Paul Stewart: Head Shots: Time to Shift More Responsibility to Coaches

So coaches should be in charge of suspensions now? Nothing about the league failing in it's ability to hand out discipline? Refs getting a pass for failing to do their jobs?
I see the mentality of the ref union now, it's not our responsibility. Great for the game.

So coaches should be in charge of suspensions now? Nothing about the league failing in it's ability to hand out discipline? Refs getting a pass for failing to do their jobs?
I see the mentality of the ref union now, it's not our responsibility. Great for the game.

I don't think he means that the coaches should give out suspensions (?) but that first, and foremost, they should teach the players better, starting with when they're kids. I also got the impression (maybe from Paul saying this is a previous blog?) that the coaches could be made liable for suspension if too many of his players are dolling out head shots. Kind of like the rule on bench-clearing brawls. As for the officials themselves, I kind of doubt this blog's intent was to enable the officials to wipe their hands of responsibility... if so, they'd be out of a job.

Watching the NHL you wonder how many players learn to check anymore. I was taught to take one hand off my stick to keep my elbow from flying up and to drive my shoulder. I was taught to watch a player's belly button when lining them up and drive through their chest. If the player was smaller you were to get lower.

But look at the same time I see slew foots called for two minute tripping calls and Price smoke a dude with his blocker repeatedly and only receive four minutes. That is madness. The rule book is clear about those infractions--match penalty. Not but something bad happened to the player and it made their actions alright.