Not really. The era of arbitrary mob justice that people clamor for also coincided with a lot more dirty play (often from the so called protectors). The best deterrent for dirty play is lengthy suspensions.
I'm not sure I agree. The rule talks about an accidental trip in the context of a completed play is not a penalty. To me the implies an accidental trip not in connection with a non-completed play is a penalty. Accidental trips are not excused across the board the way I read the rule. It also just says "placing" the foot or stick or whatever is required for the trip. I don't see that as mandating something out of the ordinary in terms of sticking out a leg or reaching with the stick but I agree that is usually how it's called. In this instance Huges was tripped accidentally and it's not as if the two minute penalty would matter in the scheme of things anyway. Really unfortunate.
He was more elusive than almost anyone on the ice in his prime and he still got a broken collarbone.
A bird in hand.
