Sit the Goons... we need skilled, disciplined players

Boston Bruins leading scorer Brad Marchand was injured in Wednesday night's game against the New Jersey Devils. He was elbowed by Devils defenseman Anton Volchenkov for which Volchenkov was immediately given a five-minute major for elbowing and a game misconduct (ejection). Marchand was unable to leave the ice under his own power and could not return to the game. 

I don't believe the Bruins have provide any definitive information yet other than he has sustained a concussion and more details would be forth coming. Unnamed sources say he is out indefinitely.

The NHL Department of Player Safety announced this afternoon that Volchenkov had been suspended four games for the elbow. He was also fined $91,891.88, which is the maximum allotment allowed under the collective bargaining agreement.

Do you think that is enough? I don't, here's why, and I'd like your support.

It's not that he injured another player... it is that he injured another player with an illegal hit... one could say, with intent to injure. In this case, an intentional hit to the head. He received a major penalty (5 minutes) and a game misconduct plus the additional sanctions the league felt were appropriate. Marchand was also out the rest of the game... will likely be out at least 4 games Volchenkov is... and then some... maybe the rest of the season and playoffs. Seems that the Bruins will come out on the short end of the stick in the long run on this one.

My suggestion: I a player causes an injury with an illegal hit... that player gets the automatic game time penalties, as he got... however, the additional league sanctions should include suspension from all play, including practice, until the injured player returns to action... then, the additional sanctions begin. So, if Marchand would be out for the rest of the year, so is Volchenkov. If Marchand plays the first game next season, then Volchenkov starts his 4 game suspension. Sort of akin to public hangings... players might think twice about the hits being made out there. Oh, and if Marchand never returns to play because of the injury, Volchenkov is gone too... for good. We don't need goons playing the game, we need skilled player that can play with discipline.

Voice your support... Tweet your support using #sitthegoons

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