Player Discussion Brad Marchand V: UPDATE suspended 2 games

[patty59]

No matter his history, I find it hard to see the league trying to justify suspending a guy INTO THE PLAYOFFS for a play that has pretty much zero chance of ever causing long term/career threatening injury. Not to mention, this would be the first time there was ever (I believe) a suspension on such a play.

Obviously different time, and different circumstances, but how crazy is it that Bradley likely gets suspended for this cheap nut shot, yet Scott Walker randomly punches Aaron Ward in the face and breaks his orbital bone, yet gets nothing. These simple comparisons (which I often mock) don't take the bigger context into consideration but they are pretty fun/funny to look at.

Exactly, this league focuses on the head shots. If it was to the face, then yes a lengthy suspension. But I'm not seeing that here.Although I will say the DOPS hasn't exactly been a pillar of consistency over the years.

 

[Sharp Shooting Neely]

Do we know if it's a phone hearing, or in-person?

As per TSN it's a hearing.

http://www.tsn.ca/marchand-to-have-hearing-for-spear-1.715397

 

[patty59]

Marchand added insult to injury when the play was over as he was skating by the bolts player he casually stuck his stick in his face. It was nothing to the degree of the example being discussed but it is another element to the incident that will be factored into the punishment. Simply beyond stupid on Marchand's part.

It will not be factored into the punishment, that would be silly. Not to mention there was nothing to it.

 

[Number8]

NHL has had problems with concussions for ages -- and still do. They still don't have clarity.

They've also had a problem with nut shots for the past few years (realities of instigator penalty???).

Clearly they've now decided to address one of these issues. The one that really impacts the future of the League.

I'm talking about spawn, progeny, the future. Long lasting injury from brain injury is an SOB no doubt. However it is not genetic and cannot be passed on. Future NHL families like the Suters can continue.

However, a sharp jab to the testes may rob Gary Bettman of the next Brett Hull. Enough is enough. The line has been drawn.

 

[JEM28]

This is exactly right. The people who are overly bent about it are completely ignoring the contributions he made to get them to where they are this season. Without him, this team has an anemic offense and is a bottom feeding lottery team. But sure, one play on the edge invalidates said contribution, but only because there's an ulterior motive behind the complaint.

Outside of a few posts, I don't see much here that discounts his contribution because of this bad decision.

What I see is passionate fans who appreciate the contribution but are more fans of the TEAM....and as such they don't cut slack for transgressions by a player, regardless of contribution, that could cost the TEAM in a big spot.

A stretch...but an analogy might be your kid is getting A's in school so you say one F is ok.

I'm not up in arms with the incident but will say I want Marchand to be everything he can be for our team, and I'd like to see him be respectful as well. You can be gritty and on the edge without being dirty. That play last night doesn't help the team, doesn't help his reputation, and is disrespectful. Nothing wrong with being upset about that.

 

[patty59]

NHL has had problems with concussions for ages -- and still do. They still don't have clarity.

They've also had a problem with nut shots for the past few years (realities of instigator penalty???).

Clearly they've now decided to address one of these issues. The one that really impacts the future of the League.

I'm talking about spawn, progeny, the future. Long lasting injury from brain injury is an SOB no doubt. However it is not genetic and cannot be passed on. Future NHL families like the Suters can continue.

However, a sharp jab to the testes may rob Gary Bettman of the next Brett Hull. Enough is enough. The line has been drawn.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Absolutely. So why **** it up like that?? The guy has a serious short circuit in his brain.

We get it (actually got it awhile ago)...you don't like Marchand.

The flip side is that he's a phenomenal player, who plays on the edge. I would love it if he were a little bit smarter, but he seems to be a very emotional player, and I'm not sure it's possible.

I would rather have a player that occasionally crossed the line, but was engaged every single game he played (and produces) than one who followed the rules 100% of the time, but floated through games.

 

[patty59]

Outside of a few posts, I don't see much here that discounts his contribution because of this bad decision.

What I see is passionate fans who appreciate the contribution but are more fans of the TEAM....and as such they don't cut slack for transgressions by a player, regardless of contribution, that could cost the TEAM in a big spot.

A stretch...but an analogy might be your kid is getting A's in school so you say one F is ok.

I'm not up in arms with the incident but will say I want Marchand to be everything he can be for our team, and I'd like to see him be respectful as well. You can be gritty and on the edge without being dirty. That play last night doesn't help the team, doesn't help his reputation, and is disrespectful. Nothing wrong with being upset about that.

This isn't Marchand's first season, by now we should all know who exactly he is. You can either accept it and move on or don't, but we shouldn't act surprised when he does stupid ****. It comes with the package.

 

[ReggieMoto]

It will not be factored into the punishment, that would be silly. Not to mention there was nothing to it.

And this is apropos to the NHL handing out suspensions how exactly?

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Exaggerating, not sure, he was holding his jewels while flopping on the ice but told a reporter after the game he was fine, his stomach was a bit sore. So either Marchy drove them into his gut or he forgot where he was speared.

I think Dotchin was playing it up a bit, but I assume you are either a woman or have never been hit with a ball/puck/stick in the family jewels?

It hurts like a son of a ***** initially, followed by a stomach ache afterwards.

 

[Therick67]

This isn't Marchand's first season, by now we should all know who exactly he is. You can either accept it and move on or don't, but we shouldn't act surprised when he does stupid ****. It comes with the package.

True.

We also shouldn't be upset when and if he gets suspended. If you keep showing up on the DOPS radar, you can be made an example of...it is what it is.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

This isn't Marchand's first season, by now we should all know who exactly he is. You can either accept it and move on or don't, but we shouldn't act surprised when he does stupid ****. It comes with the package.

This.


Anyone looking for comparisons, here is an extremely close one. I would say that Prust had even more "intent" than Marchand, who I don't believe targeted the groin:





Prust got a $5k fine.


I expect the DOPS to go full hypocrite and suspend Marchand for a game (two max). I guess that's fine, but going forward they better give every player that spears someone the same...


like that's going to happen


Crosby is just "gritty" and it was an accident

 

[Therick67]

I don't want to have to rely on the DOPS or the League to get things right or be consistent, they've never been good at that.

 

[Ladyfan]

Boston’s Brad Marchand will have a hearing tomorrow morning for spearing Tampa Bay’s Jake Dotchin. - NHL Player Safety

So ...as a Hab's fan you felt the need to post this on the B's board because you thought we wouldn't find out ???

 

[Ladyfan]

Stupid play? Yup. He already lost a game due to it. Fine him and move on. Anyone saying otherwise has an agenda.

yep ...sad but so true

 

[JAD]

If I remember correctly a few years ago Marchand took a deliberate stick to the groin (intentional) I think in a Washington game, after the whistle.
No penalty no suspension, just Marchand in obvious pain.

This doesn't justify or make such aggressive behavior acceptable or right ... but it does emphasize the blatant lack of consistency by the league in disciplining such infractions. Punishment regardless of the guilty player should be equal across the board, no shifting shades of grey based on reputation or stardom. Repeat offenders for the same infraction warrant a more severe penalty.

 

[alg363636]

I hope they suspend him a game or two. I have no tolerance for these ridiculous nut shots and the NHL has been ridiculous by not suspending Lucic/Prust/Crosby. Sucks Marchand is the one to start the precedent (NHlL's golden opportunity) but as long as they stay consistent I'm fine with it. There is no reason to spear a guy in the nuts.

Brad screwed himself out of the Winter Classic last year, screwed himself out of 30 goals a few years back with the Salo hit and now is probably going to miss out on 40 goals and an outside shot at the Rocket. No one to blame but himself

 

[RustyBruins72]

I think he gets a game.

Selfish and stupid play.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

I'm not sure, but this isn't looking good. I went through the DoPS Twitter feed and it looks like they only announce the hearings if it's going to be a suspension.

Steve Ott was only fined for this spear on Chara, which seems to be just as bad as Marchand's.

Ott wasn't announced on the Twitter feed as having a hearing and he was fined the max allowable under the CBA. Marchand is getting a few games. We just have to cross our fingers and hope that the DoPS doesn't get trigger happy and decide to boot him for a playoff game or two.

How about Markov spearing Chara as well?

Clear inconsistency when Bruins or others.

 

[T REX]

Repeat offenders for the same infraction warrant a more severe penalty.

First of all, congrats on making the playoffs. You guys wanted it more and you played a great game.

Repeat offenders are just that, repeat offenders. You don't get to reset back to zero because it's a different infraction. Dirty is dirty.

Marchand is a REPEAT offender. He'll be missing some games.

Good luck in the playoffs.

 

[BruinDust]

How about Markov spearing Chara as well?

Clear inconsistency when Bruins or others.

Markov is a career Hab so it is more than OK when he spears opposing players. (Sarcasm).

 

[JAD]

First of all, congrats on making the playoffs. You guys wanted it more and you played a great game.

Repeat offenders are just that, repeat offenders. You don't get to reset back to zero because it's a different infraction. Dirty is dirty.

Marchand is a REPEAT offender. He'll be missing some games.

Good luck in the playoffs.

Please note in my previous post I stated: repeat offenders for the same infraction. Which is in itself different from headshots, slew footing and such that many others have a history with.
I believe it must be considered an isolated case until such proof of a pattern indicates othetwise.

 

[KnightofBoston]

It will not be factored into the punishment, that would be silly. Not to mention there was nothing to it.

It absolutely will be because they'll use it to argue intent

I personally don't believe Marchand intended to hit him there, it was a VERY chippy intense game before that. and this is why refs tend to call a lot, because when they swallow their whistles this kind of **** happens


I hope he gets no more than a game, but I'm really not happy about it considering Crosby did the exact same thing to a player just recently and severed a guys finger off with a dangerous slash.

Marchand should appeal if they suspend him, the only thing is, they don't get to play just because they appeal so it won't really matter

 

[GloryDaze4877]

First of all, congrats on making the playoffs. You guys wanted it more and you played a great game.

Repeat offenders are just that, repeat offenders. You don't get to reset back to zero because it's a different infraction. Dirty is dirty.

Marchand is a REPEAT offender. He'll be missing some games.

Good luck in the playoffs.

Then explain Prust?

Lucic?

Both "repeat offenders", both guilty of spearing, neither suspended.

Hopefully your team shows up against TOR tomorrow.

 

[BBB24]

I think Dotchin was playing it up a bit, but I assume you are either a woman or have never been hit with a ball/puck/stick in the family jewels?

It hurts like a son of a ***** initially, followed by a stomach ache afterwards.

Ya but my point was he embellished a bit, he didn't miss a shift and played over 20 mins