Is 2013-14 Becoming the Year of the Head Shots?

Before I get into this, let me just say that I have mulling over this idea for a week now. Every time I think about writing on this subject, something new comes up (& it's usually more disturbing). It's finally time to push this to the front of the list & blow some steam off.

We aren't even done with the first month of the 2013-14 NHL season, & we have more concussions & suspensions than stats & games to talk about. Everyday on SiriusXM they moan & complain about Patrick Kaleta & John Scott. Mike Milbury on NBC post game (or whatever station you're watching him on, doesn't matter) went off on Buffalo Sabres' goon, John Scott, for his hit on Boston Bruins' Loui Ericsson & on coach Ron Rolston for not having any sense of discipline or remorse for the actions occurring in the locker room & on the ice. Check out Mike going off:



For once, I actually agree with Mike. My favorite term I've heard over the past few days to describe the play & attitude of Buffalo is "dumpster fire". Whether its filled with excrement or not, "dumpster fire"is the exact term I'd use for the Sabres. Here's the hit by Kaleta that seemed to start it all:



Aren't those Shanahan videos sexy? Gives me goosebumps every time I watch them. Anyways, as we can see by the two hits, they're almost in the exact same spot of the arena & by the same team on different dates. God this team is bad. Let's switch from the Sabres & show what other hits this year have warranted suspension:




I feel like this will continue this season. Either players are not keeping their head up, or there are simply that many malicious players out here today. Maybe the embellishment of a hit is creating injury. Rather than trying to roll off a hit or look back when going into a corner, players are trying to draw penalties for their team, then paying the ultimate penalty. Whatever it is, I hope it gets fixed soon. I do not want to write a "part 2" on this.

Patrick Kaleta Suspended 5 Games by Shanahan

I always like reporting on player's safety, & for the most part Brendan Shanahan
usually gets the call right with his group of men. This time I'm not so sure. The other night, Buffalo Sabres' Patrick Kaleta gave an illegal hit from behind on New York Rangers' Brad Richards that sent him sliding not so violently, yet dangerouly into the boards.

After reviewing the incident, Shanahan and the player's safety committee decided on a 5-game suspension of Kaleta. Here's the break down by Shanahan:



I personally think 5 games may be a little harsh, but if they're trying to send a message to a repeat offender that this will not be tolerated then I guess you must. I think 3 games & a fine wouldv'e been substantial & my reasoning is that maybe Richards embelished a little. The angle at which Kaleta thrusted his stick into the back of Richards didn't seem low or high enough to naturally send him into the boards so hard.

With so many player's embellishing these days its hard to say whether Richards really was put down on the floor that hard. He even looked back at Kaleta to see how close he was for a pretty long duration. He also seemed to brace himself alright enough for the blow on the boards, & then grabbed his head in pain like if he was dying on the ice. I don't know, I'm all for player's safety, & that's why Kaleta should be punished, but it just seemed too much.

Shanahan laying down the law

The new enforcer for player's safety in the league, Brendan Shanahan, has laid down a 4 game suspension to Buffalo Sabres winger Patrick Kaleta after delivering an intentional headbutt to Philadelphia Flyers winger Jakub Voracek. See for yourself and judge whether or not he deserves it:



He's a repeat offender and for shots like that you need to serve time.