Doan gets off easy for elbow

By Jeff

Have you seen this blatant elbow to the head delivered by Phoenix Coyotes captain Shane Doan on the Dallas Stars Jamie Benn?

If you haven't seen it, check it out below.




So what was his penalty for this? A simple three-game suspension. This is despite the fact that Doan is a repeat offender. He was suspended in 2010 for targeting a players head and was fine $2,500 for boarding a player last week.

This is an example of the inconsistent discipline practices of the NHL. I thought it would get better with goon Colin Campbell no longer determining punishment for plays like this. Too bad the league is still a joke when it comes to this matter.

Benn didn't have the puck, and Doan clearly wasn't trying to get it either. He took his right hand off his stick so he could deliver an elbow to Benn's head. Yet he only got a minor penalty in the game and a short suspension?

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke delivered and identical dirty play last year. He was suspended for 17 games because he was a repeat offender.

Cooke was suspended earlier last season for the hit below. It was boarding and it was charging. There is no question. But Fedor Tyutin saw him coming and put himself in a prone position. Cooke should still have held up, but the hit is no worse than Doan's, but Doan only got three games.



I wish I could find a video of Doan boarding Mark Giordano, but no one was at the game so there is no video.

Imagine the hammer the NHL would bring upon Cooke if he delivered the same hit that Doan gave Benn. We would never see Cooke again.

I'd love to see what the league has to say about Duncan Keith's blatant blow to Daniel Sedin's head.



When it comes to hits like this, prior behavior and intent should not factor into suspension decisions. Suspend the offender for a minimum of five games, regardless of whether he meant to hit the victim in the head or not. How else are you going to teach these guys a lesson and prevent serious head injuries?

I am in no way trying to defend Cooke's actions last year. He played recklessly and deserved a suspension. What angers me is how multiple repeat offenders have got off light since then.

Pens fans should actually thank the league for suspending Cooke. He has been a better player this season and isn't taking dumb penalties. Hell, he has more goals (17) than players like Joe Thornton, Mike Richards, Mike Cammalleri, Henrik Sedin and Danny Briere, despite making a lot less than those players.

The NHL needs to decide if it's actually serious about stopping dangerous plays or not. Right now, they talk a big game, but their actions are lacking.

Bob Seeger - Turn the Page