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NHL Player Safety makes a mockery of the Maple Leafs with Brad Marchand decision
Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand delivered a dirty headshot to Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson, and now, NHL Player Safety is under the microscope.
Brad Marchand has certainly calmed it down a bit in recent years, although there is no denying that he has been a dirty player at times.
On Tuesday, Montreal Canadiens fans saw this as their defenseman, Mike Matheson, was the subject of an elbow to the head.
It was the kind of play that you really do hate to see, and it was a demonstration of how Marchand tends to push the envelope against the Canadiens.
NHL Player Safety looks the other way on Brad Marchand
In the end, the NHL Department of Player Safety opted not to take action against Marchand. Instead, he was able to get away with the play.
Even Elliotte Friedman was a bit stunned by all of this and made sure to let his feelings be known. As for Habs fans, they were not particularly amused by Marchand not even getting so much as a fine.
Meanwhile, for the Toronto Maple Leafs, it was yet another reminder that there seems to be a bias against them within the confines of the DoPS offices.
A bias against the Toronto Maple Leafs becomes apparent
Earlier this week, Mat Barzal of the New York Islanders got a fine for slashing Mason Marchment of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
This comes just a few weeks after Bobby McMann was suspended for slashing Oliver Bjorkstrand across the head.
It just goes to show that the Department of Player Safety will give Leafs players a much harsher punishment. This is the state of affairs right now.
At the end of the day, the Leafs just need to be aware of these things. They can't go around hoping that the league will be fair, or have an eye-for-an-eye mentality. It's been proven time and time again that this is not in the cards.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 1 | 285 ANSWERS NHL Player Safety makes a mockery of the Maple Leafs with Brad Marchand decision Do you believe Brad Marchand should have been suspended by NHL Player Safety? | ||
| YES | 249 | 87.4 % |
| NO | 36 | 12.6 % |
| List of polls | ||