Vancouver Canucks forward Raffi Torres gets off Scott free... No suspension coming...

The NHL has decided that it will not suspend Raffi Torres for this hit on Brent Seabrook, of course the Vancouver Canucks fans are happy with this ruling. I think this was a dangerous hit and that some kind of a fine or suspension was warranted. What do you think?

TSN.CA STAFF --- Vancouver Canucks forward Raffi Torres will have no further discipline assessed following his hit on Blackhawks' defenceman Brent Seabrook during Game 3 of their series on Sunday night.

There was no scheduled hearing with the league on Monday. The NHL's Hockey Operations department said that the rule did not violate Rule 48, which provides an interpretation that the area behind the net is designated as a "hitting area".

Torres caught Seabrook with a shoulder to the head during a collision behind Chicago's net midway through the second period. The Vancouver player was given an interference penalty on the play.

NHL throws the book at Raffi Torres for his hit on Jordan Eberle

Last night Chris Wassel, Tim Rosenthal and I were discussing the Raffi Torres hit on Jordan Eberle during the Program radio show and I mentioned that the NHL has pinned themselves into a corner and they have to act and give some teeth to the Torres hit. Personally, I never thought the NHL would put this much teeth into this particular head shot. That being said, Raffi Torres will miss the first two games of the Canucks playoff series.

There are some that are upset with the way the NHL front office has responded to this hit, I don't think it's an understatement to say that they responded in a very punitive fashion, rightfully so! A word to the wise, don’t hit someone in the head with a elbow if you don’t want to be suspended by the NHL.

The fact that people are defending this hit and saying it’s not worthy of a suspension are oblivious to the fact that Torres hit a player in a vulnerable position in the head with a chicken wing elbow. Raffi Torres is a buffoon for thinking this is a clean hit, "If they are trying to get rid of clean hits like that, what's this league going to be in a couple of years?" This was a blatant elbow to an opposition players head.

Per the Nick Kypreos --> Canucks Torres gets suspended for 4 games...

Torres gets four games for elbow

Marc Staal smokes Matt Stajan

Check out this vicious, legal and violent hit by the New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal on Calgary Flames center Matt Stajan. There was no penalty on the call as it was a legal hit and that was the right .

Moving forward I am afraid that a college hockey official would call that legal check a penalty and give the offending player that made the hit a 5 minute major and a game misconduct. I am also afraid that hitting is becoming less prevalent in college hockey.

Hand gesture bad, leg check ok

I saw this over on Puck Daddy and former Boston Bruin Nick Boynton got a one game suspension for a hand jester towards Blair Jones who just finished kicking his ass. Seriously! What I am more concerned about is the questionable hit that Nick Boynton laid on former Michigan Tech Husky Chris Durno. I believe the NHL has it's priorities messed up again. Maybe I am missing the boat.

TSN --- The NHL has handed Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Nick Boynton a one-game suspension for gesturing a throat slash towards Blair Jones of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Boynton made the gesture after the two players fought during a preseason game on Wednesday.

Reports: Niemi nets $2.75 million in arbitration

The Arbitration hearing is over and the decision has been made. It will be interesting to see what happens now, the Chicago Blackhawks have cap issues and not a lot of room to work with.

An arbitrator has set Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Antti Niemi's salary at $2.75 million, according to a report on ESPN.com

The Hawks now have 48 hours to decide whether they want to walk away and make Niemi an unrestricted free agent immediately, or accept the arbitrator's decision and sign Niemi at that salary for one season. The Hawks could also accept the decision, sign and then trade the goalie.

Niemi was expected to seek at least $3 million, after making $827,000 last season while leading Chicago to the Stanley Cup title. Because of salary-cap constraints, the Hawks were believed to be seeking a decision in the $2 million range. [TSN.CA]

A few Saturday morning links

Apparently Gopher coach Don Lucia is felling better.

Good news: Gophers men's hockey coach Don Lucia, who has suffered from sarcoidosis — an inflammation of skull lining that affects nerves — for the last 1 1/2 years, is back from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester apparently recovered from the disease. No longer does Lucia have to take steroid treatments and nerve drugs.

"I get to be myself again," he said this morning.

Here is an interesting perspective. This is how former Gopher "Hack" Tony Lucia and his father see him. I am sure Sioux fans would see him differently.

“I’m a hard-nosed player that brings his lunch pail to the rink every night and tries to give a good effort,” Lucia said when asked to describe his style of play. “I’m not going to be a flashy player, but I like to play a tough game whistle-to-whistle.”

According to Tony’s dad, Don, his son has always been a good leader with his teammates and passionate about hockey. In an exclusive interview with SJSHARKS.com, Don described Tony as a “gritty, smart, two-way player” who’s “always been willing to do whatever it takes to win.”
[NHL.com]

Former Wild Goon enforcer Derek Boogaard said he had a few teams pursing him during the free agency period.

Make no mistake, Boogaard's primary service still is to menace. The 6-foot-7, 260-pound left wing remains one of the top two or three most-feared enforcers in the NHL, which is why the Rangers' Glen Sather was one of what Boogaard said were about 10 general managers who came calling July 1, the first day of free agency.

"That's more (teams) than Gabby was dealing with last summer," said Boogaard, who shares agent Ron Salcer with Marian Gaborik, with whom Boogaard will be a teammate again. "Ronny was surprised; he told me he thought there would be four or five teams (interested)."

The Rangers have a lot of money invested in skill players such as forwards Gaborik and Chris Drury and goaltender Henry Lundqvist, and Sather said he was tired of them being pushed around. Boogaard believes he can help.
[Pioneer Press]

Boston Bruins Center David Krejci says he is, "on schedule to join his teammates for training camp." That is good news for the Boston Bruins who are very thin at the forward position. [Boston Globe]

Pronger responds to Burish...

Wouldn't you love to see about a four games series between these two team next season? I think it would be a lot of fun. Seriously! This on going drama making for some great theater. In today's sports world we need rivalries and villains. I think to Chicago Blackhawks fans Pronger is a villain.

"He had his chance during the series, didn't he" Pronger said. "Why is he worrying about me instead of celebrating winning the Cup? Boy, it just goes to show how much I was in his kitchen for him to be talking about me five minutes after he wins the Cup."

Burish, 27, played a minor role in helping the Blackhawks win the Cup. In the 15 games he dressed - he was a healthy scratch in seven - he managed one assist playing an average 5:34 per game and was minus-1. Pronger, meanwhile, was his team's best player and led all defencemen in playoff scoring with four goals and 18 points in 23 games. Despite the fact he was minus-5 in Game 4 of the final, Pronger finished plus-5 in the playoffs.

Still, he was a very controversial figure, because he picked up the game pucks in Games 1 and 2 of the final in Chicago.

"Who cares if I take the game puck?" Pronger said. "The media blew that way out of proportion."

Pronger won over many members of the media during the final with his sarcasm and humour during Q&A sessions. As for Burish, well let's just say there won't be too many people who look back at the Blackhawks championship season and think they wouldn't have done it without him.

When told about Burish's comments, Pronger said: "I could care less what somebody on another team says about me. I don't play this game to make friends. I play to win." [Sports Net.CA]

Scott Hartnell vs Roman Hamrlik

There have been so few fights during the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Hab's and Flyers are heating up. Wouldn't you know it Scott "Mop Head" Hartnell was back at it fighting with his shield on. I will give the Euro Roman Hamrlik for fighting Scott Hartnell who has been known to fight and dropped the gloves 8 gimes this season.

Reality: These playoffs have a mind of their own

I thought I would include this for Fighting Sioux hockey fans, Jonathan Toews has been on a tear this season and it really has been impressive. Give me less Crosby and more Toews any day. 

Belief: Sidney Crosby is hockey's best young leader and most clutch performer.
Reality: OK, that still might be true. Nobody can take away Crosby's 2009 Stanley Cup and Olympic game-winning goal. But Jonathan Toews is making his case as hockey's best big-game player.

Toews graciously accepted his role on Team Canada's checking line during the Olympics and emerged as one of the tournament's best two-way players. He had eight points in seven Olympic games and was named to the all-tournament team. If the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup, he'll likely take home the Conn Smythe. He's on an 11-game point streak and leads playoff scorers with 23 points.

"I don't think I've ever seen him this good," teammate Patrick Kane said. "Seems like the guy is a big-time player." [read the whole story]

Pierre McGuire, NHL GM?

I bet most people didn’t know that Pierre McGuire was a college hockey coach? Also, nothing spells potential disaster more than hiring a person to a management position that was a failure has a coach (54 W - 70 L - 7 T). I think Pierre should stick to doing television for NBC and TSN.

I had thought that Minnesota’s flirtation with TV analyst Pierre McGuire for their top hockey job was an aberration, but apparently a second NHL franchise is considering him as a potential general manager. John Boruk, who covers the Flyers for CSN Philly, tweeted that according to a good source, McGuire has now interviewed twice for the vacant general manager position in Tampa Bay (g/t SBN).

McGuire is not totally without actual hockey experience; he was an assistant coach in the NCAA before jumping to a similar job with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also briefly coached the Hartford Whalers before being fired midway through his first season in the job. From Hartford he moved on to Ottawa where he spent a couple of seasons. He got into broadcasting after an unsuccessful season coaching the ECHL’s Baton Rouge Kingfish. [the Score]

Check out this hit...

Vladimir Sobotka smokes Danny Briere, that was probably the hit of the series so far. There have been a couple of questionable hits on both ends of the ice so it's nice to see a nice legal stiff check for a change.

Colin Campbell Wheel of Justice; No Suspension For Marian Hossa

First off this is the right call, in my opinion. Marian Hossa isn’t known as a cheap player nor is he a repeat offender and he isn’t going to be confused with a Matt Cooke or Daniel Carcillo type player/hack. While the coach of the Nashville Predators head coach Barry Trotz compared the hit on Hamhuis to one delivered by Washington's Alex Ovechkin that injured Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell last month. Whatever, the Predators coach is entitled to his opinion (no matter how flawed) the Marian Hossa hit on Predators Dan Hamhuis was not the same hit as the Alexander Ovechkin hit on Brian Campbell. There are not even the same type of hit. The Hossa hit was a push check or a shove the hit by Ovechkin was a blatant boarding/hit from behind.

I am not saying that I approve of the hit in question because I don’t, in watching the video (included above) it was a dangerous hit but I don’t think it’s worthy of a suspension. Also, I don’t think the NHL has to issue a suspension on every major penalty. If Hossa replicated the act again soon I would expect a suspension because they he would be a repeat offender.

The NHL said on Sunday that Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa won't be suspended for the major boarding infraction he incurred in Game 5 against the Nashville Predators.

Colin Campbell issued a statment after a hearing explaining the decision.

"I have made the decision that this play does not warrant supplemental discipline after considering all of the facts, including reviewing the video and speaking with Mr. Hossa," said Campbell. "This play is distinguishable from recent incidents by a number of factors, including the degree of contact involved; the fact that the consequences of the play do not appear to be as severe; that this was a hockey play involving a race for the puck; that Mr. Hossa is not a repeat offender and that the call of a major penalty by the referee was significant and appropriate."
[Read more]

Vladimir Sobotka vs Andrej Sekera

Decent fight by Sobotka. I want someone to tell me what Andrew Ference did to recieve a 10 minute misconduct? Not to Ference if someone is punching you like that stop being a puss and fight back. You look like a clown pleading to the ref to rescue you. What you should have done is punch Craig Rivet back.

Andy Sutton runs over and destroys Jordan Leopold

You have to wonder if Andy Sutton (MTU) doesn't like his fellow WCHA alums as this is the second guy in a week that he took out with a tough legal hit. Former Gopher Jordan Leopold looks like he was out cold after running into the tree trunk that is Andy Sutton. Andy Sutton also destroyed former Sioux Drew Stafford with this hit.

Scott Hartnell vs Daniel Girardi

This is another one of these hits where a guy lays a legal, awesome check by (Scott Hartnell) on an opposition player (Artem Anisimov) and then his teammate Daniel Girardi challenges Hartnell to a fight. My first response is what a bunch of cry babies and hitting is part of the game. I mean seriously I can see fighting someone for a dirty hit but not a legal clean hit. I guess it's illegal to check the Russian born player Artem Anisimov?

Then Scott Hartnell gets worked wearing his shield of course, notice he took his helmet off and carried it to the penalty bench.

Thrashers' Armstrong suspended for two games

The NHL decided that this hit in question will cause Colby Armstrong to sit for two games. I think it's the right decision and reinforces the fact that you can't hit your opponent in the head without suffering the consequences. It will be interesting going forward to see if the Colin Campbell wheel of just will spin equally in cases where the league stars like Crosby or Ovechkin are involved?

TORONTO – Atlanta Thrashers forward Colby Armstrong has been suspended for two games, without pay, for using his elbow to deliver a blow to the head of Washington Capitals forward Mathieu Perreault in NHL game #1152 last night.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Armstrong will forfeit $24,870.47. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Armstrong was assessed no penalty for the hit, which occurred 12:40 into the second period. Perreault was injured on the play but returned later in the game.

Armstrong will miss Saturday's game at Pittsburgh and Tuesday’s home game vs. New Jersey. He will be eligible to return April 9 at Washington.

Colby Armstrong hit on Mathieu Perreault

I was watching the Caps and Thrashers game last night and I was surprised this wasn't a penalty this is the type of hits that the league wants to eliminate from the NHL. Here is what Sean Leahy of Puck daddy had to say about the hit.

Colby Armstrong laid another in a long line of questionable hits on Mathieu Perreault of the Capitals. The Thrashers forward was not penalized for the blow to the head, but was sent to the box after his post-whistle scrum with Shaone Morrisonn:

It's true I felt the same way when I say that hit; Armstrong is famous for catching players in vulnerable positions and laying questionable devastating hits on them. I watched two games last night and saw two hits that the NHL wants to eliminate. It doesn't appear that the players are getting the message or have even watched the video on the hits to the head. You can lay someone out with a clean devastating hit without head hunting them and trying to take them out.

Ryan Kesler hit on Derek Morris

This hit into the boards gets you a five minute major and a game misconduct [Box Score]. I don't have a problem with that call. When you first watch the hit it looks like legit and legal hit but after viewing the video a few times it worthy of a penalty.

Flyers' hack Carcillo suspended 2 games

Flyers' hack Daniel Carcillo and tough guy want a be has been given a two game suspension by the NHL for his attempted decapitation of Devils tough guy David Clarkson. At first I thought this suspension might have been handed out based on the players past reputation and prior acts (the guy is a hack and a gutless puke) but in looking at the video I don't have a problem with the two game suspension, I think the suspension is just about right, even though the Flyers' GM Paul Holmgren is disappointed and thinks the suspension is not warranted; Of course he does.

If Carcillo really wanted to fight David Clarkson, why did he come high with his stick with his gloves still on? Look at the video again Carcillo is a gutless puke that doesn’t fight the leagues tough guys very often and he didn't want to fight Clarkson either.

The NHL has suspended Flyers forward Daniel Carcillo for two games for a hit on the New Jersey Devils' David Clarkson on Sunday.

At 15:14 of the third period of Sunday's game, Carcillo and Clarkson came together, and during some pushing and shoving, Carcillo high-sticked Clarkson in the face, opening a cut.

Carcillo was assessed a match penalty, which brought automatic League review.

"I am disappointed in this decision by the League office," said Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren. "This was clearly an accidental high stick and I do not believe a match penalty (for intent to injure) was the call that was warranted."

Carcillo is fourth in the NHL with 196 penalty minutes, but he also has 11 goals and 20 points in 72 games and has played a large portion of the season on the Flyers' top line, with Mike Richards and Simon Gagne. He also leads the team with 181 hits.

Carcillo will miss games Thursday against the Islanders and Saturday against the Canadiens. This is his second suspension of the season, following [NHL.COM]

Dean Arsene vs Erik Johnson

The hit that started the fight was Erik Johnson's hit on former Golden Gopher teammate Ryan Potulny. Nice elbow to the face. It's my opinion that Erik Johnson is one of the softest 6'4" 236 pound hockey players in the NHL. I am not sure we can call this anything but a hug feast. This was the third fight that Johnson has been in this season and all of them are about as bad as this one. I would suggest taking some lessons in the off season.