Jordan Staal Sucker punches Brandon Prust

So how many game suspension does Jordan Staal get for punching Brandon Prust? Does Brandon Prust embellish the hit at all? It will be interesting to see what kind of suspension the Colin Campbell "Wheel of Justice" rules. One could make the argument that Brandon Prust tries to take off Kennedy’s head off, then throws an elbow at Staal. Was the punch warranted. It's looks like a very questionable play in my opinion.

Chris Simon's act of Thuggery gets him a 30 games

There is just no room in hockey for this type of thuggery, a deliberate act to injure a fellow competitor who was in a vulnerable position the reward for Chris Simon is 30 games. I think it is time for Chris Simon to retire from hockey, there is no room for this type of brutality. Hockey is a tough game, however, there is no need for these types of acts, this last act by Simon was absolutely senseless. This is after Simon was suspended for 25 games for this act of goonery Someone at the league office needs to stand up and say the next one and your gone for life fro the NHL, 55 games in two season is a lot of games to be lost due to suspension.

TORONTO -- New York Islanders forward Chris Simon has been suspended for 30 games, without pay, for deliberately kicking Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jarkko Ruutu at 14:06 of the third period of NHL Game #472 on December 15, 2007. Simon will be eligible to return to NHL play in two months (February 21, 2008 vs. Tampa Bay).

"Several factors were considered in imposing the longest suspension in NHL history for an on-ice incident," said NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell. "While it was fortunate there was no serious injury to Mr. Ruutu as a result of Simon's action, the deliberate act of kicking an opponent with an exposed skate blade, especially where the opponent is in a vulnerable position, is and always has been a repugnant and totally unacceptable act in the game of hockey.

“In addition, while the act itself was extremely dangerous, the fact that this is the eighth incident requiring the imposition of supplementary discipline on Simon compelled me to impose a very severe penalty in this case. When a player repeatedly evidences the lack of ability to control his actions and conducts himself in total disregard of the rules, as well the health and safety of other players on the ice, each subsequent incident is deserving of enhanced scrutiny and more severe discipline. This response serves not only the purpose of imposing appropriate punishment for the player involved, but also the purpose of deterring the player and all other players from engaging in similar conduct in the future - hopefully creating a safer long-term work environment for all NHL players."

Based on his average annual pay, and the fact that he is considered a repeat offender, Simon forfeits $292,683.00. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Rumor Mill

Jupiter from Gopher Puck Live is reporting that Kyle Okposo will not be returning to the Gophers and will sign a professioal contract.