At the end of Devils coach John Hynes' break-up day news conference last week, MSG Networks' Stan Fischler asked why no Devil nailed Nikita Kucherov in retaliation for the Tampa Bay star wing's high hit on top-pair defenseman Sami Vatanen late in the first period of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. Vatanen's absence for the remainder of the series from the resulting concussion was too much for New Jersey to overcome in its five-game defeat.
Hynes appeared to be taken aback by the Maven's question, only saying that he wants to have a team that sticks up for each other, but at the end of the day, "it's a players' game."
Sports head injuries have come to the forefront of our collective consciousness, but hockey seems to be behind the curve as to how to protect those who are knocked unconscious. The league's convoluted rules have done little to abet the dangerous hits that are taking players out of games, playoff series and, in the worst cases, seasons and careers.
However, as Hynes indicated, this is a players' game, which means only they can end the madness.Not in the Old Testament "eye for an eye" way that has historically been the NHL's method of payback. But by making sure the rules are clear-cut and that punishments fit the crime.
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Washington wing Tom Wilson is a serial headhunter. He had a list of at least six concussed victims entering this postseason, including Devils defenseman John Moore, who missed 17 games in 2016-17 after Wilson's hit from behind into the boards.
Wilson has already been involved in three separate incidents this spring. Columbus's Alexander Wennberg and Pittsburgh's Brian Dumoulin got their bells rung, but both escaped serious injury.
Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese wasn't so lucky. As Aston-Reese was carrying the puck across his own blue line during a second-period breakout during Tuesday's Game 3, he was met by Wilson's shoulder, which rocked Aston-Reese's head back violently. Aston-Reese suffered a broken jaw that will require surgery, in addition to a concussion.
The NHL's Department of Player Safety, which has been as effective as our nation's Federal Election Commission in policing wrongdoers, reviewed the video. They took into account Wilson's history and the fact that Aston-Reese's head was Wilson's "principal point of contact."
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They suspended Wilson three games.
It's easy to blame the league for such idiotic leniency. However, let's not let the players off the hook. They have several venues where they can take a stand to alter this abhorrent behavior, starting with the respect they show each other on the ice.
In Fischler's heyday, which runs about 70 years, it wasn't that uncommon for players to wield their sticks to extract vengeance. Now, you never see anything like the two-handed swing from Islanders goon Chris Simon to the head of Rangers forward Ryan Hollweg in a 2007 contest. It's considered something a lot worse than just bad form.
Players can talk all they want about how they don't want to see anyone injured, but they have yet to show any indication that they are willing to adjust their techniques to ensure their own safety.
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Second, the Players Association often has a say in the rules through the league's Competition Committee. When it comes to hits to the head, the aforementioned principal point of contact baseline is not only too subjective, it's pointless. If a player hits high enough that the head is a secondary point of contact, such as on a follow-through, how is that any better? Hits to the head must be banned, in all forms.
Finally, the players must allow for proper execution of justice. The penalties are collectively bargained. Both the owners and the players are natural adversaries when it comes to the money split, but in this issue, they should be partners. The players have reasons to be wary of allowing the league to punish them in their wallets, but they should still insist on harsher discipline for head-shot violators. Besides, the members of the Department of Player Safety, including current director George Parros, have all been former players.
And if a certain case seems out of whack, what's the first thing most suspended players do anyway? They call the union, looking for a repeal or a reduction in their sentence on an appeal. (Wilson has not yet indicated whether he will appeal.)
There are enough safeguards to protect the players from cruel and unusual punishment from the league office. Too bad there's way too little to protect them from themselves on the ice.
For a FAN's perspective of the Nets, Devils and Jets, follow Steve on Twitter @SteveLichtenst1.
