Very fair question. I can't argue it. And to me it DOES seem the the league is punishing injuries (even if I don't agree with it).

My issue is guys like Torres and Kronwall doing this OVER AND OVER AGAIN and the league has done nothing (to Kronwall), or too little (to Torres).

Does Kronwall being "a star" (like Weber) have something to do with it? I think so.

Further, neither Kronwall nor Torres answers to "player discipline." Cowards.

I also think that for me and a lot of people here, the 2 and 10 on Shaw and 3 games for Smith's One Man Drama makes this all the more hard to take. FWIW.
- John Jaeckel

Honestly I'm a bit shocked on the comparisons of Torres to Kronwall, but I see your point.

The whole injury thing is the key question. I'm surprised Shaw got that much just because Smith came back. If Smith stayed out, then it would have been somewhat consistent. (The 3 Game Suspension).

Who knows anymore.

Shaw was equally as vulnerable, never lifted his left arm/elbow/shoulder...his head was looking away trying to avoid contact. INCIDENTAL CONTACT.
- philco28

Has Shaw not learned how to stop? I thought that was something NHL'ers knew how to do?

Not incidental. He could have avoided the contact if he wanted to. It was a bad decision on his part.

Probably should not have been called, and 4 on 4 helps the team trying to catch up, but:

Aren't the Hawks supposed to be the faster team - one for which 4 on 4 should be an advantage?

Hawks lost a defenseman, but Suns lost probably their best forward.

Teams were at equal strength.

Bad example of refs screwing the Hawks.
- StLBravesFan

Suns? Come on man

How is it like 18 regular season games?
- carcus

Beacause Shanahan himself has a said 1 post season game equals "about" (yes more of his clarity) 5 regular season games. So if hes the guy deciding these things and he made that comment then shaw got about 15 -18 regular season games.

You do agree that a post season game is worth more the games 38.39 and 40 of the regular season correct.

Do you know how to make the video smaller when you post something as to not screw up our blog. Theres a thing thats called height and width when you embed the vid go to it and change it to about 350 by 225 so you dont offset the entire page.

Man that aggravates me
- mvp0207

Sorry, I have done that in the past but didn't think about it today.

That's the problem...the players have no idea what is suspendable at this point. In October it was crystal clear. Now, it seems it's a guessing game again. Take Weber for example. What he did, in October would have gotten a game or 2. Now nothing but a fine?

Captain Serious said it best: “I don’t know what to expect anymore, I don’t think anyone does.”
- andru2797

I actually think Shanahan took this job being told he had full control, and acted accordingly. I think as the year went on, he got his power withdrawn because some of the good old boys didn't like seeing their players out so long. The good old boys club seems to have that effect on our league dicsiplinarians it seems. Unfortunate since it'll be Shanahan's name assocaited with these and part of me honestly thinks it isn't his decision on them, particularily Weber's.

You want Goalie Saftey.. They are not allowed to leave the net.. Problem solved.
- victorymc98

Or fair game outside the crease. Now whats wrong with that?

If there's a clear and the pucks coming and the opponents coming at you there should be drama as you race to see who gets it first. Maybe even let goalies freeze the pucks like they do in soccer.

Suns? Come on man
- Assman22

they lost steve nash

I still have no clue why a goalie should get any extra protection over anyone else when he's playing the puck outside the crease. Makes exactly zero sense.
- Ogilthorpe2

+1000

I actually think Shanahan took this job being told he had full control, and acted accordingly. I think as the year went on, he got his power withdrawn because some of the good old boys didn't like seeing their players out so long. The good old boys club seems to have that effect on our league dicsiplinarians it seems. Unfortunate since it'll be Shanahan's name assocaited with these and part of me honestly thinks it isn't his decision on them, particularily Weber's.
- Lohaus

If that's the case and if Shanahan has any integrity whatsoever, he should simply step down.

Suns? Come on man
- Assman22

ahahhahhhahahhahha I did not catch that excellent job. I was getting aggravated and just laughed out loud for a good minute on that one. Nice catch.

Sorry, I have done that in the past but didn't think about it today.
- carcus

no prob I just hate when everything gets offset then you cant get to the quote button.

Beacause Shanahan himself has a said 1 post season game equals "about" (yes more of his clarity) 5 regular season games. So if hes the guy deciding these things and he made that comment then shaw got about 15 -18 regular season games.

You do agree that a post season game is worth more the games 38.39 and 40 of the regular season correct.
- mvp0207

Well, I don't think anyone should think this way.

If that were really the case, it would open the door to players going head hunting even more. Want to take a guy out? No problem. It is only worth a 3 game suspension at most for a first time offender in the regular season, so it will only cost me 1 game or possibly only a fine.

If anything, they need to be harder in regards to the punishments in the postseason to try and deter teams from bad plays that injure stars with the intent of giving them a big advantage in the series.

>I'm starting to think he's gonna get 25 games
>Marc Crawford on TSN last night said that when he coached against a team with Torres, that his name and number were up on the board -- "as a guy who always hits late" -- "be aware when he is on the ice" -- is what he told his players before the game
>I also think the possibility that Bettman was lit up by the Hawks brass face-to-face will tack on games
>Lastly, TSN showed a lowlight package of Torres suspendable hits, listed his previous suspensions and offensives -- there is really no "defense" for this poor excuse of a "hockey player" this time
- SnapitUpstairs

i want more than the player suspended. i want the coach suspended, the club fined and if this is repeated x amount of times a loss in draft picks

Has Shaw not learned how to stop? I thought that was something NHL'ers knew how to do?

Not incidental. He could have avoided the contact if he wanted to. It was a bad decision on his part.
- carcus

Stop ? He should have borrowed your avatar And this was called CHARGING ? Shawsy glided in there going 2 click an hour and the CHEATER/FAKER flopped around fish on the dock. It's phucking obvious.

ahahhahhhahahhahha I did not catch that excellent job. I was getting aggravated and just laughed out loud for a good minute on that one. Nice catch.
- mvp0207

His name is STLBravesFan, guess we can't be too surprised

Makes zero sense?

I don't see how a hockey fan would not understand this.
- carcus

Either you're in the game or you're not.

If the goaltender is in the crease, I get it. He plays a unique position, wears unique equipment, and has a unique set of responsibilities...defend the front of the net. He should be allowed to do this job un-impeded, and without fear of being run.

If however the goaltender CHOOSES to leave the safety and security of the crease and play like a 3rd D-man, he should be subject to the same treatment as any other skater.

"But goalies are vulnerable!". Bullpoop.

First, the fact that they are the most heavily armored players on the ice makes this argument silly to begin with. Secondly, the main reason goalies are vulnerable is because the league has allowed them to become relatively secure in the knowledge of their untouchable status. Make the goalies fair game when they voluntarily leave the crease to play the puck and I gauran-damn-tee you that they will not put themselves in vulnerable positions very often.

If the league is going to continue to insist that goalies should be untouchable, then they should never be allowed to play the puck outside of the crease. Otherwise why not just have your goalie stick handle his way up the ice and dump it in? Easy way to beat a forecheck...have an untouchable player just skate the puck out of the D-zone.

Well, I don't think anyone should think this way.

If that were really the case, it would open the door to players going head hunting even more. Want to take a guy out? No problem. It is only worth a 3 game suspension at most for a first time offender in the regular season, so it will only cost me 1 game or possibly only a fine.

If anything, they need to be harder in regards to the punishments in the postseason to try and deter teams from bad plays that injure stars with the intent of giving them a big advantage in the series.
- carcus

Carcus you are explaining my argument exactly this is the problem. Its not the discipline its the professionalism, non-clarity, and consistency. I would agree with shan and disagree with you that a postseaon game is worth more then a regular season game. It has to be. But be more clear than ABOUT 5 games WHHAAAAT?

Everything thats done is knee jerk and reactionary, its like he sticks his thumb in his mouth then puts it in the air to see which way the wind is blowing. No way Shaw deserves almost 4 post season games for what he did. And most people agree with this. I cant do anyting but respect your opinion if you think otherwise but I simply think you are the in minority there. You even hinted to it many times yourslef this was in essence a MAKE UP CALL and a MAKE AN EXAMPLE out of shaw call. This is complete BS in my book .

For me fair would have been the ejection and a post season game

Stop ? He should have borrowed your avatar And this was called CHARGING ? Shawsy glided in there going 2 click an hour and the CHEATER/FAKER flopped around fish on the dock. It's phucking obvious.
- philco28

He floped around and played it up. I don't think anyone disagrees with that.

But he was hit in the head and there was no reason at all for Shaw to do it. If he wanted to, he could have avoided it. It's very obvious that he could have avoided him if he wanted to, and he chose not to avoid him.

If that's the case and if Shanahan has any integrity whatsoever, he should simply step down.
- andru2797

I don't disagree. It is however, the reason why when I discuss punishments, I always try and say "the NHL" rather than Shanny.... unless I'm in a rush.

Suns? Come on man
- Assman22

Suns - Coyotes - easier to type Suns.

Well, I don't think anyone should think this way.

If that were really the case, it would open the door to players going head hunting even more. Want to take a guy out? No problem. It is only worth a 3 game suspension at most for a first time offender in the regular season, so it will only cost me 1 game or possibly only a fine.

If anything, they need to be harder in regards to the punishments in the postseason to try and deter teams from bad plays that injure stars with the intent of giving them a big advantage in the series.
- carcus

One post season game is huge it could make or break a season. Thats bigger then if you get games 38 39 and 40 of the regular season.

Or fair game outside the crease. Now whats wrong with that?

If there's a clear and the pucks coming and the opponents coming at you there should be drama as you race to see who gets it first. Maybe even let goalies freeze the pucks like they do in soccer.
- busmaster

I don't like the idea of frezzing the puck.. stops the action. Also how would this happen..

OO no player coming at me, the Goalie would have to get down to grab the puck. How does a player stop in time for it?

Either you're in the game or you're not.

If the goaltender is in the crease, I get it. He plays a unique position, wears unique equipment, and has a unique set of responsibilities...defend the front of the net. He should be allowed to do this job un-impeded, and without fear of being run.

If however the goaltender CHOOSES to leave the safety and security of the crease and play like a 3rd D-man, he should be subject to the same treatment as any other skater.

"But goalies are vulnerable!". Bullpoop.

First, the fact that they are the most heavily armored players on the ice makes this argument silly to begin with. Secondly, the main reason goalies are vulnerable is because the league has allowed them to become relatively secure in the knowledge of their untouchable status. Make the goalies fair game when they voluntarily leave the crease to play the puck and I gauran-damn-tee you that they will not put themselves in vulnerable positions very often.

If the league is going to continue to insist that goalies should be untouchable, then they should never be allowed to play the puck outside of the crease. Otherwise why not just have your goalie stick handle his way up the ice and dump it in? Easy way to beat a forecheck...have an untouchable player just skate the puck out of the D-zone.
- Ogilthorpe2

Well, if they decided to change the rules, I would be ok with it. But as the rules stand, you can't hit a goaltender just because he is behind the net. Especially in the head.

Live by the current rules until they are changed. Don't just complain because you think that they should be changed.