As many were expecting, the NHL Department of Player Safety has announced a suspension of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin, this time for four games, for his cross-check of Nashville Predators’ defenseman Mark Borowiecki on Sunday. As the accompanying video explains:
“It is important to note that this is not a case where Malkin raises his stick defensively or reflexively to protect himself. We find Malkin’s cross-check to be retaliatory and aggressive. While we heard Malkin’s assertion that Borowiecki initiated the scrum by restraining him and confronting him, neither action merited Malkin’s response. Players are not excused from violating league rules because of the actions of their opponents. There is simply no justification for a player to forcefully and intentionally cross-check another player in this manner.”
Malkin’s suspension could seem excessive to some, but this is not his first suspension, having been suspended once before, and fined three other times in his career. It is also worth noting that Malkin was assessed a four minute double-minor on the play. In terms of salary-forfeited, the suspension will cost Malkin approximately $190K.
Losing Malkin for four games now is a tough loss for Pittsburgh, who is in no threat of losing a playoff position, but is fighting for seeding, which can have enormous ramifications in their own right. The Penguins currently sit in third place in the Metropolitan Division with 94 points, four ahead of the Washington Capitals who hold the second Wild Card in the Eastern Conference (the Boston Bruins have the first Wild Card with 95 points). The star forward is still producing at a high-level at 35 years of age, despite dealing with injury this season, recording 17 goals and 20 assists in 37 games this year.
Travesty. Too harsh.
Does the NHL really want to stop this type of play? Because if a 4 game suspension is possible the players will stop it.
But it doesn’t feel like it’s part of an overall push to change behavior because the suspensions or lack of them are so inconsistently applied.
Or so it seems to me as casual fan.
Malkin loves to dish out the physicality but never likes anyone doing to him, quite the little biotch in that regards, this definitely has not been the first time he used his stick with the intent to injure another player, great player who can be dirty
Crosby must be jealous seeing Malkin’s shaft in another man’s mouth.
Seems like the thought occurred to you, not Sid.
He is just another pos who can score goals.
Going forward, please keep your disturbing fantasy life private. Thank you.
If you watch enough of his games he does have a dirty side but should’ve gotten 2
I don’t think it’s fair to describe him as dirty. If you watch his game, he never initiates this crap. He gets tired of taking it from plug after plug and just snaps and overreacts, usually using his stick. Deserves the 4 games, however. Hopefully for his sake he’ll learn, but I’m not sure. This league encourages plugs to take runs at star players and the plugs will take the offsetting minors if it plays out that way.
“To summarize: this is why the league needs enforcers. Like me, George Parros, an available free agent!”
If Malkin were trying to make Borowiecki uglier, it’s simply not possible. :D
@Gbear – Reminds me of a line from “Arsenic and Old Lace”, where Cary Grant gets a sudden look at his long-lost brother’s mug and says, “Where’d you get that face? Hollywood???” :)
Again, I don’t think anyone gets your jokes Mac
@pawtucket – Some over the age of 50 probably do. The rest can simply hit the PageDown button on your keyboard…
@Mac Excellent reference!! That’s actually one of my fave films.
@Paw At 36, I may not always get some of the things he says, but I’ve got the benefit of being an old soul. “Arsenic and Old Lace” is an absolute treasure and I’m so glad that my parents brought me up on a lot of B&W films as a child. I highly encourage you to see it, if you haven’t already. Cary Grant is the master of the silver screen.
As far as the primary topic, the suspension certainly fits the crime. Now, if DoPS would actually be CONSISTENT with this that would be a great concept.
To be fair though, dirty “grinder” goons like Borowiecki cross-check players in face as a hobby, among other dubious things. Actual enforcers would have chewed him up and spat him out of the game ages ago, if they were still around.
@Palehosed85 – Glad to see another fan of that classic! I think I’ll be channelling my inner “Uncle Teddy”! :)
I’m not sure how Matthews got 2 games for his crosscheck to the head of Dahlin and Malkin gets double that for this.
But then, I am not George Parros. Nor do I possess nearly the number of head injuries he incurred as a player, but I digress.
Malkin is a repeat offender
That’s what was the key..Superstar or not great job by the NHL….
That would make sense if true. But Malkin is not considered a repeat offender since his last suspension occurred more than 18 months ago.
He deserves it. I’m a Pens fan but that was excessive and he’s got to learn to stop retaliating when guys try to get under his skin. That’s what Borowiecki does and he’s good at it.
Malkin loves to dish out the physicality but never likes anyone doing to him, quite the little biotch in that regards, this definitely has not been the first time he used his stick with the intent to injure another player, great player who can be dirty