NHL Hands Down Suspensions to Two Players—Both Warranted

The NHL handed down two suspensions today, one to enforce a newly instated rule, and another to keep players in line on the ice.

Let's head to Buffalo first. On Monday night, Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson checked Sabres forward Jason Pominville from behind, which left him with a concussion after being taken off the ice on a stretcher.

The hit, whether it was intentional or not—although it is hard to argue that it wasn't- was dirty and dangerous. How many hits and checks will it take for these players to stop the blind-side hitting. It is their responsibility to keep each other safe on the ice, and thus far they have shown they are not capable of doing so.

The NHL dealt Hjalmarsson a two game penalty, but that isn't at all sufficient. Although I am glad that they did give him something, but it should be more than two.

I've always felt that a sufficient punishment for these types of hits should be however long the injured player is sidelined. In this case, if Pominville misses 10 games, Hjalmarsson misses 10. If Pominville missed 30, same goes for Hjalmarsson.

If the NHL keeps handing down these slaps on the wrists, the hitting will not stop. The NHL can say they are cutting back on these types of hits all they wish, but nothing will change if the suspensions don't fit the crimes.

The other suspension was for Islander's defenseman James Wisniewski for his obscene sexual gesture towards New York Ranger winger Sean Avery in the Isles' 6-4 win Monday night.

With 5:09 remaining in the first period, Avery braked hard in front of Islanders' goalie Rick DiPietro. Wisniewski took exception, and had words with Avery before making said gesture.

The NHL also handed Wisniewski a two-game suspension as well that in my opinion is very warranted. Personally, a game would have been sufficient, especially with Hjalmarsson's sentence.

The league is right in suspending both, but not both equally. Hjalmarsson's hit on Pominville was dangerous and potentially career-ending, and he only received a game. Wisniewski's antics, although childish and embarrassing, does not warrant the same amount of punishment as Hjalmarsson.

Colin Campbell is headed in the right direction with both suspensions, but Hjalmarsson should be paying a lot more than two games. Is Pominville's career just worth two games? He doesn't think so, and neither should the NHL.