Paul Stewart: Kane Suspension Further Weakens Abuse of Official Standards

Antoine Vermette agrees with you. Three games is a joke on this one. But, as with Calgary (Wideman) and Anaheim, San Jose can expect a little payback from the officials all season long. Who wants to bet the Sharks' PIMs increase this season, and their opponents' PIMs decrease?

This is probably the only time I’ve disagreed with you, Paul.

The officials by their own incorrect handling of the situation, did nothing right. There was no need for the linesman to grab a hold of Kane the way he did. It seemed like way too much attention was paid to Kane, in an unnecessary way. That started the incident, as Kane had no intent to grapple with an official. What price do the linesman pay when they over react? I get respecting the officials, but sometimes mitigating circumstances affect the punishment. 3 Games was enough. And no, I’m not a Kane fan. In addition, if the league just let two guys have at it, this wouldn’t have happened.

In the big picture, the league has overreacted, and instituted too many changes that have left the game sterile, in hopes of attracting more “casual fans”, while leaving us old school fans disappointed.

What happens to the linesman who inappropriately handled the situation? Will he lose assignments? Because that was a piss poor display of officiating. I'm not letting Kane off the hook either, but there was no reason for the linesman to tackle him.

The linesman will pay when he does not get a playoff assignment. The refs over reacted and we can't have refs taking players down.

Maybe the Linesman can sue the League/Kane/Sharks

How'd that work out for Henderson when he did it?

Oh wait.....

Maybe the Linesman can sue the League/Kane/Sharks

How'd that work out for Henderson when he did it?

Oh wait.....
- TheGame316

The league set the precedent in the playoffs when refs screw up there are consequences. Kiel Murchison was clearly the aggressor and over reffed the situation. If Kane is out thru Sunday maybe Murchison should be sat the same time.

You can never condone a player touching and official, it is definitely wrong but that official looked like he was targeting Kane and definitely got involved in the play for no reason. The NHL permits fighting so the linesman should have just stood back and let the fight happen, if it was going to at all. Maybe no fight was even going to happen so he’d tackled Kane for absolutely no reason at all then. Luckily Kane didn’t get hurt on a play or a imagine the Gong Show that would’ve been created. If players aren’t allowed to abuse officials officials should not be allowed to abuse players and that was pretty close to abuse of a player

You're wrong here.

Time to put body cams on the refs for greater transparency and accountability for all parties involved, like law enforcement. plus people would watch that all day long!

Time to put body cams on the refs for greater transparency and accountability for all parties involved, like law enforcement. plus people would watch that all day long!
- murTor

There're already cameras on the refs all the time. You mean you want them mic'ed up?

It all goes back to that disrespectful Steve yzerman

"Get off my Lawn"

It's a little slippery on a sheet of ice and Kane is a pretty strong guy. I think the linesman just lost his balance as a result of those two things and as he does he's going to naturally grab anything he can in an attempt to stay up. Turns out he dragged Kane down. I don't think it was a tackle, and there's no question Kane shoved and took out frustrations on the official. Tough situation for Kane, but in my opinion the only attitude on display was his. Tough breaks involving officials go both ways and all you have to do is think back to last years playoffs to see a huge one go in favor of the Sharks (who Kane plays for). it couldn't be any clearer, he shoved an official in anger. No brainer 10 gamer according to the rule book.

This is probably the only time I’ve disagreed with you, Paul.

The officials by their own incorrect handling of the situation, did nothing right. There was no need for the linesman to grab a hold of Kane the way he did. It seemed like way too much attention was paid to Kane, in an unnecessary way. That started the incident, as Kane had no intent to grapple with an official. What price do the linesman pay when they over react? I get respecting the officials, but sometimes mitigating circumstances affect the punishment. 3 Games was enough. And no, I’m not a Kane fan. In addition, if the league just let two guys have at it, this wouldn’t have happened.

In the big picture, the league has overreacted, and instituted too many changes that have left the game sterile, in hopes of attracting more “casual fans”, while leaving us old school fans disappointed.
- Hokeeguy9

I agree with this bolded line.

Yes indeed

It's a little slippery on a sheet of ice and Kane is a pretty strong guy. I think the linesman just lost his balance as a result of those two things and as he does he's going to naturally grab anything he can in an attempt to stay up. Turns out he dragged Kane down. I don't think it was a tackle, and there's no question Kane shoved and took out frustrations on the official. Tough situation for Kane, but in my opinion the only attitude on display was his. Tough breaks involving officials go both ways and all you have to do is think back to last years playoffs to see a huge one go in favor of the Sharks (who Kane plays for). it couldn't be any clearer, he shoved an official in anger. No brainer 10 gamer according to the rule book.
- 6628

I don't disagree that it should have been 10 by the book, but at what point does "by the book" no longer apply? I mean, in an extreme case, let's say the ref punches Kane; does that mean that Kane can do nothing in his own defense except turtle? The linesman is at fault here more than anyone (IMO) as he grabbed Kane for no apparent reason and if you watch, you can see Kane lose his balance and the ref falls with him. After that, the ref continues to grab on and that's when Kane shoves him.

So yes, "by the book" it should be 10 games, but to me, it's the linesman's fault there was an incident at all.

Well you're wrong. The official did an absolutely awful job at controlling the issue in the first place. The linesman in this case only focused on Kane as opposed to standing between both players. He then tackled Kane and pushed him to the ice. The linesman is lucky he didn't get a suspension for such blatant disregard of his job duties

This board has been over thought entirely. After watching the replay numerous times it’s clear Kane deserves what he got and maybe deserved more. Kane was clearly trying to prolong an altercation with Engelland. The linesman stepped in in order to break it up before it got worse and keep the game moving, which is part of their job. Kane wanted none of it and continued despite numerous warnings and eventually slashed Engelland. Kane clearly did not care what the linesman was doing or saying and would not let it go and eventually turned around an shove the official. The rules state that you can’t apply force to an official in these moments. Officials grab guys all the time in order to prevent further physical altercation and if you watch, players normally respect it. It simply means stop or you are getting a penalty or more than you are already getting. Kane was losing it and the savvy veteran Engelland knew it.