The Department of Player Safety has been busy today. Corey Perry has been given a five-game suspension for his elbow on Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis during the Winter Classic. As the accompanying video explains:
It is important to note that while we acknowledge Perry’s argument that he did not intend to elbow Ellis in the head, he is in control of this hit at all times and solely responsible for the end result. While Ellis is releasing a shot, he does not move sharply or suddenly in an unexpected that contributes to the end result of this hit. Perry acknowledges that he initially takes an angle of approach to attempt to make a play on the puck, causing him to cut in front of Ellis’ body. Now unable to make any meaningful body contact, Perry follows through with his elbow, driving it into Ellis’ head.
Not only did Ellis suffer a serious injury on the play—he left the game and has been placed on injured reserve today—but Perry also has another factor working against him. Even though he has played in more than 1,000 games, he has two previous suspensions on his record which only make this punishment more severe.
The Dallas Stars will be without Perry for almost two weeks, as the next game he is eligible for will be Thursday, January 16th at the Buffalo Sabres. Of note, that means he will miss the Stars’ first trip to Anaheim to take on the Ducks, where he played the first 988 games of his NHL career.
Looking at his stats the last couple of years,I am afraid he might near the end of his career.
Walk of shame
100% on this and could have been more,considering Perry’s History,he had a Choice!
4-2
Perry should be suspended for as long as Ellis is on injured reserve. If the league took this approach you would see less head hunting.
Would you? How much headhunting do you see right now? Prior to this when was the last suspension dished out for an illegal check to the head?
All that takes is for a team to sign a scrub to feign getting hit by Cindy Crosby and nurse that injury forever so Cindy sits forever as well.
Austin Watson, 4 games, 30 days ago same offense, elbow to head.
I Perry gets 5 games for this what would this punk Ellis should have gotten for headhunting Buchnevich a couple of games ago??? NHL Players Safety Department is a joke.
Agreed Alex.
Ellis was in full control of his body when making the hit and Buchnevich did not move sharply or abruptly. This is why it is such a joke to have former players with zero real-life management skills start off in director positions. There is no consistency in the DOPS and its a real damn shame. Not saying Perry didn’t deserve his suspension, because he does but not this extent. Ellis should have been given a major, game misconduct, and at least 1 game for his hit too.
Perry has always been a dirtbag on the ice. It goes way beyond the previous 2 NHL suspensions.