Hawks Say Sharp Could Skate By The Weekend

[LordKOTL]

While I agree about the idea... it could lead to teams embellishing extent of injury. Lets say Seabrook elbows someone in the head on accident and that player happens to be a shitty player. That team could **** the Hawks since they don't take a big loss with their shitty player out while it would hurt the Hawks really bad having Seabrook out for an extended period.

The easiest way to solve that is by haive a suspension equal the time a player is not cleared to play by a neutral doctor, regarless of whether or not they were iced.



As much as I want that level of accountability (and likley a roster spot lost for the duration of the suspension), imagine the river of shit that would flow from Bettman's ass if Crosby injured a career...or Ovechkin. A smch as I like it, there's no way it would be implemented...



...and that's why there will be fighting in the league. You can bet that someone will try and run Kubina first chance they get next time we play his team--be it Tampa or whatever.

 

[Pez68]

If the Hawks are winning or losing by a decent amount on Sunday, and someone DOESN'T make Kubina answer for that elbow, I'll be really, really disappointed.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

The easiest way to solve that is by haive a suspension equal the time a player is not cleared to play by a neutral doctor, regarless of whether or not they were iced.



As much as I want that level of accountability (and likley a roster spot lost for the duration of the suspension), imagine the river of shit that would flow from Bettman's ass if Crosby injured a career...or Ovechkin. A smch as I like it, there's no way it would be implemented...



...and that's why there will be fighting in the league. You can bet that someone will try and run Kubina first chance they get next time we play his team--be it Tampa or whatever.

I do agree with the loss of a roster spot during the suspension's duration. Do that, and give repeat offenders a base suspension (say 5 games per instance) then tack on the suspension you would normally give him.

 

[R K]

True... but even if there was intent, as much as I'd love to see Matt Cooke still suspended from his hit on Savard, teams could still abuse that system based on the players involved.

As if they don't already. IE Bertuzzi not getting any games at all.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

As if they don't already. IE Bertuzzi not getting any games at all.

Yea... I don't see how he didn't get at least 1 or 2 with "how hard" they have been "cracking down" on headshots.

 

[Pez68]

The fact that Bertuzzi got nothing for that elbow just proves what a joke the NHL disciplinary committee is.

 

[mikita's helmet]

Yea... I don't see how he didn't get at least 1 or 2 with "how hard" they have been "cracking down" on headshots.

You idjits, he apologized!

Say 4 Hail Marys, 2 Our Fathers, and think about what you've done.

 

[Rex]

You idjits, he apologized!

Say 4 Hail Marys, 2 Our Fathers, and think about what you've done.

oh, there's a new sight! a Canuck crying!

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

The easiest way to solve that is by haive a suspension equal the time a player is not cleared to play by a neutral doctor, regarless of whether or not they were iced.



As much as I want that level of accountability (and likley a roster spot lost for the duration of the suspension), imagine the river of shit that would flow from Bettman's ass if Crosby injured a career...or Ovechkin. A smch as I like it, there's no way it would be implemented...



...and that's why there will be fighting in the league. You can bet that someone will try and run Kubina first chance they get next time we play his team--be it Tampa or whatever.

The caveman instinct comes out in me when I see the replay of the Kubina/Bolland hit. Kubina was headhunting.



Let Scott pummel him on Sunday!

 

[jakobeast]

It just seems like to me that it could be abused like Stu mentioned. The Burtuzzi hit on Moore is a good example of why it would be good. Burtuzzi's hit on Johnson is a good example of why it would suck. Johnson was ok, and only missed a few shifts. I honestly believe if Johnson was injured a bit worse, ol' Burt would have been suspended. That to me would be wrong. Either the hit is non suspendable or it is.



A think a minimum suspension would be good. 3 games to start. Hell, lets get creative, let's not let the player sharpen his skates for 3 games. I bet players would tighten up a bit, no?

 

[R K]

It just seems like to me that it could be abused like Stu mentioned. The Burtuzzi hit on Moore is a good example of why it would be good. Burtuzzi's hit on Johnson is a good example of why it would suck. Johnson was ok, and only missed a few shifts. I honestly believe if Johnson was injured a bit worse, ol' Burt would have been suspended. That to me would be wrong. Either the hit is non suspendable or it is.



A think a minimum suspension would be good. 3 games to start. Hell, lets get creative, let's not let the player sharpen his skates for 3 games. I bet players would tighten up a bit, no?

Thats why you would define it. The play in which Bertuzzi was involved was in fact a hockey play, where as Kubina's was just a dirty play.



Bert probably should have gotten 1-2 games as it was still a hit to the head. While Kubina should be out as long as the player he injured is. Least that would be my take.

 

[Larmer83]

that was one of the biggest horseshit plays i've seen in a while. i thought that line was shaping up nicely for a while there too. sucks.

Bickell was the left wing with Bolland for the majority of the season. Since the Tampa game...

Bickell 7 games, 0 points, -3, 8 SOG



The loss of Sharp and Bolland has effectively neutered the 2nd PP unit as Keith has moved to Sharp's point position on the #1 unit and Frolik has occupied space in place of Bolland.

 

[IceHogsFan]

I honestly believe if Johnson was injured a bit worse, ol' Burt would have been suspended. That to me would be wrong. Either the hit is non suspendable or it is.

What annoys me is how disengenious the NHL appears to be with all the headlines, meetings and discussions of head injuries and then letting Bertuzzi walk (skate if you will).



I think they just watered everything down by not doing anything, not even a disciplinary hearing. What a crock...

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

What annoys me is how disengenious the NHL appears to be with all the headlines, meetings and discussions of head injuries and then letting Bertuzzi walk (skate if you will).



I think they just watered everything down by not doing anything, not even a disciplinary hearing. What a crock...

+1

 

[Ton]

Thats why you would define it. The play in which Bertuzzi was involved was in fact a hockey play, where as Kubina's was just a dirty play.



Bert probably should have gotten 1-2 games as it was still a hit to the head. While Kubina should be out as long as the player he injured is. Least that would be my take.

I don't agree with that at all.



Just have a set system in place, it's simple and would provide consistency.

 

[R K]

I don't agree with that at all.



Just have a set system in place, it's simple and would provide consistency.

Consistent and NHL don't belong in the same sentence. Especially when it has to do with discipline and or officiating.



He elbowed a player in the head, after the puck was gone, which was not in the attempt of a Hockey Play. It was clear intent to injure. So while the player that did nothing wrong is STILL out, the player that caused it is skating scott free.



Not sure about you but that's not ok with me. Unless it was in the motion of a Hockey play. Which this was not, which is why he was suspended in the first place.

 

[Ton]

Consistent and NHL don't belong in the same sentence. Especially when it has to do with discipline and or officiating.



He elbowed a player in the head, after the puck was gone, which was not in the attempt of a Hockey Play. It was clear intent to injure. So while the player that did nothing wrong is STILL out, the player that caused it is skating scott free.



Not sure about you but that's not ok with me. Unless it was in the motion of a Hockey play. Which this was not, which is why he was suspended in the first place.

Then what do you do when you have someone who has had multiple concussions? Someone might hit him in the head and he will be out longer than usual only because he has a past history of concussions -- do you punish him for that even though he is not the sole reason for the injury?



Just have it set in stone. 5 games for the first offense, 5 games + fine for the 2nd offense, 10 games for the 3rd offense, etc.. etc.. Doesn't have to be those numbers but just an example. They do that and it will be consistent. No one would complain about that.



You start suspending players for the duration of an injury and you give the other team some power to dictate how long they are out for. It's even more inconsistent than the way they currently handle things and the NHLPA would never go for it anyway.



It doesn't make sense, you want to replace something inconsistent with something more inconsistent.



Throw out the gray areas, forget the "intent" and "injury" factor. Put the line in place, right now there is no line, but a giant gray area which is why it is so inconsistent. There are too many factors. Oh he didn't intend to hurt him... oh well this player wasn't injured.... oh well this player was injured for too long. Who care's about that, was the hit illegal/dangerous or not? That's all that needs to be said.

 

[R K]

For a NON Hockey play, Yes.



There is no reason to purposely throw a flying elbow. Personally those players I'd like to see out of the game Period.



If it didn't happen in the course of the "hockey play", then I could give a shit where they go. THey are a dirty player in my book.

 

[Ton]

For a NON Hockey play, Yes.



There is no reason to purposely throw a flying elbow. Personally those players I'd like to see out of the game Period.



If it didn't happen in the course of the "hockey play", then I could give a shit where they go. THey are a dirty player in my book.

If they throw and elbow to a player that has already been concussed in their career, and it's not a "hockey play"... maybe its not even an elbow, it's a hit into the boards, or shoulder to the head... but not during a hockey play, maybe it's interference... what do you do? The guy is clearly concussed again (maybe for longer than it really should be) because he has already had one or two, or three in his career already -- you are punishing a guy for an injury that may not even be entirely their fault... but also punishing them for past injuries that player has built up during their career. What happens when a guy is on his 5th concussion and you hit him on a "non-hockey" play and end his career... are you done too?



It's not fair. At the speed of the game those things are bound to happen, when they do happen then punish them accordingly but be fair and don't punish them based on injury or intent -- this is why it is wildly inconsistent as it is. Again, the NHLPA would never ever let that happen so it's pointless to even discuss. This is an idea that will never come to fruition and there are valid reasons why. It seems like it could work when you just throw it out there but dig deeper and you'll realize this is not something that will help, they already discussed it at the GM meetings anyway and they said it wouldn't work due to the reasons I stated.

 

[PatrickShart]

Not that Bertuzzi needs any support, but I didnt think he should be suspended.



Johnson was fine. He got a 5 and a game. I think if he was hurt/connected with the elbow...he wouldve been suspended. I think it looked worse than it really was.



It doesnt help that Bertuzzi is 6'4 and Johnson 5'8....and plays low to the ice.



As far as Bertuzzi's "past" is another story and he's been relatively clean since the incident. I heard the "probation" period after his suspension has long passed, giving him a clean slate. Its not like Avery, Cooke or that Gillies to an extent - that continued to push rules after suspensions.



The hit was on the edge, he was penalized during the game, the team was penalized...its over.