I watch hockey regularly and don't see any collective group of cowards more than the
Vancouver Canucks. It's a culture up there. The fans and the players mirror each other as a bunch of whiny cheap shot artists. You hacks bring the integrity of the game down with just your presence. Hansen's hit was the latest in a consistent pattern of dirty, undisciplined play. He knew what he was doing and if the league is interested in trying to police this, then Shanahan should be out of a job. He lacks any consistency in how he metes out league punishment. And that is directly attributable to someone of his character being in this role in the first place. He was one of the cheapest, dirtiest players in his era. Bettman and the Board of Govs were idiots to put him in this position. But we're used to that kind of "leadership" from this NHL.
I look forward to the Hawks/Canucks last regular season meeting in April. The Hawks should have the President's Trophy locked up by then. I hope that game means nothing in the points standings so they can stack lines 1 - 4 with every goon in the system and play a cheap, dirty game like the Canucks do night in and night out. I'd love to see the Canucks taste some of the head hunting that they are famous for. I'd gladly trade a loss for a little policing of the game by the players. Then we can inundate Shanny's office with a steady stream of players that wouldn't make the playoff roster anyway.
But let's get back to reality. The Blackhawks are a far superior organization that is made of of players, coaches, execs and fans that respect the game. They won't step down to the level of play that the Canucks skate at. You might see a Bollig, Mayers or Carcillo step up and drop the gloves with Hansen to make sure the score is settled. But the Canucks will certainly cry foul as they always do and Shanahan will appease them.