It's Hard Being Phil Kessel

I have been watching the Phil Kessel trade unfold in the media the last couple of weeks and it's been interesting.

During my lifetime, I have not seen a player receive so much negative press. In fact, some of the stuff that has been written about him is downright malicious.

Here's some of the stuff that's caught my eye since Kessel was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

After all he's been through, Kessel enjoyed his time in Toronto.

“Toronto was a place I loved, and it’s not easy leaving that, even with everything else,” he told writer Dejan Kovacevic. “That’s the first thought. And then after that, I just see (Wednesday’s trade) as a great opportunity to be part of something special in Pittsburgh with some great players. I’m excited.” (Lance Hornby, Toronto Sun)

Questions about Kessel's weight never seem to subside. Apparently, the hot dog vendor in his neighborhood is going to miss him.  Per self-proclaimed Kessel hater Steve Simmons:

The hot dog vendor who parks daily at Front and John Sts. just lost his most reliable customer.

Almost every afternoon at 2:30 p.m., often wearing a toque, Phil Kessel would wander from his neighbourhood condominium to consume his daily snack.

And now he’s gone. Just like that. The Maple Leafs could no longer stomach having Kessel around, the first player to be both punished and rewarded for the saddest Leafs season in history.

Another Toronto Sun writer thought it was time for Kessel to leave.

OK, let’s be clear, I’m not defending Phil Kessel, who was traded by the Maple Leafs to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday.

People who are close to the situation say almost unanimously that it was time for Kessel to leave.

But the question I have is, did it really have to get to this point? (Bill Harris, Toronto Sun)

Sports Net's Elliotte Friedman says that Kessel will be missed in Toronto.

At the end of the day, Kessel was traded because he was Toronto’s most marketable player they were willing to deal. He could get the best return, including cap space. Nothing else excited them and bringing back the same group was unacceptable to Brendan Shanahan. There’s no doubt this was unfulfilled potential for him and for the team. He’s a lightning rod, a polarizing figure and is responsible for that. But the toughest thing the Maple Leafs lose is a talented player who (for the most part) could ignore the market noise. You need guys like that in Canada, who either embrace it (Subban) or tune it out (Sedins). That’s hard to find. And I think there are some charities who will really miss him. He did a lot, very quietly.

This is the season, change change change

by Redwing77

Ok, first I see my Red Wings bow out early.  That's ok, I didn't expect them to make the playoffs (none of the pundits did either).  Now... lots of change.

First, Hakstol bolts for the Flyers.  Ugh.  I don't like the Flyers.  Better there than Buffalo or Toronto, perhaps, but still....  it stinks.  I never saw it coming.  That being said, I talked to Hakstol in Kearney, Nebraska while the Tri City Storm (with UND recruit Chris Wilkie) faced off in what would turn out to be the season ending game for the Omaha Lancers (with UND recruit Shane Gersich).  He was a great guy and a splendid ambassador for North Dakota.

I still love to think about the Haters.  I mean, Hakstol couldn't win it all in his 11 seasons with North Dakota even with stacked rosters and a bucket load of tradition (which, by the way, never makes saves nor scores goals but whatever).  So, obviously, Hakstol shouldn't be considered worthy of anything, right?  Or perhaps just worthy of a head coaching gig in the NHL.  Not even the NoDak godcoach Dean Blais garnered that post... or perhaps he turned them all down to get an associate head coaching gig with the Blue Jackets?  Whatever.

Nevertheless, I don't know how it will work out for Hakstol in the NHL.  I hope he's successful.  It's a different world in the pros.  A TON of entitlement and "me first" attitudes prevail in that league.  Maybe he'll be able to convince Ron Hextall (of all people to say what's next) that GOALTENDING might actually be a CONCERN for Philly?  Hmm???  Seriously!  2 career backups and 1 30 something year old rookie isn't going to win you much.

Anyways....

And now Red Wings Coach Mike Babcock will head to Toronto to be the head conductor aboard the second biggest train derailment in the NHL (behind Buffalo).  Ok, there were rumors abounding regarding this pre-season but still!  This is a good deal for Toronto.  I mean, stealing assistants from Detroit didn't necessarily work out (see San Jose) so why not steal the head coach himself?

In any regards, the front runner for the Detroit gig is former WMU head coach Blashill.  Blashill knows the system Detroit runs and has lead the Wings in developing many of the younger stars currently on the Wings roster.  I don't know if this will thrust the Wings back to the Finals but it's not exactly a dumpster hire either.

If he's hired, it may also be good for college hockey.  In the past, I got the feeling that Detroit really didn't have much faith in the NCAA (despite Nyquist, Abdelkader, Howard, and a few others).  They typically invested a lot more in the Scandenavian hockey markets and major juniors as well.  Perhaps there is a shift in hockey town towards a find the best no matter where mentality that will include the NCAA now?  Who knows.

In any case, I haven't the foggiest idea what will happen in Detroit and Philly next season or two.

Final Random Musing:

However, in Toronto, the scuttlebutt is that Babcock's hiring is BAD NEWS for one named Kessel.  Babcock likes solid play at both ends and a complete buy in to the system.  He might be able to do that (much like Trotz did with Ovechkin), but many amateur pundits (including myself) suggest that Kessel should pack his bags in time for Draft Day because he'll be moving out of Toronto.

Minnesota Wild: Breaking down Matt Cooke's Suspension History

Matt Cooke of the Pittsburgh Penguins. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I don't think people realize how many games and times that Matt Cooke has been suspended by the NHL. Here's a break down of Cooke's illustrious history and the number of games that he ended up sitting as a result of his bush league play. Like I said in another post, "I also have to wonder if the NHL's Department of Player head Brendan Shanahan already has Chuck Fletcher's cell phone number in is speed dial?"  I think it's just a matter of time before Cooke is suspended again by the NHL. 

2013/07/05        Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Minnesota Wild to a three-year contract.

2011/04/27        Missed the last 10 games of the regular season and 7 playoff games (suspension). (17)

2011/03/21        Suspended by the NHL for the remainder of the season and the first round of the playoffs.

2011/02/20        Missed 4 games (suspension). (4)

2011/02/09        Suspended by the NHL for four games.

2009/12/04        Missed 2 games (suspension). (2)

2009/11/29        Suspended by the NHL for two games.

2009/01/31        Missed 2 games (suspension). (2)

2009/01/27        Suspended by the NHL for 2 games.

2004/02/21        Suspended by the NHL for 2 games. (2) [TSN.CA]

Bellow, is a typical Matt Cooke play that happened during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

Vancouver Cancuks So true

Lol pic.twitter.com/06RdDhCT37
— Brendan Shanahan (@NHLSafetyShan) April 5, 2014

This tweet is funny, but indicative of the Vancouver Canucks fans.

Brendan Shanahan sets a bad precedence for not suspending Tom Wilson

Brendan Shanahan explained why the NHL's Department of Player Safety will not suspend Tom Wilson for his hit to injure on Philadelphia Flyers forward Brayden Schenn. I totally disagree with this, but oh well. None of us should be shocked by this decision, Shanny gets them wrong about half of the time.

Related articles

• Tom Wilson avoids suspension for hit on Brayden Schenn (cbc.ca)
• Tom Wilson's hit on Brayden Schenn, Ouch! Injury Ninja held at Bay (thehockeywriters.com)

Saturday Hockey Links

ICYMI, this goal by Drake Caggiula was named #The1 by @FOXSportsLive on Friday (00:12 mark): http://t.co/IzboyMkDL4
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) November 2, 2013

Prior to last night, UND had lost just six of its last 107 games when leading after two periods, dating back to the start of 2008-09.
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) November 2, 2013

Commentary: Shootout Insanity ... http://t.co/c22C3YyKGC
— College Hockey News (@chnews) November 1, 2013

TONS of votes for @UNDMHockey's Drake Caggiula for #The1 tonight, but can it top Eric Bledsoe's game winning buzzer beater for the @Suns?
— FOXSportsLive (@FOXSportsLive) November 2, 2013

Video highlights of last night's men's hockey game between SCSU and North Dakota #scsuhockey http://t.co/Tm1GCi2YhR http://t.co/tc8nc9wimp
— Mick Hatten (@MickHatten) November 2, 2013

Sabres place Patrick Kaleta on waivers, hope he'll 'change his game' http://t.co/sWzX90zris
— Eye on Hockey (@EyeOnHockey) November 2, 2013

Interesting take on things, but the fact remains that these types of hits are no longer acceptable in the NHL.

Bill Hoppe, Olean Times Herald -- In other news, tough guy John Scott, who won’t appeal his seven-game suspension for hitting Boston’s Loui Eriksson’s in the head last week, said he’ll “err on the side of caution for now on.”

“I just got to be a little more responsible and really pay attention to how the other players, how his head lines up, if he’s vulnerable in any way,” said Scott, who noted he had a “good” and “frank” conversation with NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan during Thursday’s hearing.

Scott, while acknowledging he shouldn’t have hit Eriksson high, doesn’t believe the hit was late. He blamed NBC commentator Pierre McGuire for making viewers believe that.

“I think Pierre McGuire shooting his mouth off right after the hit got that on a lot of peoples’ minds,” Scott said. “‘It’s a late hit, it’s an elbow, it’s a high hit.’ He was just kind of throwing out all these different things, just hopefully one will stick. It wasn’t a late hit. It was just kind of an unfortunate circumstance.”

Related articles

• UND Hockey: Drake Caggiula Makes Speedy Recovery (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCHC Hockey: UND's beats Miami in Inaugural Game (thehockeywriters.com)
• How Do The Boston Bruins Fill Loui Eriksson's Spot? (thehockeywriters.com)

Maxim Lapierre Suspended For Five Games

In my opinion, this suspension isn't long enough. I would have liked to have seen Maxim Lapierre get a longer suspension. When are the players going to learn, you can't make these hits? Someone is going to get killed on the ice.

Related articles

• Blues Rat Maxim Lapierre suspended indefinitely for dirty hit on Dan Boyle (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Blues Rat Maxim Lapierre suspended indefinitely for dirty hit on Dan Boyle

I am imploring the head of player safety Brendan Shanahan; please throw the book at this Rat, Blues forward Maxim Lapierre for dirty, bush league hit on Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle. Enough is enough. The good news is, Lapierre has an in person hearing with the department of player safety, which means the NHL is probably going to throw the book at him.

Sharks forward Joe Pavelski was less than impress with Lapierre and had this to say after the game. “Things like that happen, especially when idiots are idiots,” Joe Pavelski said. “Dan's a world-class defenseman, there's straight numbers [from behind]. There's guys in this league that will target that. It doesn't matter. They just go. It sucks.”

From past history, Boyle's a star and Lapierre is not. I am predicting  a five-game suspension. I would love to see more.

NHL Hockey: Did John Scott Break the Hockey Code?

As I suspected, David Clarkson has been suspended by the NHL for 10 regular-season games for leaving the bench to join a fight/altercation. This is the second 10-game suspension of the pre-season already. The think that it's funny; the Toronto Maple Leafs are the only ones in this whole mess that will face any time on the beach. The Leafs Phil Kessel has a phone hearing fo rhis stick swinging incident.



I am not usually a fan of Damien Cox, but he does bring up some good points here. I was thinking about this as well.

Damien Cox, Toronto Star -- But the question NHL hanging judge Brendan Shanahan needs to ask himself is whether justice will be done if Kessel is suspended and the Buffalo Sabres don't receive any sanctions at all, not even a token fine.

If Shanahan chooses that option, he will be in effect opening the door to a strategy in which enforcers can jump star players on opposing teams without the league coming down hard on them. The league should protect its marquee players, although it seldom makes that a priority and instead allows the Patrick Kaletas of the world to run wild. You can say Kessel did wrong, but you better have a explanation as to how he should have handled a 6-foot-8 goon who had already dropped his gloves.

You can argue the goon in question, John Scott, did nothing overly wrong under the rules of the game, other than breaking them and getting a penalty. But in combination with Buffalo coach Ron Rolston, Scott instigated the entire affair by doing what most NHL people would argue is completely against the culture and spirit of the game, and that's menacing a skill player who had done absolutely nothing to provoke Scott.

I know that there’s going to be a few people that think that Phil Kessel had a beat down coming. But I ask you; think about it this way. Interchange Leafs forward Phil Kessel with Sidney Crosby, Patrice Bergeron, Zach Parise or even Jonathan Toews. Now I got your attention, right? Do we really want a two-bit goon like John Scott beating the bejesus out of a star player? Do we want him to just take liberties against marquee players? First off, I am not a dove by any stretch of the imagination. I love a good bare knuckles brawl, but the head coach of the Maple Leafs bares some of the blame in this situation.

Here’s a couple of questions that I will pose to the readers. Should Goons be going after skilled players? How’s a skilled players like Phil Kessel supposed to respond in this situation? Again, you can interchange your favorite skilled player with Kessel. Are skilled players just supposed to accept their beat down? I don’t know. Imagine the outrage if Scott had lined up again Sid Crosby or Patrice Bergeron, both players have had concussion issues. Do we want a cement head like Scott pulverizing the franchise player? You have to expect a player like Clarkson to jump off the bench and come to their aid.

Tuesday at the Links… Fore

Matt Cooke & Pascal Dupuis celebrate OT Goal (Photo credit: wstera2)

My friend Cornelius Hardenbergh from Stanley Cup of Chowder has an interesting and thought provoking piece on Matt Cooke wanting to wear Derek Boogaard’s number 24.  Matt Cooke's Legacy: Graverobber?

Sounds like Matt Cooke has been given the blessing to wear Derek Boogaard’s number by the Boogaard family. Matt Cooke gets blessing of Boogaards to wear 24…[Russo’s Rant’s]

After signing with Minnesota, veteran Matt Cooke still trying to shed rough-stuff reputation [Start Tribune]

Former Minnesota Wild forward Cal Clutterbuck signed a four year deal worth 11 million dollars. That’s 2.75 million a year for Clutterbuck. [New Yorks Islanders]

Here are some possible selections for the Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2013; Brendan Shanahan, Scott Niedermayer, Chris Chelios, Pat Burns, Eric Lindros [Globe and Mail]

There are not many former WCHA or college hockey players on the Minnesota Wild’s Development Camp Roster. There’s a grand total of seven. Also on the roster is former Fighting Sioux hockey recruit Miles Koules. [Click to view]

Apparently, Devin Setoguchi found out that he had been traded to Winnipeg Jets from Zenon Konopka while he was in Mexico. [Illegal Curve]

Related articles

• Cooke seeks Derek Boogaard's parents' blessing to wear late son's number (prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com)
• Dear Minnesota, Please Give Matt Cooke a Chance (thehockeywriters.com)
• Minnesota Wild fans react to the Matt Cooke Signing... (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Minnesota Wild: Breaking down Matt Cooke's Suspension History (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• There is no way of sugar coating it the Wild's Matt Cooke is a P.O.S. (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Minnesota Wild fans react to the Matt Cooke Signing...

The Wild signed Matt Cooke. Bye. pic.twitter.com/kGuVseF62o
— Abby (@ybba2215) July 5, 2013

Minnesota Wild Won't Earn Any New Fans By Signing Matt Cooke - Rant Sports http://t.co/eDMaOi42xY
— Minnesota Wild 24x7 (@MinWild24x7) July 7, 2013

Since initial shock I have decided to give matt cooke a chance...plz surprise us wild fans, we cud use some positivity right now
— Tyler Martin (@wildgeorge12) July 7, 2013

Sick of this Wild franchise. Fans have nothing to be excited about. Matt Cooke?? I have absolutely zero interest in this bum.
— mleegwater (@mleegwater) July 7, 2013

Still extremely upset about Matt Cooke😣
— Rachel Herbert (@dustyherb) July 7, 2013

@braja57 @Russostrib From Pens' HR and a Matt Cooke superfan. Good guy off the ice? Sure. The point is, he played the wrong way for years.
— Jordan Hansen (@JordanBHansen) July 7, 2013

There is way too much emotion flying around over Matt Cooke. Try using common sense folks.
— Giles Ferrell (@gilesferrell) July 7, 2013

If you are comparing Heatley, Cooke and Clutterbuck or any two thereof, just stop. Don't care what your personal feelings of each are. Stop.
— Jeremy (@knowsknothing) July 7, 2013

Brown, "Pominville ran into his elbow"

I am not a Dustin Brown hater by any stretch of the imagination, he's a good American players, but when you make a mistake you own up to and you move on. These comments that he made about his elbow on Jason Pominville are laughable, if not insulting.

Helene Elliott and Lisa Dillman, Los Angeles Times – Obviously we were disappointed in the decision, quite honest," Sutter told The Times. "Because it was exactly what Brownie says is exactly what happened. There was no intention, or leading. When you’re playing your wrong side, you protect the puck on that side of the ice. That’s what you do, you keep two hands on your stick.

"His elbow was up. Pominville ran into his elbow. Brownie wasn’t intentionally looking for somebody or looking for the players’ head. But the other side of it, it’s elbow-head contact.”

Does Dustin Brown expect us to believe that? Seriously? It's not very hard to see what your intent was, that was a chicken wing elbow, Brown meant to make contact with the head of his opponent.

Moving forward, I am glad that Brendan Shanahan and the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety had the stones to suspend Brown for this hit. I expect any player to be suspended for these kind of hits, because these are the types of hits, that the NHL is trying to eliminate from the game of hockey. Regardless of who is doing them.

Dustin Brown elbows Jason Pominville

Check out this dirty elbow by the Kings forward Dustin Brown on Minnesota Wild forward Jason Pominville, there was no call on the play and he didn't return to the game after the hit. This is unacceptable and it should be a 2-3 game suspension from the NHL, but I can tell you right now, that Department of Players Safety, led by Brendan Shanahan will not give Brown the suspension he deserves, because we are approaching the Stanley Cup playoffs. I would be very shocked if he is given the suspension that he deserves.

Elbow to Pominville's head by Brown right in front of the ref...No call...That is unreal
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) April 24, 2013

If Dustin Brown is playing against the #redwings tomorrow, I'd be shocked -- Which is actually not good for the #mnwild #lakings
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) April 24, 2013

Sabres Patrick Kaleta and Flyers Oliver Lauridsen fight

That was former Saint Cloud State Husky defenseman Oliver Lauridsen's first NHL fight, I suppose, he would have liked to have done beter. Nice to see that Lauridsen take on one of the biggest pukes in the NHL.

As you probably know, I don't hold Kaleta in very high regards, at all, he's a reckless players that has been suspended numerous times, by the NHL. Earlier this season, Kaleta was suspended for five games, without pay, for boarding New York Rangers forward Brad Richards

In March,  Kaleta was also called out by teammate All-World Goalie Ryan Miller, and told to grow up, Miller has since apologized.

I checked out Oliver Lauridsen's Hockey Fight's page and he did have a fight against former Fighting Sioux forward Darcy Zajac on 1-18-13. [click on the link for the video]

Related articles

• Patrick Kaleta gets five games for this cheap shot on Brad Richards (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Anton Volchenkov's dirty elbow on Brad Marchand

This is a dirty, bush-league hit and it’s a violation of the NHL’s rule 48. The Head is targeted; it’s pretty cut and dried. I am going to be very surprised and disappointed if Devils defenseman Anton Volchenkov isn’t given a 3-4 game suspension for this dirty and unnecessary hit on Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand.

Seriously, there is no defending this hit. I don’t care what you think of Brad Marchand, this is not acceptable. These are the types of hits we’re trying to eliminate from all levels of hockey. Volchenkov is a repeat offender. Volchenkov was given a five minute major for elbowing and a game misconduct.

I expect the Brendan Shanahan and the Department of Player Safety to be giving Mr. Volchenkov a call tomorrow and I expect that Volchenkov will be getting suspended by the National Hockey League. What do you think?

Again, I predict a 3-4 game suspension.

No update on Brad Marchand from the Bruins. Claude Julien said he hadn't spoken to the doctors before he spoke to the media.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) April 11, 2013

Phone hearing for Volchenkov this morning, FYI...
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) April 11, 2013

Patrick Kaleta gets five games for this cheap shot on Brad Richards

I could have predicted that Brendan Shanahan and the Department of Player Safety was going to throw the book at Patrick Kaleta for this dirty hit on the Rangers forward Brad Richards. If I am not mistaken, this is the longest suspension in the NHL so far this year. Kaleta has now been suspended three times for a total of 11 games by the NHL, he's starting to develop quite a name for himself. Personally, I think he's a puke, a Matt Cooke or Raffi Torres type player.

NEW YORK -- Buffalo Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta has been suspended for five games, without pay, for boarding New York Rangers forward Brad Richards during NHL Game No. 317 in New York on Sunday, March 3, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced today.

Kaleta is considered a repeat offender under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Based on his average annual salary, he will forfeit $76,219.25. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

The incident occurred at 3:28 of the third period. Kaleta was assessed a major penalty for checking from behind and game misconduct.

Vancouver's Hansen faces hearing for hit on Hossa

Vancouver Canuck forward Jannik Hansen hit Chicago Blackhawk forward Marian Hossa's in the head with this dirty hit and he needs to be suspended by the National Hockey League for this dirty hit, there is no defending this hit. Like I said in a previous post, this is a clear violation of the NHL’s rule 48. Vancouver Canuck forward Jannik Hansen needs to be suspended for this dirty hit, and there is no defending this hit.

NHL.COM --- Vancouver Canucks forward Jannik Hansen faces a hearing with the National Hockey League Department of Player Safety Wednesday afternoon for an incident in Tuesday night's game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Hansen was assessed a two-minute minor for roughing Marian Hossa at 1:10 of the third period. Hossa left the game and did not return.

Chicago defeated the Canucks, 4-3, in a shootout.

I do hope that the NHL Department of Players Safety does the right thing and suspends Hansen for this hit. These are the types of hits are that hockey is trying to eliminate, there is no reason for Hansen to hit Hossa in the head on that play.

Final Thoughts on Matt Cooke’s hit on Erik Karlsson

Today, the discussion on twitter and around the hockey blogsphere is the hit that Matt Cooke put on Erik Karlsson.  You can see the hit on the embedded video posted above.

The NHL’s department of Player Safety has reviewed the play and will not suspend Matt Cooke.

First, I hate Matt Cooke, I think he is a disgusting P.O.S. and if this guy was hurt in a fight or by a check and could never play in the NHL again, I wouldn’t be upset. I hold the guy in the lowest regards. Also, if he was standing in front of me I would tell this to his face.  

I understand that Cooke has cleaned up his act on the ice, but you can put chocolate frosting on a turd, it’s still a turd. I also don’t care what Cooke does off the ice; this low life scum has ruined too many good players’ careers on the ice. I also doubt that Marc Savard will donate money to Matt Cooke’s charities, again, it's Matt Cooke.  

To me, Cooke is no different that Todd Bertuzzi.

That being said, I don’t think that Matt Cooke intended to make a dirty check in this instance. The fact that it’s Matt Cooke people will always look at him with skepticism.

The State of the NHL Officiating Corps.

English: NHL Commisioner Gary Bettman in 2007. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I have to be the guy to agree with a lot of what has been said regarding officiating but I also am going to be the guy to pose a theory to the masses for public consumption.

And, yeah, it is going to sound a lot like an apology for Brenden Shanahan but it isn't.

Brenden Shanahan is in a position no one wants to have but everyone has an opinion of what should be done by a person in such a position.  However, he's not done a good job or even an ok job with the position.  He has been inconsistent and unsatisfying in his performance.  It's just presented all glitzy with videos and bulleted lists.  But looking at it from afar, there's a lot that doesn't add up.

Look at the inconsistency and the double standards of Shanahan's actions doesn't appear to me that the decisions regarding whether or not to suspend players was actually being made by Shanahan.  His actions this year seemed almost identical to that of Colin Campbell's Wheel of Justice system.  There were a few times during Campbell's administration of this position and during Shanahan's administration where they went against the trend (such as suspending Ovechkin and perhaps you can argue that it was the case for Giroux and Backstrom but I'll get to that shortly) but that may only be to prevent appearance to the players that they are playing favors.

Add onto the fact that no matter what, when a fanbase sees their guys suspended for a hit they get mad and point out flaws in previous decisions and also when a fanbase sees their guys get hit and even injured they point to it as justification for the hitting player to get pummeled with the book.

It becomes a mess.

So where does Shanahan come in?  He comes in having never served in such a level of authority.  He only comes in as a face.  People know who he is.  That's about it.  So, when thrust into the limelight like this you have to sink or swim.  And here's where it gets interesting:

Can you improve the quality of a weakness when the primary weakness are the people above you on the chain of command?

Can Shanahan even suspend players like Malkin even if he wants to?  There is no secret that Bettman and Campbell's love children are Malkin, Crosby, and the Pittsburgh Penguins (to a certain extent).  Bettman has certain placed the emphasis on the PR marking campaign on the shoulders of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin by extension.  So would it do for the NHL to see either suspended?  I'm sure not.  So, I doubt Campbell would allow Shanahan to suspend either player (even though Crosby really has yet to administer an illegal or even questionable hit). 

As for Giroux and Backstrom being exceptions, I argue not so much.  I truly don't think that anyone other than Malkin and Crosby are truly exempt from suspension if the situation is right. 

But in the end, all it comes down to is Shanahan's bosses.  They truly do seem to be calling the shots and simply use Shanahan's player profile to deflect all the criticism away from Campbell and onto Shanahan.  Therefore, if it does fail (which it appears that it is so) Bettman can step forward and say "Look, we listened to you and we tried your idea and it failed.  Campbell knows what he's doing and we're just going to go back to the old way and try to hammer out some of the troubles through traditional channels."  Bettman still doesn't look bad that way and the only harm done is Shanahan's image being obliterated.  Shanahan never was a Crosby type so why would Bettman care. 

If this season was a first run test and next year is the real test for Shanahan, I'm betting he fails again because I don't think Shanahan truly has the autonomy necessary for Shanahan to live up to what he talks about.  He can suspend anyone with impunity (provided the situation and circumstances warrant it). 

I claim that Shanahan is nothing more than lipstick on a pig when it comes to the NHL Front Office.  It looks nice and he tries hard but in the end, you're not going to improve on officiating and Shanahan's job description with the likes of Gary Bettman and Colin Campbell still in positions of power.

What says you?

Dustin Brown hit on Michal Rozsival

I think this is the next hit that will probably get a look from the NHL Department of Player Safety. This hit has also generated a lot of discussion on twitter at the end of the game.

I also expect, L.A. Kings forward Dustin Brown will get a call from the Senior Vice President of Player Safety Brendan Shanahan. Whether that hit deserves a suspension is another thing.

I do believe that the NHL has to review this hit, even though there was no penalty called on the play. I think that  Michal Rozsival who had been diving and flailing around on the ice minutes before when he was tapped by a Kings players stick, probably led to there being no call on the play. If you cry wolf enough times who is going to believe you when you really get hurt, right?

If you look at second angle of the hit, it looks worse than the first clip that you saw at game speed. I also think that Jess Myers has a point with his tweet below.

Just for the record I would not want to be in Brendan Shanahan's shoes, I don't think it's an admirable position, not after this post season.

One person pinged me this to me on twitter -  he doubts that Shanahan has the stones to suspend the Kings Captain for game 1. I guess we will find out - does Shanahan have the stones - he has proven already that he has the balls to suspended two superstars players in  Claude Giroux and Nicklas Backstrom during the earlier rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. These actions leads me to believe that he might have the stones to do so. I wouldn't want to be in Brown's shoes right now.

Either way I really don't care, do you think that this hit deserves a suspension, fine or nothing at all. Personally, I just hope the Devils and Rangers series can fill the void until next Wednesday when the Stanley Cup Finals start.

Former Phoenix Coyotes tough guy seems to think that Dustin Brown will be suspended for his hit on Michal Rozsival and this is what he tweeted tonight.