Tootoo takes the fall, Predators drop the ball

by Dirk Hoag on Mar 20, 2007 10:16 AM EDT

It's quite fashionable to bash the Nashville Predators this season, and last weekend's game against Dallas only added more voices to the chorus seemingly bent on running the Preds out of town, or as some would prefer, out of the league entirely. Since we now know that Jordin Tootoo will sit for five games for knocking out Stephane Robidas, I thought I'd toss my $0.02 in on the evening's activities:

1. Obviously (to most, but not all), the initial hit by Tootoo on Modano was clean, hard hockey. Mike Modano had just played the puck, Tootoo didn't leave his feet, end of story.

2. Robidas sees the hit and turns to charge at Tootoo - he comes at him with his stick in both hands, ready to come in and blast away. Under those circumstances, I don't see Tootoo's response as a "sucker punch", as many have called it*. If Robidas hadn't gotten the concussion from that hard fall, I doubt it would have resulted in a suspension (which is a problem of subjective decision-making in the league office). Who knows what would have happened if Tootoo hadn't turned around, Robidas would likely have drilled him into the boards.

3. Modano's stick swing from behind on Tootoo seemed to be one of those where a guy starts to do something, then stops halfway through. No harm, no foul - maybe they could have called him for a high stick (as they do when even accidental stick contact is made to the head), but that's about it.

4. The Nashville Predators did indeed "fail the game" (to use Dallas President Jim Lites' words) by not recognizing Modano's goal-scoring milestone during Saturday's game. Yes, it was a competitive game against a conference foe the Preds are likely to see in the playoffs. But the NHL is supposed to be about the highest level of professional hockey, not mere city vs. city bloodsport. The classy move would have been to recognize Modano's new status as the leading American-born goal scorer in NHL history, and for the fans to have given him a polite ovation. Especially in a town where the Preds are trying so hard to build a hockey fan base, the misstep here is troubling. If the Predators want to be treated like a top-notch NHL franchise, they need to act like one, and showing the proper respect for hallmark achievements like Modano's should be expected.

Just keep your calendars marked for March 31st, when Tootoo's suspension is over and the Dallas Stars return to Nashville for what could be a 1st-round playoff preview.

*Update: In an interview on Nashville radio Tuesday afternoon, former Star (and current Dallas radio host) Craig Ludwig said he didn't see it as a sucker punch, either.

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I have to disagree with point two. If Tootoo doesn't turn around, then Robidas should have been suspended. Tootoo has a history of being a dirty player as well, and I'm sure that was reflected in the suspension. I also don't think there's any possible way you can definitively say the concussion came from the hard fall. He looked pretty limp after Tootoo cold-cocked him.

by vh2k6 on Mar 20, 2007 12:59 PM EDT reply actions

Surely the medical exam could tell where the concussion occurred, and I took my wording from the Dallas Morning News account of the situation, which read, "Robidas fell to the ice and suffered a concussion." I'm not trying to play doctor, just picking up on what the published reports stated.

by The Forechecker on Mar 20, 2007 1:10 PM EDT reply actions

I'll take up the counter-argument on the fourth point - back during the 2004 World Cup Modano openly said that the League should contract Nashville (and Carolina, for that matter). That's enough reason for me to excuse the Preds' lack of celebration for him.

by JP on Mar 20, 2007 2:29 PM EDT reply actions

"Robidas fell to the ice and suffered a concussion" doesn't tell me when the concussion occurred. It tells me that those two things happened. Not that those two things are cause and effect

At any rate, the punch caused the fall. So regardless of whether he suffered the injury on the punch or the connection with the ice, he should have been suspended. I don't know if you were arguing against the suspension or not, it was hard to tell (in fact, you may not have been arguing the point at all >_>)

by vh2k6 on Mar 20, 2007 4:56 PM EDT reply actions

What I was trying to say there was that if Robidas took the punch and they continued to tussle, I'd bet there would have been no suspension...

by The Forechecker on Mar 20, 2007 5:11 PM EDT reply actions

Just by looking into an issue, it brings attention to it" Dr. Johnson, neurologist
What kind of professional advice is that. The problem with these so called "Concussion experts", is the only players they ever see are in post concussion. They have no clue how to prevent a concussion.
The TooToo hit was clearly a blow to the jaw. Marvin Hagler endured thousands of blows to the jaw of similar force and was never knocked down. A medical device he helped develop creates a class three fulcrum on the back molars, rocking the mandible away from the skull.( get out the physics 101 book). Preventing a concussion from a blow to the jaw is not the work of a neurologist. The NFL and Riddell have determined 70% originate from blows to the jaw and 30% from blows to the crown of the head. Both having different symptoms and severity, you are more likely to be knocked unconcious by a blow to the jaw (boxing). Even more serious, Parkinsons, Alzeimers and brain desease are found to be linked to blows to the jaw (pugilistica demetia, boxing).
You only have to see the neurologist to find out how bad your concussion is. The most unbelievable thing about the Shanahan situation is, his hometown of Duxbury MA is where we certified one of our first dentists to make this retainer like mouth guard. The world will soon wake up to this ground breaking medical discovery. Until then the "concussion experts " will vasilate on and on about how bad the injury is, it 's absolutley disgusting governing bodies aren't open to new ideas. www.mahercor

by Anonymous on Mar 20, 2007 10:50 PM EDT reply actions

"What I was trying to say there was that if Robidas took the punch and they continued to tussle, I'd bet there would have been no suspension..."

So if the punch wouldn't have landed? I dunno, I'd be pretty surprised if someone took a gloved punch in the face that hard and stayed standing. But if he wouldn't have been drastically hurt by it, you're probably right.

by vh2k6 on Mar 20, 2007 11:07 PM EDT reply actions