Brendan Shanahan has made an example out of Raffi Torres. The Phoenix Coyotes forward has been suspended 25 games for his hit on Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa. Torres left his feet on the hit and made direct contact with Hossa’s head. Hossa was taken off the ice on a stretcher and taken to hospital. He was then released to recover at home.
Here’s a look at the hit by Raffi Torres on Marian Hossa:
Now Torres is a repeat offender so that has played a role in the length of his suspension but was his hit on Hossa any worse than Zdeno Chara’s hit on Max Pacioretty? I am not saying that Torres doesn’t deserve to be suspended because he does! I am just showing you a prime example of the inconsistency of Brendan Shanahan. Chara clearly interfered with Pacioretty causing him to sustain a horrible injury and what did Chara get? Not even one game. Good job Shanahan!
Here’s a the Zdeno Chara hit on Max Pacioretty:
He certainly deserves this suspension. Maybe it will teach him a valuable lesson. Apparently, he hasn’t learned from past punishments that he’s received. That was simply a malicious, unprecedented and needless hit on Marian Hossa!
I just pray that Marian will be okay. Any news on his status?
The Chicago Blackhawks still haven’t released a statement regarding the condition of Marian Hossa. I honestly can’t believe that the NHL has let Raffi Torres get away with so many dirty hits. It’s guys like him that shouldn’t be allowed in the NHL anymore. I can see making a mistake in the heat of the moment but to be a repeat offender that many times is unacceptable.
I totally agree, Amanda. All of us are human and do things impulsively. And when you’re out on the ice and moving very fast, it’s even easier to do such rash things. But in the case of Torres, it’s completely different. In my honest opinion, since he’s a repeat offender, he should have been expelled, not suspended.
I was thinking the same thing Kelly! I can’t see any team that will want him unless he makes a huge turn around which is highly unlikely but it is possible, just look at Matt Cooke! He’s a whole new player now!