The Puck Stops Here
What It Takes To Suspend Ovechkin
by PuckStopsHere on 12/01/09 at 11:24 AM ET
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It looks like Alexander Ovechkin is finally going to be suspended. In October, he got away with a slew-foot on Rich Peverley of the Atlanta Thrashers. The NHL treated him as a first time offender and let him off without a suspension because they had overlooked a handful of other transgressions in the past. He got away with a knee on knee hit on Sergei Gonchar in last year’s playoffs. There had been a hit from behind on Jamie Heward (who has not played since) and a late hit on Daniel Briere. Last week, Ovechkin received a game misconduct and a major penalty for boarding Patrick Kaleta of the Buffalo Sabres, but once again was not suspended. Last night, he had a knee on knee hit on Tim Gleason of the Carolina Hurricanes. It was Ovechkin who took the worst of the hit and left the game without returning (Gleason did return), but it was clear that Ovechkin instigated the hit. Given the NHL’s recent suspensions, it is clear that they will have to suspend Ovechkin. They recently suspended Georges Laraque of the Montreal Canadiens for five games for a similar knee-on-knee hit on Niklas Kronwall of the Detroit Red Wings. At this point, the NHL must suspend Ovechkin right?
EDIT: The suspension is for two games.
Of course if Ovechkin has a knee injury and will be out for a few games, the suspension can be concurrent with the injury. The NHL won’t lose Ovechkin for any longer than they otherwise would have and they can still suspend him. After this suspension, the NHL cannot claim Ovechkin is a first time offender anymore, which may influence further disciplinary decisions.
The NHL has a rather inconsistent suspension policy. Borderline players tend to get more suspensions and be suspended for longer periods of time then do stars. When stars are out of the lineup, the NHL can be affected in ticket sales and this appears to be a consideration in any potential suspension. Alexander Ovechkin is probably the most talented player in the NHL and he is one of the game’s biggest box office draws. It takes a lot for him to be suspended, but I think he finally crossed that line. It would be an amazing lack of consistency (far beyond the previous lack of consistency) for the NHL to not suspend Ovechkin this time. The suspension is probably concurrent with an injury, so they may not lose him for any longer than he would already be out. Finally, we have learned what it will take for Alexander Ovechkin to get suspended.
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Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin, Washington+Capitals,
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