Kris Letang took a hit to the head last night and left the Pens game in the first with an “upper body injury.”
Immediately, commentators began fighting. Some say Letang put himself in a vulnerable position. Others are calling for Eric Nystrom’s suspension. EJ Hradek of NHL Network says:
ESPN’s (former Foxy Friday) John Buccigross disagrees:
By far the best was Milbury and Jeremy Roenick about to take off their earrings and start slapping each other. (Props to Milbury – WHAT?!?!? I know. – for recommending Bylsma tell Pierre to “take off, eh?” for being a tool.) See the video at Deadspin.com [link].
Disco Dan says Kris is “day-to-day” at this point. After the non-committal injury descriptions in hockey, I think DTD is my favorite un-phrase.
As you know (because you counted the days till he was back), Letang missed nearly two months this season after suffering a concussion on November 26. The hit earned Montreal’s Max Paccioretty a 3-game ban, even though the Pens cleared Letang and he returned to play. Almost a week of continuing symptoms later, Kris was finally diagnosed with a concussion.
Gratuitous hair photo.
Since returning to the ice, Kris has been the same BAMF that earned him the most write-in votes of any NHL’er for the 2011 All-Star Game and a spot on that starting lineup. He has 9G/22A on the year, and is credited with raising the game of his d-partner Paul Martin (who is not James Neal’s girlfriend).
Gratuitous perfection photo.
The NHL has not announced if Nystrom will have a hearing. So what’s your verdict? Shanabanned or no? Maybe the NHL could introduce a new system of punishment here – using the fans. If hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, you should see how she reacts when you take away her Letang.
Tags: Dallas Stars, eric nystrom, jeremy roenick, Kris Letang, mike milbury, pierre mcquire, Pittsburgh Penguins
Sorry, were you eavesdropping on my texting convo with Carter last night? Her exact words: “PUT EVERYONE ON THE PENS IN BUBBLE WRAP” and “Everyone buy stock in bubble wrap!”
Personally, I think it’s suspend-able. You don’t get to hit the pretty players in the head and break their brains without being held accountable.
Eric Nystrom – you, along with David Steckel, Victor Hedman, David Krejčí, Rene Bourke and whoever concussed Jonathan Toews (I’m looking at you, Joe Thornton), are the latest on my sh*t list.
I told Lindsay I didn’t think I wanted to watch the video and I just watched the video anyways and got teary-eyed. I hate it when players lay on the ice like that. It makes even a hardcore bitch like me get teary-eyed.
Pants, I think you know where I stand on this argument.
And if Shanaban doesn’t take action I have no problem hiring someone to fix the situation…
He has risen to the TOP of my shit list. And it’s not a place anyone wants to be.
I personally want to take fault for that lasts situation. I must have accidentally jinxed my man by finding a way around paying $300 for an authentic jersey. I paid $75 and it arrived yesterday morning. This is obviously the Hockey Gods punishing me for cheating the system. Apologies.
Shanabanned. And I have no shame admitting it’s an emotional decision.
I had gone to the kitchen for TWO SECONDS only to come back out just in time to see this happen. My stomach dropped. I could have thrown a shoe at Nystrom, luckily Engelland beat me to it and in a much more convincing display. His beautiful, beauitful face. It’s been through hell this season
I say suspend him, because no matter if it was the elbow or shoulder its a hit to the head which is what the NHL is trying to get rid of! Not to mention the fact that he wasn’t even trying to go for the puck, if he did then he would have never hit Letang in the first place.
I was sick from a stomach flu when I was watching this game, but I just about puked when Tanger hit the ice like that and immediately went to the locker room! The commentators (on fricking NBC, whom I HATE!) were arguing back & forth over whether or not Nystrom was in the wrong because he used his shoulder, etc. IMO, I don’t care WHAT part of his body he hit Tanger with, he deliberately ignored the puck & played the player – to ME, that should be suspendable!!!
Nice blog, Eunice! Can’t wait to see what you’ve got coming in the furute! The Sharks are an awesome team with a fan base that may be smaller than any other Bay Area sport but the people that support the Sharks are more loyal and hardcore than any other fans out there. With the exception of my Giants loyalty!