Tom Wilson Should Expect A Shanahan Phone Call

((HT: Sportsnet))

For this...
Wilson was dealt a five-minute charging major and ejected from the game. There is no word yet whether Wilson — who has no suspension record — would be called for a hearing. Wilson and Schenn actually fought in a preseason game on September 27th, so there's something there (maybe). The Flyers thought the hit was a turning point in the game... ((HT: CSNPhilly.com)) Where Caps head coach Adam Oates doesn't even think it's a penalty... ((HT: CSNWashington.com)) “It’s a tough, reckless play, a hit from behind,” argued Flyers coach Craig Berube.

Berube said that Schenn is “OK.”

The key will be whether or not the league office sees the acceleration into the check as an issue and some kind of premeditation...

And the next time the two teams play, it will be interesting as to whether or not Braydon's brother, Luke, takes up for what happened... Luke wanted a piece of everybody in a Caps sweater after the hit, but he couldn't leave the bench and do anything about it immediately...

BREAKING: Raffi Torres Gets 25 Games

This can be taken one of two ways...

Brendan Shanahan's inequality of doling out punishment continues or Torres got what he deserved and the team is without a player since their competition is without one of the most complete players in the game today...

Your reminder of what brought us here...
((HT: NHL on NBC))


Torres' 25 games will carry over into the next regular season if the Coyotes playoffs from 2012 don't add up to the 25-game number. He also won't be allowed in any pre-season games at the beginning of the 2012-2013 year...

Here's the statement from Shanahan in full:

"This is a violation of three NHL rules – interference, charging and illegal check to the head."

"In addition to the fact that three separate NHL rules were violated with this one hit, two other factors were critical in determining the appropriate length of suspension:

"First, this violent and dangerous hit caused a severe injury.

"Second, Torres not only is a repeat offender as defined by the CBA, his extensive Supplemental Discipline history consists mainly of acts very similar to this one – including two this season."

"Despite knowing that Hossa no longer has the puck, Torres decides to finish his check past the amount of time when Hossa is eligible to be bodychecked. That is a violation of the Interference rule."

"While we acknowledge the circumstances of certain hits may cause a player's skates to come off the ice, on this hit, Torres launches himself into the air before making contact. This is a violation of the Charging rule."

"The position of Hossa's head does not change just prior to or simultaneous with this hit. The onus, therefore, is on Torres not to make it the principal point of contact. By leaping, Torres makes Hossa's head the principal point of contact. That is a violation of the Illegal Check to the Head rule."

DEVELOPING: Marchand Gets 5 For Clipping Salo

Brad Marchand has received an five-game suspension for his hit on Vancouver Canucks defenseman Sami Salo in the Canucks 4-3 win on Saturday.

((HT: NHL/NESN/dafoomie))


Marchand got a five minute major for clipping and a game misconduct for his low-bridge at the time and it set off the chippiness that went on all game long.

Salo left the game after the hit and reportedly suffered a concussion as a result of the hit.

Here's the explanation by Brendan Shanahan...
((HT: NHL))


Now, if only the other leagues would give explanations like that...

Obviously, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli was displeased...

"While we respect the process that the Department of Player Safety took to reach their decision regarding Brad’s hit on Sami Salo, we are very disappointed by their ruling.

"While we understand that the Department of Safety is an evolving entity, it is frustrating that there are clear comparable situations that have not been penalized or sanctioned in the past.

"It is equally disappointing that Brad sought the counsel of the Department this past Fall for an explanation and clarification regarding this type of scenario so as to adjust his game if necessary. He was advised that such an incident was not sanctionable if he was protecting his own safety. Given our feeling that Brad was indeed protecting himself and certainly did not clip the player as he contacted the player nowhere near the knee or quadricep, today’s ruling is not consistent with what the Department of Player Safety communicated to Brad."

So... How Many Games Does Lucic Get...??? Answer... None...

((HT: NHL/NESN/MSG+))

NHL Player Safety Guru Brendan Shanahan has decided against any further discipline to Boston's Milan Lucic for his hit on Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller Saturday.

Shanahan had a hearing with Lucic via conference call...

"I had the hearing because I did make an initial assessment of the play as I do with all plays, but I did have some questions for Milan and I wanted to hear directly from him," Shanahan told NHL.com's Dan Rosen. "They were regarding his intent; at what point did he know there was going to be a collision; and whether or not he felt he had the time to avoid the collision. I was satisfied with his answers."

Shanahan said the minor penalty for charging was the proper call in this case because it follows Rule 42.1, which reads "a goalkeeper is not fair game just because he is outside the goal crease area."

"The minor penalty called on the ice was the correct call," Shanahan said. "And, while it's unfortunate that Miller was hurt I saw nothing egregious about this hit that would elevate it to supplemental discipline."

Here's the hit Lucic laid on Miller...


What say you...???