James Wisniewski Suspended for Eight Regular Season Games and Preseason

[everblades2]

Holy ****, this guy is going to suspend half the league by the time regular season rolls around...

[NJDevils17]

Originally Posted by I_am_Belak_2

Canuckfan, you're not seeing the bigger picture. Last year it was blindside hits. This year its hits from behind and headshots. Next year will be hip checks. The following year will be open-ice hits. They're slowly getting rid of hitting. There has been an alarming number of 2-minute boarding penalties this preseason already. I've paid attention to the box scores. At least 2 or 3 boarding calls a game.

Well hitting from behind/boarding was never legal in the first place.

I don't have a problem with Staubitz's suspension nor Shelley's for their boards. I only have a problem with PL3's boarding suspension because I'm a homer . And chances are, I won't have a problem with Sestito's suspension either. I never really liked boarding (having had Ryan Hollweg in the division tends to do that) so I don't really care too much about those suspensions.

This one, however, on Wisniewski seems a little excessive to me.

Oh, and a somewhat related question, but can someone tell me the difference between checking from behind and boarding? I know they're two different penalties and I think I had them explained to me, but I'm an idiot who can't remember much!

[Captain Crunch28]

I want a f*cking Dman like that but now he'll probably be afraid to stand up for himself/his teammates anymore.

[canuckfan]

Originally Posted by I_am_Belak_2

Canuckfan, you're not seeing the bigger picture. Last year it was blindside hits. This year its hits from behind and headshots. Next year will be hip checks. The following year will be open-ice hits. They're slowly getting rid of hitting. There has been an alarming number of 2-minute boarding penalties this preseason already. I've paid attention to the box scores. At least 2 or 3 boarding calls a game.

Headshots and hits from behind have never been legal. I honestly don't see what the problem is. If guys here want to start jumping to conclusions and start crying that soon there'll be no hitting at all in the game, then thats too bad. The league is targetting incidents that all have one thing in common - blows to the head or dangerous hits on unsuspecting players in vulnerable positions, particularly in the vicinity of the boards. Hitting will always be a part of the sport, it always has been - its just up to the players to smarten up and figure out how to do it legally again, because apparantly many have forgotten. Apparantly this is the only way the league feels its dummies can get it drilled into their tiny little brains.

I'm just sick and tired of headshots, head injuries, concussions, stupid players, and the media and pundits of the anti-fighting, Olympic hockey crowd constantly talking about it. Its a shame that its come to this, when instead they should be talking about the players being able to police themselves (ie the instigater), the size of equipment, etc etc etc - instead its come to this, and its too damn bad. But if the players can learn some lessons as the result of this preseason and these early decisions - that the new sherriff does indeed mean business, and some stupid things will no longer be tolerated - then maybe it can go a major way to cleaning it up the game a little. Its just too bad the league has resorted too protecting the players in this way, and opposed to the players protecting themselves - but the game has evolved, for better or worse, and now its up for the players to as well. If not it'll keep hitting some of them hard in the chequebook, while others can risk going through life a little more brain damaged than they already are to begin with.

[KMB]

I have zero problems with this suspension given his track record and given the fact that it was clearly an intentional targeting of the head. This is a virtual carbon copy of Cooke's stupid elbow that got him suspended for the rest of the season last year...

It's simple: stop hitting people in the head.

If it's "reckless" you're going to get at least a couple games, if it's intentional, you're going to get the book thrown at you. I don't care whether you're Matt Cooke or Steven Stamkos -- unless the hit was completely accidental (i.e. the targeted player didn't put himself into a vulnerable position right before the hit) you should be suspended.

This is *exactly* what needs to be done if the NHL is serious about reducing the likelihood of someone getting a concussion.

[grits207]

Originally Posted by canuckfan

Headshots and hits from behind have never been legal.

Hits from behind have never been legal... but headshots? Not that long ago everybody praised Scott Stevens for the way he nearly decapitated guys like Eric Lindros and Paul Kariya. If he threw those hits in today's NHL he would be considered a complete scumbag.

[Maggie3and Me]

There is no question that head hunters and people who deliberately attempt to injury or maim other players have no business in the NHL, or any other league of any kind.

There is no question that concussions and head shots have been a hot button in the league for the last few years. And rightfully so. While we all oohh and aahh at the big heavy hits, I don’t think any one of us want to see a players career cut short or see that player suck up mashed potatoes thru a straw.

There is no question that despite rules changes and equipment improvements, they have not made as great of impact as hoped for in cutting down head injuries and concussions.

There is no question about Wizzer’s lack of smarts for the wind up and hit on Clutterbuck.

There is no question about Clutterbuck’s intentional acts in making the same kind of hits on other players. Both have a history of making less than Mensa type decisions.

There is no question that Brendan Shanahan has a very tough and thankless job to do in his quest to improve player safety. There is no question that he has to make an immediate impact to drive this point home.

There is no question that people will think his punishments for infractions are to extreme, that is until there favorite player is knocked out, injured for a month, or perhaps for the entire season.

What is in question is the severity of the punishments that have been handed down.

What is in question are the people who have received some of these punishments. What is in question is, are the punishments handed down going to be administered fairly and evenly throughout the season, to ALL players, not to just make examples of specific players?

What is in question is, would the penalties have been as severe for the so called “Super Stars”, instead of the people who’s job it is to protect the stars? And yes folks, some of those super stars also get their elbows up and some of those elbows have found opposing players heads.

What is in question is, are players going to be so concerned about making contact with an opponents head, they hold up on a check, or not make one at all?

If the punishments are going to be just and administered in an even handed manner, all players will have that concern in the backs of their minds.

Thus the No Hit comment.

[Trognitz]

all those who don't have a problem with the suspension can get in line to kiss mine, literally and figuratively. i'll try to remember who you are and make sure i never give thanks to any of your posts and if you have ever given it to mine, kindly delete them.

i used to respect Brendan Shanahan, i have none for Brenda Shanahan.

[fcm]

James Wisniewski hits Cal Clutterbuck and gets 8...

[Ciccarelli]

After seeing this hit I'm confused who is to blame if the league will have less hitting later or sooner. The stupid players that don't understand the rules or the league officials that hand out suspensions.

[duda.radek]

He deserves a suspension. 8 games is probably too much, but guys are playing like crazy sometimes. Sestito is also going to be suspended after the hit he made today in the game against the Rangers. The players need to learn not to hit from behind or hit to the head. That´s why the suspensions are so high.

[hal29]

Holy friggin fine. That is a lot of cash to throw around. Some guys don't even make that much...Wow there is almost a suspension per game. I think Shannahan is taking this way to far. I mean really this is like being a hypercrit. Obviously he doesn't remember how he played and now he is screwing all these palyers like this. I mean yeah a lot of these hits are dirty but I think it is getting carried away!

[DaleHunter32]

hey gunner stahl what do you think about the suspension?

Gunner Stahl: "8 Games... well worth it"

[nilan30]

Originally Posted by Trognitz

all those who don't have a problem with the suspension . i'll try to remember who you are and make sure i never give thanks to any of your posts

Hahaha. This guy means business.

[hockey doc]

Finally got to see the vid, Shanahan is a complete f**king moron. Clusterf**k came after Wiz and Wiz defended himself, end of story. Why wasn't Clusterf**k suspended for diving? clearly Wiz hardly touched him.

Fast forward 5 years to 2017: Bettman speaks, "in keeping with government employment guidelines the NHL is proud to announce that we now have 183 women playing in the league right now and we look forward to doubling that figure by next season."

Frig you bettman and shanahan.