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NHL = Joke - 10-25-09

Prior to this 2007-08 season, the NHL produced this video which outlined a lot of rule changes regarding areas such as hits to head.

This hit by former Penguins forward Colby Armstrong against former Hurricanes forward Trevor Letowski was highlighted as one that would be illegal:

So we ask you, what is so different about the Armstrong hit in comparison to this hit last night by Flyers forward Mike Richards on Panthers forward David Booth:

Perhaps we should ask that question to the NHL's disipline department which declined to give Richards any sort of discipline today.

It should be noted that NHL discipline czar Colin Campbell did not take part in the process of reviewing the hit because his son, forward Gregory Campbell, is a player with the Panthers.

We really can't understand why Richards escaped punishment here. Based on the standard the NHL outlined with the Armstrong video, Richards should've been punished. Like Armstrong, he hit a player after the puck was released, targeted the head and caused injury.

But the NHL has shown a track record in recent years of giving star players preferential treatement. Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin and others have gotten away with questionable hits that lesser players would've surely seen some sort of discipline on. How can one not wonder if the NHL gave Richards a break because he's a star?

For those who would argue "it's part of the game," that's fine, but why would the NHL specifically outline a hit like that as being illegal? And stick fights and bench clearing brawls used to be "part of the game." They aren't any longer for a good reason.

If nothing else, perhaps this incident will quiet the "they're out to get us" feelings among paranoid Flyers fans.

Posted Oct 25 2009, 02:02 PM by Seth Rorabaugh

Comments

dps2002 wrote re: NHL = Joke - 10-25-09
on Sun, Oct 25 2009 3:37 PM

"If nothing else, perhaps this incident will quiet the "they're out to get us" feelings among paranoid Flyers fans."

Don't count on it, Seth.  I've been seeing a lot of discussion around the Internets that suggests that the Richards hit was completely legal.  Perhaps the paranoid Flyers fans were too busy focusing on the five and game Richards got and how the ref was out to get them based on that to care about the rest.

Twitter Trackbacks for NHL = Joke - 10-25-09 - Empty Netters - post-gazette.com [post-gazette.com] on Topsy.com wrote Twitter Trackbacks for NHL = Joke - 10-25-09 - Empty Netters - post-gazette.com [post-gazette.com] on Topsy.com
on Sun, Oct 25 2009 3:41 PM

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Canadian Bacon wrote re: NHL = Joke - 10-25-09
on Sun, Oct 25 2009 4:30 PM

Another garbage ruling by the NHL. What a joke.

GhostWalker38 wrote re: NHL = Joke - 10-25-09
on Sun, Oct 25 2009 5:21 PM

As I said on Pensburgh, could you imagine the crying & whining those same fans would be doing if Booth took out Richards like that?

NHL is a total joke...

Scurry13 wrote re: NHL = Joke - 10-25-09
on Sun, Oct 25 2009 6:53 PM

I hate to take this position, but...

there is nothing in that vid suggesting it was a targeted hit to the head.  not to blame the injured player, but had Booth been skating with his head up, this wouldn't be discussed.  yeah, Richards should have tried to drop down, but he didn't lead with an elbow or anything, just his shoulder.  i know the world will be ending, but i don't see anything illegal about that hit.

what i am getting tired of are people dropping gloves after clean hits, or penalties called on a clean hit just because someone got hurt.

Scurry13 wrote re: NHL = Joke - 10-25-09
on Sun, Oct 25 2009 6:55 PM

furthermore, after watching both hits again, colby was starting to jump up, where brad stayed down on the ice.  THAT is a big difference in determining intent.

psh303 wrote re: NHL = Joke - 10-25-09
on Sun, Oct 25 2009 8:26 PM

I guess we're just seeing different videos, Scurry13.  Both hits look exactly the same.  Richards also lifts up with his shoulder before making contact.  

GhostWalker38 wrote re: NHL = Joke - 10-25-09
on Sun, Oct 25 2009 8:43 PM

A head shot is a head shot. Which makes it illegal. Nuff said...

Deadstar wrote re: NHL = Joke - 10-25-09
on Sun, Oct 25 2009 8:52 PM

Its not like Richards doesn't have a history with these types of hits. He had a similar attempt on Kovalev earlier and his hit on Petrovicky was absolutely abominable.

JL58 wrote re: NHL = Joke - 10-25-09
on Sun, Oct 25 2009 9:37 PM

Ok so far as I can tell, elbows to the head, and canines to the digits are ok... as far as the nhl goes. Ok Im fine with that. I can play that way too. :evilgrin:

Or are these things only alright if you wear creamsicle orange?  

Tony N wrote re: NHL = Joke - 10-25-09
on Sun, Oct 25 2009 10:18 PM

Nothing can quiet the paranoid whining of Flyers fans.  Any facts to the contrary disappear down the black hole of denial.

jbc24 wrote re: NHL = Joke - 10-25-09
on Mon, Oct 26 2009 12:01 AM

Scurry13, who is Brad?

OTlevel7 wrote re: NHL = Joke - 10-25-09
on Mon, Oct 26 2009 1:02 AM

this hit was so illegal its not even funny. yes, i'm biased...i hate the Flyers but it doesn't matter who it is, this hit should have drawn a suspension. Richards, Colby, or Cooke, Orpik...if you hit like that you should get a minimum of three games. both Richards and Colby laid could have killed someone.

OTlevel7 wrote re: NHL = Joke - 10-25-09
on Mon, Oct 26 2009 1:10 AM

"not to blame the injured player, but had Booth been skating with his head up, this wouldn't be discussed."

the fact that he had his head down qualifies the rule. you are an "unsuspecting player" by virtue of having your head down. according to that NHL rules video (which Scurry clearly didn't watch) hits on players with their heads down aren't discouraged but hits to said player's heads are.

pensomniac wrote re: NHL = Joke - 10-25-09
on Mon, Oct 26 2009 1:27 AM

Scurry--know your enemies. Not all Richards are the same, at least that's what my mom says.

I hate to be the one to bring this up, but if you watch the video closely, Mike Richards never actually makes contact with David Booth.

Booth dished a soft backhand pass, took note of Mike Richards' leadership, and simply fainted in awe. These things happen.

uberVU - social comments wrote Social comments and analytics for this post
on Mon, Oct 26 2009 6:16 AM

This post was mentioned on Twitter by emptynetters: NHL = Joke - 10-25-09: Prior to this 2007-08 season, the NHL produced this video which outlined a lot of rule c.. http://bit.ly/YcuMJ

GenoMachine-O wrote re: NHL = Joke - 10-25-09
on Mon, Oct 26 2009 1:51 PM

Richards hit him in the head and I thought it was way late.  Richards could have given him a clean body check if he wanted too.  There was no reason to hit Booth that high.  What is it going to take for the NHL to discipline players?  Star players can get away with anything and guys like Richards and Ovie know that and take advantage of it.