Claude Giroux Suspension: Why Dirty Hit Isn't Deserving of a Suspension

Update at 3:06 p.m. ET: Claude Giroux has been suspended one game for his hit on Dainuis Zubrus.

"

BREAKING NEWS: Claude Giroux was given a 1 game suspension by the NHL for a hit on Dainius Zubrus during the 2nd period of last night’s game

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) May 7, 2012"

Claude Giroux's check to the head of New Jersey Devils forward Dainius Zubrus was a dirty play and worthy of the penalty and fine he received from the league office.

But the Philadelphia Flyers' star shouldn't be suspended.

No, it isn't because he's one of the most visible players in the NHL or because the Flyers face elimination in Game 5.

It's for three legitimate reasons: He didn't leave his feet, he doesn't have a past history of dirty play, and Zubrus returned to the game and wasn't seriously injured.

I have my qualms with the third reason, but we'll get to that. Let's tackle these one at a time.

He Didn't Leave His Feet

The fact that Giroux remained planted on the ice makes this look a lot less worse. Had he left his feet on this hit, it would be easy to paint this play as an intent to injure.

But while Giroux was obviously upset and looking to hit someone, I don't think he was headhunting; I think he happened to hit Zubrus in the head with this hit.

A dirty hit is a dirty hit, and this was not a legal play. But I don't think there was any intent to injure here, and that should be taken into consideration.

Giroux Doesn't Have a Past History of Dirty Plays

And why would he? He's a scorer and a franchise star, not an enforcer.

The word goon has never been applied to Giroux.

While not the only factor, a player's history has played a large part in the punishments doled out by Brendan Shanahan. In that regard, Giroux will get some benefit of the doubt.

Zubrus Returned to the Game

Again, Shanahan has been far more harsh on those players that have caused serious injuries in the playoffs. It hasn't applied across the board, but chances are that if a player is hurt and doesn't return to the game and the hit was illegal, a suspension is coming.

A Few Counter-Points

The fact that Zubrus no longer had the puck when this hit occurred works against Giroux's favor. There was no reason for him to hit Zubrus.

Nor does it help that Giroux was clearly infuriated before initiating the contact with Zubrus. It simply makes him look like he was playing out of control at the time.

And finally, whether he was actually headhunting or not, the fact that his shoulder met Zubrus' head flush won't help his case. The NHL is trying to eliminate such collisions, and whether or not Giroux's intent was to hit the head may not matter since the hit wasn't necessary in the first place.

Ultimately, I don't think this hit will warrant a suspension, nor do I believe it should. But if it does, I won't be terribly surprised.

At the end of the day, cleaning up the game is the first priority. 

Hit me up on Twitter—my tweets are the mint juleps of the Internet.