I think it's weird to act like it's ok for him to be dirty since he "backs it up" by fighting. For the record, I love players who play with an edge. Players can push the line as far as they can without being dangerous. I love watching physical hockey. Wilson is just a dangerous player and that's not a badge of courage fans should wear, it's shameful.
- Rinosaur

Please let’s not act like Tom Wilson is the only player who plays dirty. There’s nothing shameful about it. There are rules that keep him in line and when he doesn’t stay within the rules he’s penalized or in this case fined. It’s part of what makes him a very, very useful player. He can’t be a lot of fun to play against.

This all speaks to the rampant inconsistencies in NHL rule enforcement. Refs do not call penalties as players are repeatedly cross checked in front of a goalie. Are cross checks illegal or not, or are they legal if someone is screening a goalie? I can't count how many hundreds of times I watched Thomas Vanek get cross checked in front of a goalie. So too, it seems like it's also legal to hack a goalie after the whistle and kick at a goalie (which is frigging shocking given the two incidents we've seen as Sabre fans) after the whistle. This is why and how things happen.

NHL refs take the cake for making their sport worse IMO. They have absolutely all the wrong control over their game. They can kill pace and tempo but fail to control danger. What are they really good for?
- lacaprup

They're only as effective as the league allows them to be. If the league put out a directive to call more penalties, they'd do it. In fact, after the last shutdown that's exactly what they did for the two or three seasons after that and then started letting up more and more each year.

Please let’s not act like Tom Wilson is the only player who plays dirty. There’s nothing shameful about it. There are rules that keep him in line and when he doesn’t stay within the rules he’s penalized or in this case fined. It’s part of what makes him a very, very useful player. He can’t be a lot of fun to play against.
- landros 2

There's dirty and dangerous. He's dangerous. Other players being dirty shouldn't make it ok for Wilson to be dirtier than them. There's a difference between Claude Lemieux and Marchand level dirty and Raffi Torres or Todd Bertuzzi; Wilson has joined the latter two players.

It is honestly shocking that he is going to be able to play again this year.

Go back and watch the whole sequence one more time. Panarin was trying to simply pull Wilson off his teammate and needed to jump on him in order to have any physical leverage to make that happen. He in no way attempted to "jump" him. "Jumping" a player is attacking them when they aren't expecting it.
- Rinosaur

I believe it was Strome who was trying to pull him off. But Panarin came in as well and then everyone piled in while Wilson happen to match with Panarin. That happens all the time. It's simple that Wilson over powers Panarin by a large margin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85ScUSltfco

This angle shows the punch was not in the head, it was on the shoulder (commentators say it's the back). as well as Strome standing right there.

If it's a scrum and players are trying to get at Wilson.... He's gotta pick someone. That's how scrums work and at that point everyone was heated.

My point of view on it, is that Wilson should be fined but more for the mocking while he was in the box. That was embarrassing and clearly unsportsmanlike conduct that makes him and the league look bad.

It is honestly shocking that he is going to be able to play again this year.
- Mahewman

Yup. I can't believe he was allowed to finish that game, let alone being able to finish the season.

I believe it was Strome who was trying to pull him off. But Panarin came in as well and then everyone piled in while Wilson happen to match with Panarin. That happens all the time. It's simple that Wilson over powers Panarin by a large margin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85ScUSltfco

This angle shows the punch was not in the head, it was on the shoulder (commentators say it's the back). as well as Strome standing right there.

If it's a scrum and players are trying to get at Wilson.... He's gotta pick someone. That's how scrums work and at that point everyone was heated.

My point of view on it, is that Wilson should be fined but more for the mocking while he was in the box. That was embarrassing and clearly unsportsmanlike conduct that makes him and the league look bad.
- Maverick1818

It was Panarin. Not Strome. There are better videos on twitter that show the whole sequence unedited.

If you haven't seen it, I put it below, but last night Tom Wilson crossed a line he has crossed time and time again. But this time far worse, and this time twice in the same sequence of fights. -Eklund

Holy poop Ek. Are you trying to give English teachers a stroke?

Tom Wilson. Today’s Raffi Torres. Throw him out.

It was Panarin. Not Strome. There are better videos on twitter that show the whole sequence unedited.
- Rinosaur

Pretty sure they were both there. Strome first and then Dowd jumped on them both and Panarin came in and then everyone else piled in.

While everyone was piling in, Wilson couldn't go after Strome because Dowd was on him so he just happened to match with Panarin. This is a common thing in a lot of games. I think it's just more evident because of how much Wilson over powers Panarin

So, what he did to Buchnevich wasn't even that big of a deal. People saying he "Pedigreed" him to the ice are blind - Buchnevich falls onto Wilson's stick as he's going to the ice and Wilson slides down with him, and gives him a little shot, to his shoulder (and probably says "Get off my stick", too!)...

Dumb as hell but WWE seriously? Now, him getting jumped for doing this, well, his history speaks for itself and people aren't going to give him the benefit of the doubt anymore.

The ensuing scuffle and what he did to Panarin are next-level goonery, and he's now part of an elite group that includes the guy in charge of determining what punishments and fines are handed out when this top-tier buffoonery goes down.

He turned into that 12-year old kid with glasses that you've been bullying on the bus all year who finally went berserk and started pulling hair and scratching you and literally jumps on your back and tries to bite you.

His complete chimp-out in the penalty box following the mockery that had just went down on the ice could only be topped by the laughable punishment that was handed out in the wake of everything.

You have what could only be described as a skilled-grinder in Tom Wilson, completely rag-doll a marquee star, one of the top 25 players in the entire world probably in Artemi Panarin, and act like a complete jock douche-bag knuckle-dragger and all he gets a $5,000.00 fine? After he grabbed a dude by his hair and slammed him down to the ice? And continued to rag-doll a guy half his size?

The guy obviously has some mental health issues, at this point it's undeniable. There was no reason to go nuts like he did and after watching the entire sequence several times I am just flat out baffled it escalated to that level.

These refs get caught on a hot mic L I T E R A L L Y saying they're giving a team a penalty because they felt like it, put the whistles away the rest of the season and have absolutely zero control over a situation that got way more out of hand than it ever had any business getting to...

Bravo, NHL.



Laugh hard it's a long way to the bank.

I'm not the only one who thinks this way. Also, I'm not here throwing personal insults at people. There's a small clique in the Leafs blog lead by an ex bureaucrat who throws around all his high level political connections, in case anyone was wondering.
- MisterBrown

Ah yes it’s one big conspiracy over there in the Leafs thread with a bunch of total strangers all coincidentally colluding against you.

Surely it has nothing to do with you, the common denominator, being an bumhole.

Greasy guy, if he was a first time offender I could live with the fine. But somewhere reputation needs to dictate a tougher punishment. Still would love him as a flyer

I believe it was Strome who was trying to pull him off. But Panarin came in as well and then everyone piled in while Wilson happen to match with Panarin. That happens all the time. It's simple that Wilson over powers Panarin by a large margin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85ScUSltfco

This angle shows the punch was not in the head, it was on the shoulder (commentators say it's the back). as well as Strome standing right there.

If it's a scrum and players are trying to get at Wilson.... He's gotta pick someone. That's how scrums work and at that point everyone was heated.

My point of view on it, is that Wilson should be fined but more for the mocking while he was in the box. That was embarrassing and clearly unsportsmanlike conduct that makes him and the league look bad.
- Maverick1818

Do you have some sort of sad agenda?
You provide video proof that it was a punch to the shoulder and when I watch it, you can instantly and easily see that Buch's head was sideways and the punch was directly to the side of his face.
(And by the way, Buch did not "kick the goalie", he kicked at the puck that was lying uncovered against the bottom end of his pad. Nothing dangerous there.)
Then, Strome pulls Wilson off of Buch. Then a Cap jumps on Strome once he engages (I see you have no problem with that). This leaves Wilson unengaged, at which time Panarin grabbed him. At this point, Wilson pulls Panarin's hair (I notice you haven't mentioned that. I assume because it's harder to defend) straight back and down toward the ice. They did not fall down together.
It was all 100% intentional and possible to some degree even calculated by Wilson.

Greasy guy, if he was a first time offender I could live with the fine. But somewhere reputation needs to dictate a tougher punishment. Still would love him as a flyer
- MrPerfect316

The funny thing with Wilson is the same ad Marchy or anyone else who pisses everyone off.... Everyone hates them but would love them on their team.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85ScUSltfco

they explain here that the history and reputation only play into it if the league determines that it's a suspend-able offense (not a fine-able one).

Although many have mentioned the Bertuzzi incident I think another one is even more applicable here - Bill Masterton (for whom the Masterton Award is named):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Masterton#Death

, the only player who died directly as a result of a play on the ice. This happened 10 years before I was born at a time when players didn't wear helmets.

Panarin was without a helmet when Wilson deliberately slammed his head on the ice. The worst-case scenario when this happens is that the victim can literally die from it, and it isn't too remote of thing to happen when the aggressor is as strong and violent as Tom Wilson. Is that what it is going to take to give Tom Wilson the suspension that he deserves?

Rangers are out of the playoffs so it will be interesting to see if Washington holds out Wilson and others tonight...as, 'the code' might be out the window on him or other key Capitals players.

The funny thing with Wilson is the same ad Marchy or anyone else who pisses everyone off.... Everyone hates them but would love them on their team.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85ScUSltfco

they explain here that the history and reputation only play into it if the league determines that it's a suspend-able offense (not a fine-able one).
- Maverick1818

Tom Wilson, Brad Marchand, and Evander Kane are the three players in the league whom I would be embarrassed to have on my team and I do not care how good the first two are.

Matt Cooke was a solid third line forward for his entire time in Pittsburgh but despite this became an embarrassment his last few years here with his dirty play. I was ashamed of it and wanted him gone, despite the impacts it would have on the third line.

Tom Wilson, Brad Marchand, and Evander Kane are the three players in the league whom I would be embarrassed to have on my team and I do not care how good the first two are.

Matt Cooke was a solid third line forward for his entire time in Pittsburgh but despite this became an embarrassment his last few years here with his dirty play. I was ashamed of it and wanted him gone, despite the impacts it would have on the third line.
- PghPens668771

100%
It is possible and quite frankly, ok, to not be a fan of a player on your team. I was vocal in never supporting NY's willingness to have Avery on the team. He could be a very effective player when kept on the straight and narrow, but I never cared because he was a violently flawed, piece of trash human being.

Do you have some sort of sad agenda?
You provide video proof that it was a punch to the shoulder and when I watch it, you can instantly and easily see that Buch's head was sideways and the punch was directly to the side of his face.
(And by the way, Buch did not "kick the goalie", he kicked at the puck that was lying uncovered against the bottom end of his pad. Nothing dangerous there.)
Then, Strome pulls Wilson off of Buch. Then a Cap jumps on Strome once he engages (I see you have no problem with that). This leaves Wilson unengaged, at which time Panarin grabbed him. At this point, Wilson pulls Panarin's hair (I notice you haven't mentioned that. I assume because it's harder to defend) straight back and down toward the ice. They did not fall down together.
It was all 100% intentional and possible to some degree even calculated by Wilson.
- Tonybere

Okay let's break this down.
#1. No agenda, just stating facts
#2. Doesn't matter that Buch's face was sideways (I've already stated that I did not like how Wilson's stick was under him and he was pulling up) but factually you can see in the video, he punched the shoulder, not the face or head.... it's very clear.
#3. I've never once said anything about Buch kicking anyone or anything in any of my posts
#4. I have absolutely no problem with Strome pulling Wilson off Buch, or Dowd jumping in. Strome was protecting Buch and Dowd was protecting Wilson... As far as I'm concerned, those are two good team mates
#5. In a scrum it's typical that players match with each other. in this case Panarin matched with Wilson and Wilson very clearly over powered him. If there was hair pulling, I certainly don't like that. But there is no way Wilson would have thought "I can't handle Panarin so I'll pull his hair". It likely would have just happened to be a consequence that Panarin has long hand and Wilson easily man handling him.
#6. I've also never said in any of my posts that they "fell together" but that's irreverent. The entire thing with Panarin, Wilson was simply over powering him and one could make an argument that given how easily he was manhandling him, he could have done some serious damage.

My own personal thoughts on it, I think Buch went to the net hard like he should have and happened to get tangled up in a bad position with Wilson.

I think Wilson giving him a light punch on the shoulder and pulling on his jersey to get his stick free was no big deal, but he must have known someone would jump in. (I don't like that he was pulling his stick up from underneath Buch)

I like the fact the Strome and Dowd jumped in to defend their team mates

I think Panarin and Wilson matching up in a scrum was a bad match on Panarin's part because of how much stronger Wilson is.

And I think the worst part about the entire situation is the mocking when Wilson was in the box.

That's just embarrassing for Wilson and the league

The NHL and NHLPA DO NOT CARE ABOUT PLAYER SAFETY. It is unimportant to them. They do not want to get rid of the excessive, premeditated violence in the sport. They prefer the sport to keep it. Look at who they appointed as Head of Player Safety. A goon. Until the leadership at both the league and union change and the attitude of the players change, nothing will change. I predicted this fine. Typical of the NHL.

TIME TO START FIRING OFFICIALS FOR NOT DOING THERE JOBS. THEY BEEN LETTING THIS THINGS GO IN FRONT OF NETS FOR A VERY LONG TIME. SEND A MESSAGE TO PLAYERS THIS BS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. THAT GOES FOR PLAYERS WHO TAKE LATE JABS AT GOALTENDERS AS WELL

This all speaks to the rampant inconsistencies in NHL rule enforcement. Refs do not call penalties as players are repeatedly cross checked in front of a goalie. Are cross checks illegal or not, or are they legal if someone is screening a goalie? I can't count how many hundreds of times I watched Thomas Vanek get cross checked in front of a goalie. So too, it seems like it's also legal to hack a goalie after the whistle and kick at a goalie (which is frigging shocking given the two incidents we've seen as Sabre fans) after the whistle. This is why and how things happen.

NHL refs take the cake for making their sport worse IMO. They have absolutely all the wrong control over their game. They can kill pace and tempo but fail to control danger. What are they really good for?
- lacaprup

Bingo! I'm all for "letting them play" as they say, but that means letting little tiny infractions slide, not blatant trips or slashes or cross checks... not letting a blatant interference call go because the other team is already on a PP.... These guys cannot be allowed to do their jobs with such pure subjectivity. To many refs thinking they should be able to control where a game goes, and most times poop going on like last night is a direct result of a game out of control because the refs are not being objective and calling things fair..

Do you have some sort of sad agenda?
You provide video proof that it was a punch to the shoulder and when I watch it, you can instantly and easily see that Buch's head was sideways and the punch was directly to the side of his face.

- Tonybere

https://twitter.com/troyc...tatus/1389602087110070273

I'm not arguing anything, I'm not defending Wilson. But he didn't really punch him in the head.

Bingo! I'm all for "letting them play" as they say, but that means letting little tiny infractions slide, not blatant trips or slashes or cross checks... not letting a blatant interference call go because the other team is already on a PP.... These guys cannot be allowed to do their jobs with such pure subjectivity. To many refs thinking they should be able to control where a game goes, and most times poop going on like last night is a direct result of a game out of control because the refs are not being objective and calling things fair..
- MnGump

Almost as bad as MLB umps. At least you can attempt to have a conversation with NHL refs. You just can't expect any sort of consistency.