Instigator Rule

[blues_demitra38 11]

I understand the instigator rule to prevent s*** like what happened with Morris/Abdelkader from happening. Abdelkader hits Stempniak, Morris protects his teammate by fighting Abdelkader.

Did I overlook a major portion of the rule or was Detroit shafted?

[Lonewuhf 47]

I understand the instigator rule to prevent s*** like what happened with Morris/Abdelkader from happening. Abdelkader hits Stempniak, Morris protects his teammate by fighting Abdelkader.

Did I overlook a major portion of the rule or was Detroit shafted?

The instigator rule only applies to the last 5(?) minutes of the game if I remember correctly (which I probably don't).

[Crashnburnluder 385]

and Abs dropped his gloves first....

[Finnish Wing 110]

The instigator rule only applies to the last 5(?) minutes of the game if I remember correctly (which I probably don't).

The instigator rule applies always. But if you take an instigator penalty (2min for clearly instigating the fight like Morris did there) in the last 5 minutes you'll get a automatic one-game suspension. Although they made an exception with Chara.

[Lonewuhf 47]

The instigator rule applies always. But if you take an instigator penalty (2min for clearly instigating the fight like Morris did there) in the last 5 minutes you'll get a automatic one-game suspension. Although they made an exception with Chara.

Ok, thanks for clearing that up

[I Red Wings I 40]

The instigator rule applies always. But if you take an instigator penalty (2min for clearly instigating the fight like Morris did there) in the last 5 minutes you'll get a automatic one-game suspension. Although they made an exception with Chara.

Well, from what I heard, Chara wasn't an exception. Chara was slashed at and that's why he wasn't suspended

[SiLkK19 67]

Well, from what I heard, Chara wasn't an exception. Chara was slashed at and that's why he wasn't suspended

Or if you are Malkin and somebody looks at you funny its ok too.

[Fingercots 6]

Not only does the instigator rule NOT apply to Malkin, too many men on the ice will also NOT be called against the Penguins in a playoff game.

[fixxxer 11]

The way I understand it is that the NHL rules are ment to be bent and manipulated by the discression of the NHL however and whenever they see fit. I say this in general to all teams.

[soultrain 43]

The way I understand it is that the NHL rules are ment to be bent and manipulated by the discression of the NHL however and whenever they see fit. I say this in general to all teams.

they should just dump the instigator penalty altogether.

[mmamolo 287]

If the instigator penalty is given out in the last 5 minutes of a game or in OT it comes with an automatic 1 game suspension. However, within the rulebook the NHL has an outclause that gives them the ability to rescind the suspension so they can judge the merit in which the penalty was called. The suspension is in the rulebook to stop teams from putting players out on the ice to 'send a message' or to 'goon' it up. In both the Chara and Malken cases the NHL felt neither was doing so (which by the way is bulls***).

That's the explanation the league gave.

What's particularly dumb about this is that the referees know the rules and have the power to give out the penalties. It should be up to the referees discretion to give out the intigator penalties and with that the one game suspensions when given out in the last 5 minutes of the game and overtime. Malken hunted down Zetterberg and clearly instigated a fight for a purpose (to send a message). Chara, although slashed, cleared instigated a fight for a purpose (to send a message). The NHL wussed out and didn't want to go ahead and have games in the playoffs played without its star players. Just as it has wussed out by not suspending Hossa after his clear hit from behind on Dan Hamhuis.