Matheson does his best "WWE" slam on Pettersson - Update: 2 game suspension

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Not that its my choice to make but there is a balance to be struck. I agree with your argument, but the last thing the NHL should do is insert rules that cripple a D-mans ability to make defensive plays ( aka what the NFL has done).

This play is a poor example for my argument as I see that it was over the line by this rule book's standard. I am referring to the broader dialog about changing rules to allow for "more skilled players".

I acknowledge my views on this are more extreme than most, but the hit on Petterson is precisely the type of thing that should be eliminated because most of it had nothing to do with getting the puck.
But I'm very aware I'm on an extreme side of the relative positions on this overall issue, and don't expect a lot of others to share that view....yet

[AC]

Suspended 2 games.

https://twitter.com/NHLPlayerSafety/...572401154?s=19

[TheIronMaiden]

That is a pretty fair punishment I think.

[FlamesFanFromBC]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1051959307024130049

I was guessing between 2-3 games. Fair to me. To me it was more than just finishing your check and was retaliatory.

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by FlamesFanFromBC

https://twitter.com/user/status/1051959307024130049

I was guessing between 2-3 games. Fair to me. To me it was more than just finishing your check and was retaliatory.

Anymore would have been too much.

[SuperMatt18]

Don't necessarily agree with it but get why.

Biggest issue I have with the outrage and the suspension is that if Pettersson just skates away from that play without a concussion then there is no outrage about the hit and it's just "finishing the check".

But since he's concussed it's mass outrage and a super dirty play.

NHLs issue is that they continue to determine punishment based on the outcome of the play, instead of the actual act, and that is what causes more issues because players don't have as much clarity on what is allowed vs. what is not.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Injury plays a huge part for sure. Seems fair.


Bob McKenzie@TSNBobMcKenzie
And since the puck was long gone after the initial hit, the push was unnecessary and is deemed both interference and unsportsmanlike conduct on a play that caused injury.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Except you can't just 'forget' what Pettersson chooses to do. If he chooses to go into the physical areas, then he's going to get hit. And he's going to get hit hard. And if his body can't handle that, then frankly, that diminishes his long term value as an NHL player.

Originally Posted by Brad Marsh

And yet we love the physicality too...

Which is precisely why I have suggested a couple times now that the correct response is to strike a fine balance between safety and the promotion of skill in the game, and physicality and intensity that makes the game so good.

So, clearly "physicality" according to some people's definition includes body slams that make NO contribution to the quality of the play. I don't think I am okay with that. I believe that physicality is necessary, and it manifests in hits along the boards like Bennett's from Saturday night, and like Matheson's on Pettersson without the takedown. I don't see why that is such an affront to some who pontificate on behalf of "physicality."

Perhaps someone can explain to me what is good about the end of Matheson's hit? What are you missing from the game without seeing a kid like Pettersson crumpled in a heap on the ice?

[Reign of Fire]

Suspended for a bodycheck smh...Canucks need to bubble wrap their kid.

[Freddy]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Forget what Pettersson chooses to do or not do in this regard for a moment. He is far and away already the Canucks's best player and is a front runner for the Calder Trophy. He is not just good enough to play NHL hockey, he is good enough to excel at it.

Shouldn't this be enough?

No, imho this isn’t enough. To win a scoring race (or the Calder in this instance) requires a player to be rugged enough to survive a full season. Pettersson looks like he has the talent to be the Canucks best player and win the Calder, but if 6 games into the season you get manhandled leading to an extended injury break i’d say the player was rushed into the best/most competitive league before his body is ready for the rigours. If your team was a cup contender do you believe Pettersson is going to survive the 82 game season and 4 rounds of post season war?
As a Flames fan I worry about something similar happening to Gaudreau in round 2 of a promising run, only to have the team feel they’ve lost their game breaker and lose group confidence.
As a hockey fan I like that the team that wins the cup is usually built to be rugged and use physicality to their advantage. Based on the way things are going my preferences are probably Old School and will be outdated in the foreseeable future. In that foreseeable future the jerseys will be plastered head to toe with advertising, the game will be played by the best 18-25 yr olds, and the most physical interactions between players will be stick infractions. To each their own...

[Jacks]

Kind of surprised that they gave 2 games, thought it was going to be a fine.
Nothing wrong with good hard checking but that puck was long gone and the throw down was not a "hockey play". That is the sort of crap I'm glad they are cracking down on.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Christ are you ever terrible at logic.

Your insults are duly noted and dismissed. Thank you, I'll take advice about logic from those who are capable of using it themselves.

There's no need to make assumptions about someone's views when they outright express them. Though, I'm sure you were all giddy last night thinking about how you pulled a trump card without realizing you held the joker.

The accusations you are making go far beyond what anyone has said in this forum. They therefore venture into the realm of assumption.

Twit.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Saqe

This is not a civil case where someone is caught on tape hurting another person. This happens in a hockey game where people regularly slash, whack and tackle other players.

All of which are against the rules – slashing, roughing, holding. The fact that the idiot referees don't call the rules as written is no defence in any particular instance.

By your logic these all should be judged as intent to injure which they aren't- they are penalized by penalties such as slashing or roughing.

Nonsense. The difference, as innumerable people have pointed out, is that Pettersson was already out of the play and the puck was gone when Matheson knocked him off his pins. In football that would be penalized as unnecessary roughness. In hockey it should have been penalized as roughing.

I think a two-game suspension is excessive, but clearly the NHL agrees with me that Matheson showed specific intent to injure and it was not merely ‘a hockey play’.

[Resolute 14]

Two games too many.

[ForeverFlameFan]

2 games does seem a little excessive. I would have thought a minor fine and a warning would have done it.

[Locke]

I have to agree with Resolute.

This is a nothing play. A suspension? 2 games no less?

2 minutes. Tops.

[ComixZone]

The guy slams him into the ice.

That's not a hockey play and does not happen often. Such a weird train of thought to think this is normal. The video explains exactly why it's not.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

The guy slams him into the ice.

That's not a hockey play and does not happen often. Such a weird train of thought to think this is normal. The video explains exactly why it's not.

It does happen often...usually the guy getting slammed isn't 120lbs so it doesn't look as violent

This is certainly a polarizing incident

[dustygoon]

I don’t see it so much as an extremely violent play. But more a play that traditionally would warrant retribution then or later. If we want less fights, then I think you have to suspend him. Otherwise players will take matters into their own hands.

And yes...the suspension does need to consider who was hurt. Because the canucks are going to feel wronged.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Meers

Way to go Eric Francis! Classy as ever. Why not just tape a target on Johnny Hockey's helmet for the next game against Vancouver. This bozo really needs to be fired.

The initial hit wasn't a problem. The "can opener” and pile driver were. That's not a hockey play. Two games.

I don't think the Canucks are worried about a reporter from Calgary...come on now. You think they are gonna take it out on the Flames lol