I'm pretty sure the match penalty for intent to injure and subsequent suspension was for "charging". I was there, it was ugly, it was over the line, and any attempt to defend it is only done by people who weren't there.
And it's still irrelevant. He doesn't care about the safety of other players, and is therefore not a positive asset for the Kings.
As for the other poster's shot about Bickel, I don't like his temper tantrums and berserker episodes either. When he controls himself, that's one thing, but I've never been a giant fan of him on the ice, even as a Gull. Putting a MacDermid and a Bickel on the ice together just makes the game a worse circus - one is not a counterbalance to the other.
But none of the bloodthirsty "MOAR FIGHTING!!" fans will agree with me. So be it.
Fair enough.
Charging has become, in some instances, a penalty called now just because the hit was too hard. I wasn't there, but I don't see MacDermid leave his feet or take too many strides to lead to a charging call. Simply looks like a case of a smaller player getting blasted by a much larger player. Not a penalty five years ago, now the book gets thrown at you.
But, again, I wasn't there for what that's worth. Your "MOAR FIGHTING" comment and Gull fandom; however, damage your case for it mattering if I was there or not: especially the former. Even if legal, you don't want to see a player "take advantage" of another player in a bad spot whereas I believe keeping your head up when crossing the opponents blue line is part of the game and you pay the price if you don't. Know who you are on the ice with out there.
As an aside, I spell it "more fighting" as well as "more hitting". Enjoying physical hockey--including fighting--does not make one a mouth-breather that doesn't know how to spell. I'm not going to deride your beliefs on how hockey should be played by painting you as some sort of wimp so save the elitism.
With that being said, I better check the spelling closely in this post
I'll also say I like you as a poster. We just won't see eye-to-eye on this aspect of hockey.