Raffi Torres Suspension: 25-Game Ban for Phoenix Forward Sets Proper Precedent

The Phoenix Coyotes are facing a serious challenge now that their tough forward, Raffi Torres, will not be in the lineup for the next 25 games because of the illegal hit to Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa.

NHL head disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan explained the league's stance on the suspension, and why it was the combination of three rules being broken that caused the 25-game ban that will reach into the 2013 regular season if needed.

It wasn’t just the fact that Torres jumped into the hit in Tuesday night’s matchup that caused the suspension, it was the fact that he went out of his way to hit the unsuspecting star in the head as hard as he could.

That is exactly what the NHL is trying to do away with. For their harsh stance, I applaud them.

Just as the NHL fans have screamed over the last two years, the league has to make the rules and their decisions black and white. Brendan Shanahan is doing his best to make that happen:

"Phoenix forward Raffi Torres launched himself to deliver a late, direct hit to the head of Chicago forward Marian Hossa."

How’s that for clear as day?

As I wrote before, the right thing to do would be to set a precedent by making an example of Torres for his egregious infraction. Fans can’t forget that Torres is a repeat offender and is often the player going after the big hits on every shift.

While that may be his job, Torres needs to change the way he goes about it or risk being kicked out of the league indefinitely.

The NHL is changing, and it’s now or never for these thugs to come clean. Good job by the NHL, now it’s time to find consistency.

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