Call the Coyotes, Colin Campbell

by Dirk Hoag on Oct 11, 2007 10:19 PM EDT

The 20-game suspension to Steve Downie was supposed to send a message to the NHL about reckless hits. As we saw yesterday with Jesse Boulerice, however, head shots are still in vogue among the league's marginal thugs. Tonight, Phoenix's Craig Weller put his name up for consideration by the league office for suspension after clotheslining Predators agitator Jordin Tootoo in the 3rd period.

With the Coyotes up 4-2 in the 3rd, Tootoo took a run at Daniel Winnik as he came around the Nashville net with his head down. It was a legal play (didn't leave his feet, led with his shoulder), and Tootoo pretty much whiffed on the hit anyway. The puck came up the boards to Weller, and as Tootoo came up the ice Weller just slung his right arm around Tootoo's neck, slamming him down to the ice. Weller then tossed his gloves aside as if he was ready to scrap, but Tootoo was still down and Martin Gelinas tied him up (and got a mysterious roughing call for his efforts).

What kind of player gives up the play with the puck on his stick to attack another player like that? And how did the Flyers let a guy like this slip through their fingers? It'll be interesting to see what kind of suspension (if any) Weller receives, as it also leaves open the question of whether suspending a marginal talent like that really penalizes the team at all. Perhaps a fine or suspension for the coach should be considered? If not in this case, certainly it should be an option for Philadelphia, which has had two such episodes in a short time, as noted over at Red & Black.

It's too bad that this incident obscures a solid effort by the Coyotes tonight in a 6-3 win. They jumped out to an early lead on the Predators and Alex Auld stood tall in the face of some excellent pressure by Nashville, particularly from Alexander Radulov who had his best game so far (mostly playing alongside Legwand & Erat again).

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So, when Tootoo punched Robidas last year, should Barry Trotz gotten fined and suspended? Or is it because Wayne Gretzky is the coach of the Coyotes?

Is Weller a marginal talent being that it's his first year in the NHL? He has more points now than Tootoo does and Tootoo career stats are not spectacular. One could argue the other way regarding Tootoo as a marginal talent as well. Being an agitator currently sets him apart from those that shoot and score, but using numbers as our guide, where does Tootoo fit among the NHL echelon?

Even though I agree that Weller should be held accountable for his actions, I disagree with the comparison to Steve Downie or Jesse Boulerice.

Tootoo's shoulder connected with Daniel Winnik's jaw - there has to be a change in how we view these types of hits. Clean yes - dangerous, most definitely.

by PB on Oct 12, 2007 12:29 PM EDT reply actions

Mason is killing me in my pools this week. Ugh.

by Kent W. on Oct 12, 2007 12:40 PM EDT reply actions

PB, what I'd be in favor of is penalties for the coach/team in the event of multiple such instances in a given season, i.e. Philadelphia right now.

As for Weller and Tootoo being marginal talents, I'd say both fall into that category. There's probably a player or two on just about every team in the league that wouldn't be missed if they were suspended for a few games.

And just to be clear, I don't put Weller's action at the same level as Downie or Boulerice, but a 1 or 2 game suspension I think would be in order (I doubt it'll happen, though).

As far as the Tootoo hit goes, yes it was dangerous, but Winnik put himself in a dangerous situation.

by The Forechecker on Oct 12, 2007 1:24 PM EDT reply actions

Regarding Winnik putting himself in a dangerous position, I would agree as his head was clearly down and if a team has multiple instances with these issues on the ice, I would also agree to hold the coaching staff accountable as well.

Atlanta had similar concerns last year, I remember correctly.

I don't think a suspension will happen either, but I wouldn't be opposed to seeing him get a game or two with his actions. I know why he did it, but he could have handled it differently.

Busy morning for me (afternoon for you) - the debate is pretty healthy and we're only at the fifth game of the season?

by PB on Oct 12, 2007 2:37 PM EDT reply actions

Although it went unpenalized, Tootoo's hit was not a legal hit. If that's not a clear cut charging penalty, then I don't know what is. Not to mention targeting an unsuspecting player and targeting the head.

It's a far more greater problem to the NHL than Weller's "clothesline". I can't possibly see the league even reviewing this, though perhaps the Tootoo hit.

by Justin on Oct 12, 2007 4:20 PM EDT reply actions