Earlier today it was reported that Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk would have a hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for his high stick on Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick last night. That hearing has apparently come and gone and the league has decided to suspend the winger for two games for the infraction.
As the accompanying video explains:
“It is important to note that this is not a reckless or careless use of the stick during a normal hockey play. Rather, this is a controlled and purposeful stick directed at the head of an opponent. While we have heard Tkachuk’s argument that he was not intentionally aiming for quick’s face in an attempt to injure him, he was intentionally using the blade of his stick to hit an opponent in the head, making contact with his face. And while this stick is delivered without substantial force, it is only because of the lack of force that this play is not met with more severe discipline.”
When discussing the length of the suspension, the video also takes into account Tkachuk’s previous disciplinary history, including one fine and three suspensions. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Tkachuk will forfeit $102,702.70 which will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
The incident happened at 19:22 of the third period during Florida’s 5-4 loss to the Kings. As Quick froze the puck, Tkachuk stuck his stick blade inside the goaltender’s mask. Tkachuk was assessed a two-minute penalty and a misconduct on the play.
Not enough.
He’s a Punk!
Nice tantrum! You sure told him. Well played.
Should have been 10+ games but hey, he will learn his lesson right!(insert eye roll)
Just keep encouraging him!!! This league will never learn!!!
One of these days, Walt Jr. #1 will realize that ALL games are televised, and the camera sees all. Why can’t he do what Walter Payton used to do? Just go in and tie the guy’s skate laces together.
Reinhart gets Barkov back for two games.
This guy won’t get it until the league seriously punishes him. His past has proven he won’t back away from intentionally attempting to injure another player, just see his elbow to Doughty a few years ago.
The guy is gonna miss 2 games and roughly 100k, just a drop in the pan to him. Roughly 1.1% of his yearly income. or what would amount to $765 to an average American. For what could have blinded Quick in that eye if things went badly.
Want to fix his actions… make it cost him something serious (not just him but all repeat offenders really), and make fines and suspensions more punishing. To clean up this dirty stuff from continually happening, the repeat offenders need to be hit with more than a slap on the wrist. Hit them where it hurts the most, their pocketbook, and they will learn to play on the line and not across it.
The game is better when the Marchands, Tkachuk’s, and Kadri’s are playing, not suspended. Teaching them to play within the rules, even if on the edge of them, is better for everyone. Get that recklessness and dirty stuff out of the game.
And this is said as a Panther fan, not a Kings fan. Let’s get rid of this slap on the wrist action against “dirty” players to better the game for all. Go ahead and play on the line, but learn where the line is and don’t cross it.
I think there’s a 1 missing in front of that 2…