Kassian traded to Windsor

[wjag]

20 games is too many...should have been 5 - 10. It was nothing close to what Cornier did.

I'm with you. 20 games is ridiculous. I'd go with 5.

[North Buffalo]

20 games is too many...should have been 5 - 10. It was nothing close to what Cornier did.

 

I agree, if you are coming across this middle with your head in the cloud just be glad Scott Stevens is not playing anymore. This is hockey not basketball. Even head shots in football only result in a fine and maybe a one game suspension....

[carpandean]

EDIT: I want to add that the 20 game suspension is based upon a finding that Kassian did NOT leave his feet when he hit Kennedy. One can only think how long the suspension would have been if the finding had been the other way.

If you watch the video with OHL Commissioner David Branch, he said that they also ruled that it was not a hit to the head. He also acknowledged that it wasn't right for Kennedy to put himself in a vulnerable position, but said that did not give Kassian the right to deliver a hard hit. So, 20 games for delivering a hard hit to someone who put himself in a vulnerable position. I'm not saying that I disagree with it, but it just surprised me a bit.

 

Side note: the other video said that Kennedy suffered his fifth concussion and talking with his family about retiring after this hit. Yikes.

[Eleven]

If you watch the video with OHL Commissioner David Branch, he said that they also ruled that it was not a hit to the head. He also acknowledged that it wasn't right for Kennedy to put himself in a vulnerable position, but said that did not give Kassian the right to deliver a hard hit. So, 20 games for delivering a hard hit to someone who put himself in a vulnerable position. I'm not saying that I disagree with it, but it just surprised me a bit.

 

Side note: the other video said that Kennedy suffered his fifth concussion and talking with his family about retiring after this hit. Yikes.

 

Wow. If he found all that, then I really have to wonder what the 20 game suspension was based upon.

[spndnchz]

Wow. If he found all that, then I really have to wonder what the 20 game suspension was based upon.

 

He didn't have the puck. I think if he did, no suspension. They also ruled he didn't leave his feet.

[Calvin]

He didn't have the puck. I think if he did, no suspension. They also ruled he didn't leave his feet.

One positive out of this 20-game suspension would be if Kassian learned and never repeats this again. We're still hoping he comes up and becomes an impact player for the Sabres, just not that kind of impact

 

What's the back story on this Kennedy kid, fifth concussion? Head in the clouds a lot? Even Kaleta or TC haven't racked up five yet.

[shrader]

I'd applaud the OHL for trying to clean up the game, but those rulings are just confusing. They completely contradict the suspension. I don't agree with the rulings, but I do think the suspension is justified.

[Eleven]

He didn't have the puck. I think if he did, no suspension. They also ruled he didn't leave his feet.

 

Right. Which means there's a 20-game suspension for a hit where the only thing that the league found Kassian did wrong, is that Kennedy didn't have the puck. That's odd to me, but as above, I don't mind Kassian learning a lesson here.

[Stoner]

Again I ask where does charging enter into these hits?

[Eleven]

Again I ask where does charging enter into these hits?

 

What do you mean? (Not being sarcastic; just don't understand your question.)

[johnyvegas]

I'd ask... "is charging even a penalty any more?" and i have no idea. when is the last time anyone's seen a charging call? i think it's still on the books but i see it all the time. Kaleta does it. Swooping from clear across the ice.. 5 or 6 strides into a check. i'm pretty sure that's charging.

[Stoner]

What do you mean? (Not being sarcastic; just don't understand your question.)

 

What johny said.

[Eleven]

What johny said.

 

Got it. It definitely was a charge, IMO. I have heard it called a few times this year, but certainly not as often as 20 years ago. Then again, "boarding" seems to be a more popular call now than it was then. (Of course, the Kassian hit could not be boarding.)

[Stoner]

Got it. It definitely was a charge, IMO. I have heard it called a few times this year, but certainly not as often as 20 years ago. Then again, "boarding" seems to be a more popular call now than it was then. (Of course, the Kassian hit could not be boarding.)

 

I just think these guys are so big and so fast and so aggressive, that the rule as written is too antiquated. You need something to "check" the violence of these hits. I can't think of anything besides actually defining what charging is, and making it pretty restrictive. Without the big runups, most of these terrible injuries don't occur. Of course, if that's what the paying customer wants...

[Eleven]

I just think these guys are so big and so fast and so aggressive, that the rule as written is too antiquated. You need something to "check" the violence of these hits. I can't think of anything besides actually defining what charging is, and making it pretty restrictive. Without the big runups, most of these terrible injuries don't occur. Of course, if that's what the paying customer wants...

 

It's not what this paying customer wants. I don't think there are too many hockey fans outside of Philadelphia and perhaps the greater New York City metro area who prefer what is misnamed "physical hockey" to a good, free-flowing game. Even most of those trogs from Tronnah seem to appreciate "real hockey."

[spndnchz]

Lamoriello says suspension is not warranted for Cormier.

 

That's just ridiculous. If I were the commissioner of the OHL, I'd suspend Kassian for ten. If I were the commissioner of the Q, I'd permanently ban Cormier from the league.

 

If I were Darcy Regier, I would want Kassian to prove that he's learned from his mistake, and perhaps to sit down with a concussion victim or a counselor, or both, before coming to camp.

 

If I were Lamoriello, I wouldn't want Cormier on my team at all.

http://www.lhjmq.qc.ca/lang_en/index.php?page=232&id_nouvelle=2392

 

Following the Commissioner’s opening statement, the Disciplinary Prefect, Raymond Bolduc, announced his decision.

 

"At the very start of the process, I read on-ice officials’ report. Then, I met with the Quebec Remparts, Mikael Tam, the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, and Patrice Cormier and consulted the Disciplinary Committee before going over the facts and making my decision. The player’s gesture dangerous and intolerable. Our ultimate responsibility must be the safety of our players. It is our number one priority. Consequently, I have decided to suspend Patrice Cormier for the remainder of the QMJHL regular season and playoffs."

 

The Commissioner reiterated his commitment to eliminate all forms of gratuitous violence from the game.

 

"Hockey is a fast and physical game, and the conditions in which players play it necessitate that respect play as much a role as the rules and the disciplinary sanctions which are in place to protect them. But, regardless of the rules or the support systems we offer, as the game’s principal actors they are responsible for their actions. As such, they must be held accountable as do the coaches who lead them. Fundamentally, the players’ respect level for each other has to change markedly and I plan on addressing this important issue. As League Commissioner, it is my duty to put in place measures to educate our players and to hold them accountable. Gratuitous violence has no place in our great game. Through perseverance, we will ultimately eliminate it. The QMJHL must be a hockey league from which careers begin and flourish, not where they end."

[jimiVbaby]

http://www.lhjmq.qc.ca/lang_en/index.php?page=232&id_nouvelle=2392

 

Following the Commissioner’s opening statement, the Disciplinary Prefect, Raymond Bolduc, announced his decision.

 

"At the very start of the process, I read on-ice officials’ report. Then, I met with the Quebec Remparts, Mikael Tam, the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, and Patrice Cormier and consulted the Disciplinary Committee before going over the facts and making my decision. The player’s gesture dangerous and intolerable. Our ultimate responsibility must be the safety of our players. It is our number one priority. Consequently, I have decided to suspend Patrice Cormier for the remainder of the QMJHL regular season and playoffs."

 

The Commissioner reiterated his commitment to eliminate all forms of gratuitous violence from the game.

 

"Hockey is a fast and physical game, and the conditions in which players play it necessitate that respect play as much a role as the rules and the disciplinary sanctions which are in place to protect them. But, regardless of the rules or the support systems we offer, as the game’s principal actors they are responsible for their actions. As such, they must be held accountable as do the coaches who lead them. Fundamentally, the players’ respect level for each other has to change markedly and I plan on addressing this important issue. As League Commissioner, it is my duty to put in place measures to educate our players and to hold them accountable. Gratuitous violence has no place in our great game. Through perseverance, we will ultimately eliminate it. The QMJHL must be a hockey league from which careers begin and flourish, not where they end."

 

Good.

[Eleven]

http://www.lhjmq.qc.ca/lang_en/index.php?page=232&id_nouvelle=2392

 

Following the Commissioner’s opening statement, the Disciplinary Prefect, Raymond Bolduc, announced his decision.

 

"At the very start of the process, I read on-ice officials’ report. Then, I met with the Quebec Remparts, Mikael Tam, the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, and Patrice Cormier and consulted the Disciplinary Committee before going over the facts and making my decision. The player’s gesture dangerous and intolerable. Our ultimate responsibility must be the safety of our players. It is our number one priority. Consequently, I have decided to suspend Patrice Cormier for the remainder of the QMJHL regular season and playoffs."

 

The Commissioner reiterated his commitment to eliminate all forms of gratuitous violence from the game.

 

"Hockey is a fast and physical game, and the conditions in which players play it necessitate that respect play as much a role as the rules and the disciplinary sanctions which are in place to protect them. But, regardless of the rules or the support systems we offer, as the game’s principal actors they are responsible for their actions. As such, they must be held accountable as do the coaches who lead them. Fundamentally, the players’ respect level for each other has to change markedly and I plan on addressing this important issue. As League Commissioner, it is my duty to put in place measures to educate our players and to hold them accountable. Gratuitous violence has no place in our great game. Through perseverance, we will ultimately eliminate it. The QMJHL must be a hockey league from which careers begin and flourish, not where they end."

 

If Cormier has eligibility left beyond this year, then I think he got lucky.

[shrader]

If Cormier has eligibility left beyond this year, then I think he got lucky.

 

He's now free to join the Devils at any point, so he'll probably be rewarded for the whole thing.

[Eleven]

He's now free to join the Devils at any point, so he'll probably be rewarded for the whole thing.

 

He cannot join the Devils until his QMJHL team is eliminated from the playoffs.

 

EDIT: That goes for the Devils' minor-league affiliates, too.

[shrader]

He cannot join the Devils until his QMJHL team is eliminated from the playoffs.

 

EDIT: That goes for the Devils' minor-league affiliates, too.

 

So that must be the difference between a lifetime ban and this suspension, because I have heard otherwise.

[Eleven]

So that must be the difference between a lifetime ban and this suspension, because I have heard otherwise.

 

Here's where I got it from: http://www.tsn.ca/chl/story/?id=307618

[Taro T]

I'd applaud the OHL for trying to clean up the game, but those rulings are just confusing. They completely contradict the suspension. I don't agree with the rulings, but I do think the suspension is justified.

Agreed. 20 games for leaving his feet and hitting Kennedy in the head seem extremely appropriate. And is pretty much how I viewed the hit originally.

 

20 games for hitting a player with an extremely hard check (charging) to the shoulder/torso when that player had just played the puck (or nearly played it, not positive if the puck hit the Spitfires stick only or Kennedy's as well) but was in an ackward position and not expecting the hit? I can't help but believe that is excessive given the way the league is describing the hit. If he DIDN'T leave his feet AND he DIDN'T hit him in the head, then he charged him square in the chest. As brutal as the hit was, if he really did throw the hit that the league officials claim he threw, I don't see how it merits 20 games. The hit I saw was one where he left his feet and hit the player in the head, which should be 20 games. (Basically anything over 10 games I'd be fine with.)

 

No idea why they are lessening the severity of the hit in their description of the hit. They clearly aren't doing it w/ the punishment for the hit.

[shrader]

Agreed. 20 games for leaving his feet and hitting Kennedy in the head seem extremely appropriate. And is pretty much how I viewed the hit originally.

 

20 games for hitting a player with an extremely hard check (charging) to the shoulder/torso when that player had just played the puck (or nearly played it, not positive if the puck hit the Spitfires stick only or Kennedy's as well) but was in an ackward position and not expecting the hit? I can't help but believe that is excessive given the way the league is describing the hit. If he DIDN'T leave his feet AND he DIDN'T hit him in the head, then he charged him square in the chest. As brutal as the hit was, if he really did throw the hit that the league officials claim he threw, I don't see how it merits 20 games. The hit I saw was one where he left his feet and hit the player in the head, which should be 20 games. (Basically anything over 10 games I'd be fine with.)

 

No idea why they are lessening the severity of the hit in their description of the hit. They clearly aren't doing it w/ the punishment for the hit.

 

This may have been the most confusing post I've ever read... which pretty much sums up the situation perfectly.

[Eleven]

Agreed. 20 games for leaving his feet and hitting Kennedy in the head seem extremely appropriate. And is pretty much how I viewed the hit originally.

 

20 games for hitting a player with an extremely hard check (charging) to the shoulder/torso when that player had just played the puck (or nearly played it, not positive if the puck hit the Spitfires stick only or Kennedy's as well) but was in an ackward position and not expecting the hit? I can't help but believe that is excessive given the way the league is describing the hit. If he DIDN'T leave his feet AND he DIDN'T hit him in the head, then he charged him square in the chest. As brutal as the hit was, if he really did throw the hit that the league officials claim he threw, I don't see how it merits 20 games. The hit I saw was one where he left his feet and hit the player in the head, which should be 20 games. (Basically anything over 10 games I'd be fine with.)

 

No idea why they are lessening the severity of the hit in their description of the hit. They clearly aren't doing it w/ the punishment for the hit.

 

Right on. That's the part that makes no sense; the punishment doesn't fit the fact-finding.

 

I'm still ok with the punishment, based upon what I (and apparently, many of us) saw on vid.