Watch Duncan Keith get nothing...
- chompsey

looking at that replay from the video provided, it looks like Polak was admiring his pass and didn't even look around after he passed it... sure its late, but doesn't look as late when you see it in a wider view compared to the close ups we have seen.

could the nhl actually say what the acceptable time frame is? they also say JV has been neither fined or suspended in his 51 game career...

If they don't give Keith 10 games, I think there is something wrong.

looking at that replay from the video provided, it looks like Polak was admiring his pass and didn't even look around after he passed it... sure its late, but doesn't look as late when you see it in a wider view compared to the close ups we have seen.

If they don't give Keith 10 games, I think there is something wrong.
- hillbillydeluxe

I agree, but wouldnt be suprised if it was minimal

I agree, but wouldnt be suprised if it was minimal
- phyllee

yep, I am putting together a foil hat right now and expecting less.

looking at that replay from the video provided, it looks like Polak was admiring his pass and didn't even look around after he passed it... sure its late, but doesn't look as late when you see it in a wider view compared to the close ups we have seen.

could the nhl actually say what the acceptable time frame is? they also say JV has been neither fined or suspended in his 51 game career...

If they don't give Keith 10 games, I think there is something wrong.
- hillbillydeluxe

Keith was given the option of in-person, I believe he will get over the 5 games mostly because of his history and less because of his actions this time around

looking at that replay from the video provided, it looks like Polak was admiring his pass and didn't even look around after he passed it... sure its late, but doesn't look as late when you see it in a wider view compared to the close ups we have seen.

could the nhl actually say what the acceptable time frame is? they also say JV has been neither fined or suspended in his 51 game career...

If they don't give Keith 10 games, I think there is something wrong.
- hillbillydeluxe

I have a hard time when people invoke this. It's not the same game since when that phrase was coined.

It's a crappy hit on Jakes part and he is going to have to learn from this. It also now puts the microscope closer on him. Player safety always likes to invoke past transgressions when dealing with any situation. He now has a record very early in his career.

When you defend these type of hits you become homers. There isn't much to like about this hit.

Let's be objective about what it really was- It's a crappy late hit that he didn't need to lay. Worst case it shows a real lack if maturity. Best case it shows his frustration of his entire year.

WTF.

Radko Gudas had the exact same hit a month ago on Bobby Farnham and he wasn't suspended.

I don't mind the Virtanen suspension, just hope it doesn't change his game. What disgusts me is experts like bob mac saying he wouldn't be surprised if Keith got 5 games or less.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49YHRW0ve0k

How many times can he do this before he learns his lesson. This is like the Brashear incident.

I have a hard time when people invoke this. It's not the same game since when that phrase was coined.

It's a crappy hit on Jakes part and he is going to have to learn from this. It also now puts the microscope closer on him. Player safety always likes to invoke past transgressions when dealing with any situation. He now has a record very early in his career.

When you defend these type of hits you become homers. There isn't much to like about this hit.

Let's be objective about what it really was- It's a crappy late hit that he didn't need to lay. Worst case it shows a real lack if maturity. Best case it shows his frustration of his entire year.
- rugdnit

I have heard, admiring his pass repeated many times by older hockey fans. Something I was told when I was a kid was to keep your head up and expect to be hit. For a player like Polak, who hits so often, I am surprised he wasn't aware where Jake was.

It was a late hit. And JV hit him hard. I don't know if JV wanted to injure, but I am sure he wanted Polak to feel it.

I am a homer.

I have a hard time when people invoke this. It's not the same game since when that phrase was coined.

It's a crappy hit on Jakes part and he is going to have to learn from this. It also now puts the microscope closer on him. Player safety always likes to invoke past transgressions when dealing with any situation. He now has a record very early in his career.

When you defend these type of hits you become homers. There isn't much to like about this hit.

Let's be objective about what it really was- It's a crappy late hit that he didn't need to lay. Worst case it shows a real lack if maturity. Best case it shows his frustration of his entire year.
- rugdnit

I think his point was that even if JV got there a second earlier, the result of the hit wouldve been exactly the same. Polak really had no awareness of being hit at any point. Further, I agree that the NHL should step up and determine what is an acceptable amount of time to make a hit. The replay to me looked like Jake crouched to load his hit just as the puck was released and glided into him forcefully about 2 seconds later. Jake said after the game he thought he hit him within the allowable 2 seconds, but no where do the rules say how long is late.

Boll got 4 games for a similarly timed hit, but he had history, so I guess there is some consistency?

Keith was given the option of in-person, I believe he will get over the 5 games mostly because of his history and less because of his actions this time around
- WhiteLie

I think when the player is offered the in person meeting, it is a minimum 5 game suspension.

I'd expect closer to 10 games because it was a player swinging his stick at and striking another player's head.... who knows what to expect?

I think when the player is offered the in person meeting, it is a minimum 5 game suspension.

I'd expect closer to 10 games because it was a player swinging his stick at and striking another player's head.... who knows what to expect?
- hillbillydeluxe

http://www.tsn.ca/radio/m...-5-games-or-less-1.461512

Watch Duncan Keith get nothing...
- chompsey

It had better be 10+ games. The most mindless, careless, vicious hit I've ever seen. Keith is incredibly lucky that Coyle didn't lose his eye. He has a history even if he isn't considered a "repeat offender."

If the NHL had any ballz they would suspend him for the season and playoffs.

I think when the player is offered the in person meeting, it is a minimum 5 game suspension.

I'd expect closer to 10 games because it was a player swinging his stick at and striking another player's head.... who knows what to expect?
- hillbillydeluxe

Raffi Torres treatment hopefully.

It had better be 10+ games. The most mindless, careless, vicious hit I've ever seen. Keith is incredibly lucky that Coyle didn't lose his eye. He has a history even if he isn't considered a "repeat offender."

If the NHL had any ballz they would suspend him for the season and playoffs.
- we_are_all_canucks

Not to mention that it was the exact same act.

Not to mention that it was the exact same act.
- pker2theend

Wasn't Kassian suspended 8 games for his stick flying into the face of Gagner? I know Gagner had his jaw broken, but Kassian didn't swing it in the same manner as Keith did either...

or was it 5 games, seeing different numbers in different articles?

http://www.vancouversun.c...Gagner/8949225/story.html

(3 preseason and 5 regular season games)

It had better be 10+ games. The most mindless, careless, vicious hit I've ever seen. Keith is incredibly lucky that Coyle didn't lose his eye. He has a history even if he isn't considered a "repeat offender."

If the NHL had any ballz they would suspend him for the season and playoffs.
- we_are_all_canucks

Agreed but good luck with that.

Wasn't Kassian suspended 8 games for his stick flying into the face of Gagner? I know Gagner had his jaw broken, but Kassian didn't swing it in the same manner as Keith did either...

or was it 5 games, seeing different numbers in different articles?

http://www.vancouversun.c...Gagner/8949225/story.html

(3 preseason and 5 regular season games)
- hillbillydeluxe

exactly

Agreed but good luck with that.
- LordHumungous

Keith has no where near the value (image wise) someone like Crosby, Toews, or Ovi has. Ban his ass.

It had better be 10+ games. The most mindless, careless, vicious hit I've ever seen. Keith is incredibly lucky that Coyle didn't lose his eye. He has a history even if he isn't considered a "repeat offender."

If the NHL had any ballz they would suspend him for the season and playoffs.
- we_are_all_canucks

The NHL has no balls when it comes to star players. The hawks have 5 games left in the regular season. I expect Keith to suit up for game 1 of the playoffs.

Haven't seen the Henrik quote, other than here.

I have no problem with the Captain calling a spade a spade.
Late hits need to be taken out of the game.
It's so stupid and predictable when late/dirty hits happen...An entire fanbase/team will defend the hit, while an entire fanbase/team will shout blue murder and call for suspensions.

If a hit is dirty, its dirty, it shouldn't matter who threw it.
I commend Henrik for his integrity and honesty and don't see this as throwing anyone under the bus. If anything, it teaches JV about being responsible for your actions and the high standard that a team should hold their players to.

I have a hard time when people invoke this. It's not the same game since when that phrase was coined.

It's a crappy hit on Jakes part and he is going to have to learn from this. It also now puts the microscope closer on him. Player safety always likes to invoke past transgressions when dealing with any situation. He now has a record very early in his career.

When you defend these type of hits you become homers. There isn't much to like about this hit.

Let's be objective about what it really was- It's a crappy late hit that he didn't need to lay. Worst case it shows a real lack if maturity. Best case it shows his frustration of his entire year.
- rugdnit

Keith has no where near the value (image wise) someone like Crosby, Toews, or Ovi has. Ban his ass.
- pker2theend

not going to happen. Hockey is a business. Without Kieth there is no interesting playoff narrative this year, LA just walks to the final and the owners know that. Rivalry sells, that means no players missing when Min/Chi and Chi/LA go at it. I agree he should be suspended though, I just don't see an elite player like him getting much more than 5-7. I could see rest of the regular season and a couple PO games maybe.

I have a hard time when people invoke this. It's not the same game since when that phrase was coined.

It's a crappy hit on Jakes part and he is going to have to learn from this. It also now puts the microscope closer on him. Player safety always likes to invoke past transgressions when dealing with any situation, unless it is by star players than the rules change. He now has a record very early in his career.

When you defend these type of hits you become homers. There isn't much to like about this hit.

Let's be objective about what it really was- It's a crappy late hit that he didn't need to lay. Worst case it shows a real lack if maturity. Best case it shows his frustration of his entire year.
- rugdnit

Fixed.

NHL Player Safety ‏@NHLPlayerSafety · 4m4 minutes ago
Vancouver’s Jake Virtanen suspended two games for interference on San Jose’s Roman Polak. Video: http://ow.ly/106ikT



a good replay of the hit from a camera above...
- hillbillydeluxe

Total bull$hit and a dangerous precedent being set.

Only criteria for the suspension was that the hit was late and Virtanen was coming from the side. No head contact, didn't leave his feet, no injury, not even one shift missed for Polak. There are multiple hits every single game that are this late or longer. Maybe not open ice and not as violent, but many, many hits each night are as late as this one was. The player who got hit not being aware that he might get hit is usually not the hitter's fault.

Might as well have added Does not play for Boston, Chicago or a California Team to the list of rationale for the suspension.

We're tanking pretty great! It pretty incredible how bad we've been and that we've only just been caught by the Leafs. Here's to the #1 spot.

Shame to see Virtanen get the suspension, but blind late hits are something Canuck players are going to get called for pretty much every time, so it's par for the course. Hopefully the kid take the games off and finished the season with a flourish.