Keith Gets 5 Games

[flopfish]

A lot of the suspensions have been on hits that players could've protected themselves or turned their backs and got hit from behind. This one was correctly called after game. It also caused other players taking runs at Keith because the refs broke up everything before a fight happened. Remember the Todd Bertuzzi/Steve Moore incident? That was after Steve Moore was challenged numerous times to fight but didn't after his borderline hit on Naslund.

Removing the instigator wont help, I'd say it'd make it worse. The NHL needs to do a complete overhaul of the officiating from the top down and stop players from putting themselves in a vulnerable position. The rule book needs to be rewritten into more clear calls than discretion, same as suspensions.

At the end of the day, as the game has gotten faster and away from clutch and grab, we've seen more injuries off of hits and players not protecting themselves, along with more sucker punches IMO.

[policeradio556]

A lot of the suspensions have been on hits that players could've protected themselves or turned their backs and got hit from behind. This one was correctly called after game. It also caused other players taking runs at Keith because the refs broke up everything before a fight happened. Remember the Todd Bertuzzi/Steve Moore incident? That was after Steve Moore was challenged numerous times to fight but didn't after his borderline hit on Naslund.

Removing the instigator wont help, I'd say it'd make it worse. The NHL needs to do a complete overhaul of the officiating from the top down and stop players from putting themselves in a vulnerable position. The rule book needs to be rewritten into more clear calls than discretion, same as suspensions.

At the end of the day, as the game has gotten faster and away from clutch and grab, we've seen more injuries off of hits and players not protecting themselves, along with more sucker punches IMO.

I agree with just about everything stated here, respectfully though I must disagree on the instigator rule... lol

[Wickabee]

I think you are misunderstanding what I am saying. Like I said...I agree with this particular suspension....(as it was a dirty hit)
I'm a Philly fan, so I hate and have distrust for refs as much as anyone does lol
I wasn't basing my statement of needing a tough guy on anything from last years playoffs,simply think enforcers make for a good deterrence.
Shanahan has been inconsistent in my opinion with regards to his duties, the guy was known to lay people out just like Keith did in his playing days... Headshots are no good for the game, this was clearly a headshot. Maybe Shanahan and other brass need to emphasize to refs to hand out tougher in game penalties on hits like that, as a player may think twice about putting up an elbow if he knows his team will be down a man for 5mins, and he knows he may get thrown out.

I'll get back to the tough guys in a second. But first to the topic at hand. I have to ask again why it matters how Shanahan played the game himself? I also disagree with the inconsistency charge. I think it sort of looks that way because we're so used to having colon campbell ramming crap down everyone's throats. There's no inconsistency. It's at the point where I'm watching the majority of fans easily call the suspension long before it's handed down. Crap, I said 5 games before Sedin got up. It only seems inconsistent at times because he sticks to the same (relevant) criteria in each situation. We're not used to that. We're used to colon throwing darts at a board.

The Canucks have toughness. They just don't have a guy who's tough and nothing else. They don't have a John Scott, and they don't need one. A hit like this shouldn't be expected in any circumstance, whether there's a tough guy or not.

Edit: As to the instigator rule. I think it's unnecessary. I think that, while it does prevent a number of fights, I also believe it does add to more stickwork and hits like this. There's no fear in the game anymore, which is kind of ironic, since it's the most frightening the game's ever been.

[RGM81]

Bruce Arthur on Twitter: “Concuss a rival team’s star player with an indefensibly dirty revenge hit? Hey, whoa. That’ll cost 6.25% of your season, pal.” — The NHL

[theboxbreaker96]

Anyone remember waht they did to matt cooke last year? They made a fool of him he has now changed his game. Well another opportunity here only 5 games thats pathetic.

I understand it was cooke but that was a very dirty elbow by keith and worthy of a 10 gamer +. There is only one way to stop head shots give out BIG SUSPENSIONS.

[Estovia]

Wasn't calling Keith a scrub. Was referring to the fact that 5 games for a retaliatory elbow to the head means that the best way for a team to deal with a superstar in the playoffs - Sedins, Malkin, Richards, etc... - is to send a 4th liner to take him out of the game or series.

[Wickabee]

Anyone remember waht they did to matt cooke last year? They made a fool of him he has now changed his game. Well another opportunity here only 5 games thats pathetic.

I understand it was cooke but that was a very dirty elbow by keith and worthy of a 10 gamer +. There is only one way to stop head shots give out BIG SUSPENSIONS.

I think the fact he's only had 1 fine and no suspensions in 7 seasons lessened the suspension. I think if anyone had been able to prove it was premeditated it would have been more. We all know it was, but there's no actual proof.

[centrehice]

Keith's problem the way I see it....

In the last 5 seasons, few were faster to the puck. This year Keith has been beaten numerous times to the puck in his own end, and to loose pucks, and frankly, he is acting like a bloody baby because of it.

He needs a punch in the nose, simple as that. Elbowing garbage like he dished out is crap..... He thinks and acts like he's an untouchable. A spear to the balls will take care of that attitude.

[Wickabee]

Keith's problem the way I see it....

In the last 5 seasons, few were faster to the puck. This year Keith has been beaten numerous times to the puck in his own end, and to loose pucks, and frankly, he is acting like a bloody baby because of it.

He needs a punch in the nose, simple as that. Elbowing garbage like he dished out is crap..... He thinks and acts like he's an untouchable. A spear to the balls will take care of that attitude.

I agree except it had nothing to do with getting beat to the puck. Sedin is not a fast skater and Keith was obviously unconcerned with the whereabouts of the puck.

[centrehice]

I know Sedin was not racing for the puck, but if you watch the way Keith plays, he acts like an untouchable. He belly-aches at a minor called against him, and he takes his liberties where and when he chooses, especially with talented forwards that aren't combative, or retaliatory.

He knew exactly what he was doing when he elbowed Sedin, he even said, I should have gotten a major when he reviewed the tape himself.

Caught Red-Handed, then stating the obvious.