NHL Playoffs 2012: Brendan Shanahan Needs to Put His Foot Down on Raffi Torres

Raffi Torres stared blankly at reporters after Game 3 between the Phoenix Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks.

Everyone was asking the same question, what was the thinking on that hit that sent Marian Hossa to the hospital?

Torres looked back at the reporters and calmly said it was a "hockey play" and he was just trying to finish his check.

No remorse in his face, not even an acknowledgment that his hit was vicious and illegal.

Torres was suspended indefinitely pending an in-person disciplinary hearing with Brendan Shanahan Friday. 

Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews was more than a little angry about Torres' reaction to the media following Game 3 (via the Chicago Sun-Times).

"

There is no remorse at all, I don’t think, with a guy like that when you pretty much take him out and have a guy carried off on a stretcher, and he probably doesn’t feel bad about it at all. That’s not hockey to me.

"

Torres is a repeat offender, suspended many times and sending many NHL players to the injured reserve with vicious hits.

The suspensions don't seem to deter him from taking a run at NHL players.

Simply put, Raffi Torres is a headhunter, and has already targeted two Blackhawks.

Brent Seabrook and Marian Hossa have both been knocked out of the game from hits by Torres, both illegal.

Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp said that his team knew something was coming from Torres.

"

You try to warn your linemates and be aware when [Torres is] on the ice. He’s got a history of targeting guys’ heads and questionable hits. It makes it that much more frustrating to see it happen, but we’ve got to rally behind [Hossa] and move on.

"

The NHL has said it's trying to eliminate hits the the head, well this is the perfect chance to make good on that word.

A lengthy suspension would go a long way in showing that the NHL is serious about player safety and that cheap hits to the head will not be tolerated.

Maybe a suspension from the rest of the playoffs and 10 games for next season will show Torres and other NHL headhunters that their play will not be tolerated.

But considering Shanahan has been inconsistent with many of his calls this postseason, it wouldn't be a surprise to see only a four-game suspension.

Whatever the case may be, the NHL has an opportunity to put their foot down and show who's in charge when it comes to player safety.

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