[News] Witkowski 10 games, Tkachuk Suspended 1 Game

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

The two seconds doesn't matter, the ref escorted him off of the ice, he was done, it doesn't matter if it was one second or less. Beyond that if the ref had ejected him and went to escort him off of the ice and he broke free and started another fight, he would have been suspended. He was out of the game as soon as the ref said, you're gone.

Yeah I get all that.

[ComixZone]

If Tkachuk gets anything, Mantha should get 10x it.

Pinning someone to the ground outside of the ice and feeding them punches...regardless of circumstance, you can't do that.

[Infinit47]

Get ready gents, I have a feeling we will see 2-4 games for Tkachuk. I think part of the reason they suspended Wittywonka for 10 games and didn't try to wiggle out of the automatic 10 games is so they can say Tkachuk engaged with a player who was thrown out of the game (i.e the spear hear round the world). This way they can equate what he did (small tap) to players running out of their change rooms to brawl under the bleachers...sure fire way to justify a suspension.

[Ashasx]

What rule in the NHL rulebook could possibly lead to a suspension for Tkachuk?

[CaptainCrunch]

Well next year you find the biggest nastiest face puncher from some lower level semi pro league and sign him to a NHL minimum contract and roll him out for the two games against the Wings, with the instructions of "Go insane, now here's your PCP laced Red Bull". Then lone him out to a european team after your done with him.

[Travis Munroe]

The hearing is to apologize to Tkachuk for the ejection and explain that the refs needed someone to draw a phantom major to create an extended PP and calm things down.

[kmart]

If the “Department of Player Safety” actually cared about safety then what Mantha did should warrant a fine or bring up a meeting. How ridiculous is it that one player taps one on the shin gets a meeting. Meanwhile Mantha who beat up a guy on the ground with the ref trying to stop the fight gets nothing.

Protecting the players? What a joke.

[curves2000]

Another way I look at the situation was if the role's were actually reversed and it was MT who was being escorted off the ice and it was Witkowski who gave him the "love tap" or "speer" like they are calling it, what would we expect him to do? Turn around and blow Witkowski a kiss? Or would he come back and try and inject some payback and than end up getting suspended?

[Resolute 14]

^I would expect Tkachuk to behave like an adult and not take the bait. It's easy for Red Wings fans to shrug off Witkowski because he doesn't actually add value. But if Tkachuk took himself out of the line-up for ten games, everyone would be pissed at him, and rightfully so.

Originally Posted by Ashasx

What rule in the NHL rulebook could possibly lead to a suspension for Tkachuk?

Incitement and unsportsmanlike conduct. DOPS actually has wide latitude on suspensions. That's why it could get away with giving Sean Avery six games for an off-colour joke, for instance.

Incidentally, since there will be a hearing, Tkachuk is getting something. That's virtually guaranteed. Hopefully just a fine, but in any case, this will now be two times already where he's been brought to supplemental discipline. Gulutzan and the other coaches need to teach him time and place, and teach him soon.

[Infinit47]

Originally Posted by curves2000

Another way I look at the situation was if the role's were actually reversed and it was MT who was being escorted off the ice and it was Witkowski who gave him the "love tap" or "speer" like they are calling it, what would we expect him to do? Turn around and blow Witkowski a kiss? Or would he come back and try and inject some payback and than end up getting suspended?

I don't like it when our players go full goon. There is a line and coming back on the ice in this situation crossed it. Much like the Tkachuk elbow on Doughty, I hated that play even though it was by someone on our team.

[burn_this_city]

I bet he gets 5 games, since it is a hearing and that's the boilerplate number of games from getting a hearing.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

I bet he gets 5 games, since it is a hearing and that's the boilerplate number of games from getting a hearing.

No, he's not getting five games. 5+ is for an in-person hearing, and they would have specified if it was in-person. This is a telephone hearing, which means 4 or less, or just a fine.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

I bet he gets 5 games, since it is a hearing and that's the boilerplate number of games from getting a hearing.

It's not an in-person hearing.

[burn_this_city]

Ah gotcha, thought it was in person for some reason.

[Geeoff]

The interesting thing is that Witkowski's suspension was for coming back and he got nothing for bouncing Kulak's head off the ice.

[Travis Munroe]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

^I would expect Tkachuk to behave like an adult and not take the bait. It's easy for Red Wings fans to shrug off Witkowski because he doesn't actually add value. But if Tkachuk took himself out of the line-up for ten games, everyone would be pissed at him, and rightfully so.



Incitement and unsportsmanlike conduct. DOPS actually has wide latitude on suspensions. That's why it could get away with giving Sean Avery six games for an off-colour joke, for instance.

Incidentally, since there will be a hearing, Tkachuk is getting something. That's virtually guaranteed. Hopefully just a fine, but in any case, this will now be two times already where he's been brought to supplemental discipline. Gulutzan and the other coaches need to teach him time and place, and teach him soon.

I respectfully disagree - let him play his game and outside of the elbow to Doughty, (which was on replay a couple games ago against Versteeg without any mention) he hasn't crossed any lines warranting suspension or even a fine for that matter. The tap on the ankle is a game played all day long on the ice. Watch any faceoff and you will find 1 guy do something equal to a tap on the ankle.

Are there hearings when a guy sprays another guy with water from the bench or a scrum is beside a bench and some guys from the bench make any contact with someone else? That tap is like your sibling giving you a smile behind your parents back when you get in trouble as a kid.... it is harmless but can set you off at your finest.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

What rule in the NHL rulebook could possibly lead to a suspension for Tkachuk?

62.1 Spearing - Spearing shall mean stabbing an opponent with the point
of the stick blade, whether contact is made or not.

Here is the rule applied to Witkowski i think...which again i believe it was called technically right but the spirit of the rule? I dunno.

70.1 Leaving the Bench - No player may leave the players’ or penalty
bench at any time during an altercation or for the purpose of starting
an altercation.

70.10 Fines and Suspensions – The first player to leave the players’ or
penalty bench illegally during an altercation or for the purpose of starting an altercation from either or both teams shall be suspended
automatically without pay for the next ten (10) regular League and/or
Play-off games of his team.

[puffnstuff]

Be interesting to see if the league does suspend him. Does the little tap and/or chirping the meathead back have a forseeable result of that idiot jumping back on the ice? Thats really a question that the league would need to answer affirmitavely in order to suspend him. I dont think so. Can see there being a fine for sure, for an unsportsmanlike play. Has there been another situation like this? Anyone know?

[Ashasx]

If the league suspends Tkachuk for that "spear", I truly think I'm done.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Uhhh,..this has ZERO to do with Bettman.

But rail on.

Bettman is the commissioner of the NHL.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NHL_commissioner

”6.1 Office of Commissioner, Election and Term of Office The League shall employ a Commissioner selected by the Board of Governors. The Commissioner shall serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the League and is charged with protecting the integrity of the game of professional hockey and preserving public confidence in the League. The Board of Governors shall determine the term of office and compensation of the Commissioner. The Commissioner shall be elected a majority of the Governors present and voting at a League meeting at which a quorum was present when it was convened.“[1]

In Section 6.3, his duties are spelled out as having "responsibility for the general supervision and direction of all business and affairs of the league", co-ordinates matters between member clubs and serves as the principal public spokesman for the League. The commissioner also has authority over dispute resolution, league committees, interpretation of league rules, appointment of league staff, NHL financial matters, contracting authority, scheduling, officials and disciplinary powers.[2] The commissioner also determines the date and places of board of governors meetings.

So when the officiating has become so bad and inconsistent that the NHL is suffering from it that is his fault. When they can't get most calls right and he does nothing to hold any accountability on their performance that is his fault. So yes, I will rail on.