Mike Richards hits David Booth. Here's the video, I'm withholding my opinion for just now, but it's...

Mike Richards hits David Booth. Here's the video, I'm withholding my opinion for just now, but it's eerily similar to Scott Stevens on Eric Lindros, isn't it?

Regardless of your opinion on the hit, though, we all certainly hope Booth is okay.

over 2 years ago Travis Hughes 14 comments 1 recs |

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First, I wish David Booth the best.

Alright, so this is the only way I saw this hit (I’m on a weekend getaway) and my reaction is mixed. These hits have been happening a lot throughout the league lately, and I’m worried about a few things. 1) If it’s within the rules of the NHL – i.e. a “clean hit” – how can one be suspended?; 2) “Hits to the head” are different in the NHL than the NFL since you can hit someone’s head despite staying on the ice, keeping your shoulder and elbow in, and not leading with any part of your body; 3) Does Richards qualify for the “star treatment” which allowed Malkin to swing a stick at Zetterberg’s head, Ovechkin to slew foot, and Briere to spear Ovechkin (while in Buffalo)?; 4) If so, will Philadelphia be singled out for “getting away” with a “dirty” play while those other players avoid such criticism? 5) If not, is this just “another dirty Philadelphia player”?

Unfortunately, this is a lose-lose. On a semi-related note, does anybody have any faith in the NHL’s disciplinary actions, regardless of the outcome of this?

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by Geoff Detweiler on Oct 24, 2009 10:30 PM EDT reply actions

it should be suspendible, but i belive that it is a 3 game suspension. Taking into account that it is a Flyer and the i don’t have faith in the NHL, I wouldn’t be surprised if he got 5-10.

by JpH89 on Oct 24, 2009 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions

If that hit is suspendable, what hits aren’t? Willie Mitchell on Jonathan Toews? Dion Phaneuf on Kyle Okposo? I’m not saying you’re wrong, but if neither of those players were suspended, what makes this one? If Richards is suspended the NHL better be consistent about this from here on out. And no one expects consistency from the NHL.

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by Geoff Detweiler on Oct 25, 2009 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions

I thought Phaneuf should have been suspended, and just like the discussion about the Stevens hit below Willie Mitchell attacks horizontally. He’s obviously much taller but he doesn’t do anything to aim higher towards Toews’ head, like Richards did.

But you’re right. It’s an extremely fine and difficult line to pinpoint, and there is no way in hell we’re going to see any consistency from the NHL.

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by Rob Parker on Oct 25, 2009 1:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Last question first: no.

Otherwise, GREAT question on the “Star Treatment” subject. He’s a “star” only as much as the league wishes him to be. Philadelphia, Comcast…do the math.

I do not believe for a moment that he is a classic – or otherwise – “dirty player”…but these hits must cease. Someone will pay the ultimate price one day, and it’ll be argued about as “legal” and the victim “didn’t have his head up”.

Beyond that, I enjoyed the first period immensely…

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by Donny Rivette on Oct 24, 2009 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly. Like I said in response to your comment in the recap thread, “these hits” is a different argument than “this hit”. These hits are happening throughout the NHL, and there has not been a consistent position taken by the NHL. Either hits where the player stays on his skates with the elbow in are legal, or hits which result in a shoulder to the head is illegal. The NHL needs to stop ruling based on results and prior history.

On someone paying the ultimate price, I would say Eric Lindros came pretty close to that, but I don’t think that’s what you meant. I agree with you, and honestly hope the NHL makes a clear and easily understandable policy going forward.

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by Geoff Detweiler on Oct 25, 2009 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions

While I personally don’t think he should be suspended for the hit, it’s almost a certainty that he will be. If the NHL wants to uphold their disciplinary actions on head shots, this’ll be a suspension.

Let's go Flyers!

by OrangeAndBlackk on Oct 24, 2009 10:44 PM EDT reply actions

I would like to refer to my earlier fanpost on the Phaneuf hit in preseason, found here
http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2009/9/21/1046607/phaneuf-preseason-hit

This is what the NHL want this is what they will get both Booth and Okposo left on stretchers, Okposo hit was in the preseason mind you and it is debatable it Phaneuf left his skates. Richards hit was clearly not an elbow and he clearly didn’t leave his skates, or go flying threw the air. I am not sure if Phaneuf even got a penalty for the is hit. I don’t like the hit but based the standards set no way should Richards be suspended or fined. This is what the NHL wants this is what they will get. Maybe it will take a Flyer to start headhunting for the NHL to change their ways.

by chrislanci on Oct 25, 2009 1:02 AM EDT reply actions

VERY similar to Stevens...

and Stevens wasn’t suspended. Those open-ice blind-side hits are definitely playing with fire in terms of paralyzing someone or worse, but they’re legal, and if the NHL wants to avoid career-ending injuries or fatalities, they need to clarify the rules. Absent a rule clarification, Richards’ hit is legal, and shouldn’t carry a suspension.

We all know it will, though, and I bet they don’t even factor in the impact it’s going to have on my fantasy team.

by tonycpsu on Oct 25, 2009 1:04 AM EDT reply actions

Also, anyone remember Brian Campbell on R J Umberger

from 06 playoffs? Very similar, ugly, hard to watch hit. No game misconduct or suspension for Campbell of course… We’ll certainly miss Ritche for the next 5 – 10 games though. Lose lose situation all around..

by d-rezin on Oct 25, 2009 1:26 AM EDT reply actions

Homer sounds like he’s going to (privately) go apeshit if Richie is suspended. I think it’s a clean hit, but Richards is also not a dirty player. Stevens’ hit on Lindros may have also technically been a clean hit (looked to me like more bicep than anything else), but Stevens was a dirty player.

I think giving Richards the major and misconduct was appropriate; quite honestly, I think that should just be a given in any situation like this. No problem.

Colin Campbell’s not going to be dealing with this since his son Greg’s on the Panthers, so Mike Murphy will handle this instead. This will be an interesting situation… that’s for sure.

by Ben Feldman on Oct 25, 2009 2:34 AM EDT reply actions

Let me rephrase — I think it’s a legal hit. Whether or not it’s ‘clean’ … well, what does that even mean, anyway?

by Ben Feldman on Oct 25, 2009 2:40 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree completely.

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by Ben Rothenberg on Oct 25, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

As much as it sucks and seems unfair, I think the misconduct is actually a good idea. Also, certainly agree with you on the “what is clean anyway” comment.

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by Geoff Detweiler on Oct 25, 2009 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions