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

[Erick Estrada]

Tkachuk is a ratty player. I get why opposing fan bases and players don't like him. However it's not like he's Alex Burrows as he's not hair pulling or biting. He laid clean hard hits on the Oilers biggest player which is is the furthest thing from being a coward. I fully agree that it's somewhat cowardly to turtle but it's pretty clear that this was all premeditated by Tkachuk to get under Kassain's skin in a tight game knowing he would snap which would benefit the Flames. I kind of admire that Tkachuk was willing to put himself into a situation he would face ridicule to help get the team two points. You are going to win a lot more games with players like that than selfish players like Kassain that put his team in bad situations because he can't take a clean hit.

[GioforPM]

Steps before the hit has always IIRC just been a rule of thumb or evidence pointing at the real issue, which is accelerating into a hit. If you are gliding, you are decelerating. Skating before the glide/hit is a little irrelevant to me - how else was Tkachuk supposed to get into the play? Is he just supposed to stand and wait for people to skate into him?

It's somewhat of an appeal to authority, but both the on-ice officials (with a non-call) and the NHL DOPS (who put out an express statement) said the hits were all legal. And with all of the controversy around concussions, head shots, etc. you'd think they'd go after Tkachuk if they could. He's not in their good books (remember that rinky dink suspension for poking his stick at the Wing who was dummying Hamonic in the corridor?) so it's not like they are out to protect him.

[Looch City]

Patiently waiting for the update that he's been suspended for the rest of the reason without salary and under house arrest.

[Erick Estrada]

It's not like the officials like Tkachuk as they are wise to his antics and he's been penalized himself this season for undisciplined play several times. The fact that they let Kassain get in a bunch of head shots and incorrectly handed out a double minor when Kassain should have received a 2 minute instigating penalty plus 5 minute major shows they weren't going out of their way to help the Flames or Tkachuk. The officials simply didn't see those hits as penalties and the league agreed.

[jmac98]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Tkachuk is a ratty player. I get why opposing fan bases and players don't like him. However it's not like he's Alex Burrows as he's not hair pulling or biting. He laid clean hard hits on the Oilers biggest player which is is the furthest thing from being a coward. I fully agree that it's somewhat cowardly to turtle but it's pretty clear that this was all premeditated by Tkachuk to get under Kassain's skin in a tight game knowing he would snap which would benefit the Flames. I kind of admire that Tkachuk was willing to put himself into a situation he would face ridicule to help get the team two points. You are going to win a lot more games with players like that than selfish players like Kassain that put his team in bad situations because he can't take a clean hit.

Turtling can be cowardly, but not always. If you do things that warrant the need to answer for your actions (deliberate cheap shot,etc) then you need answer the bell once in a while. That said, delivering a clean shot does not mean you need to fight someone in the wake.
If Lucic went after McDavid for the punch to Tkachuk he gave I wouldn’t expect him to be standing toe to toe.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Tkachuk is a ratty player. I get why opposing fan bases and players don't like him. However it's not like he's Alex Burrows as he's not hair pulling or biting. He laid clean hard hits on the Oilers biggest player which is is the furthest thing from being a coward. I fully agree that it's somewhat cowardly to turtle but it's pretty clear that this was all premeditated by Tkachuk to get under Kassain's skin in a tight game knowing he would snap which would benefit the Flames. I kind of admire that Tkachuk was willing to put himself into a situation he would face ridicule to help get the team two points. You are going to win a lot more games with players like that than selfish players like Kassain that put his team in bad situations because he can't take a clean hit.

I agree, but there is a big difference between turtling or refusing to fight compared to being attacked. Kassian went ballistic and didn't even have the self control or decency to challenge Tkachuk properly, yet somehow there are ex-players actually siding with him in this situation? If he did try to fight Kassian after being jumped in such a cowardly manner like he was, he likely would have had his face broken in. Ex-players like Ferraro, Upsall and Sarich all know this and are complete idiots for saying otherwise.

If Lucic did the same thing and literally attacked McDavid or Draisaitl, I'm sure we're talking massive repercussions. Are either of these guys going to drop the gloves in that situation either? No chance. Especially not if they are quite literally jumped like Tkachuk was.

The great thing is that we are all witnessing the complete meltdown of a team, fanbase and season over two-three clean checks delivered by Tkachuk. Nice to have some emotion in the BOA again.

[Cycling76er]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

It's somewhat of an appeal to authority, but both the on-ice officials (with a non-call) and the NHL DOPS (who put out an express statement) said the hits were all legal.

Couldn't find anything from the NHL DOPS regarding a statement on the hits. Do you have a link? I checked their Twitter feed and did a quick search. Couldn't turn anything up.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Cycling76er

Couldn't find anything from the NHL DOPS regarding a statement on the hits. Do you have a link? I checked their Twitter feed and did a quick search. Couldn't turn anything up.

The link is earlier in this thread I think, but it's mentioned in this story:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/...attle-alberta/

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Cycling76er

Couldn't find anything from the NHL DOPS regarding a statement on the hits. Do you have a link? I checked their Twitter feed and did a quick search. Couldn't turn anything up.

It was a statement made to ESPN on Sunday: https://www.espn.com/espn/now/_/nowId/21-41090191-4

The NHL Department of Player Safety said there will be no discipline for Matthew Tkachuk after controversial hits on Zack Kassian last night, telling ESPN: "Both hits delivered on Kassian were legal, full body checks delivered to a player carrying the puck." Kassian will have a hearing Monday for Roughing/Aggressor in going after Tkachuk.

[Robbob]

NVM I'm slow, but also there was a tweet from Greg Wyshynski from ESPN that was posted in the PGT

https://forum.calgarypuck.com/showpo...&postcount=501

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

I’ll echo those who have said it’s a bit disappointing to see no disciplinary action contemplated for Kassian’s obscene and offensive post-game comments. I watch these games with my kids (who admittedly were in bed by then and have no interest in post-game interviews and such anyway). But I don’t need that garbage in my living room, and it’s a bad look for the NHL.

He combined a homophobic slur (people forget about the origins of “punk” I will admit) with a derogatory term for female genitalia, in an interview where he is supposed to be representing the Oilers and the NHL. I find that language offensive and think he should be fined for it.

[EVERLAST]

I guess we need the refs to say to each team before each game.....protect yourself at all times and if you cannot keep your head up get off.the ice now as we cannot protect you.

So Kassian gets caught twice head down
Has been in this situation more than twice
Comes out and says I did it before I'll do it again.
Okay dummy....you'll always get what you get if you do what you keep doing.

As for Matty....I hope he keep doing what he does and doesnt change a thing.

I love the fact he lives rent free in the heads of.....
DREW Pouty
Zack Kassian
And more....

[sureLoss]

John Shannon @JShannonhl
Zack Kassian’s hearing today with Player Safety is at 2:30 eastern/12:30 mountain.

[CroFlames]

Did they confirm in person or phone hearing?

[timbit]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Did they confirm in person or phone hearing?

Phone

[zamler]

NHL has perfected the art of random discipline no idea how this one will go.

[JBR]

Predictions? I have 3 games. (4 if he didn't have 12 goals).

[EVERLAST]

Should be 10 with his history.

And why was everyone but one ref standing there watching this all go down.?

[flamingred89]

I’ve always been curious about who pays for the flight to the in person hearing. Is it the league, the team, or the player? It would make sense for the player to foot the bill as part of the discipline but I could see the PA having issues with that.

[PeteMoss]

Anyone who's comparing Tkachuk's hits to Raffi Torres should go watch the videos of Torres suspensions. The only one that is even close is his first suspension and the guy didn't have the puck and it was straight to the head. The rest are nothing at all like Tkachuk's hits.