Ryan Wilson: New Camera Angle of Violent Shane Doan Hit On Kris Letang New Camera Angle of Violent Shane Doan Hit On Kris Letang

The sound of that.

Give him the chair!

Seriously he didn't hit from behind, to the head or hit an unsuspecting opponent. Letang cleared the puck quickly, it may have been slightly late, but what did DOan do that was so terrible. There was an unfortunate result of the hit and no doubt the NHL has been a joke as far as discipline, but in this case do you really think DOan deserves to be punished? At worst if ther's no concussion this is a standard two minute interference call, and 99% of the time that isn't even called.

Give him the chair!

Seriously he didn't hit from behind, to the head or hit an unsuspecting opponent. Letang cleared the puck quickly, it may have been slightly late, but what did DOan do that was so terrible. There was an unfortunate result of the hit and no doubt the NHL has been a joke as far as discipline, but in this case do you really think DOan deserves to be punished? At worst if ther's no concussion this is a standard two minute interference call, and 99% of the time that isn't even called.
- smellmyfinger

Here is my issue, that hit was worse than the one that got Bortz 2 games for on Jagr. I mean, if you are getting 2 games for that, how does Doan not get 2? That is my issue, the league is so inconsistent with things.

Here is my issue, that hit was worse than the one that got Bortz 2 games for on Jagr. I mean, if you are getting 2 games for that, how does Doan not get 2? That is my issue, the league is so inconsistent with things.
- Thorny

I agree. Same thing with Bortuzzo, majority of the time that hit is a 2 minute minor for interference.

did baby fall down and go boom?

I've never understood interference... If a forward chips a puck past a defenseman and skates past him, basically any contact from the dman on the forward gets called (in Oct-Feb, aka "Rules Enforcement Season"). No matter how instantaneous after the forward lets go of the puck.

But if a player makes a pass, opposing players routinely are given a full second, or a couple strides to lay a hit on them.

These types of hits are pointless... Why are players still allowed to initiate a hit after a guy releases the puck?

Smells like poop in these comments....

Don't know why

Watching games on TV, you forget how violent of a game it is. Seeing a game up close changes everything.

I often think of the Travis Roy injury, and how harmless that looked compared to the dangerous hits, or awkward collisions that we see every night in the NHL.

It's amazing to me that we don't have many more catastrophic injuries in this sport.

Never mind the lateness, it's (frank)ing charging, and it is and has always been illegal.

Officials seem to have forgotten to call it in the new speed game, and the league doesn't seem to be taking it seriously in terms of discipline, when realistically it is a lot more dangerous to charge a guy full speed and throw him into the boards from 5 feet out than it is to hit guys from behind, which we make a great big scene out of.

He followed him until after the puck was long gone, made no attempt to slow down, and threw the unsuspecting player headfirst into the boards.

Yes I see your point clearly Ryan, unfortunately the powers that be are the ones that probably were schooled like you & see it as part of the game & cannot be changed.

Seems crazy doesn't it, that if there is a fight & someone is knocked out after his head hits the ice - NOT by any blow to the head or face by the opponent, then they blame the fight & want it eradicated from the game.

Now, when someone - Letang in this case, suffers a concussion due to the negligence (too strong a word?), of another player, there is no blame on the actions of that player - Doan in this case, it's just bad luck or unfortunate. It's hockey!

Both events above have the same result a result that the NHL says it's trying to reduce & finally eliminate from the game. Both events above are completely unnecessary & both go unpunished in the big picture - in fact did Doan even get a call against?

So Mr Bettman, tell us what causes concussion & what steps are in place to try & reduce the occurrences of said concussion??

On another point I hope Buffs hand isn't too sore after his slap on the wrist??

Never mind the lateness, it's (frank)ing charging, and it is and has always been illegal.

Officials seem to have forgotten to call it in the new speed game, and the league doesn't seem to be taking it seriously in terms of discipline, when realistically it is a lot more dangerous to charge a guy full speed and throw him into the boards from 5 feet out than it is to hit guys from behind, which we make a great big scene out of.

He followed him until after the puck was long gone, made no attempt to slow down, and threw the unsuspecting player headfirst into the boards.
- TommyDeVito

"Rule 42 of the NHL rulebook dictates that charging "shall mean the actions of a player or goalkeeper who, as a result of distance traveled, shall violently check an opponent in any manner. A 'charge' may be the result of a check into the boards, into the goal frame or in open ice."[1] The infraction may warrant any severity of penalty or combination of penalties as the officials deem fit, including a major plus a game misconduct, or suspension if the infraction results in injury to the opposing player. Any player who leaves their feet while delivering a body check is also found to be in violation of the charging rule and is subject to penalization."

Probably don't see it called often because of how wide open the interpretation is. By this definition any violent hit where a skater traveled any distance can be charging. The only clear cut time it's called is if a skater leaves his feet.
Puck was cleared and Doan definitely moved to make contact, most often I see this called on the ice as interference.

"Rule 42 of the NHL rulebook dictates that charging "shall mean the actions of a player or goalkeeper who, as a result of distance traveled, shall violently check an opponent in any manner. A 'charge' may be the result of a check into the boards, into the goal frame or in open ice."
- smellmyfinger[1] The infraction may warrant any severity of penalty or combination of penalties as the officials deem fit, including a major plus a game misconduct, or suspension if the infraction results in injury to the opposing player. Any player who leaves their feet while delivering a body check is also found to be in violation of the charging rule and is subject to penalization."

Probably don't see it called often because of how wide open the interpretation is. By this definition any violent hit where a skater traveled any distance can be charging. The only clear cut time it's called is if a skater leaves his feet.
Puck was cleared and Doan definitely moved to make contact, most often I see this called on the ice as interference.

The zebs could rule on about 5 rules every minute if they wanted to but don't. They pick & choose which ones & when. The league officials have no integrity & Bettman backs them.

Give him the chair!

Seriously he didn't hit from behind, to the head or hit an unsuspecting opponent. Letang cleared the puck quickly, it may have been slightly late, but what did DOan do that was so terrible. There was an unfortunate result of the hit and no doubt the NHL has been a joke as far as discipline, but in this case do you really think DOan deserves to be punished? At worst if ther's no concussion this is a standard two minute interference call, and 99% of the time that isn't even called.
- smellmyfinger

Doan did a lot more than Bortz did when he lit jagr up earlier in the year and Bortz got 2 games and was twice jumped by that tootoo maniac the next time they played each other. But bortz doesn't have the name recognition that doan has and God forbid the punishment fit the he crime regardless of league politics. We can't have a credible league until the name on the back of the jersey is one of the biggest determinants of the severity of the punishment or even if any is served.

By the end of the season half the NHL are among the walking wounded. Often the best players can't play due to injuries. Hits like this hurt the game but the NHL and it's owners don't seem to care. Only big money lawsuits for post concussion syndrome or death on the ice will change anything. It's the NHL Gunner. I used to care a lot more b ut as time goes by I get less and less interested. There wasn't even a call for obvious charging/interference here.

The only other way would be the fans staying away in droves to hit them in the pocketbook. The emphasis has changed from skill to caveman calling by the refs. It's a disgrace to sports but again, it's the NHL. The NHL is one step above WWF.

Give him the chair!

Seriously he didn't hit from behind, to the head or hit an unsuspecting opponent. Letang cleared the puck quickly, it may have been slightly late, but what did DOan do that was so terrible. There was an unfortunate result of the hit and no doubt the NHL has been a joke as far as discipline, but in this case do you really think DOan deserves to be punished? At worst if ther's no concussion this is a standard two minute interference call, and 99% of the time that isn't even called.
- smellmyfinger

Do you believe Robert Bortuzzo should have been suspended for hittng Jagr earlier in the year? There was no hit to the head, the hit may have been slightly late, Jagr missed a period and a half as a result of it. It is the same type of play with the only difference being, Bortz delivered a beautiful body check instead of shoving a vulnerable player into the boards.

I will say if Bortuzzo got a suspension for interference on that Jagr hit, then Doan should have got the same. Doan's explanation basically says YES I INTERFERED WITH HIM.

But the hit itself wasn't bad, IMO. You have guys skating full speed at each other...this kinda poop is gonna happen. Tanger was shoved at the wrong angle and he was off balance.

Like it or not, finishing your checks is a part of hockey. Only way to stop that is remove hitting from hockey all together.

what is Letangs' official condition ? out indefinitely ? day to day ? I realize most likely he's out for the season just didn't see anything specific or official.

It's a clean hit people. My god because it's a pens player he can't be touched? Or if he gets hurt its gotta be a dirty hit? He was pushed and if letang didn't bail out like a female dog which put him off balance he wouldn't have been knocked off his skates. Enough already!!!!now the rinaldo hit is a legit reason to be pissed. This is not.

Never mind the lateness, it's (frank)ing charging, and it is and has always been illegal.

Officials seem to have forgotten to call it in the new speed game, and the league doesn't seem to be taking it seriously in terms of discipline, when realistically it is a lot more dangerous to charge a guy full speed and throw him into the boards from 5 feet out than it is to hit guys from behind, which we make a great big scene out of.

He followed him until after the puck was long gone, made no attempt to slow down, and threw the unsuspecting player headfirst into the boards.
- TommyDeVito

The puck was just moved before he got hit. Normally three strides or more is charging. Doan didn't charge. The hit was clean. If letang didn't go off balance because he was bailing out not to be hit this wouldn't be an issue.

The zebs could rule on about 5 rules every minute if they wanted to but don't. They pick & choose which ones & when. The league officials have no integrity & Bettman backs them.
- Aussiepenguin

Is that a bad thing? Personally , I love it in the playoffs when the refs put the whistles away and let the boys play hard hitting hockey. On the othewr hand, if they called every infraction in a game we would have a whistle every 20 seconds....(frank) that.

I miss the good ol'days of tough NHL hockey when the players were responsible for protecting themselves.Instead of more rules enforced by the officials they should scrap the instigator rule and watch dangerous and reckless hits go down leaguewide.

Pens fans need to also quit their crying about this hit......it was a beauty.

Give him the chair!

Seriously he didn't hit from behind, to the head or hit an unsuspecting opponent. Letang cleared the puck quickly, it may have been slightly late, but what did DOan do that was so terrible. There was an unfortunate result of the hit and no doubt the NHL has been a joke as far as discipline, but in this case do you really think DOan deserves to be punished? At worst if ther's no concussion this is a standard two minute interference call, and 99% of the time that isn't even called.
- smellmyfinger

Well Ryan, posts like this answer your question about why this is allowed to continue. People like this guy actually think that type of hit is OK. NHL is no different.

It's a clean hit people. My god because it's a pens player he can't be touched? Or if he gets hurt its gotta be a dirty hit? He was pushed and if letang didn't bail out like a female dog which put him off balance he wouldn't have been knocked off his skates. Enough already!!!!now the rinaldo hit is a legit reason to be pissed. This is not.
- jmdodgeser4

Most people don't have a problem with the hit. I don't think it was a bad hit, other than being a bit late. The problem is the league double standard. A no name or middling player like Bortuzzo is suspended 2 games for the same type of incident. Because it was a legend that he hit. The DOPS explanation was that the hit was interference as the puck had been moved by Jagr. THe same thing applies here, the puck was long gone from Letangs stick by the standard the league was using with the Jagr hit. It was on the other side of the red line. When Jagr was hit, the puck was not even out of the zone. Again I have no problem with either hit, other than to wonder why one is suspension worthy and one is not.

Now getting your wrists slashed on faceoffs, that could seriously effect your ability to grab another mans buttocks and is surely suspension worthy.

Its a fair hit on a dangerous part of the ice. Players need to be aware and respectful of the 3-5 ft off the boards hits. Coaches preach finish your checks, thats what Doan was doing. In the playoffs we'll see even more of it. Could he of not made the check without the play being affected, yes, but if he goes back to the bench the coach can ask, "what didn't you finish your check on Letang?" Was it necessary, no, but it doesn't have to be. Its about wearing down the top guys with hit after hit after hit. Its unfortunate, believe me, I'm a Pens fan. But I don't think anyone is to blame.

By the end of the season half the NHL are among the walking wounded. Often the best players can't play due to injuries. Hits like this hurt the game but the NHL and it's owners don't seem to care. Only big money lawsuits for post concussion syndrome or death on the ice will change anything. It's the NHL Gunner. I used to care a lot more b ut as time goes by I get less and less interested. There wasn't even a call for obvious charging/interference here.

The only other way would be the fans staying away in droves to hit them in the pocketbook. The emphasis has changed from skill to caveman calling by the refs. It's a disgrace to sports but again, it's the NHL. The NHL is one step above WWF.
- powerhouse

Boo-ya...

WWE prob gets better rating I'd imagine.

The league is a joke. Has been since I watched it as a kid in the early 80's. Unfortunately for me, I love hockey so I watch anyway.

Like I've said many times before, if Letang's Union does nothing to protect him, nor Sid's, nor JT Miller's, let them all kill each other. Cross-check a dude in the neck violently? 4 games. Absolute joke.