“I didn’t know what the nature and content of the commercial for an energy-alchohol beverage would be until I showed up.” (not quite verbatim)

Posted by Nathan from BC on 11/24/09 at 06:39 PM ET

I’ve always like George, this is another reason why, because he takes accountability for his actions.

Posted by moore00 from Columbus, OH/Grand Rapids, MI on 11/24/09 at 08:00 PM ET

“When I talked to you guys after the game (Saturday), I didn’t really know what I did.  I didn’t think it was that bad. Sometimes in the action you don’t know what you did until you see it.
After I saw it, I clearly thought it deserved a suspension.”

Riiiiiiight.

And if there were NO suspension:

“When I talked to you guys after the game (Saturday), I didn’t really know what I did.  I didn’t think it was that bad. Sometimes in the action you don’t know what you did until you see it. After I saw it, I clearly thought there shouldn’t be a suspension.”

He’s just grateful it was only five games.

And now all the cheap shot artists out there are thinking to themselves… “Hmmmm…I could take <insert semi-significant player from <<insert team here>> > out for a while and ONLY get five games…”

Posted by 42jeff from Minot, North Dakota on 11/24/09 at 08:43 PM ET

Why not make it so however long the injured player is out is how long the guilty player is out.

Posted by pgoody on 11/24/09 at 08:47 PM ET

I’ve always like George, this is another reason why, because he takes accountability for his actions.

You’re…kidding…  Right?

Posted by Garth on 11/24/09 at 09:53 PM ET

Why not make it so however long the injured player is out is how long the guilty player is out.

Because then a disgusting, blatant intent to injure play like Briere on Hannan wouldn’t be suspended at all even though it was as dirty as can be.

Posted by Garth on 11/24/09 at 09:56 PM ET

Why not make it so however long the injured player is out is how long the guilty player is out.

If a 4th liner gets injured and the perpetrator is a 1st liner ,  the team of the 4th line injured player might keep him out longer than necesarry even if he’s healthy and ready to play.  This might be done so they can keep the other teams player ( the 1st liner) out longer as well. A 4th line player for a 1st line player is a trade many teams will take. Even a 3rd for a 2nd. And imagine the controversy if this happens around playoff time or even in a playoff series.
I don’t see this ever happening.

Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 11/24/09 at 10:21 PM ET

This might be done so they can keep the other teams player ( the 1st liner) out longer as well.

Point taken, but why not just have independent doctors look at the player? Surely the NHL can afford a doctor’s visit for the sake of getting this garbage out of the game.

Laraque is a solid citizen off the ice. Great. Congrats. Just don’t let him back on at the NHL level.

Posted by Osrt on 11/24/09 at 10:50 PM ET

It’s not just the League’s responsibility.  As much as I dislike what they have done to this game over the years, there is no way to adjust a suspension to make up for the loss to the Red Wings.  Sadly, Laraque seems to be more of a liability on the ice than off.

The team can and should discipline the player for actions that reflect poorly on their club.  This was beyond a bad shift on Laraque’s part.  After a careless high stick, he made a stupid and lazy play that led to a serious injury to another player.  Once Laraque returns from suspension, he should sit in the press box and watch for a good long while.  As long as the ownership and management of NHL teams condone reckless behavior, it will be part of the game.

Posted by Spocks Brain on 11/25/09 at 09:25 AM ET

Why not make it so however long the injured player is out is how long the guilty player is out.

Posted by pgoody from Findlay, OH on 11/24/09 at 08:47 PM ET

Linda’s 1st made an excellent point, I just thought I would expand on it.

Another reason is some players heal faster than others.  It all depends of the med staff of the team and the player themselves.

An example, using a homer and non-homer reference.

The Avs Ryan O’Reilly got his ankle busted and only missed a few games.  Someone like Marion Gaborik goes down and has a tendency to stay down for double digit games.  Peter Forsberg gets busted for half a season nowadays. 

A hit could cause one player to be out only five games, but the same hit on another could equal 15 games.  It’s too non-specific.

And, like I’ve said before (sorry for bringing it up again), if they did it that way Todd Bertuzzi would have played since 2003.

Posted by AvsRock from My timeshare in insanity... on 11/25/09 at 09:26 AM ET

I ment Bert wouldn’t have played.

D’oh!

Posted by AvsRock from My timeshare in insanity... on 11/25/09 at 09:57 AM ET

but why not just have independent doctors look at the player? Surely the NHL can afford a doctor’s visit for the sake of getting this garbage out of the game.

That’s an excellent idea.

Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 11/25/09 at 02:17 PM ET