Did you get a chance to see the Sens/Sabres game on Thursday night? If not you missed a great example of an issue that continues to be a problem in the NHL, players hunting other players who are vulnerable. Chris Neil took advantage of a vulnerable Chris Drury and landing a concussion causing hit which has put the Sabres captain out indefinitely.
What ensued after was Lindy Ruff putting his bruisers on with the last change against the Sens top line. This resulted in a full out brawl or beating, seeing Andrew Peters attack Dany Heatley and then Ray Emery. A handful of players got tossed from the game, and over 100+ penalty minutes assessed.
But the real issue is how can this league not recognize that this issue has to be addressed. While hitting is part of the game, body contact does not constitute hunting down another player and taking advantage of that situation. The NFL suspends players who go after the head, QB's are protected again and again because the players are important to the game. But the NHL does nothing to address the issue and then scratches their head on why the game has incidents like the recent one, or better yet the infamous Bertuzzi attack on Steve Moore.
The reason being is that teams need to police themselves because the league does nothing to protect against these incidents. And the Bertuzzi incident stemmed from the same style hit as the Chris Neil one. The funny thing being that one day before as the GM meetings were finished, the league was considering extending the suspension boundaries for the instigator rule since the league needs to protect the players. And then...this happens...and Lindy Ruff is the only one fined, what a great example to set.
But as with most NHL issues, the solutions are simple. Any predator-style hit, should be considered an Intent to Injure action. A five-minute major is handed out and the player addresses a possible suspension. And Mr. Bettman is you are reading or listening to this Blog you will see fewer retaliatory fights, seldom five on five brawls and your poster boys will be safe.
So Puck Off NHL, change the rule book and protect those who make this league the success it is. Fix the problem at the source and your other violence issues go to bed. Be the league you can be, and let's stop seeing these devastating and sometimes career ending hits. The last thing you want to happen is see your Golden Boy #87 in a pool of blood, unable to return to hockey.
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1 comment:
Well Mike, again, good job. Your complete content I agree with and glad you have strong opinions in such matters. I hope that something will be done about these rules and the NHL take heed in protecting not only their star players, but all players. Not to mention the reputation of the game, that has already been tarnished in recent events. I'll keep reading and listening.
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