[News] Tkachuk suspended 2 games for elbowing Doughty

[calgarywinning]

I still, don't understand why the retaliation elbow is justified. Within moments of the play Tcachuk is chased down and elbowed in clear retaliation.

The league ruling makes no sense in that they don't want this behaviour, but both teams engaged.

That is the frustrating part.

[David Struch]

Perhaps they go back to Bouma - Backlund, after all, Lance did score 16 goals just two years ago playing with Backlund.

Gaudreau – Monahan – Chiasson
Bouma – Backlund – Frolik
Versteeg – Stajan – Brouwer
Lazar – Bennett – F.Hamilton

[codynw]

I wouldn't mind seeing something like this for a few games.

Gaudreau / Monahan / Ferland (if healthy, if not Chiasson)
Bennett / Backlund / Frolik
Versteeg / Jankowski / Lazar
Bouma / Stajan / Chiasson (if Ferland is still out, Brouwer)

[TheScorpion]

Personally, I'd like to see something like this...

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lazar
F. Hamilton - Backlund - Frolik
Versteeg - Bennett - Chiasson
Bouma - Stajan - Brouwer

I think Freddie could do some damage with the 'M's. Just for one game to try it out.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Come on now. DoPS heard Doughty and decided to suspend Tkachuk because of that, Not the blatant elbow to the face?

Come on now. You think if Doughty didn't act it up, Tkachuk is getting 2 games?

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Fire

Come on now. You think if Doughty didn't act it up, Tkachuk is getting 2 games?

He took an elbow to the face, so yes

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Fire

Come on now. You think if Doughty didn't act it up, Tkachuk is getting 2 games?

Yes I do. Because I think Tkachuk already is gaining a reputation for borderline/dirty plays.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

It's not an "official" change, just filling in a needed vacancy, and it might help get Bennett going offensively.

Yeah, this.

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Wh..hoo...whoo...whoooo cares.

Agreed, for the record

[TheScorpion]

"Tkachuk? Ferland? Ah hell, what's the difference?"

[Heavy Jack]

Lol ^^^ the smaller pic Matt looks like 'wtf?? They got the wrong guy!?!'

[flamesrule14]

Figured he'd get at least a game and definitely not surprised they gave him two. Bad elbow no question. league was gonna get him eventually and this is the opportunity and hopefully now he knows where the line is. Curious who they play on that line tomorrow. I'd also love to see Jankowski called up. Seems like he's been the most consistent guy down there and deserves the call.

[FusionX]

Originally Posted by Fire

Come on now. You think if it wasn't Doughty, Tkachuk is getting 2 games?

Edited your post there a bit and to answer the question as well, that would be a big no.

Heck, even the garbage written by that "hockey writer" from the other thread I'm not going to link started with, and I'm paraphrasing here, "Norris winning, all-star defenceman Drew Doughty" blah blah blah.

We all know that had it been someone else on the receiving end of the elbow or say, a Connor McDavid giving the elbow there would be no suspension. As an aside, can you imagine what would happen if McDavid one day elbowed Crosby? Someone would probably have to arbitrarily decide something and then later get fired just to nullify the whole thing.

As if this wasn't frustrating enough, all the people telling everyone off as they think the league "did the right thing" blissfully ignores the fact that this decision basically cements their biased justice and is completely in line with how they do things on a regular basis.

Am I surprised Tkachuk got suspended? No. Do I think it warranted a suspension? Ya, it was a pretty nasty shot though I still don't think there was malice/intent to injure. Importantly however, do I think Tkachuk should be have been suspended by the NHL? The answer frustratingly to this question in my mind is no, and I think that's why so many, including myself are unhappy with this ruling and not at all because we are rose-tinted goggle-wearing Flames homers.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by flamesrule14

Figured he'd get at least a game and definitely not surprised they gave him two. Bad elbow no question. league was gonna get him eventually and this is the opportunity and hopefully now he knows where the line is. Curious who they play on that line tomorrow. I'd also love to see Jankowski called up. Seems like he's been the most consistent guy down there and deserves the call.

He is a young guy who plays the game within the game better that a lot of seasoned players. Hopefully Tkachuk sees the line a little better realizes this suspension affects the team on the ice. We need Tkachuk on the ice helping us win games.

[powderjunkie]

Anywhere in the 2-60 minute range would have been appropriate IMO.

[Radio]

After watching those slow motion isolation close ups looks to me like he elbowed him in the chest and Doughty ran into his shoulder. When I first saw it it looked like an elbow to the chops, now I am not so sure. The son paying for the sins of the father...

[The Fonz]

When I watch it in ultra slow-mo with the contrast turned way up, it looks like more of a tricep to the mouth than an elbow to the chin.

[McG]

NHL Offices must have been watching this hit over and over to cause them to miss the offside by Toews against Colorado that changed that game.

Was it 2 games? I don't know. What I do know is that literally hundreds of these hits happen every season, and yet 95% of them go unpunished. a game, 2 games, all that is needed is some consistency.

[CliffFletcher]

"But they do it too" isn't a good look for anyone over the age of 9.

There has never been 100 per cent consistency in suspensions in the NHL or any other pro sports league. A lot of subjective factors play into it. In this case, targeting the head, and several other dangerous plays in a short period of time by Tkachuk, one of which he was warned by the league about.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

When I watch it in ultra slow-mo with the contrast turned way up, it looks like more of a tricep to the mouth than an elbow to the chin.

What difference does that make?

He flung his arm with the intent to clock Doughty in the face. It was fast, sneaky and a no-look move, so it didn't land with precision... but it was clear what he was trying to do. Your post and the one above it are a couple in a small faction of fans attempting to stick their head in the sand and pretend like it didn't happen.

What's the big deal in calling a spade a spade when it comes to the team we cheer for?

It was a lapse in judgement, but a dirty play nonetheless. He knew exactly what he was doing.