[News] Kassian to have hearing with NHL **Assessed a two-game suspension**

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by krynski

I wonder if the DOPS is delaying to release the verdict until after the game starts to lessen potential Flames fans reactions....

After seeing hits, like the Marc Staal one on Stajan, go unanswered for years...I think most of us are shocked they had a meeting at all.

[Infinit47]

Originally Posted by Savvy27

It looks to me like Tkachuk hits Kassian in the shoulder and his head snaps towards Tkachuk. Had it been a headshot I think his head would have gone the other way.

I don't mind people describing it as a "predatory" hit because he was clearly targeting Kassian and leaving his defensive position to do it. I don't think it was a headshot though or even a penalty really, maybe a charge but I think that's a stretch.

Personally I love the hatred and am not really hoping for a suspension on Kassian. He lost his mind and blew the game for the team, that's enough for me.

They could have called it a charge, however Tkachuk hit Kassian shoulder as the main point of contact, which seems to be what the league cares about. Never mind that hits to the body cause whiplash (like this hit) also cause concussions.

Again, it makes no sense that if Tkachuk either got a 2 min penalty or fought Kassian that the hits would have been fine.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I bet Staples defended that comment by saying later he meant he saw him on film.

It's better than that...

https://twitter.com/user/status/1214783927509929985

https://twitter.com/user/status/1214973502362656769

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Savvy27

It looks to me like Tkachuk hits Kassian in the shoulder and his head snaps towards Tkachuk. Had it been a headshot I think his head would have gone the other way.

I don't mind people describing it as a "predatory" hit because he was clearly targeting Kassian and leaving his defensive position to do it. I don't think it was a headshot though or even a penalty really, maybe a charge but I think that's a stretch.

Personally I love the hatred and am not really hoping for a suspension on Kassian. He lost his mind and blew the game for the team, that's enough for me.

Kassian was also bent over, bringing his head more into play. I have watched the DPS video on charging and head shots and they specifically talk about excluding situations where the receiving players are bent over, bringing their head lower into the contact area, as "head shot" type hits. But I have also seen it treated differently than their own interpretation so who the hell knows.

[McG]

Maybe Staples meant Brian Morenz:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/p...y.php?pid=8349

[sureLoss]

News Update

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
Two-game suspension for Zack Kassian.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

Wasn't the contact of the first Tkachuk hit primarily to the head? I'm obviously missing something because no one cares and it's not being talked about. But it looks like a bit of a head shot to me? Someone explain it to me...

It was a hip/butt to the shoulder, which gave way to the head. I think that there are two important things.

the 1st is that Tkachuk took a stride more then then clean hits usually have. that said, he did turn/ glide into him.

The 2nd point is that Kassian left himself vulnerable. Very similar to when Mangiapane was levelled. When you are carrying the puck your head should not be at another players waste level, because when you get hit, your head will be involved.

The people who don't like the hit 1) believe that Tkachuk was predatory and wanted to hurt Kassian, they will highlight the strides/ questionable positioning choice, which is probably why he was in a hurry to get there in the first place. 2) They believe that even if a player has the puck, in scoring position, that the player is in no way responsible for their own safety.

There is also option 3) they are salty homers, who want some moral high ground after a loss, and what was in every way a predatory and unsafe response.

My take is that Tkachuk made a defensive gamble, left his post to make a play on a player moving into scoring position. Moved to hit the body first by backing his hip/butt into him, but was unable to avoid all head contact because Kassian was hunched over, focused on the puck and unwilling/able to protect himself.

Was the play borderline? Yes. But at what point do players need to take responsibility for their own safety? I don't have the answer to that.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

News Update

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
Two-game suspension for Zack Kassian.

Huh. I figured one.

So his first game back is against the Flames.

Well then.

[bubbsy]

Great, let the butt-hurt whining commence!

[Rando]

Start a new thread sureloss, this one is massive

[The Big Chill]

He got off easy. Should have been 5.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Nah, he can just update the title.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

Great, let the butt-hurt whining commence continue!

That's more like it.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Should have been 4-5.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

News Update

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
Two-game suspension for Zack Kassian.

See you on the 29th, Assface.

Looch, Rinaldo... Get the foil.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

He got off easy. Should have been 5.

He was damned lucky Tkachuk didn’t get hurt being yanked backwards to the ice. Easily could have landed on his head or shoulder.

[sun]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

News Update

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
Two-game suspension for Zack Kassian.

Back in time for the rematch.

(Death to mega-threads)

[Red]

The hits were borderline, but those usually don't get called when thrown against tough guys. This is where MT messed up, he missed the memo from Spector that Kassian is now a super star. He is after all playing on the top line with the chosen one.

[N-E-B]

I think that’s fair. Oiler fans are going to lose it. I’m excited!

[TheScorpion]

Well, there's your storyline for Jan 29.

Fireworks.