The verdict is in…and Brendan Shanahan may have finally got it right. After having an in-person hearing yesterday, Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres has been suspended for 25 games after his brutal hit to the head of Marian Hossa in the Game 3 of the first round series. In delivering this hit, he violated three NHL rules: Interference, Charging, and Illegal hit to the head. Torres has a long history of supplemental discipline, but clearly has not yet learned his lesson. While I do not necessarily consider myself a Blackhawks fan, this play enraged me to the core. Marian Hossa is one of the most talented, well respected, and humble guys in the league and never should have been a victim of Torres’ stupidity and violence.
If the Coyotes get knocked out of the playoffs before the 25 game suspension is over, it will carry over into next season (preseason games included). For every regular season game that Torres has to sit out, he will forfeit $21,341.46 in salary. The following video breaks down Shanahan’s suspension decision:
Via NHL.com
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