Wilson Suspended 20 Games
The NHL has suspended Tom Wilson for 20 games for an illegal check to the head on St. Louis Blues’ forward Oskar Sunqvist. This is Wilson’s fourth suspension in his…
NHL Department of Player Safety
At the Crossroads of Culture, Family, Science and CTE
One of the most complex issues facing sports, including hockey, is chronic traumatic encephalopathy, CTE, a brain disease associated with violent head trauma. It has been six years since John…
Bruins’ Marchand Could Learn From Mikita
Perhaps Harry Sinden’s most famous quote should be updated to, “Death, taxes, the first penalty in Montreal and a Brad Marchand suspension,” in reference to life’s certainties. Brad Marchand is…
Cogliano’s Suspension Exemplifying Inconsistency
Eight hundred and thirty. That’s how many games Andrew Cogliano played consecutively before the NHL’s Department of Player Safety (DoPS) suspended the Ducks’ forward for two games – ending the…
NHL Players & Fans Deserve Game Misconduct
Anyone making a hullabaloo out of the recent uptick in faceoff violations and slashing minors is terribly misguided. This summer, the league and the general managers approved a directive to…
George Parros Hired to Head NHL Department of Player Safety
The NHL has made a shift in their department of player safety. The league announced Thursday that former NHL player George Parros would be hired as the new senior vice president…
Understanding Calvert Suspension & Hartman Non-Suspension
In the latest edition of How Did The Department of Player Safety Not See This Coming, another lenient suspension has led to a copycat offence. Sticking It Out to the…
Why Nazem Kadri Wasn’t Suspended
Already crucified in the court of public opinion, the Toronto Maple Leafs won’t have to do without Nazem Kadri for any extended period of time after the league announced that…
My Lone Criticism of Joe Thornton
Joe Thornton is a great hockey player. Perhaps the top criticism tossed in Thornton’s direction is his tendency to look for the pass and avoid taking the shot. This, however,…
NHL’s Inconsistency Making News Again
If you weren’t tuning into the NHL prior to start of the playoffs, I’d first like to ask why? Regardless of your reasons, you may have missed Blackhawks’ Duncan Keith…
Barkov Head Shot an Indictment of NHL Officiating
Florida Panthers phenom Aleksander “Sasha” Barkov left Monday night’s game in Detroit in the second period following a hit from Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader. The young center had just…
The Raffi Torres Suspension, Not Enough Consequence
In about a week, the San Jose Sharks will reach the midpoint of their season. And unlike most seasons, this midpoint actually comes with something tangible. The Raffi Torres suspension…