Lifetime ban. It's the only way to get this crap out of the game. Also, drop the instigator rule so someone can show these pussies what being a real man is all about when they pull this poop.
- rynoisgod

Life time ban for a clean hit? If anything 2 minutes for roughing. So what is it your actually getting at? How do you see a bad hit and go from that to saying players are p@ssies that aren't real men and the instigator? If you were being sarcastic we really need a sarcasm imoticon if not tell your voices only one is aloud to speak at a time.

If he didn't leave his feet, then how does he get catch air at the goal line where he made the hit, flying over top of Josi and landing by the "E" in GEICO? That's about a seven foot spanse made after the hit "without leaving his feet".

Ya know, the whole purpose of hitting another player in hockey is to separate him from the puck. If you do this enough over the course of a game, it will wear a guy down. A hit like this when put in perspective is obviously something other than separating the man from the puck.

Some non-fans criticize hockey because of the violence and rightfully so. Guys are dying from repeated hits to the head. It's scientifically proven. Gratuitous hits is the reason why fighting exists. Take out gratuitous hits and you take out fighting. For the fans who love hockey for the hitting and fighting, the game can survive without you. A true hockey fan is a competent one who appreciates the beauty of the game and can enjoy it even without big hits and fighting.

Our society needs to rethink the lack of respect our bodies and physical brains.
- TerryB

These people get paid very well to play the sport. They know the risks involved. How about you stop worrying about other people. Would you like to protect your own brain? yes? Don't play. Dont get into the risk.

This is a contact sport. a CONTACT sport.

Society is turned into one big pansy

Agree on all points.

That being said, Downie doesn't appear to care about injuring another player. Knocking a guy off the puck is the objective, not injuring him.
- PeterThePuck

Have you ever played contact hockey? When you get someone lined up you try to put them through the boards.

Downie isn't on the ice to make friends with the Predators.

Classic case of perceived reputation garnishes guilty verdict without anyone even looking hard at the replay. As others have pointed out, he doesn't leave his feet before impact. Targeting the head is hard to really say as the Preds player is leading low around the corner and he's simply taking the body. Completely legal check. With that in mind though, players (esp Downie) need to realize that you don't need to throw every ounce of energy and muscle into every hit. He had the guy lined up and prone. He didn't need to deliver that hit with that much impact nor really leave his feet afterwards. If he delivers that hit with a little less impact and doesn't leave his feet afterwards, it's still a highlight reel hit. Stop trying to kill guys when you hit them. You all have to go to work the next day.

Life time ban for a clean hit? If anything 2 minutes for roughing. So what is it your actually getting at? How do you see a bad hit and go from that to saying players are p@ssies that aren't real men and the instigator? If you were being sarcastic we really need a sarcasm imoticon if not tell your voices only one is aloud to speak at a time.
- thundachunk

And its not like downie cant fight.... These people make me angry.

The picture shows that at the point of contact Downie's feet were on the ice. Pictures proves that. NHL allows the feet to leave the ice after the principle point of contact is established.

And it's certainly no worse than this......

- tomburton99

How does weber not get suspended... trying to beat a guys head against the glass. if he did that outside the rink he gets charged with assault.

How does weber not get suspended... trying to beat a guys head against the glass. if he did that outside the rink he gets charged with assault.
- Cherry--Skoal

Cause the NHL is more concerned about the jersey tuck.

Clean hit - feet left ice after contact. Led with shoulder on shoulder. Did not take more than 3 full strides into hit.
- Pixote Andolini

gotta agree, didnt leave his feet before his hit, didnt target the head. Move along.

lol......this unbearable. Even clean hits now are up for suspension?

lol......this unbearable. Even clean hits now are up for suspension?
- Boinker

No, NHL already said Downie is good. This is just Ek drumming hits.

gotta agree, didnt leave his feet before his hit, didnt target the head. Move along.
- 77emac77

Looks like head was targeted to me. Player was defenseless.

Is Eklund out of control? Are the Avs his new favorite team?

Looks like head was targeted to me. Player was defenseless.
- powerhouse

Josi saw Downie coming, how can you call that defenseless?

There is really no solid basis for this claim.
- Meeqsb

I think his multiple suspensions are pretty clearly proof that Downie has either zero respect for other players or control over his actions. You pick.

Have you ever played contact hockey? When you get someone lined up you try to put them through the boards.

Downie isn't on the ice to make friends with the Predators.
- FinAddict

You're right...Downie is no different than most other players. Because we see guys getting 20 game suspensions all the time.

Classic case of perceived reputation garnishes guilty verdict without anyone even looking hard at the replay. As others have pointed out, he doesn't leave his feet before impact. Targeting the head is hard to really say as the Preds player is leading low around the corner and he's simply taking the body. Completely legal check. With that in mind though, players (esp Downie) need to realize that you don't need to throw every ounce of energy and muscle into every hit. He had the guy lined up and prone. He didn't need to deliver that hit with that much impact nor really leave his feet afterwards. If he delivers that hit with a little less impact and doesn't leave his feet afterwards, it's still a highlight reel hit. Stop trying to kill guys when you hit them. You all have to go to work the next day.
- DinkusMaximus

Very well said.

You're right...Downie is no different than most other players. Because we see guys getting 20 game suspensions all the time.
- djamon

Question ins't about downie's past or reputation. Josi had his head down. Downie hit Josi. Plain and simple

He was still on his feet when contact was made. He was already going to hit Josi who had his head down, he wasn't targeting the head he lead with his shoulder. The charging penalty was fine although he did stop skating the last couple feet. Obviously the NHL feels the same as he doesn't even have a hearing.
- Avs-Ice

Downie has always been a dirty, cheap-shot player...and continues to be. He got away with this one, but he will get his I'd bet.

You're right...Downie is no different than most other players. Because we see guys getting 20 game suspensions all the time.
- djamon

can we please stop bringing up suspensions when its clear the person handing out the suspensions is in way over his head and should resign.

Just saying in general. I turn away when suspensions get brought up because it holds no water. He is a terrible judge of what is a suspension and what isn't.

The lady who judged the mayweather fight would be an upgrade.

Downie has always been a dirty, cheap-shot player...and continues to be. He got away with this one, but he will get his I'd bet.
- rdfred

Except, you know the hit in question was not dirty.

Question ins't about downie's past or reputation. Josi had his head down. Downie hit Josi. Plain and simple
- tomburton99

Actually the question WAS about Downie's past reputation. While this hit was technically a clean one, Downie has shown repeatedly in the past that his intent is to hurt other players. This hit was no different. He was just lucky his feet managed to stay on the ice at impact.

Love the hit, never left his feet. Just looked like it because he skated through him. I'm a Hawks fan and would be ok with anyone taking that hit. Used to be clean before sissies started ruining the game.

can we please stop bringing up suspensions when its clear the person handing out the suspensions is in way over his head and should resign.

Just saying in general. I turn away when suspensions get brought up because it holds no water. He is a terrible judge of what is a suspension and what isn't.

The lady who judged the mayweather fight would be an upgrade.
- Cherry--Skoal

Your opinion I guess. I haven't agreed with all his decisions, but I think it's safe to say he has a better grasp than you on what goes into a decision regarding suspensions.

The criteria has changed over the last few years...you should try and keep up.

Steve Downie won't face any supplemental discipline for his hit on Nashville's Roman Josi, according to NHL director of player safety Brendan Shanahan.

Shanahan explained via his Twitter account that Downie's skates were on the ice at the point of contact and the Avalanche forward didn't launch himself up at the Predators defender. Shanahan added that Downie came up after impact and Josi was lower to avoid the hit. Josi was hurt on the play.

Except, you know the hit in question was not dirty.
- Cherry--Skoal

As you see it. Don't use the league call on it as your support though, because you'll lose all credibility.