Paul Stewart: Tkachuk, Kassian and the Aggressor Rule

Excellent, Paul!

If you’re a dinosaur, I’m joining your club! Most newer people to the game just don’t understand the way it was meant to be. And, as long as the league, owners, and players are making huge money, they really don’t care.

Can you please take over ALL officiating matters?

I totally agree. At the time of the first hit on Kassian I said to my son that if Tom Wilson had made that hit he would have been called in for a hit to the head. When Tkachuk delivered that first hit he hit a vulnerable defenseless player and the first point of contact was the head. The NHL always says just because a hit is there dose'nt mean that it should be laid.
The NHL again just proved that there are different rules depending on who you are.

Pretty gross to levy a 2 game suspension to Kassian. He had been hit twice by Tkachuk in non-hockey plays that targeted his head, his helmet flew off both times.

Tkachuk has Kassian lined up from the dot. How is that NOT charging?

Penalty on the ice was all that was necessary, double-minor, misconduct.

it's unfortunate the league seems to encourage people like Tkachuk (and it the past guys like Kaleta and Samuelson) to do what they do instigating actions to get others penalized and suspended.

Mr Stewart, Having watched you as both an amateur and a pro, I'm guessing you will echo this comment:

Thank goodness the league still has players like the Tkachuks and Kassian!

Mr Stewart, Having watched you as both an amateur and a pro, I'm guessing you will echo this comment:

Thank goodness the league still has players like the Tkachuks and Kassian!
- Crochetti

You're half-right

|You're half-right

Never like to leave information on the table: Which half am I right about?

|You're half-right

Never like to leave information on the table: Which half am I right about?
- Crochetti

IMHO we need fewer players like TKachuk in NHL. And yes, that includes Marchand's idiotic activities as well.

|IMHO we need fewer players like TKachuk in NHL. And yes, that includes Marchand's |idiotic activities as well.


One of the NHL's major challenges is keeping rivalries alive ; Tkachuk certainly fuels the battle of Alberta! I've marked the rematch on the 29th - will pay to see this one if not on NBCSN or NHL Network...

Having watched Marchand his entire pro career ( including time as a P-Bruin....) , he had to play with a chip on his shoulder to make the big club. However, I agree, he has crossed the line ( has definitely cleaned his act the last two seasons...) far too many times.

I've only seen M Tkachuk play 2-3 NHL games, thus not totally familiar with all his antics. Would like to see him answer the bell the next time Kassian comes calling...

|IMHO we need fewer players like TKachuk in NHL. And yes, that includes Marchand's |idiotic activities as well.


One of the NHL's major challenges is keeping rivalries alive ; Tkachuk certainly fuels the battle of Alberta! I've marked the rematch on the 29th - will pay to see this one if not on NBCSN or NHL Network...

Having watched Marchand his entire pro career ( including time as a P-Bruin....) , he had to play with a chip on his shoulder to make the big club. However, I agree, he has crossed the line ( has definitely cleaned his act the last two seasons...) far too many times.

I've only seen M Tkachuk play 2-3 NHL games, thus not totally familiar with all his antics. Would like to see him answer the bell the next time Kassian comes calling...
- Crochetti

Wow Paul, being a former official, not sure how you really missed the point, of the suspension. Yes Tkachuk calculated & deliberately targeted Kassian knowing he could push his buttons & get his team a power play that could help his team get that valuable power play in a key game. His penalty differential is one of the best in the game. That's what he does, he draws penalties & everyone knows what he is. Yes, I think he may have taken this one over the top but his style of play just got him a 3 year deal for $21 million. Not bad.

The suspension is for something totally different. I totally understand Kassian's reaction, but you cant have players snap & lose control on the ice. Kassian should have stopped as soon as he saw Tkachuk wasnt going to engage, take the single minor roughing & pick his spot later to do a hit. Perhaps wait until the rematch in Edmonton & hope his team gets a large enough lead to get another aggressor penalty.
The rage itself is as or more dangerous than the hits by Tkachuk. If the NHL sent the message that it's ok to lose control in unbridled fury because a player didnt like a hit in the emotion of a game, they will have big troubles. The two game suspension was that we dont question why you retaliated but psycho raging behavior is unacceptable. You should know that, of all people.

Also, since when did it become an unwritten rule that a player with a puck cant be hit with a legal check? Kassian had the puck, Tkachuk hit him. So he was playing out of position by going after the puck & taking the body. Thats about as logical as the article I saw in the paper today by Michael Traikos suggesting Kassian should just go after Gaudreau. Yeah ok, thats where we want this thing to go to.

Yes, you are a dinosaur. If the DPS didn't suspend Kassian, they're saying it's okay to attack another player who's clearly not fighting back, and punch him in the head 10 times. What Tkachuk did was probably as cheap or dirty as you say, but it still doesn't mean you can beat up they guy. With brain injuries etc.., the NHL would open themselves up further if they did nothing.

Yes, you are a dinosaur. If the DPS didn't suspend Kassian, they're saying it's okay to attack another player who's clearly not fighting back, and punch him in the head 10 times. What Tkachuk did was probably as cheap or dirty as you say, but it still doesn't mean you can beat up they guy. With brain injuries etc.., the NHL would open themselves up further if they did nothing.
- tincup

His "cheap or dirty" hits could do the exact same thing you are campaigning against. He would not have been "punched in the head 10 times" if he didn't act like a wussy. Reminds me of the treatment Cam Neely gave Ulf Samuelson back in the day. Another dirty player who turtled or hid behind refs.

Yes, you are a dinosaur. If the DPS didn't suspend Kassian, they're saying it's okay to attack another player who's clearly not fighting back, and punch him in the head 10 times. What Tkachuk did was probably as cheap or dirty as you say, but it still doesn't mean you can beat up they guy. With brain injuries etc.., the NHL would open themselves up further if they did nothing.
- tincup

Are you serious??

First, if the league wants to avoid head injuries, they need to keep dirty and illegal hits to a minimum. The ONLY way to curb it, as this NEW NHL can see, is to let the Kassians’ of the world chase down the offender, and beat the daylights out of him.

Second, this stuff also creates, and maintains rivalries, somethingvtge NHL soy needs! The game is sterile, and devoid of passion. Once the expansion fees dry up, what are the owners and league going to for money? There are already, waaay too many empty seats, even in big market cities.

Think my friend, think!!

His "cheap or dirty" hits could do the exact same thing you are campaigning against. He would not have been "punched in the head 10 times" if he didn't act like a wussy. Reminds me of the treatment Cam Neely gave Ulf Samuelson back in the day. Another dirty player who turtled or hid behind refs.
- Nasty_Duck

If what Tkachuk did was so bad, the NHL should discipline him. The NHL can get that hit out of the game if they want. To justify the pummeling by saying Tkachuk deserved it is dumb. The NHL can't let players give out the punishment they they think the other guy deserves. Someone will get killed if they do that.

Are you serious??

The ONLY way to curb it, as this NEW NHL can see, is to let the Kassians’ of the world chase down the offender, and beat the daylights out of him.

Think my friend, think!!
- Hokeeguy9

Yeah, that's what the NHL should do. LOL, and you tell me to think.

If what Tkachuk did was so bad, the NHL should discipline him. The NHL can get that hit out of the game if they want. To justify the pummeling by saying Tkachuk deserved it is dumb. The NHL can't let players give out the punishment they they think the other guy deserves. Someone will get killed if they do that.
- tincup

They didn't - Tkachuck is free as a bird.

and...

They don't - Kassian was suspended.

They didn't - Tkachuck is free as a bird.

and...

They don't - Kassian was suspended.
- Nasty_Duck

IMO, the NHL got it exactly right. No discipline for Tkachuk and 2 games for Kassian.

Yeah, that's what the NHL should do. LOL, and you tell me to think.
- tincup

Yeah, I do. The very reason it happened was due to uncalled infractions.

If a guy robs my house, and the police don’t catch him in the act, but I do, am I not allowed to beat the daylights out of him. I would, and say he fell!

Guys gotta pay for doing stupid sh!t. It’s life, the way it should be. Not this weak, milquetoast whiny crap we see in today’s NHL.

Example, I got crosschecked in high school, the guy skated away saying “I got that f$cker”. I broke away from the linesman, tackled him, pulled off his helmet, broke his orbital bone and knocked out two teeth. I got 10 games suspension, but it was worth it. Do you have any idea how much space I got after I served my suspension? Not really proud of it, but sometimes things just need to be done on your own. I’ve taken my share of lumps for biting off more than I can chew. Standing up for yourself and others is a virtue lost in today’s sports, and society in general. It’s why every jabrone out there thinks they can do whatever they want, without consequence. Kassian did what he had to do. Can’t blame the guy for that.

Yeah, I do. The very reason it happened was due to uncalled infractions.

If a guy robs my house, and the police don’t catch him in the act, but I do, am I not allowed to beat the daylights out of him. I would, and say he fell!

Guys gotta pay for doing stupid sh!t. It’s life, the way it should be. Not this weak, milquetoast whiny crap we see in today’s NHL.

Example, I got crosschecked in high school, the guy skated away saying “I got that f$cker”. I broke away from the linesman, tackled him, pulled off his helmet, broke his orbital bone and knocked out two teeth. I got 10 games suspension, but it was worth it. Do you have any idea how much space I got after I served my suspension? Not really proud of it, but sometimes things just need to be done on your own. I’ve taken my share of lumps for biting off more than I can chew. Standing up for yourself and others is a virtue lost in today’s sports, and society in general. It’s why every jabrone out there thinks they can do whatever they want, without consequence. Kassian did what he had to do. Can’t blame the guy for that.
- Hokeeguy9

You got 10 games right ? So, you actually weren't allowed to chase down the guy and beat the hell out of him. I'm guessing that was a while ago because after the Todd Bertuzzi incident, suspensions have gotten longer for that kind of stuff, especially in junior.

Call me a brontosaurus cuz I agree completely.

You got 10 games right ? So, you actually weren't allowed to chase down the guy and beat the hell out of him. I'm guessing that was a while ago because after the Todd Bertuzzi incident, suspensions have gotten longer for that kind of stuff, especially in junior.
- tincup

The Todd Bertuzzi incindent was an attack. I’m talking about making people accountable for their actions. The hate and the rivalries are gone. When they owners piss through the expansion money, and they see all the empty seats in the arenas, maybe they’ll think twice about how the game has lost its luster. I never want to see a McSorley incident with Donald Brashear ever again, but seeing the game police themselves without the stupid, and arbitrary “DOPeS” would be good for the game.

Wow Paul, being a former official, not sure how you really missed the point, of the suspension. Yes Tkachuk calculated & deliberately targeted Kassian knowing he could push his buttons & get his team a power play that could help his team get that valuable power play in a key game. His penalty differential is one of the best in the game. That's what he does, he draws penalties & everyone knows what he is. Yes, I think he may have taken this one over the top but his style of play just got him a 3 year deal for $21 million. Not bad.

The suspension is for something totally different. I totally understand Kassian's reaction, but you cant have players snap & lose control on the ice. Kassian should have stopped as soon as he saw Tkachuk wasnt going to engage, take the single minor roughing & pick his spot later to do a hit. Perhaps wait until the rematch in Edmonton & hope his team gets a large enough lead to get another aggressor penalty.
The rage itself is as or more dangerous than the hits by Tkachuk. If the NHL sent the message that it's ok to lose control in unbridled fury because a player didnt like a hit in the emotion of a game, they will have big troubles. The two game suspension was that we dont question why you retaliated but psycho raging behavior is unacceptable. You should know that, of all people.

Also, since when did it become an unwritten rule that a player with a puck cant be hit with a legal check? Kassian had the puck, Tkachuk hit him. So he was playing out of position by going after the puck & taking the body. Thats about as logical as the article I saw in the paper today by Michael Traikos suggesting Kassian should just go after Gaudreau. Yeah ok, thats where we want this thing to go to.
- Kevin R

Wow..

I can't tell you how relieved I am to know that you are a former official.

The entire situation doesn't get out of hand - like it clearly did - if either one of the dumbass donkeys in stripes make the appropriate call on Tkachuk - for either the first hit which was high and knocked Kassian's helmet off OR for the second hit which was a charge - count the steps yourself - and which also knocked Kassian's helmet off.

So first "Fault" lies with the TWO referees. Paros had to save face an suspend Kassian - and let's be clear - that's all he was doing - saving face.

I hope that behind the scenes that Parros was reading those two referees the riot act..

either one of those hits is called "correctly" -and Kassian doesn't go crazy.

Now you may have been a referee, as I was for a while - but you didn't state whether you were a good one, or one who only officiated kids under age 12... so I'm going to assume that you are talking about officiating games where there was no physical element. I'm also going to assume that you never played the game with full contact.

No one, who either officiated at a senior level or played in a full contact situation would criticize Kassian for going after him.. fine him for excessive use of force and not stopping when directed - fine.

He should not have been suspended.
Tkachuk should have had a hearing - if only to be told - next time he will be.

The Todd Bertuzzi incindent was an attack. I’m talking about making people accountable for their actions. The hate and the rivalries are gone. When they owners piss through the expansion money, and they see all the empty seats in the arenas, maybe they’ll think twice about how the game has lost its luster. I never want to see a McSorley incident with Donald Brashear ever again, but seeing the game police themselves without the stupid, and arbitrary “DOPeS” would be good for the game.
- Hokeeguy9

amen.