41 replies to this topic

[MacK_Attack]

Zdeno Chara took an instigator penalty in the last five minutes of tonight's Sabres/Bruins game, which is an automatic one-game suspension.

However, NHL has ruled that Chara was goaded into the fight by Paul Gaustad via a slash and he won't be suspended.

[Lovin Jiri Fischer]

The whole instigator thing is kind of stupid, but it is a rule and if it's in the book it needs to be enforced. Imagine if the NHL would stop making up rules they don't plan on enforcing.

[Z and D for the C]

So it's a regular season only rule.

Okay, that's fine. But call a spade a spade, NHL.

[pjgj13]

They already have rules they don't enforce!

[Carman]

I've covered this with Malkin.

It's not to stop fights that happen out of the spirit of the game.

It's to stop sending out enforcers at the end of the game to send messages.

Stop crying about the NHL on this issue, they are very clear on it.

[Travis]

What's the point of having it, then? If it's a nobody he's gone.

[Blueliner]

Apparently, the best players in this league get a pass on this rule. Same thing happened with Malkin last year in the Finals.

[Carman]

What's the point of having it, then? If it's a nobody he's gone.

The point in having it is so in this case Boston doesn't send out Scott Thornton to start slashing everyone trying to get the other team to fight to send a message.

[cjm502]

I've covered this with Malkin.

It's not to stop fights that happen out of the spirit of the game.

It's to stop sending out enforcers at the end of the game to send messages.

Stop crying about the NHL on this issue, they are very clear on it.

So you want to fix one double standard with another?

[Carman]

So you want to fix one double standard with another?

Life's not fair, stop trying to make things perfect.

[Datsyerberger]

Agreeing with Carman isn't a.. usual.. thing for me, but he's absolutely right here. The spirit of this rule is to stop message sending, and in cases where the fight has clearly been the result of intensity and not gooning it up, the NHL has consistently overturned the suspension.

[MotorCityMadness]

either have the rule or don't...if you want it in the book, ENFORCE it regardless of who is involved. If they actually enforced it I pretty much think you would not see it needing to be handed out, but with the "relaxed" enforcement guys do it figuring they wont get suspended.

[Casey]

Agreeing with Carman isn't a.. usual.. thing for me, but he's absolutely right here. The spirit of this rule is to stop message sending, and in cases where the fight has clearly been the result of intensity and not gooning it up, the NHL has consistently overturned the suspension.

If that's the spirit, write it and make it law. In the absence of that, enforce as written.

[newfy]

Yeah it doesn't matter if the point of the rule was to stop Boogard from pounding someones head in or to stop datsyuk from pounding someones head in. It should either be enforced for everyone or not be a rule. Enforcers should be allowed to do the same stuff at the end of games as the stars. Why does it matter if its Malkin or Colton Orr sending the message?

[Carman]

If that's the spirit, write it and make it law. In the absence of that, enforce as written.

They did.

47.22 Fines and Suspensions – Instigator in Final Five Minutes of Regulation Time (or Anytime in Overtime) - A player or goalkeeper who is deemed to be the instigator of an altercation in the final five (5) minutes of regulation time or at anytime in overtime, shall automatically be suspended for one game. The Director of Hockey Operations will review every such incident and may rescind the suspension based on a number of criteria. The criteria for the review shall include, but not limited to, the score, previous incidents, etc. The length of suspension will double for each subsequent offense. This suspension shall be served in addition to any other automatic suspensions a player may incur for an accumulation of three or more instigator penalties.

When the one-game suspension is imposed, the Coach shall be fined $10,000 – a fine that will double for each subsequent incident.

No team appeals will be permitted either verbally or in writing regarding the assessment of this automatic suspension.

Pretty clear that their intention isn't to stop all fighting, just to stop enforcers from instigating.

[redwingfan19]

yes, but if it was Begin it would have been a suspension

[Carman]

yes, but if it was Begin it would have been a suspension

Wouldn't be so sure, Begin doesn't have much of a past history for "enforcing".

But he might be considering he isn't a top player and could be used in a "message sending" role.

Edited by Carman, 24 April 2010 - 12:07 AM.

[Xitium]

/obligatory.

[redwingfan19]

Wouldn't be so sure, Begin doesn't have much of a past history for "enforcing".

But he might be considering he isn't a top player and could be used in a "message sending" role.

maybe not the greatest example, how is thorton? he's all for enforcing. It goes with the name, the same thing happened with malkin. Chara is a star player, if it was any other scrub it probably would have been a suspension

[MonkeyGoalie]

The rule is not clear that only enforcers should be the only ones involved in the rule. As you have posted the rule it states that "A player or goalkeeper who is deemed to be the instigator of an altercation in the final five (5) minutes of regulation time or at anytime in overtime, shall automatically be suspended for one game." Cause last time I knew there are more then just enforcers playing hockey. IMO, they only put the whole thing with the Director of Hockey Operations is so they can chose who they think should be dealt the repercussion, (which to me is a cop out). This is just one of many gray area rules that the NHL rules book has in it.