Post Classifieds
Time for NHL to reconsider flawed player discipline system
By Brandon Schlager
On April 26, 2012
On April 26, 2002, Toronto tough guy Darcy Tucker delivered a malicious, low-bridge hip check to
the knees of the New York Islanders' captain, Michael Peca, during Game 5 of the teams' first-round
playoff series.
As Peca spent the remaining two games hobbling around with an immobilizer around his blown-out
knee, Tucker skated on and the Maple Leafs won the series in seven games, bringing about criticism
of the NHL's player discipline policy.
Ten years later, following an unprecedented string of equally disturbing and illegal incidents, the
NHL is once again under fire for its inconsistent rulings.
Over a 45-game span, eight players in all have been suspended for atrocities on the ice.
Now, after nearly two weeks of mayhem, all is finally quiet on the NHL front, aside from a few Cup
favorites making early exits from the playoffs. But last week's developments were the worst-case-
scenario for a league that should be trying to clean up its act.
Instead of cleaning up, inconsistency has blurred the NHL's message on player conduct.
While most of last week's incidents garnered only 1-3 game suspensions, Brendan Shanahan, the
NHL's vice president in charge of player safety and on-ice discipline, finally sent a much-needed and
powerful message with a 25-game suspension to Raffi Torres for his violent hit on Marian Hossa,
which forced the Blackhawks' star to leave the United Center on a stretcher.
Although that might be a step in the right direction, the suspension appears to have only been in
place to serve as a deterrent for Torres, one of the NHL's dirtiest players, and not to set the bar for
the suspensions of all players going forward, which is a mistake.
The problem with the NHL is that it imposes suspensions largely based on track record instead of
punishing a player for the incident itself. Because of this, suspensions are nowhere near the severity
required to have an impact on the on-ice actions of players.
With concussion concerns at an all-time high entering the season following three trauma-related
player deaths over the summer, the NHL should be looking into every possible action to curb
unnecessary injuries, even if it means suspending players for 10, 15 or even 20 games at a time.
St. Louis star Andy McDonald, who has missed significant time throughout his career due to a pair
of concussions, told ESPN.com that he thinks the problem is a lack of respect the players have for
one another, saying the only way to put an end to serious injury is to impose harsher punishment
for violators.
"There's really not a deterrent," McDonald said. "If guys were suspended for 20 games, then I think
things would change. I think guys would all of a sudden be cautious when it came to elbowing
somebody in the head or hitting somebody when he's unsuspecting or in a vulnerable position. It's
a difficult issue. I think the league is trying to get it right, but it's a work in progress."
If the players share McDonalds' sentiments, it's easy to see the magnitude of the problem that
player safety and the league's flawed conduct policy presents for the NHL.
Inconsistency in disciplinary action is one thing, but taking the player's safety into concern should
be first and foremost. With stars like Hossa leaving a playoff game on a stretcher due to an ill-
advised hit, it's obvious the league isn't doing enough to protect its players.
The NHL playoffs are known for its bad blood; it's what creates the rivalries that make the game
so great. But until the league can work to find the right balance between what fans want to see and
what's best for player safety, the NHL will continue to suffer no matter how entertaining the games
are.
Many might argue the NHL was in rough shape in 2002. But they might as well consider those "the
good old days" at this point, because the league is even worse off today than it was then.
Brandon Schlager can be reached by email at schlager.record@live.com.
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
Recent The Record News Articles
Runge's on-court progress parallels off-court success
Buffalo State men's basketball coach Fajri Ansari remembers his decision to recruit Seth Runge out of Springville-Griffith Institute ...
Bashore Baltimore bound after finding success in fashion field
Kelsey Bashore opened her email over spring break and glanced over one particular message several times to confirm what she was ...
Ladies win OT thriller to close season
After being eliminated from the playoffs last week, the Buffalo State lacrosse team knew Saturday's game at Potsdam would be its last ...
Discuss This Article
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST THE RECORD NEWS
- We've Moved to www.buffstaterecord.com!
- Obama divulges new higher education initiative during visit to UB
- Ailing Podolefsky steps down as president
- SUNY appoints Cohen interim president
- President Podolefsky announces leave to fight cancer
- Rappers put Pepsi in a bind
- Congrats to grads: take next step with gratitude
RECENT THE RECORD CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- Moving Resources For Military Families
- Historic Agreement Signed By Red Cross and Armed Forces
- Salonpas® Brand Stands the Test of Time
- Tips to “Yard Your Way” This Spring
- Upgraded Upstate Power Grid Will Deliver a Smarter,...
- A Story To Sing About
- The Gap in Gum Care: Why Caring For Your Teeth’s F...
- Top Tips for Signature Scents and Better-Smelling Laundry
- A Dog Trainer’s Top Tips to Support Pets Through Life S...
- Clear the Air of Indoor Pollutants This Spring
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- Youth Apprenticeship Week Spotlights Opportunities
- New Expo Showcases AI Innovation
- Self-Care and Mental Health Tips for Caregivers
- Adventure Awaits: Discover the Playset that Brings...
- Need Auto Glass Repair? Don’t Despair
- Pioneering Fast and Affordable Broadband for the Underserved
- 7 Reasons Renting an RV Should Be On Every Family’s S...
- Don’t Let Diabetes Shortchange Your Golden Years
- No Child is Forgotten By Marine Toys for Tots
- Sweeten Your Springtime Salads With Healthy Chilean Grapes
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- Guidenar Launches New Career Test for Gen Z
- GotIt! Education Offers MathGPT Free to All State & Community Colleges
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- Semiconductor Research Corp unveils 2024 Research Call, $13.8M Funding
- Charles River Associates Opens Second Scholarship Cycle, Expands to the UK
