This all reminds me of two things:
First, last spring Kerry Fraser wrote an article expressing his disappointment with the current state of NHL officiating. Setting aside any negative feelings toward the author and focusing on the content, I was absolutely floored by his findings.
http://www.tsn.ca/c-mon-ref-examinin...aatta-1.482272
At the time, of the most recent 24 incidents which resulted in either a fine or a suspension:
11 resulted in no penalty at all
7 resulted in just a minor penalty
6 resulted in a major penalty
That isn't just bad, that is stunning incompetence by the officials tasked with enforcing player safety. In almost half of the incidents which were deemed bad enough for supplementary discipline, NHL officials apparently thought the offender didn't do anything wrong at all. Baffling.
The second reminder, which is related to the first, is a talk I had with a Hockey Operations member of an NHL team. He said in theory, there is no need for the instigator or retaliation anymore as the officials will police the game and protect the players. Any cheap shot will result in a lengthy (five minute) powerplay and be followed-up with supplementary discipline. The problem is the NHL's officials are so incompetent at their jobs there is no semblance of policing. They are inconsistent, more often than not miss things outright, and endeavor to "even things up". On top of that, NHL fines and suspension are so small they don't make a sizeable difference for players.