Carson Soucy was suspended one game for cross-checking Connor McDavid after Game 3.
Carson Soucy was suspended one game for cross-checking Connor McDavid after Game 3.
NHL Player Safety's decision-making has always been questionable. Some incidents that seem like they warrant suspension aren't subject to supplemental discipline, while others receive what many argue is too long of a suspension. The department was under scrutiny as an incident at the conclusion of Game 3 versus the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers resulted in the questionable supplemental disciple that heavily favoured one team.
The play in question happened after the final whistle and involved Carson Soucy, Nikita Zadorov and Connor McDavid. The incident starts with Soucy pushing McDavid after the whistle. McDavid then delivers a two-handed slash to Soucy, which Soucy retaliates with a slash. This is followed by Zadorov laying a cross-check on McDavid from behind, causing Soucy to cross-check McDavid in the head. After the play, Soucy was the only player given a penalty, but as it was the end of the game, he did not have to serve it.
The next day, the NHL announced that Zadorov was fined while also suspending Soucy for one game.
Notably, the first action that could have been penalized, McDavid's two-handed slash, did not receive any supplemental discipline either directly after the game or the next day. To make matters worse, there was another incident moments later as Zach Hyman cross-checked Zadorov in the head. According to head coach Rick Tocchet, Zadorov was cut on the play, which means the play directly resulted in an injury. While Tocchet said the league had looked into the incident, NHL Player Safety will not be issuing any supplemental discipline to Hyman.
The problem with the suspension and fine is that it creates a double standard when issuing supplemental discipline. Essentially, if McDavid is involved, players will be disciplined, but if others are put in danger, it's fair game. While some may argue that this is biased, there have been a few examples throughout the postseason where supplemental discipline should have been handed out but ignored.
Starting with an example from this series, in Game 2, Evander Kane delivers a dangerous slew-foot to Quinn Hughes. In the video, Kane lifts his leg in order to take out Hughes' feet. Not only was there no supplemental discipline for a player who had been suspended and fined multiple times in his career, but there was not even a penalty on the play. Ultimately, Hughes is fortunate as these plays can result in injury, especially if the player lands on their head.
To ensure there is no debate, here is the official definition of slew-footing as per the NHL Rulebook. "Slew-footing is the act of a player using his leg or foot to knock or kick an opponent’s feet from under him, or pushes an opponent’s upper body backward with an arm or elbow, and at the same time with a forward motion of his leg, knocks or kicks the opponent’s feet from under him, causing him to fall violently to the ice." Based on the video, it is clear Kane delivered a slew-foot the Hughes, yet as mentioned, was ignored by the league.
Moving outside the series, the most significant controversial decision happened between Sam Bennett's punch on Brad Marchand. The incident occurred in Game 3 when Bennett purposefully delivered a punch to the face of Marchand away from the play. The punch resulted in an injury to Marchand, who did not play for the Boston Bruins in Game 4.
According to Emily Kaplan of ESPN, despite reviewing the incident, NHL Player Safety deemed it a hockey play. This directly contradicts Rule 51.1 of the NHL Rulebook, which states, "Roughing is a punching or slamming motion with or without the glove on the hand, normally directed at the head or face of an opponent, or if a player intentionally removes an opponent’s helmet during play pursuant to Rule 9.6." NHL Player Safety ignoring this incident not only shows a lack of wanting to protect players but also directly ignoring the rulebook that they are required to follow.
Deciding on what incidents require supplemental discipline is complex, but once again, NHL Player Safety has set themselves up for criticism. This is only the second incident all playoffs that Geroge Parros and his team have decided is worthy of supplemental discipline, and yet, they ignore multiple parts of the play that arguably deserve a fine or suspension. Ultimately, NHL Player Safety's decision-making deserves to be questioned as they have once again proved that they are only willing to protect certain players while allowing it to be open season on the rest of the league.
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