So the NHL has suspended Evander Kane two games for blasting Clayton Stoner form behind. I thought that Kane would receive a one game ban for the nasty hit. It wasn't the worst hit from behind that I've seen in the NHL this season. In fact, I think that Kane's offense on Stoner was far tamer than that of his teammate Adam Lowry's asinine, cowardly shot on Buffalo's Patrick Kaleta. At least Kane can defend his actions by saying that he deflected a puck while on the forecheck and that he was over zealous on his pursuit of the loose puck. Kane should have peeled of. He didn't. He's a first time offender without no priors on his record.
So, why then the two game suspension for Kane?
Lowry clearly head hunted Kaleta and buried the shiv in his back when he wasn't looking. There was nothing hockey-related about Lowry's shot on Kaleta, yet, he only received a one game ban. He too is a first time offender.
If I'm a Winnipeg Jets fan and a learned fan of the NHL, I'm questioning the logic of the supplemental discipline enforcement procedures at the NHL offices. It seems to me that Patrick Burke, Stephane Quintal, and Chris Pronger have gotten themselves in too far over their heads. Three rookies without a clue as to what is and what isn't a suspendable offense.
Don't get me started on the Alexei Emelin head shot on Brian Gionta. Emelin deserved a 2-2 fame ban, however was only fined $11,000 and cghage for the head hit. Minnesota's Marco Scandella skated away with a fine for bashing TJ Oshoe in the head, as did Dallas forward Antoine Roussel for his head hit on San Jose's Ryan Braun..
Pens D Robert Bortuzzo wasn't penalized with a fine for his hit on future Hall of Famer Jaromir Jagr. Bortuzzo receive a two game suspension.
Star forward Ryan Garbutt received a deuce for kneeing Taylor Hall.
The only thing consistent about NHL suspensions and the lack thereof is that there is zero consistency.
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The Anaheim Ducks haven't released any new updates on the health and wellness of their leading goal scorer Corey Perry.
He suffered a knee injury when Minnesota's Keith Ballard low bridged him with a hip check on Friday night.
Perry left the game and didn't return, nor did he play in Winnipeg on Sunday afternoon. The Ducks issued a statement on Sunday that Perry would be evaluated when the team returned to SoCal. Still we wait for the official injury update.
The Ducks offered a smidge of a Perry update on Monday by saying that the team will know more information on Tuesday. Not a great sign at all.
Perry, according to Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau, was expected to undergo more tests t on his knee Monday.
Perry spoke with the media on Saturday afternoon in Winnipeg and said it wasn’t the first time he suffered such an injury.
“It’s a little stiff, but it’ll heal,… he said. “I’ve done it to the other leg, so I’ve been through it. It’s just going to take a little bit of time.…
Elliotte Friedman has reported that a "sprained MCL is a possibility" for Perry.
Perry has 14 goals and 22 points in 23 games played this season.
The Ducks recalled Rickard Rakell from AHL Norfolk on Saturday.
A long term injury to Perry would firm a huge hole in the Anaheim offense as they don't have another point-a-game players on their current roster or in the minors.
Ducks GM Bob Murray better start looking for a top six forward to replace Perry, if he hasn't done so already.
More to come....