Ok Let's Ask Ourselves This...

How much different is Mike Richards hit from this weekend all that different from this "example" provided by the NHL for our viewing pleasure. Yes, I am talking about the Matt Cooke hit. Side by side folks, let's do it.



And for the Richards hit?



Well, both are late, both come after carrying the puck into the zone and dropping it off. Richards comes in more at a side angle while Cooke comes almost completely from behind. Cooke goes with an elbow (imagine that) while Richards leads with the shoulder. Both victims are looking at the puck, not where they're skating (heads on a swivel kids!), so both get caught completely unawares.

Main difference? One was a suspension the other wasn't. I really wish I could see how far Richards was lining up Booth, cause it seemed like he was coming in for that hit far out of the frame.

It just seems to me, if the NHL is really serious about eliminating hits to the head, why even leave any doubt? Just somethin' to think about. I'm still undecided whether or not it should have been a suspension, on one hand, Richards is just "finishing" his check and let's be honest, if that's Kamil Kreps, are we even having this discussion? On the other, Booth was in a defenseless position, without the puck, and was clearly lined up. Too close to call in my book.

Well I just recalled another one it's pretty similar to, this one we alllllllllll remember.