The NHL Department of Player Safety has severely dropped the ball (again) in their assessment of Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand following his spearing of Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Jake Dotchin.
Just when you start to think things are finally going to go the way they are supposed to, something or someone has to come along and smack you in the face so incredibly hard that reality comes flooding back into your brain. This is exactly what happened to many Tampa Bay Lightning fans this morning.
As most Lightning fans know by now, the NHL Department of Player Safety had set a hearing with Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand following his blatant spear to the no-no place of Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Jake Dotchin. While this seemed like a step in the right direction, there was still something amiss.
You see, the NHL Department of Player Safety did not specify whether this would be a telephone hearing or an in-person hearing. This may seem inconsequential, but the difference between the two is quite staggering. A telephone interview means a simple fine or a two-game suspension is coming. On the flip side, an in-person hearing could involve a five-game suspension or more for the offending player.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Unfortunately for Lightning fans, and the ever-ailing reputation of the NHL Department of Player Safety, after reviewing the case, the powers that be have determined Brad Marchand should be suspended for two games for his blatant spear on Jake Dotchin. Two games? You must be kidding, right?
There is a good chance we’re a little biased in this particular instance, but when you take a look at the evidence in this particular matter and add in the ridiculous amount of times he’s already faced a hearing for some of the very same issues, two games is nothing more than a slap on the wrist to a player like Marchand.
What makes matters even worse here is this isn’t even taking into consideration the times he’s done dirty things on the ice and not been called to the carpet for it. Case and point, allow us to take you back to January 31, 2017.
The Tampa Bay Lightning was set to face the Boston Bruins in the first game back from the 2017 NHL All-Star Game. Now, if you remember correctly, just before the commencement of the All-Star Game, Brad Marchand was fined $10,000 for slew-footing Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall.
To someone like you and I, this may seem like a lot of money. Unfortunately, to someone like Marchand, it’s a whole .2 percent of his annual salary. Marchand could essentially burn this amount of money in his fire pit and be no worse for wear. However, this is not where our concern lies.
It was nearing the end of the second period when the unthinkable would happen. In the very first game back from the NHL All-Star Break, Brad Marchand would slew-foot Lightning defenseman Anton Stralman in the middle of the ice for all to see. Did Marchand assess a penalty on the play? Of course not. (Thanks a lot, Dan O’Halloran.) Was he reviewed by the NHL Department of Player Safety? Nope. Why would they?
So basically, Brad Marchand spat directly in the face of the NHL Department of Player Safety, asserting he could do what he wanted when he wanted and what did they do about it? Absolutely nothing. Way to show consistency in your rulings there, guys.
Now that you’ve seen the basis for our anger, allow us to fast-forward back to the current date and time. After reviewing the NHL Department of Player Safety’s view on the matter at hand, we found quite the gaping discrepancy. Allow us to illuminate this for you.
Here is an excerpt from their explanation video regarding Marchand’s suspension:
"“What causes this play to rise to the level of supplemental discipline is the intent, the amount of force used, and Marchand’s substantial history of attacking the lower body of unsuspecting opponents.” Player Safety said. “This is not accidental or inadvertent contact. This is not light contact that, while illegal, does not rise to the level of supplemental discipline.”"
In addition to this, the word intentional is thrown around more than once. So, basically, the NHL Department of Player Safety has recognized this was a blatant, intentional, and repeated offense for Brad Marchand. Had they stopped right there, many Lightning fans would not be as angry as they are right now.
Unfortunately, the NHL Department of Player Safety decided to pull out the good old Collective Bargaining Agreement to justify their actions. Here’s a quote from this line of reasoning.
"“In determining the severity of supplemental discipline, the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association states ‘Players who repeatedly violate league playing rules will be more severely punished for each new violation.’”"
Well, here’s a closer look at Brad Marchand’s interactions with the NHL Department of Player Safety. Keep in mind; this does not include incidents in which he got away with, including the incident with Anton Stralman.
So…what you’re saying is, fining someone $10,000 is more severe than suspending someone for two games for the exact same infraction, which is the third time this particular infraction has occurred? You may disguise it as a “dangerous trip,” but let’s be real…it was slew-footing. The exact same thing he did to Stralman with no supplemental discipline at all; not even so much as a hearing.
Also, by their own logic, the Department of Player Safety is saying a two-game suspension is an escalation from being disciplined on five separate occasions for attacking the lower body of an opposing player. We’re sorry, but this is the biggest joke we’ve ever seen.
So…what does this all break down to for Brad Marchand? Absolutely nothing, that’s what. Marchand is suspended for the entirety of two whole games. Guess what…the Bruins only have two games left in the season. On top of this, the team has already clinched a spot in the playoffs. Exactly what is he missing?
Brad Marchand is, in fact, missing an opportunity to set a new personal record in terms of goals scored in a single season. He is just one goal away from reaching the 40 goal mark this season. While this may be devastating to some (mainly Bruins fans), this is not the end of the world. What could be the end of the world for a team is losing one of their players due to Marchand’s insolence.
More From Bolts By The Bay: Brad Marchand Should Be Suspended For Jake Dotchin Spear
Say what you will, but we here at Bolts By The Bay stand firm the only reason Marchand wasn’t suspended for five or more games (as he should’ve been) is because they didn’t want him to have to miss the first couple games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This is the same reason they chose to fine him $10,000 instead of suspending him right before the All-Star Game, thus rendering him ineligible to play.
As we have mentioned many times previously, ever since Brendan Shanahan left Player Safety to join the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, Player Safety has quickly embarked on a downward spiral where the most positive word that could potentially be used to describe them is “inconsistent.”
This is not a good picture to paint for all the young players just making their way into the National Hockey League both this season and in future seasons. It basically sends the message to the players they will have to police themselves because no one is there to have their backs. This is how someone gets seriously injured.
If you, like us, are incredibly disturbed by the actions taken (or lack thereof) by the NHL Department of Player Safety, not just on this particular issue, but in the many incidences of inconsistency this and previous seasons, the best advice we can give to you is to let them know.
Next: Brad Marchand Suspended 2 Games For Jake Dotchin Spear
Hit them up on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, send them direct e-mails. Hell, if you are so outraged you simply must speak to someone, call the NHL directly. Absolutely nothing will be done moving forward if the voices of both the players and the fans are not heard.