydon Coburn, Matt Carle and Andrej Meszaros to collectively step up the way it did in December. If they don't, it won't matter in the slightest what trade(s) the team makes at the deadline."

DarrenDreger:

To consider trading Nash, CBJ will insist on young roster players as prominent pieces of a deal. Location determined by Nash

they shouldn't have cut him slack at that time and then suspend later for nonsense

address the specific action only
- Don'tForgetTocchet

I don't disagree. Theoretically, that is a better system. But that isn't what is in place.

I mean, in theory, deciding the winner of a game by not playing the actual game is dumb, IMO. But we still have the shootout in the NHL. I'd love to see it be black and white. Rinaldo slew foots a guy, he gets 2 games. Malkin slew foots a guy, he gets two games.

All I'm saying is, under the current system, this is what we get. Based on past decisions under the current system, the penalty on Rinaldo makes sense.

That's a good adjustment that can be easily made, either by the players or by the coaches. We have seen Laviolette switch to a defense first system for single games in the past-remember the Chicago game a couple years ago? The Flyers played a version of the neutral zone trap and managed to win on a last minute goal by Hartnell.
- Jsaquella

They did the same type of change in the Toronto game in the 3rd period. But I'm more looking at a read and react situation that is regular part of their systems play game in and game out. Rather then a game situation where the 2 man forecheck is adjusted to a 1-2-2 situation.

Columbus didn't have a Brayden Schenn to include for Richards.
- Jsaquella

they had johanson and he's not too shabby.

what's the deal with voracek? what is the inury?

I don't disagree. Theoretically, that is a better system. But that isn't what is in place.

I mean, in theory, deciding the winner of a game by not playing the actual game is dumb, IMO. But we still have the shootout in the NHL. I'd love to see it be black and white. Rinaldo slew foots a guy, he gets 2 games. Malkin slew foots a guy, he gets two games.
All I'm saying is, under the current system, this is what we get. Based on past decisions under the current system, the penalty on Rinaldo makes sense.
- Jsaquella

To be fair Ovechkin left his skates and boarded a player and received a suspension. I dont think Rinaldos hit was worse but star players do get suspended for breaking the rules.

They did the same type of change in the Toronto game in the 3rd period. But I'm more looking at a read and react situation that is regular part of their systems play game in and game out. Rather then a game situation where the 2 man forecheck is adjusted to a 1-2-2 situation.
- MJL

Yes, they absolutely did shut things down a lot better against the Leafs than they did against Detroit.

That's where the issue lies. If the players can't read and react, how much onus is on the coaches to start restricting their freedom?

what's the deal with voracek? what is the inury?
- Don'tForgetTocchet

I am curious as well

I heard upper body and in Homgren speak I believe that would be his left foot.

To be fair Ovechkin left his skates and boarded a player and received a suspension. I dont think Rinaldos hit was worse but star players do get suspended for breaking the rules.
- stveshdy

Star players do get suspended, but generally, a star level player gets a lesser suspension than a grinder. For instance, say Matt Bradley threw the same hit Ovechkin did. I bet he gets more games. If a Cooke or Rinaldo threw the same hit, they get a lot more games.

I am curious as well

I heard upper body and in Homgren speak I believe that would be his left foot.
- Buts16

Pretty sure its gonna be a separated shoulder. Saw the hit happen the other night and that was my initial thought.

what's the deal with voracek? what is the inury?
- Don'tForgetTocchet

Heard it's his shoulder from some of the bloggers with access.