go by the strict letter of the rules, no, it wasn't a bad hit and yes it's a tough game. how can they lessen this from happening? not sure. I know that there is a lack of respect amongst players. and I get that some scrubs make a living from it all. there is a license out there that if a guy has his head down he is to be cranked. not just taken out of the play, but hit as hard as possible. some fans enjoy it, some don't. I agree that some of the stuff will be outlawed and in less than 20 years. Pet could have just run into Semin, just stood there, and had the same effect (taken him out of the play). this is a long story, a long debate but I think there are still some things that they can do to limit the possibility of injury. they will and to me anyway, it won't take away from the game. I prefer to be entertained by skill hockey............the loss of Semin takes away from that.
that has to do with concern for Semin and player safety. in regards to the success of the team? IMO, the way Muller has them playing, the loss of Semin isn't as big a deal for this team as some may think. the grinders can play this system well and bang in the same amount of offense. they weren't going anywhere anyhow.