NHL Preseason and Predictions - 2007-08

[Darthtiki]

Is this going to become the regular season thread?

 

Finally, we have started

[the pinjockey]

Sorry if it sounds like I am beating this to death, but here is my problem already with this crap

Islanders defenseman Andy Sutton was fined an undisclosed amount by the NHL on Friday for his elbow to the head of Rangers forward Ryan Callahan in a game Monday at Nassau Coliseum. Colin Campbell, who administers discipline, said he warned Sutton that his hit was a "suspendable offense," but he was spared because Callahan did not suffer an injury.

 

The 6-5 Sutton admitted his elbow came up too high when he hit the 5-11 Callahan but said the height difference was a factor. "Whether you're 6-6 and [the opponent] is 5-8, it doesn't matter," Campbell said in a conference call. "So as far as a legal blow to the head, that wasn't legal. But there was no injury, and I don't think he made complete contact."

 

Charging to the head = 20 games

Elbow to the head = a fine

 

And the idea of penalizing the result is ridiculous. Are they going to suspend people for clean hits that result in concussions? If someone has a concussion history like McAmmond that results in more serious concussions, do you gets penalized more for hitting him as opposed to hitting someone with no history of them? All of this grey area in the hands of an awful NHL administration is absurd.