Somehow I think the game of hockey would really suck if this rule were instated. It just wouldn't work here.

I think having a third party evaluating head shots and handing out suspensions would be a step in the right direction. It should be someone that has no direct ties to the NHL or the NHLPA. Both of those parties can agree on wh the third party is.

Also, having a set ammount of games per offense could go a long way too. For example, giving out 5 games for the first offense, 10 games for the second offense, 20 games for the third offense, and multiply that number by 2 for each subsequent offense, I think could go a long way to deter head shots. Whether or not the hit is intended has to go too. If it's a hit to the head, intended or not, it needs to be an automatic suspension.

Any head shot, even if a penalty is called or not, should be reviewed by the third party. If a player hits someone in the head, and the refs miss it, the third party shouldn't. I think that will also deter players from leveling hits to the head.
- EKolb13

I see your point on impact to a particular game.... but that is my exact point. I think the penalty should directly benefit the offended team. What about 7 minute... 10 minute... full period penalties?

Losing roster spots is a start, but to my point, it doesn't benefit the offended team much at all (except possibly in an extended playoff series). Look at the 'hawks last night. They basically played w/ 5 d men because Olsen was glued to the bench... it was as good as a lost roster spot.

Here's Tippet defending the hit on hossa

"click click click click"

http://coyotes.nhl.com/cl...yer.htm?pid=335&iid=39158

"Don't think there was any malicious intent"

"Caught him right in the chest"

The se in hit by Keith isn't all that funny now eh? The whole winning that he got to many games, or blessing in disguise crap. And don't bother saying nobody said that, because it was pretty much every hawk fan on here's response. Karma can be funny at times.
That being said Torres gets 6 games, and hopefully hoosa makes a full recovery

Here's Tippet defending the hit on hossa

"click click click click"

http://coyotes.nhl.com/cl...yer.htm?pid=335&iid=39158

"Don't think there was any malicious intent"

"Caught him right in the chest"
- Wowo2282

What a tool...

Wonder what he'd be saying if Vrbata or Doan was taken to the hospital with a predatory hit like that? I think we all know what that answer is...

Here's Tippet defending the hit on hossa

"click click click click"

http://coyotes.nhl.com/cl...yer.htm?pid=335&iid=39158

"Don't think there was any malicious intent"

"Caught him right in the chest"
- Wowo2282

You were expecting honesty?? Would probably be better served pleading the 5th. Then say something this transparently idiotic!!

Here's Tippet defending the hit on hossa

"click click click click"

http://coyotes.nhl.com/cl...yer.htm?pid=335&iid=39158

"Don't think there was any malicious intent"

"Caught him right in the chest"
- Wowo2282

Perhaps you missed Sharp defending the Keith hit, said it was a pretty nice hit. Just guys defebding their guys. Nothing that every team doesn't do.

The se in hit by Keith isn't all that funny now eh? The whole winning that he got to many games, or blessing in disguise crap. And don't bother saying nobody said that, because it was pretty much every hawk fan on here's response. Karma can be funny at times.
That being said Torres gets 6 games, and hopefully hoosa makes a full recovery
- Bieksa#3

No it was not ...now go back to your roach motel and enjoy your last game of the season tonight!

"Unfortunately the NHL is being shown for what it normally is, but now the stage is bigger. NHL officiating is the worst of any professional sport."

Al it is also beyond and above the officiating. The tolerance if not the promotion of punishment and violence and vigilante justice permeates the NHL from the top on down. And there feeble half assed attempts to want it both ways results in this: instead of talking about the skill and artistry of these games its all about suspensions and felons like Carkner, Torres etal.

NHL is getting exactly what is deserves at the expense of its most skilled and talented players. No other sport comes close to having to deal game in and game out with players being fined or suspended.

And your analysis of the game was spot on. Hawks have been blanketed in this series so far. If this team ever needed a reason to find pulse and explode this is it!
- bogiedoc

I agree it is more than the officials but that is where the majority of the problem starts. Now it is so bad the refs are not getting any respect from players...The diving and acting is a definite sign of disrespect.

To start there has to be better officiating and then standards and protocol which is consistent from September through June.

Bear in mind the head ref last night was Stephen Walkom who was the former head of officiating a few years ago.

@AlCimaglia
:http://bit.ly/HSgggs

Perhaps you missed Sharp defending the Keith hit, said it was a pretty nice hit. Just guys defebding their guys. Nothing that every team doesn't do.
- Bieksa#3

other than your team...you guys just don't know when to quit....

source and full context please

I agree it is more than the officials but that is where the majority of the problem starts. Now it is so bad the refs are not getting any respect from players...The diving and acting is a definite sign of disrespect.

To start there has to be better officiating and then standards and protocol which is consistent from September through June.

Bear in mind the head ref last night was Stephen Walkom who was the former head of officiating a few years ago.
- Al

that's a good point Al.....I thought he is one of the better refs....yeah they can have bad games to.

Can we once and for all... end the this whole notion that other teams don't cheap shot when there are "enforcers" in the lineup. It's just nonsense. Most every play that has ended up in suspension, has happened with a tough player in the lineup on the other side. These players could care less...
- ilinkhawk

Perhaps you missed Sharp defending the Keith hit, said it was a pretty nice hit. Just guys defebding their guys. Nothing that every team doesn't do.
- Bieksa#3

Yep. Just like Malhotra defending Rick Rypien for pushing a fan, right?

other than your team...you guys just don't know when to quit....

source and full context please
- bogiedoc

Tsn. . He said it during the 2nd intermission of the canucks/hawks game. When asked about the rough play during the game, sharp responded by saying Either made a nice hit and now they wanna play rough and we have no problem with that kind or game

To paraphrase Tippett...

I recall the good ol' days when these hits were routine. These silly new rules just interfere with the the tough guys right to knock skill players from the game. It's the targets fault for not avoiding the hit. Separating a player from the puck is secondary to separating a player from his head. Raffi was just finishing his check. It's a tough game played by tough men. It was a hockey play. It's a fast game....blah blah blah.

Yep. Just like Malhotra defending Rick Rypien for pushing a fan, right?
- Tanuki

Exactly. Are you not getting the every team does it. Canucks or hawks are no exception. No sense in ripping tippett when he's doing what your guys would do

Exactly. Are you not getting the every team does it. Canucks or hawks are no exception. No sense in ripping tippett when he's doing what your guys would do
- Bieksa#3

If I recall Q did not defend Keith, but did not rip him either. He said little and accepted the ruling of the league. I got the sense that Q knew what it was and knew additional punishment would be coming.

Exactly. Are you not getting the every team does it. Canucks or hawks are no exception. No sense in ripping tippett when he's doing what your guys would do
- Bieksa#3

As revolting as it can be to take when you're on the $hit end of things, I agree with this. Really what's Tippett supposed to say? He's not going to throw his own guy under the bus, he's just not.

If I recall Q did not defend Keith, but did not rip him either. He said little and accepted the ruling of the league. I got the sense that Q knew what it was and knew additional punishment would be coming.
- ArlingtonRob

I agree. I don't remember the Hawks "circling the wagons" for Keith and trying to justify the hit. I remember Toews saying he went too far, and Q saying something like "it is what it is" and that he would accept the league's decision on punishment. I don't remember anybody saying it was a good hit, especially after they had time to review it.

If I recall Q did not defend Keith, but did not rip him either. He said little and accepted the ruling of the league. I got the sense that Q knew what it was and knew additional punishment would be coming.
- ArlingtonRob

Yeah, but Keith's stupidity was so blatant that there was no way fr anyone to rationalize it. Pure, pre-meditated revenge.

As revolting as it can be to take when you're on the $hit end of things, I agree with this. Really what's Tippett supposed to say? He's not going to throw his own guy under the bus, he's just not.
- Ogilthorpe2

He could do the same thing Q did after the Keith hit, and after Shaw's hit on Smith and not say anything. I don't remember Q saying that either hit was a good one, the way Tippett is doing.

The se in hit by Keith isn't all that funny now eh? The whole winning that he got to many games, or blessing in disguise crap. And don't bother saying nobody said that, because it was pretty much every hawk fan on here's response. Karma can be funny at times.
That being said Torres gets 6 games, and hopefully hoosa makes a full recovery
- Bieksa#3

Its not Karma its an ignorant comment and belief to think a players fate is somehow tied to fans giving it to each other on a hockey blog. It has nothing to do with karma on any level. It has nothing to do with Keith whatsoever. Beleive it or not its has NOTHING to do with the Nucks AT ALL. I know you like to think everything revolves around some incident in vancouver in the past. My best internet impresion " YOu know that one time in 2002 when your guy crosscheked Linden, YEA MAN KARMA MAN KARMA"

If I recall Q did not defend Keith, but did not rip him either. He said little and accepted the ruling of the league. I got the sense that Q knew what it was and knew additional punishment would be coming.
- ArlingtonRob

I expect guys somewhat to do it. Although m smith kinda ripped Torres last night. He ony one I ever took issue with is Julien defending marchand. I understand you don't throw your player under a bus. But he made poor Marchand, out to be a victim. Salo tried to hurt him. If he wanted to say I didn't think it was that low or didn't see it blah blah. But to make salo(who I honestly don't think would hurt a fly) out to be a bad guy and Marchand, a good guy is pathetic

He could do the same thing Q did after the Keith hit, and after Shaw's hit on Smith and not say anything. I don't remember Q saying that either hit was a good one, the way Tippett is doing.
- flahawkfan

Very true. I don't like or agree with what Tippett said, but I understand the natural tendency to stand by your guy...even when he F's up.

Welcome to Shanny's NHL. Goodbye Order, Hello Chaos.

Perhaps you missed Sharp defending the Keith hit, said it was a pretty nice hit. Just guys defebding their guys. Nothing that every team doesn't do.
- Bieksa#3

Can you find the clip? 'Cause that's not how I remember it at all. I'm as mad about the Keith hit as anyone (think he should be sitting the first round), but my recollection of the Sharp post game interview was that he as very honest about what happened, and without throwing his teammate under the bus, stressed player safety and mutual respect.

I became a Sharp fan after seeing that. Did we watch different interviews?