Let's be real. The Vancouver Canucks are not the most well liked organization around the NHL. People find a way to hate the players, fans, coaches, and even the city.
I often wonder how the league comes up with suspension and fine decisions. Last Thursday in Phoenix, Coyotes forward Martin Hanzal crosschecked Canucks forward David Booth in the head. On Friday, he was fined $5,000 for his actions by the NHL Department of Player Safety.
Phoenix Coyotes forward Martin Hanzal has been fined $5,000 for high-sticking Vancouver Canucks forward David Booth
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) January 17, 2014
I do not believe this was enough and I feel Hanzal got off lightly. Hanzal has a suspension history. David Booth ended up leaving and did not play in the rest of the game. Here is video of the incident, as well as Hanzal's crosschecks to Mike Santorelli and Henrik Sedin:Other WTF Moments:
I am going to introduce you to some more questionable hits that the Canucks have fallen victim to without punishment going the other way. I really believe the NHL has done a mediocre job at best at enforcing hits to the head and other dirty infractions.
Kyle Clifford Hits Chris Tanev From Behind
Ryan Getzlaf Hits Dan Hamhuis Up High
Bryan Bickell Hits Kevin Bieksa Up High
Brad Marchand Punches Sedin - Stanley Cup Finals
Brian McGrattan Hits Andrew Alberts in the Head
Evgeni Malkin Runs Willie Mitchell into Boards - knocks him out for season
Jordin Tootoo Knees Chris Tanev
Analysis:
I have tried to compile some of the best videos where the Canucks are the victims. You can be the judge on whether you think these are dirty offenses like me, or not dirty offenses.
Video 1: In the Clifford hit on Tanev, this is clearly a violation of checking from behind. Tanev has his back and numbers facing Clifford as he retrieves the puck against the wall. Clifford needs to realize that Tanev is leaning and not facing him. Instead, Clifford tries to finish his check all the way through, which results in Tanev's head hitting the boards. How did this at least not get a fine?
Video 2: Dan Hamhuis goes to retrieve the puck behind the net. Ryan Getzlaf comes in on a hard forecheck. Getzlaf makes shoulder to head contact, where the head is the principle point of contact. Getzlaf is seen leaving his feet during this incident. Hamhuis was knocked out of the game and out of action for a while. I do not believe Getzlaf received any kind of supplemental discipline for this hit.
Video 3: Kevin Bieksa gets the puck and takes a stroll behind the net. As he is coming around, Bryan Bickell comes flying in and delivers a shoulder to the head hit. Bieksa feels the impact of this hit as he is slow to get up. The warrior that Bieksa is, he did not embellish this hit or lay on the ice to try and milk it. How is this not a suspendable offense? Hit to the head? Once again, no supplemental discipline for Bickell.
Video 4: Brad Marchand is not going to be invited to come visit Vancouver anytime soon. He became a thorn in everyone's side and has the hockey face that anyone would love to sucker punch. His rabid punching of Daniel Sedin's head in the Stanley Cup Finals was rather gutless. The Sedins are not known for their physicality or fisticuffs. They use their hands to create magic and scoring. The worst offender in this video is not even Brad Marchand. It is referee Kelly Sutherland (who the Canucks have had issues with in the past). What does Sutherland do? Absolutely nothing. Apparently it is okay to repeatedly punch someone in the head. It is not even worth a fine.
Video 5: I love the NHL's hypocrisy. According to Colin Campbell, John Tortorella's actions against the Flames were "dangerous and an embarrassment to the league." Well, I think dirty high hits are an embarrassment and dangerous to the league too. This incident between Andrew Alberts and Brain McGrattan happened back on December 29. Alberts and McGrattan are both big hombres and can be responsible for some big hits and collisions. Alberts skated along the board to retrieve a puck that was rimmed around. As he reached for the puck, McGrattan skates in and makes high contact with Alberts. Alberts head is sandwiched in between McGrattan's shoulder and the glass. Alberts was knocked out of the game and still has not played since this incident because he has concussion like symptoms. No supplemental discipline came for Brian McGrattan.
Video 6: This incident between Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin and former Canucks defensemen Willie Mitchell goes back a few seasons. Mitchell steals the puck from Sidney Crosby and tries to make a defensive play in behind the boards in the corner. Before he could clear the puck, Malkin comes skating really fast towards the boards and checks Mitchell. Is this hit "checking from behind?" Is this what the NHL is trying to get out of the game? Mitchell was done for the rest of the season after this hit. Malkin was penalized, but did not receive any kind of supplemental discipline.
Video 7: This knee on knee collision between Red Wings forward Jordin Tootoo and Canucks defensemen Chris Tanev happened last season. Tanev gets the puck to the right side of Roberto Luongo close to the boards. He has no time to make a move as the Tootoo train is rumbling down the tracks. Tootoo extends his leg slightly as he is making his check. Whether it was done intentionally or not, no one will ever know. Is this hit the classic case of "kneeing?" Is it a clean check? I thought Tootoo should have at least received a fine for this knee on knee collision.
Recap:
Keep in mind, some of the hits are not responsible of Brendan Shanahan. Colin Campbell is the former head of player safety in the NHL. Do I believe the Canucks are victims? Yes I do. I feel the Canucks are not the only victims in the NHL though. Several teams have had incidents very similar to these where justice has not been stepped in. I feel there is still no standard set by the NHL that is clear to the players, coaches, and general managers. Everyone is still questioning what a legal check is and what is not a legal check. The NHL still has a lot of work left to do.
Until next time, stay classy! -George
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