Many of you have probably seen Tuomo Ruutu's hit on Darcy Tucker of the Colorado Avalanche in the game Friday in Denver.
Ruutu received a five-minute boarding major and game misconduct. On Saturday, the NHL decided the hit warranted a three-game suspension.
What do you think? Did the NHL overreact? Was it the proper penalty? Should Ruutu have been fined and not suspended?
The floor is open.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
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Ruutu hit versus Richards hit -- the NHL double standard
Mon, 10/26/2009 - 14:11 — abramsdougI think the NHL's absurd double standard -- one set of rules of the large population mass media teams and another set of rules for the smaller population teams. The Richards hit and the Ruutu hit deserve equivalent punishment. In fact, if one didn't see the aftermath of the hits, one might well assume Tucker skated off under his own power whereas the Richards hit was with the elbows raised and was vicious. In my view, the officiating in the NHL does not even have consistency as a goal; and instead there is an implicit understanding that the NHL's stars can cross the line with little or no consequence. NHL officiating is the worst form of hypocrisy and is only slight short of being a complete joke. The double standard exhibited by NHL officiating would not be tolerated in the NFL or MLB. Even for the NBA, the officials at least try to disguise their favoritism.
I would agree
Tue, 10/27/2009 - 09:18 — esteban19491000% on that comment Abramsdoug...but i also want to know how does the front office of the NHL...make or turn around the officiating detail of the NHL without firing a bunch of chowder heads...?? any ideas ??
Go Canes !!
Ruutu vs. Richards
Mon, 10/26/2009 - 09:02 — schelle92I totally agree with most of the posters here. There is no question what Ruutu did was wrong and he should have been punished accordingly. I have no problem with that. However, how does he merit a 3-game suspension and Mike Richards gets nothing but penalty minutes? This inconsistency is what is the problem. The Richards hit on Booth reminded me of the hits on Matt Cullen and Trevor Letowski. Those are the true head shots and should receive a lot more attention than a check gone a little too far because of their intent.
So many complain that the
Mon, 10/26/2009 - 08:54 — Hockeydad92So many complain that the Canes don't finish their checks and when they do they run the risk of something like this. I think you accept the 3 games and move on. I would never ask Ruutu to change his style of play, he is one of the few guys on our team that players dread playing against. Not that it makes it right but how many times has Tucker been suspended for exactly the same hit in relationship to the number of times he has delivered the same hit?
I'm not angry Ruutu got
Mon, 10/26/2009 - 08:25 — CaniacCathyeI'm not angry Ruutu got suspended. What he did was wrong, but I know in my heart it wasn't intentional. I'm upset because Richards got NOTHING for his hit and Ovechkin gets a mere $1000 fine for his. They are both repeated offenders. Last night during the Kings-Blue Jackets game, Scuderi made a low hit. I'm anxious to see what if he gets anything for his hit on Chimera. The suspensions/fines should be consistent. I don't think we'll ever see Ovechkin get anything other than a slap on the wrist.
Ruutu Hit
Mon, 10/26/2009 - 07:11 — NetMinderDarcy Tucker is an agitator, a guy who makes his living getting under the other team's skin. Ruutu is hard nosed, tough, a hitter with skill who plays a clean game. That being said, Tucker was in a vulnerable position with his back to the play facing the glass. Ruutu boarded him and that's a no-no even a 5-year old Mighty Mite understands. Like him or not, Tucker was on the receiving end of a boarding incident and is out indefinitely with a concussion. Ruutu is out three games. Yes, he was called for boarding, but there was clearly no intent to injure and the game misconduct shouldn't have been called — much less a three game suspension. Then again, Tucker left the ice on a stretcher and that's an image that the NHL believes reflects badly on the game. Had this happened later in the season, the NHL's reaction might not have been so severe. Early in the season, however, the powers that be are looking for opportunities to make a statement and this was their chance to tell the rest of the league they're simply not going to tolerate dangerous play.
disparities
Mon, 10/26/2009 - 06:55 — louis12580I feel that Ruutu HAD to be suspended by the league, not so much for the hit, but for it's aftermath. I would say something about karma and Tucker, but that would not sit well with some folks. Ovechkin should have been suspended because he's a repeat offender. Richards as well because he went out of his way to get his shot in on Booth. What's more disturbing to me, which another poster wrote, is the utter silence from the NHLPA for the past number of years about "head shots" and other acts of violence. Hockey is a physical sport, this is true. Several things need to happen when it comes to suspending players. First and foremost, the league and it's players need to sit down (just like after the lock-out) and put their collective heads together and draw up a strict guideline of discipline. Establish a maximum and a minimum for all suspendible actions. These would have a carry over effect, so that if a player does something repeatedly, the suspension goes up with each passing offense. It follows the player throughout his career. Once it gets to a certain point, the team is not allowed to replace the player, or send him to the minors. Perhaps that would make that player more accountable for his actions. The other is to, and this has been discussed before, find a way to soften the body armor that's the shoulder pads.
Inequality
Mon, 10/26/2009 - 06:39 — JRs_FaultI was only mildly surprised that Ruutu got 3 days vs 1 or 2 that I expected, as he's not a repeat offender.
What DID surprise me is that Mike Richards gets NOTHING after a clear head shot (w/similar Major / Misconducts levied during the game, and Booth carried off to the hospital for an overnight stay).
I expected Ovechkin get nothing for a slew foot (on the same day a non-star begins a 3 gamer for a similar offense), but I was left shaking my head at the continued double standard that the NHL perpetuates with it's star players after the Richards hit.
In all cynicism, I can understand the NHL being a bit more reluctant to sit any of it's stars for extended periods of time. But where is the NHLPA in all of this? They need to step up and protect all of their players, as does the NHL. Stuff happens in this game, but the NHL has a looong way to go before they can say they're dealing with the issues of head shots and dangerous hits effectively. They cannot wait for one of the big stars to go down with a significant injury to change their tune.
Interesting to see the difference
Mon, 10/26/2009 - 06:31 — Snakex001It wasn't a good hit, Ruu's not dirty but he likes to hit and sometimes you just shouldn't hit a guy. Tucker's back was to Ruu and Darcy was unable to get his hands up. It was definitely a boarding penalty and deserrved a game misconduct. When I look at this hit vs. the hit Mike Richards put on David Booth I don't see how Ruutu gets suspended and Richards doesn't. Richards is an all-star, while I think that most NHL fans probably still think Ruutu is an injured bust (canes fans know better) and I think that's the difference. Richards hit was high and his elbow was out, Booth was devastated and unconscious. If Mike Richards was Colton Orr he'd be out 10 games without question. I think that ruu's suspension is right, the league has got to protect it's players, but not suspending Richards for nearly decapitating Booth? There's some disconnect here and I'd like the league to treat incidents equally.
As sad as...
Mon, 10/26/2009 - 06:13 — esteban1949It was, many of us fans know and understand that Tuomo Ruutu would never intentionally hurt anyone like that, even if he was angry...Did the NHL over react ?? possibly...yet and while the NHL is trying to have some kind of "consistancy"...yet over all there have been more complaints so far this season league wide than the last several combined and here the season is just a few weeks old...Is there a way to balance things like this ? No because it should and has to be done on a case by case situation...this is NOT a one size fits all type of thing. Should Ruutu been fined and NOT suspended ? Yes, but wait until one of the Canes is hit the same way and injured...all of will be singing a different tune, won't we ?? I don't envy any NHL offical...they are like the police department. Here everyone screams for law & order, but want and demand the cops turn and look the other way we, I or my family screws up. That's basic human nature, but until there is a more consistant methodolgy in the on ice officiating, and not what has been happing thus far this season words like these and to come,will go on and on...after all NHL ref's and linesmen are human too you know ?? But the again many who have seen and do NOT like Hockey don't think we fans are too human either huh ? And that is how I see what is shown..
Thanks Chip, have a safe week everyone !!
Go Canes !
Not surprised
Mon, 10/26/2009 - 05:05 — lewpulsIt was not a smart move for TR, for sure. But he was unlucky that the player he hit was apparently badly hurt. If Tucker had not been carried off, but had come through OK, it would have been one or no games suspended. But the NHL, having said so much about reducing head injuries, has to react strongly to evidence of same. (Or at least, that seems to be their mind-set.)