Rome is burned — Canucks defenseman banned four games
Rome
BOSTON — With a few rare exceptions in the Vancouver dressing room, pretty much everyone was in agreement that Aaron Rome’s hit on Nathan Horton in Monday night’s Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final was a late hit and contacted the head.
Today the NHL proved it was in agreement with that description, as NHL Vice-President of Hockey Operations Mike Murphy handed down a four-game suspension for the defenseman.
“I probably viewed it like most of you did,” said Murphy between team media availabilities on the campus of Boston University. “I thought it was a late hit. I thought that the body was contacted. But I also thought that the head was hit. It caused a serious injury to Nathan Horton. So the key components are: the late hit, which I had it close to a second late. We have our own formula at NHL hockey ops for determining late hits, and it was late. We saw the seriousness of the injury with Nathan on the ice last night.
“That’s basically what we deliberated on. We tried to compare it with some of the other ones in the past. But it stands alone. It’s why we made the ruling.”
Given the length of the suspension and the importance of the upcoming games with Vancouver ahead in the series, 2-1, Murphy agreed that this suspension is the next step toward exacting punishment that will finally reduce the number of hits to the head and serious injuries among players.
“Without question, we have. And I think we have ramped it up through the year,” said Murphy about sending a message. “I think, you know, most of what I know and what I decided on today I’ve learned from Colin Campbell. I know he learned a lot from Brian Burke.
“This has to do with what we talk about almost on a nightly basis in the Toronto video room when we have multiple clips, not to this severity, but we have a group of people that share ideas and share thoughts. We often get asked about panels. Yeah, we have a panel of people that I discuss this with, and a lot of people outside the panel. As difficult as it was, this was the right thing to do.”
The Bruins were all diplomatic with their reactions to the suspension, basically saying the same things they’ve said in the past when an opponent or a teammate has been suspended — the league made its decision and it’s time to move on.
The only difference here is that the Bruins have to move on without their most prolific offensive right winger.
why can’t the nhl be more like the nfl? intense competition and even extra curricular punching and jabbing is tolerated to a point, but the nfl does a better job of cracking down on intent to injure, and dilivering a severe punchout to an opponent is simply not allowed. maybe someone can explain why severely punching out another player is somehow different from intent to injure. neither belong in the nhl and the league would be better without it.
Van isn’t better without Rome because now guys are going to have to play more minutes. We will see how effective Erhoff, Salo and the like are when they are playing many more minutes per game and subjected to much more physical punishment.
Stand up Couver post VanMike.
No Fines?
If they are now suspending for the entire finals – watch out next year – Cooke will probably miss half the season.
Hopefully the NHL will FINALLY grow a pair over the summer and revisit how to properly punish hits to the head etc.
First offenders: Suspension with the length depending on whether its in season or during playoffs – in this case I thought the rest of the series PLUS another 5 next season just to drive the point home – and a hefty fine, like maybe 10% of the player’s salary or $100k if they make less than $1mil/yr.
Repeat offender: minimum 20game suspension regardless of what time of year it is, and the 10%/100k fine at least.
3rd time offender: one year ban. Penalize the team’s salary cap, no exceptions and no redactions if the player is traded, released, or demoted during the suspension.
There is no point in interviewing the teammates of a player who does this. Even if he murdered someone they would claim that they didnt see it, looked alright to me and other lies. Tyey wont say anything publicly about a teammate.
MCK. The truth is Van is a better team without Rome. If you really want to punish us the league should make us play him 25 minutes a night. Trust me, no one in Van is dancing about this. We all like a hard hitting series, but no one wants to see that kind of injury. Good luck the rest of the way.
This might not have happened if the refs throw burrows in game 1. The n.h.l. once again has shown us they are clueless. 4-forwards with head injuries that play for the same team in a few seasons is a f-ing trend. Do something other than admire your ratings.
MCK,
1. it doesn’t matter as to whether it was north south… The suspension was warranted. North south is moot IMO.
2. No duh.. Horton for a career 6th man yeah that seems fair?…My point was Horton gone for the series. The NHL found that out and basically said ok gone for cup too
As for the fine ..10-15 games… Come on man this is hockey..As cherry said you have to keep your head up not admire your pass. For a few seconds delay, pretty serious repurcussions for a split second reaction to either hit or not. He made the wrong decision and is by no means excused.
Have to wait until next CBA to do anything about fines. The maximum fine is such a tiny number it is entirely useless.
Steamer,
1. you think that was a legal north south hit?
2. you think rome versus horton is an eye for an eye?
3. wouldnt you think if Burke had a bad relationship with Van that the suspension would be worse, and by worse I mean legitimate?
Rome should have got the rest of the finals, the first 10-15 games of next season and a $100k fine. That will stop this crap.
MCK,
Amazing I actually agree with you… This suspension is a joke. Murphy goes on to say… We judged it based on the injury… wrong.
He also said he talked to Brian Burke. ex-canuck gm very frosty relationship with the whole canuck organization as to what to do.
Murphy also said that if it wasn’t a late hit. it was totally legal north south hit… Debatable but then why 4 games… No consistency, no deterrent…
I hope that this series cleans up a bit. Play hockey
Losing Rome compared to losing Horton well an eye for eye I guess ..but on paper canucks will take it. I only hope Horton makes a speedy recovery
My issue is that these suspensions are worthless. They are not a deterrant in any way shape or form. The NHL should get serious or give up
Also, guess who else is complaining about it. Yep that’s right folks, Max Pacioretty. He feels torn about it, and he wants to see consistency moving forward. Give it a rest Pax, I applauded you last night for showing Horton support, and then you come out with this garbage this morning. Let it go already.
I understand the frustration MCK, but its fits right in with the NHL’s ‘logic’.
Hit worth 20 games -> halve that to get to NHL’s Number
Now we’re at 10 games -> halve that because it’s the playoffs
Pretty much what they did. As disappointing as it may be, it is really the most anyone could expect from the NHL, although I definitely think the hit itself was worth more.
This suspension is a joke. The NHL is pathetic. What is the disincentive to having Hnidy go out and bury a Sedin?
They can fill his lineup spot yes. Both teams have probably ~10 players as healthy scratches for these games. Look for Ballard to probably move into the lineup
Do they get to fill his roster spot?