Cross Checks: Chicago Blackhawks
Raffi Torres had his appeal hearing with commissioner Gary Bettman on Thursday.
A league source said it’s not clear exactly when Bettman will render his decision, saying the commissioner would take whatever time is necessary to appropriately evaluate the evidence and argument he heard Thursday.
Torres, a repeat offender, was suspended 25 games for his first-round, Game 2 hit on Marian Hossa.
The NHLPA on May 3 announced it was appealing the suspension on behalf of Torres.
A league source said it’s not clear exactly when Bettman will render his decision, saying the commissioner would take whatever time is necessary to appropriately evaluate the evidence and argument he heard Thursday.
Torres, a repeat offender, was suspended 25 games for his first-round, Game 2 hit on Marian Hossa.
The NHLPA on May 3 announced it was appealing the suspension on behalf of Torres.
ESPN.com's Michele Steele caught up with former Blackhawks player Jeremy Roenick to discuss the playoffs, his days in the Windy City and makeup, of course.
Roberto Luongo stated earlier this week that he was open to a trade, and a source told ESPN.com Thursday that he is mulling over a short list of teams he’ll hand the Vancouver Canucks as early as next week.
James Duthie of TSN in Canada reported via Twitter late Wednesday night that the Toronto Maple Leafs would be part of that short list.
The Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks and New Jersey Devils are other possibilities, another source told ESPN.com Thursday, while stressing that Luongo hasn’t made up his mind on the list.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are in dire need of goaltending but it’s not clear at this point whether Luongo would want to include them on his list or not.
The Canucks would not say much when asked about Luongo on Thursday: "This is an important decision for our organization and the players involved," Canucks assistant GM Laurence Gilman told ESPN.com. "It is not going to be something we discuss publicly throughout the process."
Canucks GM Mike Gillis was on Vancouver’s Team 1040 radio station Thursday and said the team hasn’t even decided yet what they’re going to do in goal.
"No, we haven’t," Gillis said on the station. "We all need to take a deep breath here."
Luongo was with the Panthers before he joined the Canucks and has retained South Florida as his offseason home.
The veteran goalie was benched after two games in favor of young goalie Cory Schneider in Vancouver’s first-round loss to Los Angeles. Luongo, who has a no-trade clause, then told the assembled Vancouver media on Tuesday that he’d be open to a trade.
Luongo, 33, signed a 12-year deal with the Canucks in 2009, worth $64 million. It runs through the 2021-22 season, although it’s front-loaded. It paid him $10 million last season, $6.716 million this season, $6.714 million per season for the next six years, then drops to $3.382 million in 2018-19, $1.618 million in 2019-20 and $1 million in each of the last two seasons. The salary-cap hit for the entirety of the contract is $5.33 million per season.
Schneider, 26, is a restricted free agent July 1 who needs a new contract that will pay him much more than the $900,000 he earned this season. For salary-cap reasons alone, the Canucks were always going to be forced to decide between goalies this summer.
I don’t believe for a second that the Leafs would top Luongo’s list, given the similar, hockey-crazed and sometimes over-the-top culture that he’d be leaving in Vancouver. But Luongo also knows he can’t be too picky given his monster contract if he really wants to leave the Canucks. Plus, in Toronto there’s goaltenders coach Francois Allaire, whom Luongo holds in high regard, and Leafs executive Dave Nonis, who traded for him in Vancouver when Nonis was the Canucks' GM.
Still, my bet would be on the two Florida teams to be his favored destinations.
James Duthie of TSN in Canada reported via Twitter late Wednesday night that the Toronto Maple Leafs would be part of that short list.
The Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks and New Jersey Devils are other possibilities, another source told ESPN.com Thursday, while stressing that Luongo hasn’t made up his mind on the list.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are in dire need of goaltending but it’s not clear at this point whether Luongo would want to include them on his list or not.
The Canucks would not say much when asked about Luongo on Thursday: "This is an important decision for our organization and the players involved," Canucks assistant GM Laurence Gilman told ESPN.com. "It is not going to be something we discuss publicly throughout the process."
Canucks GM Mike Gillis was on Vancouver’s Team 1040 radio station Thursday and said the team hasn’t even decided yet what they’re going to do in goal.
"No, we haven’t," Gillis said on the station. "We all need to take a deep breath here."
Luongo was with the Panthers before he joined the Canucks and has retained South Florida as his offseason home.
The veteran goalie was benched after two games in favor of young goalie Cory Schneider in Vancouver’s first-round loss to Los Angeles. Luongo, who has a no-trade clause, then told the assembled Vancouver media on Tuesday that he’d be open to a trade.
Luongo, 33, signed a 12-year deal with the Canucks in 2009, worth $64 million. It runs through the 2021-22 season, although it’s front-loaded. It paid him $10 million last season, $6.716 million this season, $6.714 million per season for the next six years, then drops to $3.382 million in 2018-19, $1.618 million in 2019-20 and $1 million in each of the last two seasons. The salary-cap hit for the entirety of the contract is $5.33 million per season.
Schneider, 26, is a restricted free agent July 1 who needs a new contract that will pay him much more than the $900,000 he earned this season. For salary-cap reasons alone, the Canucks were always going to be forced to decide between goalies this summer.
I don’t believe for a second that the Leafs would top Luongo’s list, given the similar, hockey-crazed and sometimes over-the-top culture that he’d be leaving in Vancouver. But Luongo also knows he can’t be too picky given his monster contract if he really wants to leave the Canucks. Plus, in Toronto there’s goaltenders coach Francois Allaire, whom Luongo holds in high regard, and Leafs executive Dave Nonis, who traded for him in Vancouver when Nonis was the Canucks' GM.
Still, my bet would be on the two Florida teams to be his favored destinations.
Morning jam: Overnight game facts
April, 24, 2012
Apr 24
11:36
AM ET
By Elias Sports Bureau | ESPN.com
Chris Kreider is the youngest Ranger (20 years, 359 days) to score playoff goal since Niklas Sundstrom in 1996 at age 20. He is the 10th youngest Ranger to score a playoff goal.
Rangers to Score Playoff Goal – Before Playing in Regular-Season Game
2012 Chris Kreider
2008 Lauri Korpikoski
1983 George McPhee
>>Source: Elias Sports Bureau
Brad Richards scored one goal and assisted on another to help the Rangers avoid elimination in their series against the Senators with a 3-2 victory in Game 6 at Ottawa. Richards has scored points in each of the last nine playoff games in which his team faced elimination, while playing for three different clubs: Tampa Bay (5 games: 5 goals, 4 assists), Dallas (3 games: 3 assists) and the Rangers (1 game: 1 goal, 1 assist).
The Coyotes advanced to the second round of the playoffs with Monday night's win against the Blackhawks. The Jets/Coyotes had not won a playoff series since 1987, when Winnipeg beat Calgary, four games to two, in a first-round matchup. That streak of 23 consecutive seasons without winning a playoff series (1987-88 through 2010-11) is an NHL record. The second-longest such streak was the Rangers' 20-season drought from 1950-51 through 1969-70, and No. 3 on the list is the Islanders' current 18-season dry spell (1993-94 through 2011-12).
Rangers to Score Playoff Goal – Before Playing in Regular-Season Game
2012 Chris Kreider
2008 Lauri Korpikoski
1983 George McPhee
>>Source: Elias Sports Bureau
Brad Richards scored one goal and assisted on another to help the Rangers avoid elimination in their series against the Senators with a 3-2 victory in Game 6 at Ottawa. Richards has scored points in each of the last nine playoff games in which his team faced elimination, while playing for three different clubs: Tampa Bay (5 games: 5 goals, 4 assists), Dallas (3 games: 3 assists) and the Rangers (1 game: 1 goal, 1 assist).
The Coyotes advanced to the second round of the playoffs with Monday night's win against the Blackhawks. The Jets/Coyotes had not won a playoff series since 1987, when Winnipeg beat Calgary, four games to two, in a first-round matchup. That streak of 23 consecutive seasons without winning a playoff series (1987-88 through 2010-11) is an NHL record. The second-longest such streak was the Rangers' 20-season drought from 1950-51 through 1969-70, and No. 3 on the list is the Islanders' current 18-season dry spell (1993-94 through 2011-12).
Afternoon jam: Game facts for tonight
April, 23, 2012
Apr 23
2:30
PM ET
By ESPN Stats and Information Group | ESPN.com
Seeds of change: The Senators lead the top-seeded Rangers 3-2 entering tonight’s Game 6 in Ottawa. If New York loses, this would be the first time under the current conference-based playoff system that both top seeds have been eliminated in the opening round. Vancouver, the top seed in the West, was ousted by the Kings Sunday night.
Overtime play: The Coyotes lead the Blackhawks 3-2 entering tonight’s Game 6 in Chicago. If the game goes to overtime, this would be the first series in NHL history to begin with 6 overtime games. The only other series with 5 straight overtime games to start a season was the 1951 Stanley Cup finals between Toronto and Montreal (TOR won series 4-1).
Overtime play: The Coyotes lead the Blackhawks 3-2 entering tonight’s Game 6 in Chicago. If the game goes to overtime, this would be the first series in NHL history to begin with 6 overtime games. The only other series with 5 straight overtime games to start a season was the 1951 Stanley Cup finals between Toronto and Montreal (TOR won series 4-1).
The Blackhawks face elimination once again on Monday night when they face the Coyotes in Game 6 of the Western Conference quarterfinals, but Chicago isn't backing down. The Blackhawks have won 4 of their last 5 elimination games in the past two seasons.
Coyotes' closing woes strike again
April, 22, 2012
Apr 22
11:17
PM ET
By John Zoni, ESPN Production Research | ESPN.com
The Phoenix Coyotes’ hopes of winning their first playoff series since 1987 were put on hold Saturday night with their 2-1 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 5 of their Western Conference Quarterfinals series.
While the game made history for being the fifth straight OT game to open this series (joining the 1951 Stanley Cup finals between Toronto and Montreal as the only series where this has happened), it was also significant in another way in regards to the Coyotes.
Since their last series win as the original Winnipeg Jets (a 1987 divisional semifinals win over Calgary), the Jets/Coyotes franchise has now lost 13 straight playoff games when they’ve had a chance to clinch a series, with four of those losses coming in overtime.
Some other concerning postseason history for Phoenix as they prepare for Game 6 on Monday:
• This series marks the 4th time since 1987 that the Jets/Coyotes have held a 3-1 lead in a best-of-seven series. The franchise lost the other three such series (1990 to Edmonton, 1992 to Vancouver and 1999 to St. Louis). Only the Washington Capitals have lost a series when leading 3-1 more often in NHL history (the Caps have done it four times).
• If the Blackhawks win Monday and force a Game 7, the Winnipeg/Phoenix franchise is 0-5 all-time in Game 7s since joining the NHL in 1979. Including their history in the old World Hockey Association (1972-79), the Jets/Coyotes are 1-6 in Game 7s all-time. The franchise’s lone Game 7 win came on April 24, 1977, a 7-3 win over the San Diego Mariners in a WHA divisional semifinal series.
While the game made history for being the fifth straight OT game to open this series (joining the 1951 Stanley Cup finals between Toronto and Montreal as the only series where this has happened), it was also significant in another way in regards to the Coyotes.
Since their last series win as the original Winnipeg Jets (a 1987 divisional semifinals win over Calgary), the Jets/Coyotes franchise has now lost 13 straight playoff games when they’ve had a chance to clinch a series, with four of those losses coming in overtime.
Some other concerning postseason history for Phoenix as they prepare for Game 6 on Monday:
• This series marks the 4th time since 1987 that the Jets/Coyotes have held a 3-1 lead in a best-of-seven series. The franchise lost the other three such series (1990 to Edmonton, 1992 to Vancouver and 1999 to St. Louis). Only the Washington Capitals have lost a series when leading 3-1 more often in NHL history (the Caps have done it four times).
• If the Blackhawks win Monday and force a Game 7, the Winnipeg/Phoenix franchise is 0-5 all-time in Game 7s since joining the NHL in 1979. Including their history in the old World Hockey Association (1972-79), the Jets/Coyotes are 1-6 in Game 7s all-time. The franchise’s lone Game 7 win came on April 24, 1977, a 7-3 win over the San Diego Mariners in a WHA divisional semifinal series.
Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews discusses his game-winning goal in overtime of Game 5 of the Western Conference quarterfinals on Saturday night.
ESPNChicago.com's Jesse Rogers speaks with Blackhawks forward Viktor Stalberg to discuss Game 5 and the suspension of Raffi Torres.
The official statement from Raffi Torres, as released by the NHLPA:
TORONTO/NHLPA (April 21, 2012) - Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres issued the following statement today.
“My main concern is for the healthy recovery of Marian Hossa, and I hope that he will be able to get back on the ice to compete again soon. I sincerely regret injuring Marian.
Regarding the severity of the suspension issued, I will take the next few days to decide whether or not to appeal the decision.”
TORONTO/NHLPA (April 21, 2012) - Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres issued the following statement today.
“My main concern is for the healthy recovery of Marian Hossa, and I hope that he will be able to get back on the ice to compete again soon. I sincerely regret injuring Marian.
Regarding the severity of the suspension issued, I will take the next few days to decide whether or not to appeal the decision.”
Longest NHL suspensions
April, 21, 2012
Apr 21
3:21
PM ET
By Sources: TSN, Canadian Press | ESPN.com
These are the longest suspensions in NHL history.
Life: Billy Coutu, Boston Bruins, April 1927 for assaulting two referees and starting a Stanley Cup bench-clearing brawl. The ban was dropped after 2½ years, but Mr. Coutu never played in the NHL again.
30 games: Chris Simon, New York Islanders, Dec. 19, 2007, for slamming his skate into the foot of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jarkko Ruutu.
25 games: Raffi Torres, Phoenix, April 21, 2012, for launching himself to deliver a late hit to the head of Chicago's Marian Hossa during a playoff game on April 19, 2012.
25 games: Jesse Boulerice, Philadelphia, Oct. 12, 2007, for cross-checking Vancouver centre Ryan Kesler across the face in a game on Oct. 10.
25 games: Chris Simon, New York Islanders, March 11, 2007, for the rest of the regular season (15 games) and playoffs for his two-handed stick attack to the face of New York Rangers forward Ryan Hollweg. Since Islanders played only five playoff games, suspension extended to first five games of 2007-08.
23 games: Marty McSorley, Boston, Feb. 2000, for knocking out Vancouver’s Donald Brashear with a stick-swinging hit. On Nov. 7, 2000, the suspension was extended by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to Feb. 20, 2001.
23 games: Gordie Dwyer, Tampa Bay, Sept. 19, 2000, for abusing officials and coming out of the penalty box to fight in an exhibition game against Washington.
21 games: Dale Hunter, Washington, May 1993, for a blindside check of Pierre Turgeon of the N.Y. Islanders after a goal in a playoff game.
20 games: Steve Downie, Philadelphia, Sept. 28, 2007, for leaving his feet to deliver a deliberate hit to the head Ottawa forward Dean McAmmond in a preseason game Sept. 25.
20 games: Todd Bertuzzi, Vancouver, March 11, 2004, for his sucker-punch of Colorado forward Steve Moore on March 8. Bertuzzi’s suspension was for 13 regular season games, plus playoffs. Bertuzzi was reinstated 17 months later, after the year-long lockout.
20 games: Tom Lysiak, Chicago, Oct. 1983, for intentionally tripping a linesman.
20 games: Brad May, Phoenix, Nov. 15, 2000, for hitting Columbus’ Steve Heinze on the nose with his stick in a game on Nov. 11.
16 games: Eddie Shore, Boston, 1933, for hitting Toronto’s Ace Bailey over the head with his stick.
15 games: (3 regular-season, 12 playoff games) Maurice Richard, Montreal, March 1955, for leveling linesman Cliff Thompson during a scuffle with Boston’s Hal Laycoe.
15 games: Wilf Paiement, Colorado, Oct. 1978, for swinging his stick and hitting Detroit’s Dennis Polonich in the face.
15 games: Dave Brown, Philadelphia, Nov. 1987, for cross-checking Tomas Sandstrom of the New York Rangers across the face and breaking his jaw.
15 games: Tony Granato, Los Angeles, Feb. 1994, for slashing Pittsburgh’s Neil Wilkinson.
Life: Billy Coutu, Boston Bruins, April 1927 for assaulting two referees and starting a Stanley Cup bench-clearing brawl. The ban was dropped after 2½ years, but Mr. Coutu never played in the NHL again.
30 games: Chris Simon, New York Islanders, Dec. 19, 2007, for slamming his skate into the foot of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jarkko Ruutu.
25 games: Raffi Torres, Phoenix, April 21, 2012, for launching himself to deliver a late hit to the head of Chicago's Marian Hossa during a playoff game on April 19, 2012.
25 games: Jesse Boulerice, Philadelphia, Oct. 12, 2007, for cross-checking Vancouver centre Ryan Kesler across the face in a game on Oct. 10.
25 games: Chris Simon, New York Islanders, March 11, 2007, for the rest of the regular season (15 games) and playoffs for his two-handed stick attack to the face of New York Rangers forward Ryan Hollweg. Since Islanders played only five playoff games, suspension extended to first five games of 2007-08.
23 games: Marty McSorley, Boston, Feb. 2000, for knocking out Vancouver’s Donald Brashear with a stick-swinging hit. On Nov. 7, 2000, the suspension was extended by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to Feb. 20, 2001.
23 games: Gordie Dwyer, Tampa Bay, Sept. 19, 2000, for abusing officials and coming out of the penalty box to fight in an exhibition game against Washington.
21 games: Dale Hunter, Washington, May 1993, for a blindside check of Pierre Turgeon of the N.Y. Islanders after a goal in a playoff game.
20 games: Steve Downie, Philadelphia, Sept. 28, 2007, for leaving his feet to deliver a deliberate hit to the head Ottawa forward Dean McAmmond in a preseason game Sept. 25.
20 games: Todd Bertuzzi, Vancouver, March 11, 2004, for his sucker-punch of Colorado forward Steve Moore on March 8. Bertuzzi’s suspension was for 13 regular season games, plus playoffs. Bertuzzi was reinstated 17 months later, after the year-long lockout.
20 games: Tom Lysiak, Chicago, Oct. 1983, for intentionally tripping a linesman.
20 games: Brad May, Phoenix, Nov. 15, 2000, for hitting Columbus’ Steve Heinze on the nose with his stick in a game on Nov. 11.
16 games: Eddie Shore, Boston, 1933, for hitting Toronto’s Ace Bailey over the head with his stick.
15 games: (3 regular-season, 12 playoff games) Maurice Richard, Montreal, March 1955, for leveling linesman Cliff Thompson during a scuffle with Boston’s Hal Laycoe.
15 games: Wilf Paiement, Colorado, Oct. 1978, for swinging his stick and hitting Detroit’s Dennis Polonich in the face.
15 games: Dave Brown, Philadelphia, Nov. 1987, for cross-checking Tomas Sandstrom of the New York Rangers across the face and breaking his jaw.
15 games: Tony Granato, Los Angeles, Feb. 1994, for slashing Pittsburgh’s Neil Wilkinson.
From the official statement from the Phoenix Coyotes:
GLENDALE, ARIZONA --- Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney has issued the following statement regarding Coyotes forward Raffi Torres’ 25 game suspension that was announced today by the National Hockey League.
“I want to thank Brendan Shanahan and his staff for their thorough review of this incident," said Maloney. “The ruling is very severe for Raffi and our Hockey Club. Raffi plays a hard, physical game yet this contact crossed the line on what is acceptable in our game today. We hope Marian Hossa makes a full and speedy recovery as we all enjoy watching him perform. The Club accepts the NHL's decision and will focus on our game tonight.”
-COYOTES-
GLENDALE, ARIZONA --- Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney has issued the following statement regarding Coyotes forward Raffi Torres’ 25 game suspension that was announced today by the National Hockey League.
“I want to thank Brendan Shanahan and his staff for their thorough review of this incident," said Maloney. “The ruling is very severe for Raffi and our Hockey Club. Raffi plays a hard, physical game yet this contact crossed the line on what is acceptable in our game today. We hope Marian Hossa makes a full and speedy recovery as we all enjoy watching him perform. The Club accepts the NHL's decision and will focus on our game tonight.”
-COYOTES-
From the official NHL release:
COYOTES’ TORRES SUSPENDED FOR 25 GAMES
NEW YORK (April 21, 2012) -- Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres has been suspended for 25 games for launching himself to deliver a late hit to the head of Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa during Game 3 of the teams’ Western Conference Quarterfinal playoff series in Chicago on Tuesday, April 17, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today
Should the 25 games not be served by the conclusion of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the remaining games of the suspension will carry over into the following regular season. Torres will be prohibited from playing in any preseason games until he has served this 25-game suspension (playoff and regular-season games).
Should the suspension carry over to next season, because he is classified as a repeat offender under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Torres will forfeit $21,341.46 in salary for every regular-season game in which he is ineligible to play.
The incident occurred at 11:42 of the first period. Hossa suffered an injury as a result of the hit.
Torres already has served one game of this suspension, Game 4 of the series in Chicago on Thursday, April 19.
For a full explanation of the decision, complete with video, please click on the following link:
http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=60&id=173753.
###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / APRIL 21, 2012
STATEMENTS FROM NHL SR VP PLAYER SAFETY BRENDAN SHANAHAN REGARDING
SUSPENSION OF COYOTES' TORRES
NEW YORK (April 21, 2012) -- Following are statements from National Hockey League Senior Vice President of Player Safety and Hockey Operations Brendan Shanahan in announcing the 25-game suspension assessed to Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres:
“This is a violation of three NHL rules – interference, charging and illegal check to the head.”
“In addition to the fact that three separate NHL rules were violated with this one hit, two other factors were critical in determining the appropriate length of suspension:
“First, this violent and dangerous hit caused a severe injury.
“Second, Torres not only is a repeat offender as defined by the CBA, his extensive Supplemental Discipline history consists mainly of acts very similar to this one – including two this season.”
“Despite knowing that Hossa no longer has the puck, Torres decides to finish his check past the amount of time when Hossa is eligible to be bodychecked. That is a violation of the Interference rule.”
“While we acknowledge the circumstances of certain hits may cause a player’s skates to come off the ice, on this hit, Torres launches himself into the air before making contact. This is a violation of the Charging rule.”
“The position of Hossa’s head does not change just prior to or simultaneous with this hit. The onus, therefore, is on Torres not to make it the principal point of contact. By leaping, Torres makes Hossa’s head the principal point of contact. That is a violation of the Illegal Check to the Head rule.”
COYOTES’ TORRES SUSPENDED FOR 25 GAMES
NEW YORK (April 21, 2012) -- Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres has been suspended for 25 games for launching himself to deliver a late hit to the head of Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa during Game 3 of the teams’ Western Conference Quarterfinal playoff series in Chicago on Tuesday, April 17, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today
Should the 25 games not be served by the conclusion of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the remaining games of the suspension will carry over into the following regular season. Torres will be prohibited from playing in any preseason games until he has served this 25-game suspension (playoff and regular-season games).
Should the suspension carry over to next season, because he is classified as a repeat offender under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Torres will forfeit $21,341.46 in salary for every regular-season game in which he is ineligible to play.
The incident occurred at 11:42 of the first period. Hossa suffered an injury as a result of the hit.
Torres already has served one game of this suspension, Game 4 of the series in Chicago on Thursday, April 19.
For a full explanation of the decision, complete with video, please click on the following link:
http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=60&id=173753.
###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / APRIL 21, 2012
STATEMENTS FROM NHL SR VP PLAYER SAFETY BRENDAN SHANAHAN REGARDING
SUSPENSION OF COYOTES' TORRES
NEW YORK (April 21, 2012) -- Following are statements from National Hockey League Senior Vice President of Player Safety and Hockey Operations Brendan Shanahan in announcing the 25-game suspension assessed to Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres:
“This is a violation of three NHL rules – interference, charging and illegal check to the head.”
“In addition to the fact that three separate NHL rules were violated with this one hit, two other factors were critical in determining the appropriate length of suspension:
“First, this violent and dangerous hit caused a severe injury.
“Second, Torres not only is a repeat offender as defined by the CBA, his extensive Supplemental Discipline history consists mainly of acts very similar to this one – including two this season.”
“Despite knowing that Hossa no longer has the puck, Torres decides to finish his check past the amount of time when Hossa is eligible to be bodychecked. That is a violation of the Interference rule.”
“While we acknowledge the circumstances of certain hits may cause a player’s skates to come off the ice, on this hit, Torres launches himself into the air before making contact. This is a violation of the Charging rule.”
“The position of Hossa’s head does not change just prior to or simultaneous with this hit. The onus, therefore, is on Torres not to make it the principal point of contact. By leaping, Torres makes Hossa’s head the principal point of contact. That is a violation of the Illegal Check to the Head rule.”
The Blackhawks look to even the series at 2-2 when they host the Coyotes tonight in Game 4 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews discusses the hit by Raffi Torres on Marian Hossa.
WHO'S DELIVERING THE CHECKS
Scott Burnside
Scott Burnside covers the NHL for ESPN.com. Before joining the website in 2005, he was a reporter for The Windsor Star and Toronto Sun. Burnside also co-authored the best-selling true crime book "Deadly Innocence."
• Follow on Twitter (@ESPN_Burnside)
Pierre LeBrun
Pierre LeBrun covers the NHL for ESPN.com, joining the website in Sept. 2008 after spending 13 years with The Canadian Press as its national hockey columnist. He is also a regular panelist for TSN of Canada.
• Follow on Twitter (@Real_ESPNLeBrun)
Craig Custance
Craig Custance joined ESPN in Sept. 2011 to cover the NHL for ESPN the Magazine, ESPN Insider and ESPN.com. Previously, he covered hockey for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Sporting News.
• Follow on Twitter (@CraigCustance)
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