An Intriguing Contrast

They are not the same. Actually, they have nothing, really, in common.

Different players. Different games. Different actions, one actually part of the play, one after the whistle. 

Other than the fact James Wisniewski and Niklas Hjalmarsson are both NHL defencemen, and neither a star, the crime/misdemeanor each committed during Columbus Day matinee games on Monday have nothing in common.

Still, it will be fascinating to see which player gets a bigger punishment.

Does the NHL value class or safety more? Does is despise vulgarity more, or actions which put other players in unnecessary physical danger?

Will one action deserve only a slap on the wrist, or both? Will Colin Campbell decide enough is enough and hammer both Wisnewski and Hjalmarsson?

Only Campbell knows, and as he awakes this morning, he probably doesn't know, either.

After 20 years of seeing various nefarious misdeeds on the rink, I can't tell you with any honesty what will transpire in either case.

Hjalmarsson executed a dangerous hit-from-behind on Buffalo's Jason Pominville that was certainly suspendable, but falls short in terms of sheer recklessness of Matt Cooke's skull-crusher on Marc Savard, which of course drew no punishment at all.

Wisniewski, meanwhile, pretended to be engaging in a specific sexual act in the Islanders game against the Rangers, ostensibly to taunt Sean Avery, although it's unclear why Wisniewski thought he would get under Avery's skin by his actions.

At any rate, have never seen anything quite so vulgar and blatant on the ice, although perhaps years of lip-reading has desensitized me to the way in which NHL players choose to disrespect one another in the heat of the moment. The vile hand gesture most comparable to Wisniewski's would be the old standard, throat slashing, for which Nick Boynton was suspended a game last month. Not sure whether a gesture that suggests murder is worse than one that depicts an act not permitted in public, but I'm sure Campbell and Gary Bettman have an opinion on this one.

At any rate, while the actions of Wisniewski and Hjalmarsson shared no common ground, they happened on the same afternoon of the same day and will thus be dealt with by the league at about the same time.

Which means the punishment will be compared, just as if you had an assault case up before a judge on the same morning as an arson suspect.

In this case, it will be an intriguing look into the mind of the NHL, an expression of what the league values most.

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Pyramid Power]

Always interesting to see the Wheel of Justice and grandmaster Colin Campbell spinning it. I say give The Wiz a game, and two games for Hjalmarsson.

The Wiz has a history of suspensions especially that brutal hit he laid out last season when he was a Duck. Maybe Colin's wheel lands on more than one game for him.

Tune in later today for The Spin.

[Pyramid Power]

I don't know if Damien answers questions straight up on this blog here, but I would like to know if anyone has heard whether Giggy will continue to play until he loses?

That is what I would do if I were Wilson, Burke et al. This talk of giving Gustavsson some work each week is nonsense to me. Go with our number one until he loses a game, or plays poorly I say. Then go with Gus for his first start of the season. Sitting on the bench, watching Giggy, learning from Allaire all invaluable experience for Gus.

Sure hope that is the way the Leafs play it.

[mark]

Damien, you use the word 'intriguing' to describe something I would describe as 'irritating'. I find the never ending saga of crime and punishment in the NHL incredibly dull. When will the NHL simply come out with a standard list of infractions and the suspension that will be imposed? Obscene jester? 1 game. Hit from behind causing injury: 4 games first time, 10 second time, 25 third time, full season 4 time (and likely end of career). You get the idea. This case by case review is just dumb.

[Pyramid Power]

@mark I can't agree with your use of the adjective "dull" to describe the never ending saga of crime and punishment in the NHL. Irritating and intriguing yes, but I would go with fascinating. From The Rocket's suspension thru the playoffs in 1955 causing riots in Montreal to Cooke getting nothing for practically ending Marc Savard's career it is anything but dull.

I get your point re trying to impose a standard list of infractions and punishments. But each case comes with a unique set of circumstances. No easy task for Campbell and the NHL at all. I know I would not want to be in Colin Campbell's shoes, not a job I would ever want.

The Wiz got two games yesterday for not hurting anyone except some feelings. Hjalmarsson got nothing for almost ending a hockey career. That wheel just keeps going round and round and where it will land nobody knows.

Nice column today btw Damien. Loved the lopping off Finger headline. I think Burkie is fixin' to get us a Devil. Malone would be nice too. I smell a major deal coming up rather sooner than later. Maybe a couple of major deals.

[Pyramid Power]

To expound further on a comment I just left for mark I would like to say that adopting a strict Criminal Code of justice in the NHL would be akin to saying a criminal will get exactly this many years for an assault or robbery etc.... Judges have minimum and maximum sentences to deal with that take into account all the variables and intangibles in a given case. Each case is an entity unto itself, and going with a strict code as you have postulated just would not work imo.
The same concept applies to Chief Justice Colin Campbell and the NHL's Supreme Court.

[mark]

I disagree Pyramid Power. If the punishment is known in advance and perceived by the players and coaches as severe enough, the hope is that it would act as a deterent and we wouldn't have the kind of nonsense we have today. Campbell and friends would still have to review plays to determine if in fact an infraction had taken place (refs miss things and there would still be grey areas like intent 'deliberately trying to injure'), but once reviewed there would be no question of what the punishment would be. I'm really sick of this stuff. Either the league takes it on or give the responsibilty of policing back to the players. This half pregnant approach that Campbell and friends have taken is doing nothing to stop the crap that happens just about every game now.

[JWN]

How long until Komisarek is playing for the Marlies?

Think of the options that would create to add scoring with minimal negative impact to the overall strength of our defence corps: his lack of discipline and numerous giveaways make him a break even NHLer even at a much lower salary.

The fact he wears an "A" on his jersey does present a bit of a problem.

[Pyramid Power]

@mark I will agree with you that general 'sentencing' guidelines should be put out there by the NHL. Some kind of guide should be issued, and I certainly do not trust the players to police themselves with punks like Cooke and Lapierre out there. Clutterbuck and others of course make that list of guys who do not respect their opponents or the game. Add on whoever you like to that list.
Was hoping when the league hired Brendan Shanahan of Toronto that he would be put to work on handling some kind of NHL Criminal Code once and for all. That has not happened much to my disappointment.
@JWN I too am very disappointed with Komisarek right now, but I think he will be better soon enough. He has GOT to play much better, and he has been knocked out of the Leafs top four because of his poor play. I don't see HIM ever going to the Marlies though.
Finger? Sure. Yes, wonderful. Komisarek is a Burke signing and that just won't happen, and I think Kommy is going to get it together. Coming off nasty surgery so give him 20 games at least before we all start to call for his head. They can toss the 'A' back to Kaberle anytime, don't see that as an issue at all.

[Pyramid Power]

Well, the Wiz got two games and so did Hjalmarsson. I guess I can go along with Judge Campbell's sentences. If you can't do the time don't do the crime guys.