By now, we’ve likely all heard about the suspension to Canadiens forward Tomas Plekanec for slewfooting Denis Grebeshkov on Wednesday night. As Jason Gregor reported yesterday, Grebeshkov is going to be out for a minimum of two weeks, and likely longer with a high ankle sprain. Plekanec will be ineligible to play for two games, in accordance with the Colin Campbell Wheel of Justice.
With both Grebeshkov and Visnovsky injured, the blueline corps has been transformed from a strength to a weakness; Jason Strudwick and the recently recalled Theo Peckham are simply not of the same calibre as those two players.
Things could be worse, though. Yesterday, the Minnesota Wild sent a new video of Sheldon Souray’s fight with Craig Weller to the NHL, based on a close-up angle from FSN’s coverage of the game. According to the Wild, it’s conclusive evidence:
The replay shows Souray throwing four “punches.” Each time, Souray, instead of leading with his fist, turned his left wrist and forearmed Weller in the face. Weller sustained a serious concussion and hasn’t played since.
Souray already met with Colin Campbell, who warned him that fighting while wearing the wrist guard is illegal. This video is hardly conclusive (Note: this isn’t the close-up the Wild sent in), but it certainly seems possible that Souray was hitting Weller with his wrist guard. The Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune, who reported this story, says it’s “hard to imagine” Souray being disciplined, given that the incident occurred a month ago. Souray
Maybe it’s just me, but if the video is conclusive in showing that Souray intentionally hit Weller with his wrist guard, I’d like to see a suspension. Russo’s likely right that the league will chose to do nothing, especially given their rather lax disciplinary policy (exceptions: if you insult your ex-girlfriend on TV) and the length of time that has passed. Even so, it’s impossible to justify Souray using his wrist guard as a weapon, and if that is what indeed took place here, he deserves punishment.
Minny's nuckin futz. Just want a playoff spot. Someone should tell them the trap is dead,and nobody but stupid minny fans want to watch bottled up neutral zone traps. Snore
Looks like Souray was giving him the forearm to the head. I agree with your position that punishment is deserved for that.
As for the Plekanec slew foot on Grebeshkov, I have a couple of concerns. It looked like a deliberate attempt to injure an opponent. The on ice officials did not see it that way. Plekanec should have been dealt with physically after that play. Hemsky has been hit dirty and no one has stepped up to that either.
Need some character on the Oilers to stand up for their teammates.
FMNF – sorry.
Not only do the Oilers miss Grebs for awhile, but the 2 game suspension of Plekanec keeps him from playing against 2 Northwest teams, Vancouver and Colorado.
If there is conclusive proof that he intentionally caused injury to an opposing player, then yes, he absolutely deserves a suspension. That said, I don't think anything will come of this since it looked pretty inconclusive, although it's definitely something Souray needs to be mindful of when he drops the gloves in the future.
JW,
Souray already had a meeting with Campbell regarding this at the All-Star break. Campbell wanted to see the thumb/wrist guard to see if was that dangerous.
Campbell concluded it wasn't and Souray said that Campbell wanted to see it himself so he could make a better judgement on it in the future.
As for Souray intentionally hitting Weller with this, I'm not sure the evidence is conclusive enough to state that.
However, I'm not sure how many fights you've been in, but guys don't want to try and hit a guy purposely with their thumb. You don't generate much leverage, plus the chance of hurting yourself is increased greatly.
Souray said ideally he doesn't like punching with his left because he is still a bit concerned about re-injuring it. He did in this case because Weller had his right tied up he said.
I've seen the guard up close and when on his wrist/thumb it rests right on the thumb knuckle. He would have to turn his fist to the side to have a direct hit with the guard, and that would be awkward and more dangerous to him than actually hitting his opponent with the guard.
He won't be suspended, nor should he. From the video you watched you can't even see where the guard sits, so how can you say confidently that he should be suspended?
And the fact he has met with Campbell over two weeks ago now, there is zero chance he will be suspended by the league. Campbell didn't tell him that he can't fight with it on in the future either.
Who saw this coming?!?
Jason Gregor wrote:
I can't. If, however the close-up video the Wild sent in shows it conclusively, that I would be in favour of a suspension.
Jason Gregor wrote:
I couldn't find any post-meeting stuff, but the pre-meeting stories seemed to indicate it was illegal. I take it you have more recent information?
Jonathan Willis wrote:
We spoke with Souray the minute he returned from the All-star break. He has been using a guard for five seasons, and every year it gets smaller and more compact. The reason Campbell didn't deem it a weapon was due to where it sits on his thumb/wrist.
The angle would be almost impossible to use it as a weapon without Souray, exposing himself his hand in a vulnerable position.
I will search through my archives for Souray's exact quote. But paraphrasing Souray, Campbell said he wanted to see it first hand what the guard looked like so he could make a better judgement in the future if a complaint came in. Souray said he would not be punished due to this, and there is no chance the league goes back on their word, especially since so much time has past since the incident. It would look ridiculous.
Jonathan Willis wrote:
If they had conclusive evidence don't you think they would have sent it in by now? The Wild are really searching for something in my opinion. They had ample time to look over the tape.
FMNF – Souray clearly hit him with his forearm, why would he do that, just saying…