The NHL has reportedly made its decision on a possible suspension for Cédric Paré following Laine's injury
We are still awaiting confirmation, but all signs indicate that the NHL's disciplinary committee has made its decision regarding Cédric Paré following the hit on Patrik Laine.
The moral of this story is quite clear: an American Hockey League player can deliver a knee-on-knee hit and injure an National Hockey League star for the entire season... without facing any punishment. That's exactly what just happened, and it has caused quite a stir.
All indications are that the NHL has decided not to punish Cédric Paré of the Toronto Maple Leafs: no fine, no suspension
For a league that claims to want to protect its players, especially its stars, this is a rather contradictory message. How can one assert a commitment to safety when such dangerous actions go unpunished? It raises important questions about the consistency of the NHL's decisions.
Even P.K. Subban expressed his disbelief over the play:
The incident in question involved Patrik Laine, a star player, and Cédric Paré, an AHL player. Paré delivered a knee-on-knee hit, leaving Laine injured for an extended period. Yet, no sanctions were imposed, not even a penalty. It's frustrating and concerning for many fans. This isn't just about the immediate safety of players but also about the image of the sport and the trust that fans have in the league.
The National Hockey League wants to make the sport safer, but it seems there are still gaps. Allowing AHL players to make such dangerous moves without consequence sends the wrong message about the importance of protecting star players.
It is crucial for the NHL to take this seriously and show that such behavior has no place in the league.
If it were your decision, do you believe that the Quebec-born forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs deserved a sanction?
Let's not forget that Arber Xhekaj, for his part, was fined just over $3,000 for his retaliation against Cédric Paré.
| POLL | ||
Should the NHL impose harsher penalties on dangerous actions by AHL players? | ||
| Yes, absolutely | 698 | 84.5 % |
| Only if it injures a player | 53 | 6.4 % |
| The current rules are sufficient | 49 | 5.9 % |
| No, it's part of hockey | 26 | 3.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
