The 2009-2010 Suspension Thread

[furlanitalia 1]

Of course. And we're asking for one here (at least I am) but I understand the league needing to stick with how they handled a similar situation in the past.

[english15x 3]

They made the right choice not suspending Cooke. They can't punish one and not punish another (Richards)

[furlanitalia 1]

I agree, they can't change their ruling based just on who it is. The situations were almost identical. That said I wish this had happened next year where he could be suspended. Actually, it would have been best if this had just never happened at all.

[Steve_v3 289]

I get the Richards hit setting precedent, but two wrongs don't make a right. My only hope is that Cooke is in the lineup against Boston on the 18th? Not sure on the date, but he'll have to say hello to Lucic at some point.

I wish that were true, but the B's have played with almost zero emotion this year. Perfect example was last night. Thomas got bumped or hit 4 - 6 times and not once did a player do something about it.

I would guarantee if Crosby got hit by Thorton there would definitely be a suspension.

[n3ss 0]

crosby coudl be hit by a butterfly and someone would get a suspension.

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

They made the right choice not suspending Cooke. They can't punish one and not punish another (Richards)

except part of the justification for NOT suspending richards was that he was not a repeat offender. cooke sure as shit is. it's an admission that they come up with bullshit justifications as needed.

I ask again: if Cooke had gone for his knees in that situation, would we ask for a suspension?

we wouldnt need to. it would be a done deal.

[Trooper 8]

crosby coudl be hit by a butterfly and someone would get a suspension.

This is the hockey forum version of Godwin's Law, let it go.

Anyway, the league put itself in this situation by not dealing with the situation when Carter, Richards, Neil, Cooke, and others delivered this type of hit in the past and they did nothing. Now they stand on their integrity and precedence, "We handled it poorly before, but by damn we're going to be consistent and handle it poorly now as well!"

[Ital79 0]

What a joke this has become.

NHL refs don't even call games consistently, let alone enforce the rules already in place, and the powers that be think another rule is going to help? Come the f on....

This is saving face - nothing more. If the right calls can't even be made on the ice now, all that's going to happen is the NHL will review the hit and spin the wheel of justice...like they're doing right now. To make matters even worse, they put in a new incentive for players to skate with their head down and 'take one for the team'. You see all the time guys turning their back towards another player so they can get a boarding call - now you'll see guys lead w/their head. It won't be superstars...it'll be the guys fighting for a roster spot.

Until the whole team is punished for head shots; we'll see the status quo continue. Players will still be televised leaving the ice in a stretcher and players will still have their actions 'reviewed' by the NHL - regardless of what penalty is issued. There's so much gray area in that rule, it's amazing the GMs thought it was a good idea...then again, they're the ones who sign clowns like Cooke.

[english15x 3]

What a joke this has become.

NHL refs don't even call games consistently, let alone enforce the rules already in place, and the powers that be think another rule is going to help? Come the f on....

This is saving face - nothing more. If the right calls can't even be made on the ice now, all that's going to happen is the NHL will review the hit and spin the wheel of justice...like they're doing right now. To make matters even worse, they put in a new incentive for players to skate with their head down and 'take one for the team'. You see all the time guys turning their back towards another player so they can get a boarding call - now you'll see guys lead w/their head. It won't be superstars...it'll be the guys fighting for a roster spot.

Until the whole team is punished for head shots; we'll see the status quo continue. Players will still be televised leaving the ice in a stretcher and players will still have their actions 'reviewed' by the NHL - regardless of what penalty is issued. There's so much gray area in that rule, it's amazing the GMs thought it was a good idea...then again, they're the ones who sign clowns like Cooke.

well lets see..

- When have any games ever been called evenly and well? someone is always unhappy. This is nothing new..

- Who honestly would "stick their neck out" and take a headshot "for the team?" that's just plain insanity. No one would ever do that.

- Why should a whole team be punished for a players actions? Are you saying the penguins or flyers should be suspended and forfeit 2-5 games for a headshot? There will always been goons and dirty players in hockey. No one likes to see anyone get hurt. And yes there is so much gray area in the ruling, hopefully. It will be settled for next season. It's too late now.

[Trooper 8]

- Why should a whole team be punished for a players actions? Are you saying the penguins or flyers should be suspended and forfeit 2-5 games for a headshot? There will always been goons and dirty players in hockey. No one likes to see anyone get hurt. And yes there is so much gray area in the ruling, hopefully. It will be settled for next season. It's too late now.

Because the argument is that teams would gladly trade the suspension of a 4th liner for the elimination of a star. Punishing the entire team for instance by keeping the roster spot vacant as Eddie O suggested has more of an effect and may lead to pressure from one's organization not to take cheap shots.

[Chadd 916]

Because the argument is that teams would gladly trade the suspension of a 4th liner for the elimination of a star. Punishing the entire team for instance by keeping the roster spot vacant as Eddie O suggested has more of an effect and may lead to pressure from one's organization not to take cheap shots.

I've been in favor of not allowing a suspended player to be replaced for a while. It punishes the teams that employ those players and approve of their actions. Unfortunately, it is the GMs that make the decisions on what rules to create so you will never see it.

EDIT:

While the player is suspended and the roster spot remains tied up, the team should still be on the hook for his salary. They should not get cap relief from a suspension.

[furlanitalia 1]

Because the argument is that teams would gladly trade the suspension of a 4th liner for the elimination of a star. Punishing the entire team for instance by keeping the roster spot vacant as Eddie O suggested has more of an effect and may lead to pressure from one's organization not to take cheap shots.

I definitely agree with the loss of a roster spot. Would make the teams be stricter on the players for being stupid.

As for the ref's not calling things fairly, I was a little shocked last night in the VAN-PHO game when Kesler got away with a pretty bad trip/canopener and Salo through a blatant interference in OT. It was definitely two we got away with that should have been called.

[chippa13 1844]

Interference has been making its way back into the game this season. It looks like a lot of the refs need a refresher course on that one.

[Chadd 916]

Great comment from Burke about head shots.

"It's a predatory act," added Burke. "If it's a case where this is how a player is making his living, he should be making his living doing something else."

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=313303

[chippa13 1844]

Says the GM who recently traded for Dion Phaneuf.

[Chadd 916]

Says the GM who recently traded for Dion Phaneuf.

Don't worry, Burke will explain, in detail, why Dion's next cheap shot doesn't fall under the rule that he wrote. And Colin Campbell will agree, because he's Brian Burke. Dion actually had some amazingly stupid comments last week. Basically saying that they should be banned, except when he does it.

[Trooper 8]

Wow, after reading the results of the meeting I should have bet on this. The NHL put in a rule that doesn't have much teeth and gives discretion at several levels, as well as being dependent upon whether an injury occurred. Epic fail...

[Steve_v3 289]

The league says the rule will start next year. Which doesn't make sense to leave players open to those hits for this year.

I heard someone on the radio make a good point today. A few years ago when Sean Avery faced Brodeur & waved his hands in his face to screen him. They made a new rule the next day. But they can't do that for something that can be a very dangerous hit?

[furlanitalia 1]

The league says the rule will start next year. Which doesn't make sense to leave players open to those hits for this year.

I heard someone on the radio make a good point today. A few years ago when Sean Avery faced Brodeur & waved his hands in his face to screen him. They made a new rule the next day. But they can't do that for something that can be a very dangerous hit?

That's funny, I totally forgot about that. I think though because this is a more common incident that has gone on for such a long time to suddenly crack down on it during the stretch run isn't exactly fair to the guys who have gotten away with it.

[Trooper 8]

I've heard Campbell on a couple of talk shows this afternoon. You couldn't have scripted it any better. First, he makes himself a hero by claiming he makes the tough decisions, not the popular ones (re: not suspending Cooke). To top it off, on one show he completely lost his cool in the face of some moderate questioning and went to the, "What level hockey have you played? You don't understand what it's like!" One of the most unprofessional displays I've ever seen or heard. For an executive level person to conduct themself like that pretty much explains why the NHL is where it is.

[jeffw 1]

I've heard Campbell on a couple of talk shows this afternoon. You couldn't have scripted it any better. First, he makes himself a hero by claiming he makes the tough decisions, not the popular ones (re: not suspending Cooke). To top it off, on one show he completely lost his cool in the face of some moderate questioning and went to the, "What level hockey have you played? You don't understand what it's like!" One of the most unprofessional displays I've ever seen or heard. For an executive level person to conduct themself like that pretty much explains why the NHL is where it is.

You must've heard the interview on 93.7 in Pittsburgh. I missed it. I heard Colon made quite a spectacle of himself.

The thing is that even Penguins fans I've heard on the call in shows are outraged that Cooke didn't get suspended. I keep thinking I've gone through some sort of portal and ended up in Boston. One caller suggested that the Penguins should step up & suspend Cooke for a few games, which I would wholeheartedly support.

[eric42434224 1]

I was watching some game or NHL network last night, and a commentator said something I thought was interesting. It was after a guy got a hooking call....he was chasing a player around the back of the net, and got his stick up near the other players mid section. Automatic call as we know....but it was obvious that the stick only lightly touched him for a second, and did not impede his motion or control at all. The commentator said that he just didnt understand why this is an automatic penalty, but hits that knock people into next week and scramble brains can be "clean" hits (paraphrased of course).

[Trooper 8]

You must've heard the interview on 93.7 in Pittsburgh. I missed it. I heard Colon made quite a spectacle of himself.

That was it. Unbelievable. It might be online.

[chippa13 1844]

Regardless of what we may think of Cooke, I think this is a dangerous comment for a league officer to make.

Campbell said his staff agreed on the decision but made his displeasure with Cooke known. "Our staff agreed, it was a consensus, even though we didn't like it, we don't like Cooke, we don't like the way he plays and some things he does," Campbell said. "We couldn't find criteria that was consistent with suspending him."

[furlanitalia 1]

Yah, you'd think someone within the league would have a little more tact then that.