Hjalmarsson facing a suspension
BUFFALO, N.Y. – There’s probably a decent chance Niklas Hjalmarsson will be suspended for the hit Monday on Jason Pominville that left the Sabres’ winger with a concussion and a cut above his eye.
The hit was slightly from behind and involved Pominville’s head, which the NHL is certain to take into account. What Hjalmasson has in his favor is he has a reputation of being a clean player with no previous offenses.
“The decision is in the league’s hands now,” said Hjalmarsson, who received a game misconduct for boarding and a game misconduct. “We’ll see what they’re going to decide.”
Pominville left the ice on a stretcher after the hit in the first period but was said to be walking OK in the dressing room following the Hawks’ 4-3 win.
Hjalmarsson thought it was a shoulder-to-shoulder hit and that the puck was at Pominville’s skates.
Hawks coach Joel Quenneville doesn’t believe Hjalmarsson deserves a suspension.
“I don’t foresee that, but we’ll see,” Quenneville said. “I don’t even think it’s an option from watching the play.
“To me you can argue that it was even a penalty. I know that you don't want to see anybody go down and get hurt like that, but (Hjalmarsson) wasn't even looking at the guy. He was playing the puck and just hit him. There was no intent at all on the head."
In no way was Hjalmarsson’s hit similar to the one that James Wisniewski delivered to Brent Seabrook last March in Anaheim, as some have foolishly suggested.
Wisniewski, who earned an eight-game suspension, came from beyond the faceoff circles to intentionally elbow Seabrook in the head behind the net. That was a dirty play. What Hjalmarsson did was not.
Nik will be back in the lineup to play the Sabres again when they meet.
Not unexpected. I'd rather have Nik's suspension for a reckless though not entirely indefensible hockey play than Wisniewski's 2 games for a "lewd gesture." Still, it'd be nice if our defensemen can keep themselves on the ice while we await Campbell's return.
but this also gives some of the other guys a chance to try and prove themselves here early in the year.
The Glass is way to rigid....otherwise the guy bounces off........It amazes me that the obvious is always missed
You are correct, simple as that. The seamless glass is like a brick wall with a glazed finish. That's not the kind that is in the UC, or was in the old barn. But even that is still more rigid than it used to be. Good post.
The league was adament this summer that suspensions will be on the rise to combat boarding, cheapshots, etc. Hammer's going to feel the wratch of Count Chocula (aka Gary Bettman) on this one.
I have no problem with Ryan Miller voicing displeasure. He's the leader of the Sabres and that's what he's supposed to do. If the shoe were on the other foot then we'd be screaming from the rafters too.
Hmmmm. I recall Stafford nailing Keith with an elbow/forearm shiver to Keith's head. A little payback to those baby Sabres. Keith was out for more than 6 games and was never really the same after that.
Not sure what Pomenville was thinking, he was trying to take a hit to make a play or just plainly didn't see Hjammer when he glanced over his shoulder. But he was caught off guard and off balance. Unfortunate for him.
There should be no suspension. YOu know if the guy got up and skated away, there would be none. The question, intent to injure? Hjammer was trying to make a solid hit and caught him off balance and too close to the boards.
He took quick glance at who was running at him. When he saw it was Hjalmarsson, versus somebody with a hard-hitting physical reputation, he threw caution to the wind and went back to work on the boards. He completely discounted Hammer's ability to level a blow. I can't say as how I blame him.
At that speed, you think Pominville processed all that? Take your jersey off your head for a second.
Here's why Nik will be suspended: he was reckless around a player in a prone position. It's the same reason why Ovechkin's hit on Campbell was punished, and Ovie's was much less insidious that Nik's. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets 5 games.
You're nuts if you think Ovi's hit was less insidious.
Sounds like Miller is being pretty vocal about suspending Hammer. Probably a good move since then he'd be out against them on Sat. night. I'd like to think that Miller might get a few more bumps and whitewashes though for opening his yap. Why would the goalie think he needs to chime in on the matter? He's an awesome goalie but I hope he gets LIT UP on Sat. night! Hammer is a clean player and I could see giving him one game.
Just edu-guessing
Time for the top pair to take on new partners should this happen. We will need to bring up someone from RFD. We wouldn't have a prayer with the back end of Scott and hand grenade Hendry on the 3rd pair.
If that's a dirty hit then Tyler Meyers' hit was too. He goes off on a stretcher then gets up and walks around as soon as he's in the locker room.Gimme a break!
Pominville clearly looked over his shoulder to assess the situation and chose not to protect himself. It was a shoulder on shoulder hit ... although slightly from behind. The play took quite awhile to develop. It seemed to be a hockey play to me.
... it might not be a good idea to skate slowly backward along the boards while waiting for the puck to come to you. Because hockey is a physical sport. And you will get checked.
Nik hit him hard from the side just as the puck reached him. He hit him from the side in the side - didn't even touch his head much less hit it.
I agree with Quenneville's assessment that Nik was playing the puck. You can tell from Nik's stick during the hit.
3-5 games.
Being early in the season, look for a message to be sent....even if Hammer does not have the reputation. I agree with Q, you could argue if it was even a penalty...but because the injured player was carried off on a stretcher, the NHL will lay the hammer down.....not necessarily because he deserved it, but because this is the NHL.
The NHL is nothing if not arbitrary when it comes to suspensions, or lack of them.
I'll guess he gets between two and five games. Then, in a few weeks, when Ovie delivers another knee or slams a guy into the boards from behind and gets a single game or fine, the league can point to Hammer and say how tough they are.
Pardon my cynicism.
I did think the major and game misconduct was the correct call......and that's all that's needed.
Sorry Phallico, Don' get your granny panties in a bunch. Did I spell all that right??????????????
Now i can go change my girdle in peace:)