Suter Gets Two Games

The Department of Player Safety has made the ruling that Minnesota Wild defenseman, Ryan Suter, will be given a two game suspension for his hit to the head on Penguins player Steve Downie.

The hit would happen in the second period of Tuesday night's contest when Suter and Downie were battling for a puck out front of the net. Suter's elbow would then come up and hit Downie in the face. For video on this, scroll down some on the blog, there is a video and a gif posted.

This is the first offense for Suter and will miss the game tomorrow night in Buffalo and Saturday's Hockey Day Minnesota celebration at Xcel Energy Center against the Arizona Coyotes. I guess when it rains, it pours for the Minnesota Wild. I think the team has finally hit its rock bottom.

(Video & Vine) Wild Defenseman Ryan Suter Elbows Pengiuns Forward Steve Downie

There used to be a theory that if a star player like Ryan Suter committed an egregious act on the ice against a player with a reputation like Steve Downie, he wouldn’t get suspended.

I believe this dirty, questionable hit is going to test that theory. I don’t like optics of this hit, either. I predict that this hit should get a look from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. Downie was also hurt on the play. I am a Wild fan, but I can't defend this hit. Do you think this hit deserves a suspension? Thoughts?

Dustin Byfuglien's Dirty Hit on Steve Downie following Goal

First, Steve Downie is no saint; he'd probably tell you that. But check out this dirty, unnecessary, bush league hit that Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien put on Downie. This is unacceptable. After the play is over, I believe that Downie has the expectation to not be slambed into the end boards. I don't think that's being unreasonable, right? The play is over, he's scored a goal.

I think the NHL’s Department of Players Safety need to make an example out of Byfuglien. I am thinking a couple of game suspension would be about right. Maybe Big Buff should skate faster.

Trib Live: Free Agent Ryan Malone Might Sign with Penguins

#475447907 / gettyimages.com

This is actually a sad story. I was thinking of catchy title, but drug abuse and addiction is no laughing matter. So, the Penguins now have Car Bomb Carcillo, Steve Downie the hack and Ryan Malone, the same guy that was baffled when the Tampa Bay Police found a bag of coke in his back pocket. I actually hope the former Saint Cloud State Husky can clean up his act and have a successful season.

Jason Mackey, Tribune Live -- With forwards Steve Downie and Daniel Carcillo, the Penguins aren't lacking for potential projects.

Could the return of Upper St. Clair native Ryan Malone be next?

General manager Jim Rutherford isn't saying. But interest on Malone's part is tangible.

“There's a natural attraction there,” said Malone's agent, Mike Liut. “He grew up there. He played there. They lost in the (Stanley Cup) Final when he was there. There's that association.

“But management (now) is completely different. I have talked to Pittsburgh about him throughout the summer. They're kicking tires. They've expressed some interest, but it's just that. Which is fine.

“There isn't anything where I can say, ‘Hey, this is what we're going to do.' Hopefully I can next week.

Ryan Malone back to the Pens? He's in. Team? Maybe. My #TribHKY story from today: http://t.co/1AmpUcFIZU
— Jason Mackey (@Mackey_Trib) September 6, 2014

(Video) Canadiens Alexei Emelin's elbows the Flyers Steve Downie.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin's connect with the elbows on Philadelphia Flyers forward Steve Downie. Emelin was give a five-minute major penalty for elbowing and a game misconduct. You have to wonder if there will be a call from the NHL's Department of Player Safety? Personally, I don't think it's worthy of a suspension. But the video is not very good either.

EDIT: After watching this video, Emelin clearly caught Downie with a chicken wing elbow. This the kind of hits that the NHL is looking to eliminate from the game of hockey. Emelin might be getting a game or two for that hit.

Steve Downie fined 2,500 for leaving bench

I am not a Steve Downie fan by any stretch of the imagination but, I don't have a problem with him leaving the bench in this situation. We all know that the penalty could have been a 10 game suspension, but I am fine with the $2,500.00 fine. The simulation of shooting a gun after scoring a goal was totally classless act by the Rangers Artem Anisimov.

NEW YORK – Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steve Downie has been fined $2,500, the maximum allowed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for leaving the bench on a legal line change to become involved in an altercation in NHL Game No. 408 in New York on Thursday, Dec. 8, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced today.

The incident occurred at 13:23 of the second period. Downie was assessed a minor penalty for roughing and a misconduct penalty.

The fine money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Related articles

• Steve Downie says he was fined for leaving bench to fight (prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com)
• Downie's words confirmed, NHL fines him $2,500 for leaving the bench (prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com)

Bolts uber hack Steve Downie tries to kiss Andrew Ference.

First off, most of you know that I don't like Tampa Bay's uber hack Steve Downie, I just think he is a dirty hockey players that is one stupid move away from another lengthy suspension from the NHL. Steve Downie is also a bit of a punk that has never seemed to grown up,  I would almost put him in the same category as Matt Cooke.

I think eventually these types of players, I call them uber hacks, will get whats coming to him, someone is going to catch him with his head down or finally decide they have seen enough and punch his lights out. Personally, I thought Jack Johnson's  elbow on this P.O.S. during the World Juniors was over blown and warranted. Tonight this lovely piece of dog excrement looks like he tried to kiss or blow Boston Bruins' defenseman Andrew Ference a kiss, here is a a more funny version of the kiss in question.. 

Related articles

• NHL won't fine or suspend Steve Downie for hit on Johnny Boychuk (prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com)
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• Bruins' Boychuk 'feeling fine' after Downie hit (sports.espn.go.com)

Steve Downie nails Johnny Boychuk into the end boards.

This was the hit that Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steve Downie put on Boston Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk; if you're expecting supplemental discipline from the NHL, don't. According to TSN hockey analyst Bob McKenzie Steve Downie's hit on Johnny Boychuk is NOT being pursued for supplementary discipline by the NHL. Personally, while I am not a fan of Downie or of the style of hockey he plays, I don't think that check warranted anymore than a two minute penalty.

Tim Thomas robs Steve Downie

Check out this unbelievable save by Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas as he robs Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steve Downie to keep the Boston Bruins lead at 2-1 midway through the 2nd period. The Bruins scored a an empty net goal to win the game 3-1. If it wasn't for Tim Thomas coming up big it could have been an ugly game for the Boston Bruins who were out shot 34-20 by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Many of the Lightnings shots on goal were of the grade "A" variety. Also, in the second period, Bruins all world goalie, Tim Thomas had another amazing save on  a Tampa Bay 3-on-2.

I think one could make the argument that this was the save by Tim Thomas was a game changer and probably the save of the year for the Boston Bruins. Saves like this, is the reason why Tim Thomas is a finalist for the Vezina Trophy.

Nathan Horton's Hit On Steve Downie

I honestly can’t fault the referee from his perspective, the ref in his opinion believed Steve Downie embellished his fall after being hit into the boards by Bruins forward Nathan Horton late in the second period of last night’s game, calling the Tampa Bay Lightning wing Hack Steve Downie for diving. Apparently, after further review Uber Hack Downie wasn’t faking, in fact Downie never returned to the game and is listed as day-to-day.

To be honest with you, I feel no empathy what-so-ever for Steve Downie because in my opinion he is one of the dirtiest players in the NHL. Seriously! I honestly can’t imagine anyone even caring. How many games has this clown/buffoon been suspended by the NHL/AHL in his short career? Reviewing the Steve Downie hit parade he stared out his NHL career by receiving a 20 game suspension for a dirty hit on Dean McAmmond in an exhibition game… Steve Downie followed up that smooth move with a 20- game suspension for slashing an AHL official.

Hey I admit that while the call was probably a reputation call and the wrong call, I believe that Downie has earned his reputation based on his actions on the ice, maybe if he just clean up his act, he might get the benefit of the doubt once in a while. I say whatever, you earned it Steve, you live by the sword, you die by the sword.