I have refrained from making any comment on "the hit" until now,because I have been too filled with emotion. My thoughts are:
(1) McCabe has shown in his early career that he has no respect for other player safety, and in fact, prides himself on seeking out "predatory hits" that create maximum damage and pain. He uses a technique whereby he simply watches for the target to be in a compromising spot, awaiting a pass, and then approaches aggressively hoping to time the hit with the arrival of the puck. Planned, anticipatory, and very impactful. Certainly not illegal but an approach that most players and the League do not find favor with. Since the League is literally helpless to stop these "predatory hits", things will change only when McCabe himself finds that he has become the target and gains some first-hand respect for the real consequences of such hits.
(2) Almost everyone (including Maurice) has jumped to the conclusion that there was nothing technically wrong or illegal with the actual contact itself. Everyone is satisfied that McCabe`s skates are still at least arguably on the ice at impact- therefore no foul. If you watch carefully however McCabe uses a unique hitting style as well -generally lowering his body mass slightly by flexing his knees, then literally thrusting himself forward and upward by staightening his legs, facing squarely towards the target. The raised arms/shoulders usually deliver the blow so generated but the helmeted head also can, as in this unfortunate case, make contact as well. The Dept, of Safety should, in my opinion, look at this as exactly the same as visibly having one`s skates leave the ice surface.
I suspect however that there will be no review and of course young McCabe will continue with his bragging in his pressers and will continue to seek predatory hits (until he has his own come-to-Jesus moment). [mod]