Everyone will see it differently. The rule for charging is launching yourself off the ice into a player. Which I didn't see...anyone can sit there and watch it frame by frame to make their own opinion. Many other things equivalent to this have been let go so far which is my issue with it. They are apparently saying that a hockey play (body check) which is still allowed in the NHL if I'm not mistaken....is worse than "sending a message". Watch Prust spear Anderson when they were down 5-1 and then skate off saying "see you monday" or Engelland attacking two Canucks....Apparently a non hockey play like that isn't as bad as a guy missing someones shoulder by two inches. That's not even close to charging.
- HomestyleMelt

They're all hockey plays. They get paid a lot of money to play hockey. There is nothing wrong with that hit. It's the beauty of this sport.

I agree and I'm saying going out at the end of the game when you're getting smoked to "send a message" is not a hockey play. But someone this is seen as worse than a guy jumping two Canucks or Prust spearing Otts goalie. Those aren't necessary IMO. I get we are trying to control head shot but this wasn't malicious or intent to injure (unlike multiple hits on Lubo by the Caps). Could it have been a penalty sure. To be thats not charging according to the rule book and the inconsistency is always so extreme in the NHL

This isn't the first time I've seen him leave his feet. About time they nailed him

In a vacuum, I don't mind hits like this being penalized with a 1-game suspension.

In Kronwall's defense, if you go frame-by-frame on this one, it actually does look like both of Kronwall skates are in contact with the ice at the instant of impact, rising only as the force of the hit carried both him upward. That's also been the case in a number of other Kronwallings, which are typically forceful-but-clean checks.

But yeah, it is a very violent hit, it's delivered pretty high with arms extended a bit, and the head is absolutely the primary point of contact. I don't think Kronwall is a dirty player and I don't think this was intent to injure, but it's careless. And I absolutely come from the school of player safety that says the league needs to crack down much more severely on head hits. "Intent" doesn't matter when it comes to, say, high sticking, and I don't think it should matter much when it comes to head hits. Players are responsible for ensuring the safety of themselves and others during play, and that includes being responsible for where and how you hit another player.

So again, in a vacuum, I'm fine with this hit being a potentially suspendable offense, though probably 5 minute charging call would have been more appropriate. And yet ...

There's also a part of me that feels like suspending Kronwall on this hit is like a cop watching cars go by at 20 mph over the speed limit all day and picking one at random to issue a ticket to. I mean, take another look at the Palat hit on Glendening:

https://gfycat.com/DeliriousPortlyCassowary

It sure looks to me like the common complaints about Kronwall hit apply to this one, too. Violent high hit, delivered by a player who leaves his feet, head the primary point of contact. What is there suspendable about Kronwall's hit that doesn't also apply to Palat here? Kronwall's was higher velocity, granted, so if you're reaching into the supplemental discipline bag I'm fine with Kronwall getting the stiffer penalty. But I don't know how you say one of those hits is dirty and the other is clean.

I'm not saying there's a conspiracy or anything (I don't own a tinfoil hat) and I'm definitely not saying I think Palat is a dirty player (he's not) or that he necessarily deserved a suspension (2 minutes for charging would have been fine with me).

I just wish there'd be a little, y'know, consistency with these calls. The determination of which hits do and don't deserve supplemental discipline, and how many games they should receive, just seems so arbitrary. Things like time (when in the game a hit occurred) and media buzz seem to matter more than the actual particulars of the hit itself.

Kronwalls suspension is bang on, if 50 other suspensions are going to be announced tomorrow.

Sven! Welcome. Your insight is always thought out and clear. I have been saying basically everything you're saying but to no avail. Ppl who think it's a dirty hit are the ones swimming around here so the points fall on deaf ears. Burn for one appreciate the insight and agree on all points!

It was a legal hit. Another stupid decision by the league. If anything, Kucherov should be suspended for embellishment.
- TimBits

Yeah and Subban is the angel of the NHL give me a break crawl back into the miserable hole you came out of. The Habs by far embellish more than any other team in the league and it's sad to watch actually downright embarrassing if you ask me. Now in regards to Kronwall most of his hits are great and entertaining however this one was not as well done. He misjudged Kucherov's body position and hit his head with the elbow. I hate stupid people who make stupid comments like you just did. One game is sufficient enough for this hit but no more than that. And people need to stop comparing apples to oranges, no hit is the exact same and therefore can not be judged the same.

for me.. i would have gave him a major and been out the rest of game 6 but no additional suspension. this is kind of the opposite with no penalty and suspension after. of course babcock and gang think its a good hit because theyve been playing dirty all series thats the only way they can win games. horrible interference pretty much all game. obvious one is the goal bishop hit into his own net one of the guys sent johnson or kucherov flying behind the play just inside the blue line in game 4 i believe. should have been called right away. penalties should be even in each game or close 7 to 2 in favor of detroit on monday was a joke. and we still won.

http://thehockeywriters.com/a-closer-look-at-kronwalls-hit/

I did... and in my opinion he's 'lifting off' before the hit. He leaps into the guy instead of going through him. He doesn't get thrown into the air b/c of the hit... he gets thrown into the air because he is jumping.

Obviously we see it differently from each other, but I'm glad he got something.
- fishbulb

If Kuch was not bent down the hit would have been shoulder to shoulder & no one would have been 'thrown' in the air.

That link just confused things even more, as a person that has never played hockey but play rugby league where hard contact is made every tackle in a lot of games, the explanations are a little puzzling when someone hits someone else & leaves the ice but due to the player being hit is in a certain position depends on the result & therefore suspension or not - BUT the action is the same. Another example is Ovi, his 2 hits he looked & prepared for the 2 & could have acted differently to avoid contact but didn't but due to him have proximity to the puck in 1 that was accepted???

Easy way to judge a hit - if you make contact with the head in any way you are going to be suspended regardless of the excuse. Simple - head hit, you sit!

To be honest, (frank) all the regulars posters here. They female doged about Abdelkader getting first line minutes, the female doged about Glendenng even playing. Bunch of know nothing (frank)holes, you can all nibble on my hang down we shouldn't even be in this series if Stamkos was in A1 shape. You know why I hang out in the Edmonton forum? They get hockey and probably have played. Pleaae me send a message there when you all grab a clue, Token is exempted from this rant. (frank) y all, I hope Detroit gets smart and pulls a Baltimore and burns down half the buildings in the city cause they ain't used anyways. Drops mic, flashes finger, (frank) y'all, I'll be back when there are real fans that remember the bad times.

JB go (frank) yourself
- ShooterMcGavin

You mad bro?

for me.. i would have gave him a major and been out the rest of game 6 but no additional suspension. this is kind of the opposite with no penalty and suspension after. of course babcock and gang think its a good hit because theyve been playing dirty all series thats the only way they can win games. horrible interference pretty much all game. obvious one is the goal bishop hit into his own net one of the guys sent johnson or kucherov flying behind the play just inside the blue line in game 4 i believe. should have been called right away. penalties should be even in each game or close 7 to 2 in favor of detroit on monday was a joke. and we still won.
- boltsfan48

You sir, are a tool

for me.. i would have gave him a major and been out the rest of game 6 but no additional suspension. this is kind of the opposite with no penalty and suspension after. of course babcock and gang think its a good hit because theyve been playing dirty all series thats the only way they can win games. horrible interference pretty much all game. obvious one is the goal bishop hit into his own net one of the guys sent johnson or kucherov flying behind the play just inside the blue line in game 4 i believe. should have been called right away. penalties should be even in each game or close 7 to 2 in favor of detroit on monday was a joke. and we still won.
- boltsfan48

Dirtiest team in the league.

To be honest, (frank) all the regulars posters here. They female doged about Abdelkader getting first line minutes, the female doged about Glendenng even playing. Bunch of know nothing (frank)holes, you can all nibble on my hang down we shouldn't even be in this series if Stamkos was in A1 shape. You know why I hang out in the Edmonton forum? They get hockey and probably have played. Pleaae me send a message there when you all grab a clue, Token is exempted from this rant. (frank) y all, I hope Detroit gets smart and pulls a Baltimore and burns down half the buildings in the city cause they ain't used anyways. Drops mic, flashes finger, (frank) y'all, I'll be back when there are real fans that remember the bad times.

JB go (frank) yourself
- ShooterMcGavin

The city has nothing to do with hockey discussion. Getting mad at dumb posts is one thing, but you are trying to be a bad ass . . . to strangers . . . on the Internet. To lump everyone in the same boat is also ridiculous. You are old enough to remember the bad times but your behavior suggests a far younger age.

To be honest, (frank) all the regulars posters here. They female doged about Abdelkader getting first line minutes, the female doged about Glendenng even playing. Bunch of know nothing (frank)holes, you can all nibble on my hang down we shouldn't even be in this series if Stamkos was in A1 shape. You know why I hang out in the Edmonton forum? They get hockey and probably have played. Pleaae me send a message there when you all grab a clue, Token is exempted from this rant. (frank) y all, I hope Detroit gets smart and pulls a Baltimore and burns down half the buildings in the city cause they ain't used anyways. Drops mic, flashes finger, (frank) y'all, I'll be back when there are real fans that remember the bad times.

JB go (frank) yourself
- ShooterMcGavin

My goodness what a rant. Your arrogance is quite amusing. Enjoy your stay on Edmonton's blog Mr. All Knowing Hockey Guy.

It was a legal hit. Another stupid decision by the league. If anything, Kucherov should be suspended for embellishment.
- TimBits

And for aiming his head at Kronwall`s elbow. Kucherov is an idiot.

In a vacuum, I don't mind hits like this being penalized with a 1-game suspension.

In Kronwall's defense, if you go frame-by-frame on this one, it actually does look like both of Kronwall skates are in contact with the ice at the instant of impact, rising only as the force of the hit carried both him upward. That's also been the case in a number of other Kronwallings, which are typically forceful-but-clean checks.

But yeah, it is a very violent hit, it's delivered pretty high with arms extended a bit, and the head is absolutely the primary point of contact. I don't think Kronwall is a dirty player and I don't think this was intent to injure, but it's careless. And I absolutely come from the school of player safety that says the league needs to crack down much more severely on head hits. "Intent" doesn't matter when it comes to, say, high sticking, and I don't think it should matter much when it comes to head hits. Players are responsible for ensuring the safety of themselves and others during play, and that includes being responsible for where and how you hit another player.

So again, in a vacuum, I'm fine with this hit being a potentially suspendable offense, though probably 5 minute charging call would have been more appropriate. And yet ...

There's also a part of me that feels like suspending Kronwall on this hit is like a cop watching cars go by at 20 mph over the speed limit all day and picking one at random to issue a ticket to. I mean, take another look at the Palat hit on Glendening:

https://gfycat.com/DeliriousPortlyCassowary

It sure looks to me like the common complaints about Kronwall hit apply to this one, too. Violent high hit, delivered by a player who leaves his feet, head the primary point of contact. What is there suspendable about Kronwall's hit that doesn't also apply to Palat here? Kronwall's was higher velocity, granted, so if you're reaching into the supplemental discipline bag I'm fine with Kronwall getting the stiffer penalty. But I don't know how you say one of those hits is dirty and the other is clean.

I'm not saying there's a conspiracy or anything (I don't own a tinfoil hat) and I'm definitely not saying I think Palat is a dirty player (he's not) or that he necessarily deserved a suspension (2 minutes for charging would have been fine with me).

I just wish there'd be a little, y'know, consistency with these calls. The determination of which hits do and don't deserve supplemental discipline, and how many games they should receive, just seems so arbitrary. Things like time (when in the game a hit occurred) and media buzz seem to matter more than the actual particulars of the hit itself.
- Sven22

I gotta say, I've watched Kronwall make a variation of this hit dozens of times where he turns and uses his hip more than anything. Unfortunately, there was not much if anything about this hit that was legal. He launched and the main point of contact was the head and that equals a suspension. People can complain about what others have done and not had any supplemental discipline handed down but it is really a moot point. What Kronwall did was illegal and he got nailed for it. As a veteran player he shouldn't have put himself in that position. Especially when one of his standard hip checks would have been as, if not more effective.

I watched both this hit as well as Palat's hit on Glendening and they're really not too similar in any manner. Palat never launches and his principal point of impact is Glendening's whole body. Yes he gets hit in the head but he also catches everything else all the way down. Had Kronwall made more of an attempt to get body rather than just hitting high he probably doesn't get suspended or a fine either.

Like I stated, as a veteran Kronwall should have never put himself or his team in this position. I'm certain it wasn't intentionally done to injure but it was still a bad hit from a great player.

It was a legal hit. Another stupid decision by the league. If anything, Kucherov should be suspended for embellishment.
- TimBits

Is that little puss even injured??

This is embarrassing. This league has no standards and no commitment to getting anything right. The officiating throughout the playoffs has been laughable, nothing new. When you watch an NHL game with casual sports fans or fans of other sports it is no wonder they have ammunition against the NHL. Tampa has run Dekeyser, and Glendening in the same fashion as well as Abdelkador with blows to the head. P.K. Subban swings his stick like a warrior on a battlefield and receives no suspension!!!! I guess we can see where Gary Bettmann sides on this, his officials are a joke, his safety board is a joke and he is as well. I guess Cedric Paquette has a right to play although he intentionally took the skates out from under two very key Detroit players which could have led to head injuries. Quintal was a crappy hockey player and maybe he has a personal agenda. NHL....ha, I cant even defend it to my children who watch the WWE because at least we know their boys in pinstripes are following orders. Shame on you Bettman for further damaging what was once the greatest game, shame on you Quintal for being a yesman and a clown. Shame on the NHL for picking favorites. Oh and Stevie Y I hope your Lightning get you where you need to go. It isn't very far judging by the ratings the playoffs have been getting. Most sports fans expect equal treatment in their favorite league and a better standard for the governing body to hold true to. Maybe Subban can tee off on a downed players head on the ice, he already displayed his baseball prowess unpunished. SHAME,SHAME, SHAME
- jmarseph

Karlsson on Beaulieu was legit. The principal point of contact was NOT the head. His head was hit on the follow through, nothing in the rulebook against that. Subban's hit was nasty but you cannot determine intent as those types of slashes do in fact happen quite often in the playoffs (see Perron), he just happened to hit a part of Stone's hand that wasn't protected. Kronwall does toe that fine line between legal and illegal checks, this time he just strayed to far over it. I do however agree with the fact that the lightning players who have been targeting the head should also receive additionnal discipline. Unfortunately, we all know the league will never be consistent in their rulings.

(frank) Tampa Bay!

Go Wings Go!

I honestly have never spent much time reading his blogs.
- lumlums

More's the pity.

Kronwalls suspension is bang on, if 50 other suspensions are going to be announced tomorrow.
- BooBoo997

(Here's where I "putt from the rough"—I guess, whatever that analogy means)

You know what, that's fair. I think all most fans want is consistency.

And what fans (of other teams) have wanted for years re: Kronwall, is consistency. if you're going to suspend, say, Torres for the same kind of hit, then you have to suspend Kronwall.

That said, OV probably deserves one too. Shea Weber deserved one when he plowed Zetterberg from behind. I said so then.

Just be consistent, and don't give preferential treatment based on the "star power" of the player or the league official's relationship with the team in question or its owner.

The "logic" that Kronwall is a "rugged" but essentially clean player because he's never been suspended is like saying Hulk Hogan was some kind of legitimate athlete. Because . . . NHL player safety and discipline is about as skewed as the old WWF was.

Karlsson on Beaulieu was legit. The principal point of contact was NOT the head. His head was hit on the follow through, nothing in the rulebook against that. Subban's hit was nasty but you cannot determine intent as those types of slashes do in fact happen quite often in the playoffs (see Perron), he just happened to hit a part of Stone's hand that wasn't protected. Kronwall does toe that fine line between legal and illegal checks, this time he just strayed to far over it. I do however agree with the fact that the lightning players who have been targeting the head should also receive additionnal discipline. Unfortunately, we all know the league will never be consistent in their rulings.
- habfanforever

how do you know that Kronwall aimed for his head anymore than Palat did? like for certain? you dont, no one does, not even the NHL.

to me, Kronwall just throws his body and follows through each and every time... just like Palat did and every other body check ever. To me, if seems very hypocritical to call this hit at this juncture when he has never been suspended before, and to call it "charging" on top of it all. Also, at this rate, every check where is touched should be reviewed in all reality because no one if that is the principal target or not -- all we can do is assume. That is where the real problem in all of this lies.

Let me say this, if they called Kronwall for any of his previous hits beforehand then this not even be a debate.... but they didnt, NEVER ONCE. And to be honest, there was much worse ones. This reeks of pressure from media and outside court hearings more than anything else.

The reality is, if the NHL was serious about headshots, or concussions or any of this garbage... Weber would have been suspended when he slammed Zetterberg head into the glass a few years ago, and this... where Karlsson's first point of contact is the head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PADwxX0LsMM

how do you know that Kronwall aimed for his head anymore than Palat did? like for certain? you dont, no one does, not even the NHL.

to me, Kronwall just throws his body and follows through each and every time... just like Palat did and every other body check ever. To me, if seems very hypocritical to call this hit at this juncture when he has never been suspended before, and to call it "charging" on top of it all. Also, at this rate, every check where is touched should be reviewed in all reality because no one if that is the principal target or not -- all we can do is assume. That is where the real problem in all of this lies.

Let me say this, if they called Kronwall for any of his previous hits beforehand then this not even be a debate.... but they didnt, NEVER ONCE. And to be honest, there was much worse ones. This reeks of pressure from media and outside court hearings more than anything else.

The reality is, if the NHL was serious about headshots, or concussions or any of this garbage... Weber would have been suspended when he slammed Zetterberg head into the glass a few years ago, and this... where Karlsson's first point of contact is the head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PADwxX0LsMM
- BooBoo997

If Datsyuk or Zetterberg or one of your kids got rocked like that your opinion would be completely different.

It was charging. It was elbowing. He hit the puck carrier, God knows what both refs were looking at. If he had gotten a 5-minute major for charging, maybe he gets away without a suspension.

And Weber not getting suspended for the Zetterberg hit was pitiful.

Yeah... I don't know how much I like this.

For one, there wasn't an intent to injure. It looks like Kronwall DID hit Kuch high, but not intentionally. That said, there have been far worse things to happen in the playoffs to this point. I mean, if this is a suspension, did PK get away with one?

For two, if we win tomorrow, I'll never hear the end of "If Kronwall was there, it never would have happened, so your victory is meaningless" trolling for the next year...

For three, it's the playoffs. Tempers run high, and physicality is the letter of the day. It's not like this was a Cooke-esque "lets kill someone" kind of play, it was just Kronwall finishing his check and maybe being a little careless about it, but I don't believe it was suspension worthy. It's not like my Bolts have been saints out there.

I also love all the slow-mo analysis, as if it means a bloody thing. The game happens at such a fast pace, pinpointing the exact second Kronwall leaves one skate is disingenuous at best. Playing the game doesn't award you the luxury of pushing slow-mo on your own plays.
- OzBolts

Great post.

My issue remains with the lack of consistency. There have been multiple shots to Red Wing players heads this season / series and past seasons- and not one suspension has been handed out. To pick this incident and suspend a player (the top Dman/ice time) for a game 7 really makes ya wonder.

So I'm presuming had Kronwall grabbed his head and slammed it in the glass he would have only received a fine.

I'm not a conspiracy type of fan but had the NHL been consistent in this series and others - no one would have an opening for thinking along those lines.

how do you know that Kronwall aimed for his head anymore than Palat did? like for certain? you dont, no one does, not even the NHL.

to me, Kronwall just throws his body and follows through each and every time... just like Palat did and every other body check ever. To me, if seems very hypocritical to call this hit at this juncture when he has never been suspended before, and to call it "charging" on top of it all. Also, at this rate, every check where is touched should be reviewed in all reality because no one if that is the principal target or not -- all we can do is assume. That is where the real problem in all of this lies.

Let me say this, if they called Kronwall for any of his previous hits beforehand then this not even be a debate.... but they didnt, NEVER ONCE. And to be honest, there was much worse ones. This reeks of pressure from media and outside court hearings more than anything else.

The reality is, if the NHL was serious about headshots, or concussions or any of this garbage... Weber would have been suspended when he slammed Zetterberg head into the glass a few years ago, and this... where Karlsson's first point of contact is the head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PADwxX0LsMM
- BooBoo997

Looks more like a shoulder/head combo to me. Either way Karlsson isin't exactly known for his thundering hits, Kronwall is. Whether anyone agrees with his suspension or not does not matter because everyone knows that the NHL's consistency in such instances is a joke.