That one is a tough call. Mitchel gave Gilbert every warning that he was coming, including a tap on the legs before going into the boards. As GIlbert admitted, he put himself in a vulnerable position. That being said, Mitchel still should have eased up more on the hit, and it was from behind.

Maybe a stiff fine. I wouldn’t give him more than a game.

Posted by Nate A from the Church of Babcock on 01/08/09 at 10:36 AM ET

Like my namesake above says, Mitchell gave him a tap. Furthermore, I really didn’t think it was from behind. If you watch the replay it’s pretty clear that he had his hips perpendicular to the boards and should’ve had plenty of time to see Mitchell coming.

Gilbert simply lost his focus and got caught looking at the puck in his feet.

Do I think the league should emphasize that guys ease up when they see other guys in a vulnerable position like this, even if they can hit them legally? Absolutely, but I don’t know that Mitchell deserves any extra punishment. I’d give him a little phone call and explain the situation to him as a little warning. Please correct me if I’m wrong but I do not think Mitchell has a history of these sorts of borderline plays. He certainly hits hard, but isn’t a dirty player.

If this were Pronger or someone like that, a suspension is in order because those guys have had numerous warnings/fines/suspensions and are always playing on the edge.

Posted by Nathan from Jonny Ericsson's ice cream truck on 01/08/09 at 10:43 AM ET

Can’t say much on the hit, but I wonder what Gilbert would say about the hit if he had broken a few vertebras, got a concussion, and/or been knocked out.

Would it still have been his fault for putting himself in a bad position?

I feel like its not just the NHL that only cares about a hit if someone gets hurt, its the players too.

Posted by Kevin from Pittsburgh on 01/08/09 at 11:28 AM ET