2012 NHL Playoffs: Carl Hagelin Suspended 3 Games for Elbow on Alfredsson

All bets are off ladies and gentleman as Carl Hagelin, a rookie with no history of any kind, has been suspended three games for his elbow on Daniel Alfredsson. Hagelin earning a suspension was bound to happen but three games is an absolute joke. Was the hit bad? Yes, but making an example out of a rookie is a joke.

The play was dangerous but was not malicious in intent and was likely an accident.  According to Shanahan,Hagelin attempts to finish his check and in the process, Alfredsson attempts to evade the hit in the process moves his stick up which had Hagelin changes his trajectory. Shanahan asserts that regardless of the rising stick, Hagelin's hit was clearly elbowing.

Hagelin was assessed a five minute major but not a game misconduct that usually proceeds a suspension. Hagelin caught Alfredsson high as the Senators' captain attempted to avoid contact. While the hit was dangerous and reckless, it was an accident. Hagelin is a player who is very clean and has no mean streak.

He was simply attempting to finish his check and caught Alfredsson high. Alfredsson is an idol of Hagelin's and the two spent some quality time at this year's All-Star game. Hagelin also texted Alfredsson after the game and apologized and showed concern for his countryman's well being.

This is a joke because the consistency of punishment in the NHL is continuing. Brooks Orpik hit Derek Stepan with a knee on knee hit a few weeks ago and there was no hearing despite Orpik actually having a record. 

Brent Burns laid Scott Nichol with a vicious hit and there was no hearing. Chris Phillips elbowed Ryan Callahan in the same game against Ottawa and there was no hearing. Shea Weber was able to slam Henrik Zetterberg's head in a non hockey play and was simply fined.

There is no set standard for punishment anymore. The NHL has simply picked what plays to review and what plays to ignore.

Shanahan even emphasizes that Hagelin has no history in his NHL career of one year. However, three games was thought to be a fair penalty.

Injury is being used as a standard and that is wrong. Injuries happen but intent, past history and circumstances leading up to a hit should be weighed more.

The fact that Matt Carkner walks away virtually unpunished if a joke. Brendan Shanahan started the season off strong by giving repeat offenders harsh penalties but has since changed his tune.

There is just reason for outrage considering the circumstances. In the video, Shanahan cites that Alfredsson was injured. While this is true, it was not a major injury as Alfredsson flew back to Ottawa today. That mean that Alfredsson did not suffer a head injury.

Here is some reaction from the media on Twitter.

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If the standard 1 playoff=2 reg season gms, then Shanahan believes Hagelin's crime more heinous than Keith concussing DSedin. Laughable.

— Larry Brooks(@NYP_Brooksie) April 16, 2012"

 

 

 

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In a couple of months, Shanahan has become the object of as much ridicule and derision as it took his predecessor years to accumulate.

— Larry Brooks(@NYP_Brooksie) April 16, 2012"

 

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Late check from a guy who needs a map to the penalty box? Three games. Grab a guy by the head and slam it into glass? $2500, please.

— Jesse Spector (@jessespector) April 16, 2012"

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NHL Math: Carl Hagelin / ((Shea Weber - $2500) + (Matt Carkner x 3)) = #garageleague

— Jesse Spector (@jessespector) April 16, 2012"

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One game for Carkner! Now the NHL is just straight-up trolling itself, and all of us.

— Jesse Spector (@jessespector) April 16, 2012"

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So Carkner gets just 1 game for his pre-meditated pummeling of Boyle.Sens only put him in game for that reason. @NHLShanahan

— Linda Cohn (@lindacohn) April 16, 2012"

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The #NHL Department of Player Safety has lost its way. "It's a hard job" is a cop-out. Inexplicable decision-making.

— Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL) April 16, 2012"

New York Rangers' statement:

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The New York Rangers accept the NHL’s three-game suspension of Carl Hagelin and will not pursue an appeal. However, we are thoroughly perplexed in the ruling’s inconsistency with other supplementary discipline decisions that have been made throughout this season and during the playoffs. We will have no further comment on this decision.

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There is no just cause to hand out a three game suspension for the incident when considering all the other occurrences that have gone un-penalized and un-reviewed in the past few games. 

Carl Hagelin deserved to be disciplined but this is an situation in which the penalty does not fit the crime.