NHL fines Sharks for 100k after Doug Wilson's Comments

[ButterBean]

Pierre Lebrun just posted it on twitter.

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun 9m

NHL fines Sharks $100,000 for Doug Wilson's statement from yesterday

This is ridiculous.

[*VaNcOuVeRCaNuCkS*]

[Everybody Hates Raymond]

It's like the USSR... Union of Stupid Shanahan Rulings

[Peaches]

Lolz Nice one NHL.

[stexx]

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun 9m

NHL fines Sharks $100,000 for Doug Wilson's statement from yesterday

A Statement from GM Doug Wilson Regarding the Raffi Torres Suspension

The Sharks organization fully supports the NHL in its efforts to remove illegal and dangerous hits from the game but we strongly disagree with the NHL's decision to suspend Raffi Torres.

Upon review of the incident, it is abundantly clear that this was a clean hockey hit. As noted by the NHL, Raffi's initial point of contact was a shoulder-to-shoulder hit on an opponent who was playing the puck. He did not leave his feet or elevate, he kept his shoulder tucked and elbow down at his side, and he was gliding - not skating or charging.

As stated in the NHL's Player Safety video, Rule 48.1 says, "A hit resulting in contact with an opponent's head where the head is targeted and the principal point of contact is not permitted." Thus, with the use of the word "and", this rule clearly states that two elements must occur in order to violate the rule. Raffi absolutely did not target his opponent's head on the play. The call on the ice specifically acknowledged that the head was not targeted and nowhere in the NHL's ruling does it insinuate or suggest that the opponent's head was targeted.

Furthermore, the rule goes on to say: "However, in determining whether such a hit should have been permitted, the circumstances of the hit, including whether the opponent put himself in a vulnerable position immediately prior to or simultaneously with the hit or the head contact on an otherwise legal body check was avoidable, can be considered."

As evidenced in the video, just prior to Torres making contact with the opposing player, that player altered his posture to play a bouncing puck with his hand, placing himself in a vulnerable position.

Comparing the facts of this incident against the actual wording of Rule 48.1, it appears that the NHL has not only made an inappropriate application of this rule but is trying to make an example out of a player who is being judged on past events, one who has changed his game dramatically this season and taken only six minor penalties in 39 games.

We are proud of the work Raffi has put in to successfully adjust his game. Although it's unfortunate that Jarret was injured on the play, we feel this decision is grossly unfair to the Raffi, his teammates and our fans. However, Raffi does not want to be a distraction to his teammates and has decided not to appeal this suspension and we respect that decision.

and people wonder why gillis/AV dont speak out in the media.

[RyanKeslord17]

This is hilarious. Keep whining SJ.

[Dral]

The Canucks don't have enough money to call out the refs/league every time they do something stupid.

[Gustavo Fring]

This is hilarious. Keep whining SJ.

[Scottish⑦Canuck]

The NHL is a joke. You can't criticise anything they do without being punished.

How about you take that money and retrain your pathetic officials?

[Coconuts]

Wow, the NHL is a joke. Good for Doug Wilson for sticking to his guns.

[Gross-Misconduct]

This is hilarious. Keep whining SJ.

[Go Faulk Yourself]

He got fined for speaking the truth and actually telling the NHL how bent their rulings are. Ridiculous.

Props to Doug Wilson for actually calling them out.

[DeNiro]

Lol.

The Sharks get fined for whining about officiating. Yet the Canucks keep their mouths shut despite horrendous officiating, and ironically the team will still continue to have the reputation as whiners.

This is ridiculous though. The NHL is a dictatorship run by a little man with a Napolean complex. How can a league try and improve itself if any criticism is quickly dismissed and punished?

The NHL is not as good at running a league as they think they are. Maybe it's time they start listening to the GMS when they voice concerns.

[Cigano]

The NHL is freakin joke. Those comments had nothing wrong with them and were his opinion in which many people agree with. The NHL is trying to rule everyone and restrict people from saying anything that goes against them. They want people to believe all their decisions are right and how dare anyone say anything against us.

Yet Shea Weber gets nothing for slamming a guy's head into the glass/

[TimberWolf]

I thought that according to Logan that the reffing was outstanding? The Sharks certainly were not complaining when the inconsistency was working in their favour. I guess they thought they were going to get to ride that to the cup or something?

While the fine is ridiculous, the statement absolutely correct and the hit was not illegal at all, I find it ironic and curious how awesome the officiating is now to snot nosed Couture. I said to the Shark trolls on this board that they wouldn't be laughing when they faced a real NHL darling.

Torres deserves better, though. Just a horsecrap suspension based on an undeserved reputation because he plays like Toronto hero Wendel Clark used to and was celebrated for. Now Torres needs to shout "I am coming, get your head up, I am going to hit you in open ice, sir!" Because it seems that you are no longer responsible for keeping your head up. Or does that depend on what team you play for, your star status or who you are currently playing?

This league needs an enema.

[lmm]

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun 9m

NHL fines Sharks $100,000 for Doug Wilson's statement from yesterday

A Statement from GM Doug Wilson Regarding the Raffi Torres Suspension

The Sharks organization fully supports the NHL in its efforts to remove illegal and dangerous hits from the game but we strongly disagree with the NHL's decision to suspend Raffi Torres.

Upon review of the incident, it is abundantly clear that this was a clean hockey hit. As noted by the NHL, Raffi's initial point of contact was a shoulder-to-shoulder hit on an opponent who was playing the puck. He did not leave his feet or elevate, he kept his shoulder tucked and elbow down at his side, and he was gliding - not skating or charging.

As stated in the NHL's Player Safety video, Rule 48.1 says, "A hit resulting in contact with an opponent's head where the head is targeted and the principal point of contact is not permitted." Thus, with the use of the word "and", this rule clearly states that two elements must occur in order to violate the rule. Raffi absolutely did not target his opponent's head on the play. The call on the ice specifically acknowledged that the head was not targeted and nowhere in the NHL's ruling does it insinuate or suggest that the opponent's head was targeted.

Furthermore, the rule goes on to say: "However, in determining whether such a hit should have been permitted, the circumstances of the hit, including whether the opponent put himself in a vulnerable position immediately prior to or simultaneously with the hit or the head contact on an otherwise legal body check was avoidable, can be considered."

As evidenced in the video, just prior to Torres making contact with the opposing player, that player altered his posture to play a bouncing puck with his hand, placing himself in a vulnerable position.

Comparing the facts of this incident against the actual wording of Rule 48.1, it appears that the NHL has not only made an inappropriate application of this rule but is trying to make an example out of a player who is being judged on past events, one who has changed his game dramatically this season and taken only six minor penalties in 39 games.

We are proud of the work Raffi has put in to successfully adjust his game. Although it's unfortunate that Jarret was injured on the play, we feel this decision is grossly unfair to the Raffi, his teammates and our fans. However, Raffi does not want to be a distraction to his teammates and has decided not to appeal this suspension and we respect that decision.

and people wonder why gillis/AV dont speak out in the media.

[DeNiro]

yes I wonder why MG especially doesn't speak out about injustice, Wilson did, Ovie did, MG did not

a Team fine of $100,000 is nothing

[The Magician]

LOL biggest joke. He says they strongly disagree with the suspension and it's $100,000 HAHAH!

[kurtis]

What a joke. How does this sport keep growing?

[Alex Burrows 14]

Good for him something had to be said