NHL Suspension Protocol

The last couple seasons have proven that the NHL doesn't have a clue of what it's doing when it comes to suspending players for dirty hits. Some dirty hits go unpunished, some clean hits go punished and some suspensions are too big, and some are too small. This has caused controversy and problems among fans players, and the NHL as they don't seem to know what to do. Because of this I am going to attempt to come up with a black and white system in which the NHL would have rigid guidelines on how to suspend their players consistently and fairly.

Question #1

Was the head contacted?
If the head was contacted the hit should be reviewed
If the head was not contacted only review questions 4-5 to see if the hit was suspendable. If the hit was suspendable based one or both of those guidelines proceed to numbers 6-7 to see how many additional games should be added.

The main point of a lot of dirty hits is contact with the head. I think any hit where the head is contacted should automatically get a second look by the league. This leads into question number two.

Question #2
Was the head the principle point of contact?
If it was add two games to the suspension
If it was not move to the next question

I know the head being the principle point of contact is in the rules right now, and it can be somewhat grey, but I do think it is a good point. All this really means is did the head of the player who got hit take most or all of the impact from the hitting player. This really isn't that hard to figure out, if the head is almost exclusively the only thing that was hit it was the principle point of contact.

Question #3
Was the hit done with the shoulder/body? Or the elbow/arm?
If it was the arm or elbow add two games to the suspension

You want players to be leading with the shoulder. That's the safe way to hit.

Question #4
Was the hit from the blind side or behind?
If it was from a blind side add one game to the suspension, if it was from behind add two.

There is a difference between blind side and behind. Just to clarify a blind side hit is if the player might be facing sideways, but is looking the other direction. Behind is if the player delivering the hit can see the numbers, while both are dangerous, a hit from behind is far more dangerous.

Question #5
Was the stick at all involved in the hit (i.e. slash, cross check)?
If it was add two games to the suspension

Players can't be slashing or cross checking. That just adds to the chance of an injury and makes the hit even more dangerous.

Question #6
Has the player who committed the offense been suspended already either this season or the previous season?
If he has add the number of total games he has been suspended for to the suspension.

The NHL needs to send a message to repeat offenders if a guy is a recent offender he needs to be taught a lesson.

Question #7
Has the player who committed the offense been suspended before the previous season to the current one?
If he has, add one extra game for every two suspensions (regardless of the number of games). If he has an odd number of suspensions round down (three previous suspensions would add one game to this suspension).

If a player has cleaned up his act in recent years I don't think he deserves to be punished too severely. However, he is still a repeat offender and he does deserve something extra for that.

Under unusual circumstances The NHL Department of Player Safety may add or takeaway two games to the suspension based on factors not covered on this list. Those factors include but are not limited to if there was an injury on the hit, the player who got hit putting himself in a vulnerable position (i.e. turning towards the boards when he knows he's getting hit), and the severity of the hit (whether it was a really hard hit, or the offender lightened up).

I believe giving them that two game lee way would also cover for any unkowns in the questions that may come up.

Just like that there are now strict guidelines to follow on what may have been a dirty NHL hit.

Now allow me to give you three different scenarios to show how well it would work

1. Player A cross checks player B from behind, the head was not contacted. Player A has no suspension history.

For this hit player A would receive a four game suspension. It may sound a bit harsh based on what the NHL is doing now, but there is no excuse to use a stick in the check and checking from behind is always suspendable.

2. Player A hits player B in the head on a blindside elbow up, head was principle point of contact. Player A had been suspended three games the previous season.

Player A would receive an eight game suspension for this hit. He is a repeat offender and it was only the previous season. There fore add three games to what would be a four game suspension

3. Player A slashes Player B in the head from behind. The head was the principle point of contact and Player A was suspended four games the previous season and has two suspensions from before the last season.

Player A would receive an eleven game suspension for this. It doesn't sound like a lot for the severity, but because of how malicious it was it could likely be upgraded to 13 games. Some people still think that's too few, but remember it's a tenth of a season which would be a pretty good chunk of a season for a player to miss. I think it would be justified. Also remember this. When that player returned and if he did something else dirty, he would automatically have 12 games added to his suspension.

At the end of the date this format wouldn't be about throwing the book at players, but rather creating consistency. The average dirty hit that takes place in the NHL is probably a blind side shoulder to the head from a player with little or no history. Guys who did that would consistently receive a three game suspension. I believe this would be better than some guys vastly different suspensions for the same hit. There would be consistency and everyone would know what is coming in terms of a suspension for an NHL player after a dirty hit.


What do you think of my proposal for the NHL on suspending players for dirty hits? Let me know by either commenting below this post or find me on twitter @thewildman111


photo taken from nhl.com

2015 MLB Hall of Fame Ballot

I've done this before and now I'll do it again. The 2015 MLB Hall of Fame Ballot is out. I'll go through the ballot, knock off the guys who likely won't be in, narrow down the list a bit more. Put who my votes would be for, and then narrow down to what I think will be the 2015 Hall of Fame Class. That being said here is the full ballot.


Randy Johnson
Gary Sheffield
John Smoltz
Pedro Martinez
Tom Gordon
Troy Percival
Eddie Guardardo
Rich Aurilia
Carlos Delgado
Nomar Garciaparra
Brian Giles
Cliff Floyd
Darin Erstad
Jermaine Dye
Tony Clark
Aaron Boone
Craig Biggio
Mike Piazza
Jeff Bagwell
Tim Raines
Roger Clemens
Curt Schilling
Barry Bonds
Lee Smith
Edgar Martinez
Alan Trammell
Mike Mussina
Jeff Kent
Fred McGriff
Mark Mcgwire
Larry Walker
Don Mattingly
Sammy Sosa.

First Cut
The voters have shown no interest in any players who have done steroids. That is also the reason that the list is so long and backed up year after year. The guys from the steroid era are on the ballot.

The following players now get removed from the list for doing Steroids

Sammy Sosa
Mark Mcgwire
Barry Bonds
Roger Clemens
Gary Sheffield

There are also a couple of guys who will likely be left out for now because while nothing was as proven or sure as the other four guys on steroids, the allegations are there and at least some of the voters believe they did steroids. They might still get in this year because nothing was proven, but I think it's unlikely. These guys are

Jeff Bagwell
Mike Piazza.

After the first round of cuts the list now looks like this.


Randy Johnson
John Smoltz
Pedro Martinez
Tom Gordon
Troy Percival
Eddie Guardado
Rich Aurilia
Carlos Delgado
Nomar Garciaparra
Brian Giles
Cliff Floyd
Darin Erstad
Jermaine Dye
Tony Clark
Aaron Boone
Craig Biggio
Tim Raines
Curt Schilling
Lee Smith
Edgar Martinez
Alan Trammell
Mike Mussina
Jeff Kent
Fred McGriff
Larry Walker
Don Mattingly

Second Cut

There is no denying that all of these players are very talented. However, some of them are fairly obvious cuts as not to be in the hall of fame. They had very lengthy and illustrious careers in the MLB but their career numbers come up short in terms of making the Hall. These players are as follows.

Tom Gordon
Eddi Guardado
Rich Aurilia
Cliff Floyd
Darin Erstad
Tony Clark
Aaron Boone

Third Cut
Those seven were the most obvious one to not be in the Hall this year. Now the list looks like this and there are yet more cuts to be made. What I will do now is I will compose a list of players who I believe SHOULD be in the hall of fame from the list.

Randy Johnson
John Smoltz
Pedro Martinez
Troy Percival
Carlos Delgado
Nomar Garciaparra
Brian Giles
Jermaine Dye
Craig Biggio
Tim Raines
Curt Schilling
Lee Smith
Edgar Martinez
Alan Trammell
Mike Mussina
Jeff Kent
Fred McGriff
Larry Walker
Don Mattingly

What follows is who I believe belongs in the Hall if not this year, they belong there eventually.


Randy Johnson
John Smoltz
Pedro Martinez
Craig Biggio
Tim Raines
Curt Schilling
Lee Smith
Mike Mussina
Fred McGriff
Larry Walker
Don Mattingly


Since each voter can only vote for 10 players I would have to remove one.
And the player I would remove is

Lee Smith

Final Cut

Now just because this is my vote doesn't mean this will be the writer's choice. So what follows is what I believe will be the Hall of Fame Class of 2015.

Randy Johnson
John Smoltz
Pedro Martinez
Curt Schilling

An all pitchers class, and a somewhat big one. I believe all four of these men deserve immediate recognition in baseball's greatest honour. Unfortunately with this being Don Mattingly's last year of eligibility he would no longer be able to make the Hall of Fame.


What do you think of my Hall of Fame Class of 2015? Either let me know by commenting below this post, or find me on twitter. @thewildman111


photos taken from foxsports.com and sportsroses.com

Oilers Fans Need to Learn a Few Lessons

A large group of Oilers fans need to learn a few lessons. They don't seem to understand how the NHL works in terms of free agent signings and trades. I listen to fans talk, turn on Edmonton sports radio, or read posts on social media and wonder what is wrong with this fan base there are a lot of people in Oil Country where the only adjective to describe them is delusional. When members of a fan base are equaling or even exceeding Leafs fans in delusionality that is a problem. Oilers fans need to realize a few things. The Oilers aren't going to be in on every single trade or free agent acquisitions in the NHL. Just because the fans and maybe the team is interested that doesn't mean the player or other team is. Just because someone is available doesn't mean they are coming to Edmonton because the the team asked them. Just because a move has not been made does not mean the GM is not trying because he probably is. And finally, just because your ludicrous trade suggestion sounds good in your head, and maybe even in your friends heads (if you're lucky) does not mean it's going to happen. Even if it is a rumour or idea Mactavish or the Oilers are seriously considering it has to be a fair deal both ways for the other team.

Let's start at the top with the first one. The Oilers aren't going to be in on every free agent signing or trade. That's just it, no team is in on or close to every single acquisition that happens in the NHL. For various reasons certain teams are just out on certain players. The Oilers included. However, for what ever reason there is a group of fans that seem to think that the Oilers could be in on every trade and free agent signing. They also think that every single trade or signing would upgrade the Oilers. These are the fans that every time a player moves they go "Oh why didn't we get him???? That would have so helped!!" #FireEakins #FireMactavish #FireEveryone." There are two things wrong with people saying this. Number one is a vast majority of the time a player moves it's a mediocre, overrated, or overpaid piece that likely would not of been much of an upgrade for the Oilers, or it was too expensive for the Oilers. The second thing wrong is, if that player would have helped the Oilers as much as you say, then don't you think Mactavish likely at least tried to get the player? Just because you don't hear about a report that the GM tried doesn't mean he didn't. If the player was going to be large upgrade chances are the GM tried, but wasn't able to land him (more on this topic later). If the other team or player wasn't interested in what the Oilers were offering chances are that player was too expensive or the Oilers were just unable to make it work. Just because the Oilers are interested in a signing or trade doesn't mean the player or the other team is.

This is another thing that is quite common in sports. For only one party to be interested in a move isn't unusual and that team either has to make a better offer or move on. Oilers fans in the past have been interested in many players from Shea Weber to Drew Doughty to Sean Couturier, and now I've heard hiring Mike Babcock for coach when he becomes a free agent. Just because you're interested in superstar players doesn't mean that the other team is interested in trading them. Lets look at the price tag for Weber or Doughty if there is even one. If this price tag even exists it's something a long the lines of Eberle, Arcobello, Petry a first round draft pick, and likely one more minor piece. Is it really worth giving up that much for one player? No. And the price tag for Couturier would only be slightly better. Teams are essentially uninterested in trading their stars unless you give up something stupid. As for Mike Babcock or any other good coach who may or may not be available? They have their choice of twenty nine other teams in the league. Many of which are a lot more attractive than Edmonton. Just because Edmonton calls, and even if Edmonton calls first, does not come anywhere close to guaranteeing that coach is coming to Edmonton. Even if Edmonton calls first, believe it or not that coach is allowed to wait for other offers and then decide what he wants to do. Even if a superstar player or coach were available doesn't mean they're going to come to Edmonton.

The availability of a player or coach does not determine that they're coming to Edmonton. Just like I mentioned with Mike Babcock, they have their choice of twenty nine other teams, most of which are a much more attractive location than Edmonton. Why would they come here? Sure, a few good players have been convinced to come here to play but those are in the minority. The Oilers aren't going to land every single available player or coach out there, in fact there's many, many available guys they aren't going to land. Even the good teams don't land every single available guy. That's the way the NHL works. Get used to it. Despite not landing certain players doesn't mean that Craig Mactavish isn't trying either.

For the short time he's been GM Craig Mactavish has made some really good moves. He's filled some holes that needed filling and gotten the Oilers key upgrades at certain positions. Since he's done these upgrades, do you really think he has intentionally neglected the holes on this team? You really think Mactavish isn't working the phones trying to get a centre, a defenseman, or maybe even a goalie? Seeing as it's the job of a GM to upgrade his team I would say that I suspect Mactavish has been busy trying to make it happen. Making an NHL trade happen can be difficult. The fans seem to be filled with solutions for Mactavish to make a trade happen. However, just because the trade sounds good in your head and just because it would help the Oilers doesn't mean that your trade is going to happen.

Oilers fans seem to be filled with trade ideas. A vast majority of these trades are so lop sided in the Oilers favour it isn't even funny. Sean Couturier isn't being dealt to the Oilers for Petry and Arcobello. Not even if you throw a draft pick in there. Ron Hextall would immediately be fired for a deal like that. Neither is Yandle coming here for that price either. If your looking for legitimate talent such as this you have to give up legitimate talent. For either of these players you'd be looking at Eberle, Petry, plus at least a high pick, prospect, or another legitimate player if not more. Realistically, real NHL talent does not get traded for the meager price that Oilers fans are suggesting. Fans are also quick to throw in the first round draft pick for trade bait. Trading the draft pick this year is an extremely bad idea. Even if the Oilers don't pick top three, or even top five this year is a deep talented draft and there is a lot of talent to be found well into the first round and possibly even beyond. This is also why I don't think they should even trade a second or third rounder, there's potential for a lot of talent this year. This year is being compared to the 2003 draft. If you don't know what I'm referring to you can see it here. As you can see that was a phenomenal draft year (a draft in which the Oilers did bad) and there is an extremely good chance for the Oilers to land big talent. Why would you trade away that chance?

In conclusion some Oilers fans need to learn a few things about how the NHL works. Not every available player is going to come to Edmonton and the Oilers aren't going to have a chance at signing every single free agent or be in on every trade. Certain players won't come here and certain trades just aren't going to happen. Even if it does sound like a good trade to you doesn't mean it will work. A trade needs to be fair (unless Mike Gillis is trading goalies) and it needs to work for both sides. A lot of suggestions by the Oilers fans would only work for one side. So calm down and let Mactavish do his job. Because I can assure you that he is very likely trying.


-Darren


What are your thoughts on Oilers fans and their suggestions? Comment below this post or find me on twitter @thwildman111


photo taken from oilersaddict.com