TBH if big hits were removed from the NHL I wouldn't miss them. I don't care if that's the 'cool' opinion to have or not.

I think it’s def trending this way. I dont think physics gives a way out.

Equipment is like 10% the weight of what it was when the rules were written, athletes are training year-long - these two things combined results in players experiencing huge speeds in short times. Force is a multiplied equation - it isn’t increasing linearly with the faster game. While the gear is lighter, the humans are bigger, making mass a wash, or perhaps even higher than times past on average.

Ultimately, like fighting, or head shots, the finances of the game will dictate what’s next.

I would not be shocked if within 5 years board hitting was illegal.

I certainly hope it becomes illegal. TBH I've never liked the rough stuff and if it's removed there would be a lot less injuries.

Same, I watch hockey to see the players show off their skills, I'm perfectly fine with physicality but at the same time, I couldn't care less what happens to it

Good heavens, Blues fans on Facebook might just be the dumbest critters alive.

Edit: Wait... no... I've exaggerated for effect. Avs fans on Facebook still exist.

Bruh... you're dreamin'. The finances of the game will dictate that fans want to see hockey, not a square dance all-star game every night.

What is a big hit to you?

Idk I think as long as u got Dman were gonna see big hits here and there.

Its not so common that I view it as a bad thing. As heck it can get your team back in a game or show hey we aint going away quietly

Now for guys like Trouba who head hunt 99% of the time yea they can **** off.

But for guys past and present like Muzzin, Byfuglien, Zadorov, Romanov, McCabe, Doughty, McAvoy, etc having the ability to lower the boom aint a bad thing for the sport. In fact one could argue it does more bad for the player as guys like this dont last as long as there bodies cant take it. But still having a Dman like them in the lineup does not hurt a team as u just dont want a soft and skilled Dcore. U want a healthy mix of both

Good grief, they suspended bunting the rest of his season.

4 games



No games


Bunting deserved to be suspended but for a first time offender I would have thought 1 game, 2 max.

Spin the wheel George

The Dumba hit was clean, it’s a shoulder to shoulder hit

Edit: Also first time offender doesn’t matter for playoffs

The puck is sitting behind Gustavsson‘a net before Dumba even reaches Pavelski. Remind me never to be on the ice with you

God damn it I made changes to my bracket and it didn't save. Rip

You have a point but the point of contact was the shoulder and he was going for that hit when Pavelski still had the puck.

Bunting got a three game suspension

2 bad hits only one guy punished

RIP

But then again ever since the Wilson incident DOPS has been a disaster to the point where NYR called them out.

Now Dallas without Pavelski whose in concussion protocol and Toronto without Bunting

So now we dont get consistency anymore as guys will see what Dumba did and go I can do that to.

I’m sure somewhere Scott Stevens saw that hit and nodded in approval.

He made a career off that hit.

Uhh the puck moves a lot faster than the players. Pavs was just finishing up his passing motion. The hit was not late.

No **** Sherlock, so layup. At least 2-3 mississippi‘s from the puck leaving Pavelski before Dumba blew him up. That’s a classic predatory hit

This is just pure fiction, wildly exaggerated. Plain and simple.

My 2 cents

If we look at playoff game to reg season game for punishments

2 reg season games = 1 playoff game

If we look at reg season headshots they usually got 2 reg season game suspensions especially if first time offender. I argue 1 but realistically 2 for Bunting would have been fair as this was his first offense.

So we go reg season to playoff standard 3 playoff games would equate to 6 reg season games which I doubt DOPS would have gave Bunting for his first offense. They would have slapped 2 and moved on. Now if Bunting was a repeat offender 3 would have been totally fair.

Not saying the hit didnt warrant a suspension but 3 for a first time offender is a bit excessive 1-2 playoff games would have been fair. As Kadri for instance was a repeat offender and got 4 games for a headshot back in 2019

But then again this is DOPS consistency is not their strong suit we all remember the Wilson NYR incident

Why is Matt Martin still here

Because hes Marners best friend