The thing is, its more complicated than that. You cant just 'ban him for life' because his union is going to fight for him tooth and nail, they have to, its their job.
So a severe suspension based on his precedents is defensible within reason. So I think the league got it bang on. Torres gets suspended and the PA has an out to shrug their shoulders and say its legit and theres nothing they can do.
Its win/win/win.
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
He could use some kind of psychiatric evaluation. Is he just impulsive and can't stop himself, or does he think the team is expecting him to make these stupid plays?
He has been given way too much leniency in the past, he is really just occupying the spot that some other talented up and coming NHLer could benefit from. As such the Shark's GM should be ashamed for his signing.
the NHL shouldn't have even left the door open a crack. Ban him for life, and battle the NHLPA over it if you have to.
So on the flip side of that, let's say the NHL gives him a lifetime suspension. What happens next? NHLPA says "you can't do that", appeals, wins, and he gets 0 games and retroactive pay. He's now learned nothing and had little consequence, and can still play virtually a full season in his contract year.
The NHL made the right call here IMO. Takes him out of enough of the season that his career is likely finished. Say there's a 10% chance of him playing after this now, vs the uncertainty that the NHLPA would win an appeal and he's back in the league if the lifetime suspension fails? I'd say the way they went has a better chance of ending his career.
He could use some kind of psychiatric evaluation. Is he just impulsive and can't stop himself, or does he think the team is expecting him to make these stupid plays?
Or simply he's a terrible human being who just happens to play hockey.
I've always maintained that suspended players should take a roster spot. I think it would be the best way to get guys like this out of the game, and curb dirty plays in general.
__________________
The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Coach For This Useful Post:
I agree that there should be some kind of extra penalty against the team, a roster spot is a good idea. Maybe something else against the cap or some way that makes teams think twice before signing guys like Torres and any other dirty player that doesn't bring anything else to the table.
You knew the sharks didn't sign him because of his scoring ability or leadership, the guy is a complete hygiene product.
__________________
Fan of the Flames, where being OK has become OK.
If a team had 4 players suspended at the same time, that should be the least of their sanctions.
Fair enough, just asking.
Because, you know, that's the sort of thing that could potentially result from, for instance, starting a game against the Vancouver Canucks with a line brawl.
__________________
WARNING: The preceding message may not have been processed in a sarcasm-free facility.
The Following User Says Thank You to Jay Random For This Useful Post:
Because, you know, that's the sort of thing that could potentially result from, for instance, starting a game against the Vancouver Canucks with a line brawl.
TFB. Even if it's the Flames. I know you're kidding, but the joke is whether Flames fans would still support such a rule if it affected the Flames. Yes, I would. I was (lack of a better word) horrified when Marchment became a Flame. I would rather that players like him and Torres and Cooke were such a management gamble, that teams would rather fill out their lineup with someone like Glencross.
Should be a roster spot and the cap hit. If soccer can play with 10 guys on the field after a red card, hockey can play with 22 man bench after a punk like Torres endangers someone else's career. And if it's for half a season, let that be a lesson to the rest of the league. You are the company you keep, and equally guilty.
What I really don't understand is why players haven't ever risen up and demanded something like this.
The Following User Says Thank You to 4X4 For This Useful Post:
Of course I'd support the rule against our own team, when Tim Jackman was on our team going around spearing people like an idiot it infuriated me. Whatever it takes to get stupid untalented players that do stupid things to make an impact out of the league is good.
