Wilson charging on Wennberg (no supplementary discipline)

[OV Rocks]

And with that rant the NHL actually got the call right

 

[FishMonger]

Clearly a more predatory, dangerous hit than Doughty's.

So he won't even get a fine.

 

[MattySnipes]

@LiasAndersson

Are you HFBoards DoPS for the playoffs?

Noticed you created both threads for Wilson & Kadri hit lol

 

[razor8]

I'm a neutral fan and I don't see that hit as one that warrants a suspension.

2 minute penalty at most.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Tom Wilson is 6'4 220 LBS. Without much research it is safe to say that he is in the 90-95th percentile of NHL players in terms of size. When he is playing the game almost every hit that he delivers is going to be against a player that is smaller than he is. If a player puts himself in a similar situation to Wennberg by lowering his body to make a play on the puck, you are looking at a size decrease of >6 inches. Even if Wilson tries his absolute best to hit a guy square in the chest, 6 inches up is the guys nose. Now how can you penalize a player for being bigger and stronger than most other players in the league.

I get that he makes contact with the guys head, but when the opposing player adjusts his body before contact and has his head down or in the opposite direction to not see a hit coming how is it justifiable for Wilson to get penalized for a player not expecting to be hit and smaller than him.


Tom Wilson uses his size and strength to maintain a job in the NHL. He may piss some people off by how he holds his job sometimes but he is doing everything he can to play each night. You don't take away his tools because everyone else is smaller than him. The other players have to own some responsibility to know Wilson is on the ice.

Simple solution - don't charge up behind a guy, watching his numbers the entire time, and pointlessly jump into a high hit while he's looking the other way.

Wilson's problem isn't that he's too good at hitting, his problem is he's a new-model Matt Cooke who seems to think that the purpose of hockey is to injure as many players as possible without getting penalized. Players like this are not needed in the game.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

Clearly a more predatory, dangerous hit than Doughty's.

So he won't even get a fine.

You called it! But come on, we have to also take into account Doughty's long record of dangerous hits and Wilson's perfectly clean record.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

East Coast Dustin Brown gets away with another one.

 

[izlez]

Clearly a more predatory, dangerous hit than Doughty's.

So he won't even get a fine.

I mean, that's fine and may be the case.

There is nothing necessarily illegal about being "predatory" or "dangerous" though. What rules does he break with the hit?

 

[Il Stugotz]

Awful decision, but Wilson is the new Torres/Cooke so he’ll throw another filthy hit soon. Just unfortunate for the guys who have to suffer brain injuries because of him.

Apparently there weren’t enough camera angles on this hit to justify a suspension.

 

[Il Stugotz]

I mean, that's fine and may be the case.

There is nothing necessarily illegal about being "predatory" or "dangerous" though. What rules does he break with the hit?

Charging (42.1, 42.3) and illegal check to the head (48.1)

 

[OV Rocks]

Simple solution - don't charge up behind a guy, watching his numbers the entire time, and pointlessly jump into a high hit while he's looking the other way.

Wilson's problem isn't that he's too good at hitting, his problem is he's a new-model Matt Cooke who seems to think that the purpose of hockey is to injure as many players as possible without getting penalized. Players like this are not needed in the game.

If you watch the replay it is pretty clear that he makes an effort to shift his body into the hit so that he makes contact with a front part of Wennbergs body. The only numbers that are hit are the ones on the side of Wennbergs arm.

I think the opposite of Wilson's game and his hitting ability. He has been on the radar with DOPS his entire career but up until this preseason he had never been suspended (those two were just down right stupid on his part) and that shows he has a great understanding of what side of the line he has to be on to deliver a hit. Yes he has alot that are questionable but each and every one (minus the preseason) of his hits can be justified as clean and not worthy of suspension.

 

[illpucks]

Awful decision, but Wilson is the new Torres/Cooke so he’ll throw another filthy hit soon. Just unfortunate for the guys who have to suffer brain injuries because of him.

Apparently there weren’t enough camera angles on this hit to justify a suspension.

He's a dirty player but so is the former LA Kings Captain. All that guy does is stick his knees out and hardly ever gets punished.

 

[CanadianPensFan1]

Wennberg now listed as doubtful for game 2

To be fair ...its the playoffs. Guys get a hang nail and coaches will say "game time decision." its the gamesmanship.

Im NOT implying that he is or is not hurt. Im just saying .. Torts giving the doubtful claim is grain of salt. All coaches do that.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

If a player puts himself in a similar situation to Wennberg by lowering his body to make a play on the puck,

So you admit Wennberg's face is not pointed at the ice, as you claimed earlier?

Even if Wilson tries his absolute best to hit a guy square in the chest,

"even if" being the operative words here, as he didn't in this case.

I get that he makes contact with the guys head,

Do you also "get" that he launched himself at the guy and made primary contact with his head?



Now, I know what the league decided and somehow that's going to make you right. I will expect you to agree with every DoPS decision the league makes from now on.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Awful decision, but Wilson is the new Torres/Cooke so he’ll throw another filthy hit soon. Just unfortunate for the guys who have to suffer brain injuries because of him.

Apparently there weren’t enough camera angles on this hit to justify a suspension.

How convenient.

Bravo again, DoPS. Can't even go 24 hours without shooting themselves in the face.

NBCSN Washington and SportsNet only had one camera at the game I guess.

 

[izlez]

Charging (42.1, 42.3) and illegal check to the head (48.1)

I disagree. I do not see charging or illegal head contact (all head contact is not illegal) in the angles that are available.

But at least now we can start talking about NHL rules rather than our feelings.

 

[tarheelhockey]

If you watch the replay it is pretty clear that he makes an effort to shift his body into the hit so that he makes contact with a front part of Wennbergs body. The only numbers that are hit are the ones on the side of Wennbergs arm.

I think the opposite of Wilson's game and his hitting ability. He has been on the radar with DOPS his entire career but up until this preseason he had never been suspended (those two were just down right stupid on his part) and that shows he has a great understanding of what side of the line he has to be on to deliver a hit. Yes he has alot that are questionable but each and every one (minus the preseason) of his hits can be justified as clean and not worthy of suspension.

Like I said initially, I don't think this hit is a penalty.

But the idea that Wilson is a big sad victim because he's so strong that he can't help but throw questionable hits all the time, is complete garbage.

As you say yourself, this is a guy who has obviously put a deal of effort and study into figuring out EXACTLY what he can do to injure opponents without getting hit with suspensions. There's nothing "clean" about this hit, it's exploiting the window of vulnerability when an opponent has barely touched the puck for a split-second, in order to deliver an absolutely borderline hit with a high risk of injury. It's dirty as hell, even though not illegal.

When players talk about a lack of respect in the game, this is what they mean. This kind of hit was not part of the game of hockey until relatively recent years and the league has actively been working to get rid of as much of it as possible. Wilson is apparently willing to be the guy who frustrates that process in order to extend his otherwise irrelevant career.

 

[Il Stugotz]

I disagree. I do not see charging or illegal head contact (all head contact is not illegal) in the angles that are available.

But at least now we can start talking about NHL rules rather than our feelings.

I think launching into hits should be charging, but the NHL disagrees. I’ve been arguing about this on here since Kronwall had functional knees.

 

[Syckle78]

Not seeing the issue with that hit. He went through the body and unless I'm mistaken there's no rule against hitting from the side. I don't have a dog in this fight. So legit asking what's the problem with this play?

 

[izlez]

I think launching into hits should be charging, but the NHL disagrees. I’ve been arguing about this on here since Kronwall had functional knees.

I'd be in favor of that.

I'd also be in favor of changing the rules so all head contact is illegal.

But for now, I'll defend the DoPS for following the rulebook in handing out it's decisions.

 

[Arcade Fire]

It took Wilson only one PO game to have a questionable hit. Amazing.

 

[McSpecial DraiBlend]

No attempt to play the puck at all. Lined him up from far back. Blindside hit. This is a suspension for sure.

 

[Crede777]

Simple solution - don't charge up behind a guy, watching his numbers the entire time, and pointlessly jump into a high hit while he's looking the other way.

Wilson's problem isn't that he's too good at hitting, his problem is he's a new-model Matt Cooke who seems to think that the purpose of hockey is to injure as many players as possible without getting penalized. Players like this are not needed in the game.

This.

Wilson's problem is that his attitude towards hitting is dangerous and irresponsible.

If Wilson cannot hit safely, he shouldn't be hitting. His career shouldn't revolve around his ability to put other players in danger.

 

[IceNeophyte]

NHL is sending a crystal clear message that they are not tolerating goonery in the playoffs this year. I like it.

 

[Zippy316]

Every single guy in this league who still looks to hit people is considered dirty now.

Most big hits end up being on unsuspecting players and therefore end up being seen as dirty. If you make it to the NHL, you're a damn good hockey player and know how to avoid getting clobbered in most situations.