[quote name='mykevermin']You wouldn't dare argue that the NHL suspensions have been anything but wildly, astonishingly inconsistent, would you?
Then you shouldn't mock the idea that certain players are treated less harshly than others. The explanation Shanahan gave for Neal's suspension still makes my head spin, but when contrasted with the explanation for Asham's suspension, shows how ridiculous it all is.
Neal:
- history of fines, suspensions, and warnings for his play
- deliberately struck the head of two players
- 1 game
Asham:
- no history whatsoever (yeah, that shocked me, too)
- cross-check to the upper chest and head area w/ punch to the head
- 4 games
So save your "derp" for the reality that there is a protected class of players in the NHL, and while Torres' suspension is huge, you'll never see Malkin get 1 game, let alone 25.[/QUOTE]
There really is Myke and you said it best. I was watching the Flyers game and every time I saw Crosby take a face off, he never got thrown out (was switching Channels as well so I could have missed it). I saw him numerous times going early and the ref let it slide. If it wasn't a star player, they would have been thrown out of the face off. So if you don't think there are certain players who will never get a fine or suspension because of their star power, you're in denial.
Malkin has more than questionable hits and plays. He needs a good suspension.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rh9EenqzdtM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imv7owJKLic