For Shanahan, another head-scratching decision
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For Shanahan, another head-scratching decision
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Brendan Shanahan, the NHL’s dean of discipline, should be featured on Saturday Night Live.
His videos are a laugh riot.
Shanahan on Tuesday night suspended Pittsburgh’s Arron Asham for four games and teammate James Neal for one game because of incidents in the Penguins’ 8-4 loss to the Flyers on Sunday.
On the same shift, Neal took runs at Sean Couturier and then Claude Giroux.
In his video, Shanahan explained that Neal, a 40-goal scorer in the regular season whose presence will be missed, was suspended for charging at Giroux and “once again launching prior to making contact.”
Fair enough.
But his failure to penalize Neal for leaving his feet for a dirty hit on Couturier was laughable.
Shanahan said the NHL was “willing to accept Neal’s assertion” that he jumped at Couturier “to brace himself for an unintended collision.”
Shanahan’s decision is supposed to be based on WHAT HAPPENED, not on what the player DIDN’T INTEND TO HAPPEN. It should also be noted that Neal was fined once this season and received two warnings for incidents _ and that he was suspended three years ago for a check from behind.
From here, the run at Couturier was much worse than the one at Giroux.
From here, if Shanahan used a dart board, his decisions would make as much sense.
His most grievous post-season error was not suspending Nashville’s Shea Weber for slamming the head of Detroit’s Henrik Zetterberg’s into the glass.
He slapped the all-star defenseman on the wrist with a $2,500 fine.
The decision on Neal just re-affirmed this: Shanahan is a master at inconsistent rulings.
Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.
Comments (74)
You are absolutely right with your assessment Sam Carchidi! Shanahan should be just as ashamed as the Penguins. The league wonders why they are second class to the NFL, MLB, NASCAR and even the NBA and its bush league officiating and enforcement of the rules which perpetuate how people view the NHL. What a joke!— Mythos13- Frankly, the entire NHL, beginning with every league official, and most ESPECIALLY Brendan Shanahan, should be ashamed, and the worst is that it really isn't a joke The on-ice violence that is permitted, then glossed over, absolutely makes the NHL a second rate game. How many great players have to be lost or diminished, most particularly by concussion, before the league FINALLY!!! gets a clue. And, BTW, in the glossing over the dirt bag hitting, you can include about 98% of the announcers calling the games as well.
The players should be sent packing for appropriately extended suspensions, and if the teams suffer for their loss, then the teams are only getting what they also deserve.
Frankly, I DO remember the BSB's, and they were not nearly so dirt bag as hitters as it has become today. In today's NHL, they would be the Broad Street Wusses.
GET A CLUE, NHL! Brendan Shanahan was a pretty good player, but as an NHL enforcer he is way out of his depth!— BEMiller - "Inconsistent rulings". That is incredible restraint on your part Sam, as we both know that Shanahan is unfit for the job, has made absurd and contradictory rulings all season, still sees a Flyer's team they called "The Broad Street Bullies" 37 years ago, when this is 2012, not 1975. But why change now? Lets just make these suspensions count by putting the Piggy Pens back in the mud where they belong.— PhillyboyinNYC
- The officiating in the game was horrible. Not to be outdone by the refs, Shanahan stands logic on its ear and slaps Neal on the wrist. Shanahan is in somebody's pocket. Here in D.C. the fans are up in arms over the Backstrom suspension. The Rangers and Wings are down on him. Shanahan should retire, I was about to say gracefully but he's long past there. They've legalized prostitution in Toronto and Shanahan is exhibit A. They say everybody has their price. I'd say for Shanahan it's about 2 bits.— Claudio Vernight
- Shanahan isn't going to suspend a 40 goal scorer because he tried to decapitate a lowly rookie. Mario Lemieux wouldn't like it. Note to Raffi Torres...remember to tell Shanny that you jumped at Marian Hossa "to brace yourself for an unintended collision". What a joke. The czar of "Player Safety" just gave every headhunting player an alibi. Shanahan is every bit as bad as Colon Campbell.— SkinnyJoey
- The TV ratings would suffer more from Weber, Neal, etc. out than Asham, Carkner, etc. That is all the explanation one needs to know to "understand" Shanahan's rulings. This is no different than his excuse for allowing Milan Lucic to steamroll Ryan Miller in the regular season.— icarus
- Neal: 1. Repeat offender. 2. Launches self into air to deliver maximal impact. 3. Directs impact to Couturier's and Giroux's heads. 4. Infractions committed within 42 seconds of one another. 5. Knob.
Neal's intent to injure 2 players is clear and completely indefensible.— OrangeFury - Put the Penguins aside...any third grade teacher knows that the key to controlling bad behavior is consistent enforcement of the rules. The NHL has struggled to remain a major sport with promotions like 24/7 and the Winter Classic, but when HQ can't seem to have the same rules for everybody, the players will enforce them as they see fit. The Playoffs are supposed to be the showcase in any sport but this year's first round has been a disgrace. If the League's owners are not embarrassed enough to get rid of both Bettman and Shanahan, the NHL is not much better than WWE.— JoeyMax
- I love the Shanahan videos, the dummy obviously can't read. Hilarious.— Sidewinder7
- Regardless of what explanation Shanahan said in the video, 1 game was a fair suspension... we are talking about a playoff elimination game. Those hits weren't worthy of more than 1 game, I'm sorry. It takes a lot to get suspended in the playoffs. The NHL likes the players to decide things... and anyway, it's totally moot point case the next game Neal will be playing in will be the preseason. This series is over in game 4. Sweep.— morningstar
- Having played hockey for a long time, I could buy Neal's assertion that he was bracing himself. When I watched the replay, I thought about that and it does appear that he is bracing more than launching into Couts. I know we have orange colored glasses, but I could see that might have happened. However, in a men's rec league, you would generally follow that up with a "hey sorry, you alright" as you skate by - not skate down the ice and elbow the other team's best player in the head. I can see two games. I can see two games for Asham. It was stupid but hey it wasn't that bad. Personally, I would rather all of their guys be back in the lineup. I would like to see the Flyers beat them straight up with no excuses from the Pens fans when we clobber them again and let the players sort it out at the end of the game.— MackethB
- I have to disagree with you. My husband played hockey for a long time too and he agrees with me. They are out to hurt people. They do not deserve to play. they are desparate and trying to kill us so we cannot make it through the next series. The penquins are babies and they showed it in all the replays. They don't deserve to be on the ice at all. — silpugs
- I have been a long-time hockey fan and have realized a long time ago, hockey will survive desipite the best efforts to make a mockery by those who run the NHL. Shanahan continues in the tradition. What other sport has as many players suspended after the playoffs begin? This is the time when the league has the most to gain. Of course, who can complain, at least the bozos now realize that they have have to suspend players in the playoffs.— lgm4885
- Sam, while I appreciate your article, your assertion that this decision is arbitrary is inaccurate. If so, Neal wouldn't
Have received a suspension at all. From my perspective they both deserved 2 games and fines. It's easy for outsiders to sit on their soap boxes and pretend to understand hockey. Shanny is doing a fine job! in the old days, goons would have policed this type of activity on the ice. Hockey has changed and as a result "Dean of Discipline" is required!
I just hope the Flyers remain composed and don't take a run at Cindy tonight!!!! Go Flyers!!!!!!
Flyers!!!!!!
— Jjrjr16 - I wonder what would have happened if a Flyer had gone after Malkin & Crosby on the same shift in the same reckless fashion?— Jerome99RIP
- You got that one right. YOu know they would have been out of the game immediately!!! — silpugs
- If he was just bracing himself, why did he follow all the way through with his arm by continuing to push on Cotourier?— mikeyhigs
- When I go jogging, I often launch myself into joggers coming the other way "to brace for an unintended collision."— verve
- And I frequently do the same while skiing.
(and to think, as a non-diehard, I wondered what all the Pens loathing was about. They make it so easy, especially Crosby)— COskier - if this series was tied 3-3 there probably would not have been any suspension except for Asham.
Neals story changed a few times, guess he kept changing it until Brenda heard the right version.— FatBoy90 - Nothin arbitrary about these rulings - if you suck you get the max penalty and if you are an all star you get the min. Oh yeah and if your name is cindy you can do whatever you want...— LostInNY
- I love hockey, but hockey players are not educated enough to make these kinds of decisions. Just because they have gotten hit in the past, or made such hits does not give them the ability to be a judge. As Sam rightly points out, things like intent and result should be considered but not primarily. There's absolutely no place for the hit that Neal gave Courturier. If that stuff is allowed, it's going to mean that hockey's players are going to miss a lot of games with head injury, and it'll lessen its entertainment value.— RKinsella
- Brendan Shanahan = BS. This Creep is not too far removed from playing the game and still has loyalties to certain players and teams. How else can you explain some of his boneheaded decisions. The League should fire him after the season and replace with a 3 person panel that is unbiased and has no ties with teams or players!— younged
- What Shanahan failed to take into account is that Neal's were a premeditated strategic strike to take out Couturier, who has muted Malkin in the series, and Giroux, obviously the Flyers leading scorer. If it were Neal hitting Schenn and Asham hitting Couturier and Giroux, the suspensions for each would have been the same. Shanahan is awful and in over his head.— JimmyFledPhilly
- This is NOT right! Neal hit was by far the worse of the two shots. Coutourier should not have to protect himself. He didn't even have the puck. One game is a joke! Suspend the coach for obvious intent to injure. Nothing else to be gained but a knockout of a star or two. This is even against the code. Renegade team. Vitale's two shots on Grossman knee and knockout of Briere are still unaddressed.— LaCroix,Nolet,Gendron
- Of course if we lose tonite we can see Neal and Vitale one more time.
Where is Sestito? Players should settle accounts not ex-players. Where is the grim reaper?— LaCroix,Nolet,Gendron - Beginning with Vitale's hit on Briere, the Pens have intentionally tried to injure key players on the Flyers. The coach should be "Paytoned." Neal should have received at least what Asham got. And the NHL needs to hire someone other than an ex player for the discipline judge. There needs to be a baseline of punishment for intent to injure. First the refs blew it by not penalizing Neal for his hit, which led to the endgame chaos. Then Shanahan sets a bad precedent with the Neal decision. Wonder if Hossa ends up on a stretcher if Neal had swiftly been given a 5 game suspension.— retzlaff
- I'm sure Shanny would have given the same weak punishment to Zac Rinaldo if he was the perp. Yeah, right. It's about who you are, not what you did.— philharmonic55
- I think Shanahan should have retired to obscurity!! He must have had one too many hits to his own head to come up with the rulings he has made....His rulings are ridiculous at best...and border nonsense— fbpdplt
- I've said this before, Shanny is employed by the league, who represents the owners. When star players are suspended it directly impacts their teams ability to win games and subsequently lose money, especially in the playoffs! Hence the reason Shanny has no problem suspending 3rd and 4th line players, but is very hesitant to do the same with star players. Weber should have been suspended for what he did and Neal deserves more than 1 game, considering he's a repeat offender and ran two players. I don't see why whether the player was injured or not has any bearing on his decision making process. Some players are better able to withstand the hits than others, but if the act is the same why should it matter? It seems as though the NFL is actually getting it right with how they've dealt with head shots...zero tolerance! The NHL and Shanny would be wise to follow suit!— aantny88
- Whats the problem? Neal got a game suspension. Do you want him suspended for 20 games?— ArtieLange
- Yes, actually, I would like to see him sit in the beginning of next years season too. That is the problem. — silpugs
- Appointing Shanahan this job was a bad decisions by the NHL. If they really wanted to clean up hockey they wouldn't have made someone who is #22 on the all time PIMs list the person in charge. Neal got taken out earlier in the game by Courturier and targeted him after the game was lost. The run at Giroux on the same shift only proves his was out there trying to hurt people...Shanahan's decision not to suspend Weber was a complete joke.— what?
- Let's just get this over with! Go Flyers!
- Shanahan is a clown and so is the NHL. They have been saying all along that the importance is on players safety yet their actions speak otherwise. I do not care if it is the playoffs, if someone goes out and intentionally tries to hurt another player with a cheap head shot, then they deserve a max suspension. IF the NHL was serious about getting this stuff out of the game, Neal would have been given a 5-7 game suspension, not a slap on the wrist. What do you think the suspension would have been if Rinaldo went after Crosby and Malkin the way that Neal did on our players? He might have been banned from playing forever. In the NHL it is not what you do, but who you are that determines the length of the suspension!!!!!— yescadog
- The NHL is turning into the WWF but unlike wrestling this head shot mayhem is not fake. Does a player have to end up in the morgue before clear, consistent action is taken to stop this nonsense?— Phillykidinboston
- This stinks.— macd41144
- If Neal's only hit was on Couturier, then maybe you can buy his excuse. But after a stoppage in play, scrums and time to cool off, Neal immediately headhunts Giroux (then beelines to the bench, by the way). That should throw doubt into his alibi for the hit on Couturier.— venus4
- If I'm not mistaken, Shanahan's appointment to the position was at the behest of the player's union so that they have someone on "their" side in these matters, not just some bozo like Colin Campbell deciding what happens.
Unfortunately, as politics (and tv contracts) dictate, he's being told, "you can't do this and you can't do that" to various players in each instance. Hence, no conceiveable logic or consistency to his decisons. I agree Sam, his videos and explanations are ridiculous. He talks about Neal having received previous warnings on 2 occasions and having been previously suspended (and at this point I thought he was going to throw the book at him) only to then say he only deserved a 1 game suspension for the hit on G!!!!! Just too funny! It's going to take the player's union or a lawsuit to make the NHL take these matters seriously. No favorites, no cowtowing to the media or sponsors, no basing your decisioon on whether the infraction is in the regular season vs. playoffs and no saying, "well the player wasn't injured, therefore I'm letting him off." Intent is intent, whether anyone gets hurt or not is irrevelant.
The punishment should be for the "act". The punishment should be much worse if the act results in an "injury". You take a gun and commit a robbery you do time whether you shoot someone or not. If you end up hurting someone with a bullet you do even MORE time. Simple as that.— Mark1npt - It's all about who the player is. Weber is too important to his team and only gets the fine. Hagelin gets 3 games for a hit that was less than what Neal did. Asham is a nobody and gets 4 games. Neal is a 40 goal scorer, so only gets 1 game.— P Even
- Rulings......a joke!...just like NHL referees! Great game tarnished by bias/common-senseless human beings.— Romus
- shanahan is a joke as is this sport; it's why it will always be a minor league sideshow! He stated that he took into account that neither of Neal's hits injured anyone seriously; are you kidding me? What does the outcome have to do with the act? If I attempt to injure someone intentionally but I'm bad at it and don't injure them seriously, that's ok? What a joke Shanahan and the NHL are! You look at the action; not the outcome; both Neal's actions were to inflict injury; whether he did or not is not the question.— JBinPA
- Call (212)789-2000...complain about the rulings.— Romus
- The NHL had a chance to send a clear and strong message that those kinds of actions are unacceptable and embarrassing to the sport. It failed. We, as a league, must do a better job of protecting the integrity of the game and the safety of our players. We must make it clear that those kinds of actions will not be tolerated and will be met with meaningful disciplinary action.— 1twofour1
- What a hipocrite Shanahan is. He suspends Chicago's Andrew Shaw, no prior offenses, for 3 games even though Shanahan says he did not think the hit was intentional and then gives Neal ONE GAME! Both of Neal's hits were clearly intentional, and intended to injure. Especially if you watch them in the context of that moment of the game where all *&*^ was breaking loose. What a joke.— tfnj42
- While I do think a 1-game suspension for Neal seems reasonable, I completely agree that Shanahan's rulings seem completely random with little logic or rationale behind them. It is absurd that he bases his rulings on the outcome of the action (whether the targeted player was injured or not). It should be merely based on on intent. The fact that a player is not injured is purely fortune. That doesn't lessen the crime. Additionally, he says in his videos that he considers prior history, but the suspensions (or lack thereof) seems to have no rhyme or reason that tie to that. Hagelin suspended 3 games with no history. Neal suspended 1 game with a prior history of dangerous hits. Shaw, with no prior history for the Hawks, suspended 3 games for hitting Mike Smith. Weber not suspended at all for throwing Zetterberg into the turnbuckle. What a joke!— mills014
- Shanahan is in over his head and is not able to do this job. What about Kerry Fraser for this job?— BobbyD
- Asham is expendable and that's why he got four. Shanny doesn't want to hurt the on ice product too bad that's why the 40 goal scorer only gets a game. Had it been another Asham type player, he'd get multiple games as well. It don't matter none, get dem brooms out.— AEPi71
- You guys are all correct!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a joke. The penquins are frustrated and DELIBERATELY trying to hurt the flyers. they have no other way to go. Everyone can see it for Christ sake. Someone has their tongue a place it should not be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— silpugs
- You said a mouthful and I could not have said it better myself. I was thinking exactly that. Thanks for sharing.— silpugs
- Actually, yes! I would like to see him sit out this next game and start off not playing a few games next year!— silpugs
- It's a shame that no one has the balls to hop over the bench anymore. Raffi Torres hits someone like that and everyone just sits there after a little wuss scrum. I'm disgusted with the lack of player support these days. It's all about money. NHL has to take a serious look in the mirror. The lack of enforcement from players and the tzar leads to players taking liberties on others. 1 game suspension, $2,500 dollars...wtf
Bettman I said it when you were in my box for a playoff game with your body guards 2 yrs ago and I still mean it today. You Suck.— michaelthegreat - Sucks that Neal is going to miss the post game handshake. Would have loved to see his punk face as he had to shake Couturiers hand!— PhillySteve5
- When Crosby's career ends super early with his next concussion (on a cheap shot most likely), he will have no one to blame but himself for captaining a team that plays with such disregard for opponent player safety. Can't have it both ways Sid the Kid (or Infant) - don't cry about how you have been targeted and then play with such unsportsmanlike immaturity. The league will also be a huge part of the blame as long as they allow attempted decapitation with little consequence. What if Giroux and Couts had been serioulsy injured? Marion Hossa taken out on a stretcher. Does someone need to be paralyzed or worse before the league takes its discipline seriously? Some of the things done during this year's playoffs would get jail time out on the street.— wilcowaits
- I actually think Sam fails to put the whole thing in perspective. The game of hockey's future is in doubt. Fans love it, but concussions and permanent brain damage are piling up at an unbelievable rate. Kids won't be permitted to play when the consequences are likely to be so grave.
And yet the NHL is more concerned about talking. They slapped the maximum allowable fine on a Senators player for mouthing off. This is a league which doesn't get it and I'm hoping all of us fans give them a headshot to get even. I guess I don't get it either if I'm making jokes about it.— jdoggg - As a life long Pens fan and Flyer HATER I'll admit that I will have a hard time rooting for them tonight. The Flyers have played an exciting and honorable series thus far and the Pens have performed and acted the total opposite. The team can say that the series isn't over, but their lack of composure and body language says it is. It's hard to imagine that we can roll off 4 in a row when we've won 1 game against you this year that actually mattered. Even if we win tonight, the Pens have no confidence that they can beat you at home. I will be watching the game tonight but it will be more for entertainment as I'm a huge hockey fan. James Neal should have been suspended for the rest of the series as both hits were attempts to injure and happened after the game was "over". The mood here is of embarrassment not only of losing the first 3 games, but more of the way we reacted to losing. Barring a miracle for us, good luck in your quest for the Cup.— sutchapensfan
- this is all based on head-hits and concussions,...the NFL has gotten away fron neck-up hits and is moving toward torso-up to get the players to concentrate on hitting lower,...in the NHL they specifically state do not leave your feet and Neal left his feet not once but twice;....if you are a repeat offender as in this case,...Shanahan should levy the punishment first and then inquire for comment from Neal and either change his punishment at that time or let it stand,....this nonsense about letting the fox run the hen house is ridiculous and will lead to more litigation;....as a repeat offender, Neal should be excused for the remainder of the series and if Pitts moves on he should be welcomed back at that time— SyddBarrett
- If I ever INTEND to kill someone and fail, I want Shanahan on my jury.— feudal_nobility09
- “I’m Brendan Shanahan of the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety … and I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing.”— feudal_nobility09
- Shanahan is angry because he can't believe that one Flyer has not made it to hearing before him yet.— acanders
- Over the past fifteen to twenty years it has become progressively more difficult to watch the NHL "game". The league's players typify individuals in every situation who are left to run amok without any limitation to their actions. Despite blithering from Bettman, the violence, both in frequency and in intensity, seems to have increased. Outrightly launching for the head has become the signature move in the NHL.
The players continue to make dirt bag, head-hunting, launched hits, the NHL continues to do next to nothing about it, and the announcer gloss over it and cover it up!
Difficult to watch does not really say enough!— BEMiller - I agree with Chris Therien - if any Penguin takes a cheap shot at any Flyer, Crosby gets his head handed to him.
That should make the point to both the Penguins and the rest of the league: you try to hurt a Flyer and you put your best players at risk. If the NHL bigwigs don't like it, then maybe they should think about doing a better job punishing the punks and goons of the game (even if they're Flyers).— Watching and Waiting - If you look at the Torres hit on Hossa last night...is it much different than Neal on Courturier? Neither Hossa or Courturier had the puck when they were hit...and both Torres and Neal left their feet to hit them.— acanders
- I think it's time to check Shanny for a pulse. Seems he's nothing but a puppet, with Bettman's hand up his back. I want to see a video o fShanny and Bettman together, so that when Sahnny talks, I can watch to see if Bettman's lips move.. Heck, we may see Shanny on the next Jeff Dunham special..— C-Note
- The thing that sticks out to me is that the Couterier hit was one where there was not even a hockey reason for contact. Another words he had not just passed, was not heading into the crease or carrying the puck so he had no excuss for any contact at all. And as meantioned he went head hunting. But again most of the other hits meantioned at least the guy had just passed the puck, had the puck or otherwise was in a position to at least think he might get checked. To me that is endorsing violence outside of the accepted contact that is in the game. It is like a defensive guy in football railing an offensive guy when they have not picked off a pass or the guy is not even attempting a block. Much worse imo although I agree the leaving your feet and head hit is plenty to disapline more on but how can you not disapline more when it is violence outside of the contact that is accepted in the sport?????— mmac
- Carchidi is exactly right. Shanahan lost all control over these playoffs when he didn't suspend Weber, who slammed Zetterberg's head into the boards twice on the same play. The Pens suspensions make no sense - Neal intentionally tried to injure two flyers (and temporarily did), while Asham was reacting to a borderline hit from Schenn. Asham didn't deserve 4 games (2 or 3 would have been fine), and Neal should have been suspended 2 (1 for each dirty hit).— Kingsalami
- If a Player like Hartnell had done the same thing to Cindi and Malkin in 42 seconds, Shanafarce would have suspended him for the entire Playoffs. Players from every team should demand that this Dope step down after this season! Dart Board Justice would be an improvement over this imbecile. The System is FLAWED and needs to be corrected!— younged
Comment removed.- Asham's punch to the back of Schenn's head when Schenn was on the ice got him four.— twg
- Comment removed.
- what did you expect and it took a lot quicker to penalize the hit on Hossa. what he had said he jumped to protect himself from an unintentional hit?— sawgrass
- Go Flyers.— LuckyDog
- what are your feelings on the penalties the flyers took last night? I assume Rinaldo needs 4 games like Asham and oh, how about the cross check and punch while Michalek was down last night. What type of suspension should those draw??— F_The_flyers
- what are your feelings on the penalties the flyers took last night? I assume Rinaldo needs 4 games like Asham and oh, how about the cross check and punch while Michalek was down last night. What type of suspension should those draw??— F_The_flyers
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Broad Street Bull is the Inquirer's blog covering the Philadelphia Flyers and the National Hockey League.
Reach Sam at scarchidi@phillynews.com.
Sam Carchidi
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