The most recent topic of debate at NHL GM meetings was the implementation of a no tolerance policy on hits to the head. I don't like hits to the head at all, however I would not be in favor of implementing a no tolerance policy.
Hockey is a fast paced sport. Sometimes people get hit in the head completley by accident. In some cases it is the player who is getting hit fault when he gets hit in the head, usually because he is trying to duck away or a avoid an oncoming check. I don't think it is right to have mandatory suspensions for accidents. Not to mention this new fear of being suspended for accidentally hitting a player in the head would deter hits and take a lot of the physicality out of the game.
The NHL needs to enforce the rules better. The NHL is continually criticized for small suspensions or most of the time lack of any. If the NHL really wants to take a serious stance on headshots they just need to handle disciplinary action better.
In order to avoid being hypocrites, however, the NHL would have to change the rules on all accidental contact penalties. High sticking is still called regardless of intent. A double minor may be called, in fact, if blood is drawn. There are many accidental or inadvertent elbows thrown in the course of a game, most of which will be called roughing or elbowing. Subsequent contact that was unintentional could be called interference. The NHL would be wrong to not implement a no tolerance policy, as player safety is the most important thing. It shouldn't matter whether or not it was a purposeful check. I don't believe that it will hinder the physicality of the game one bit. All NHL players know the proper way to check, and should be able to accept the punishment if they accidentally make improper contact on a play, just as they would want a penalty called if they were elbowed of hit in the head, regardless of the opposing players intent. Colin Campbell is a horrific chief disciplinarian, as he is extremely inconsistent. If Cooke received a remainder of the season plus first round suspension, Gillies act on Tangradi warranted a year long ban. That's what you get when you hire a former goon to take on an important position such as that.
ReplyDeleteThe game of hockey is an aggressive high speed sport. Players play the game hard and know what to expect when they hit the ice. Theres no way to ban head shots all together. It would change the brand of hockey in the NHL and make it a soft sport. Hockey is all about intensity and aggressiveness. Thats what makes it the best sport in the world. No athlete in the world plays as hard as hockey players. As for suspensions thats another story. The NHL is so inconsistent when it comes to suspensions. For instance the Chara hit on Max Pacerioety warranted no suspension. Yet Matt Cooke gets suspended at least 14 games for and elbow. I get that Cooke is a repeat offender but how is that making a statement? Most people will look at that and be like oh Matt Cooke got suspended again hes a dirty player and move on and think nothing of it. if the NHL wanted to make a statement they would suspend a guy like Chara, one of the most respected premiere players in the game . Players would look at that and be like wow Chara was suspended, and would think more before they act in something as dangerous as that hit.
ReplyDelete