Former Referee Paul Stewart on Neal, NHL Discipline

This past Thursday, Neal was at the center of yet another incident. In a game against the Detroit Red Wings, Neal went head-hunting with a cross check directly to the head of opposing forward Luke Glendening. Neal had time and opportunity to make a legal check but instead delivered a high hit with the stick that, at absolute best, was reckless and stupid. At worst, he was deliberately trying to cause injury.

Fortunately, the stick made only glancing contact with Glendening. The Detroit player was unhurt and kept skating down the ice. Neal received a two-minute minor on the play for cross-checking.

By virtue of the fact that Glendening was not injured on the play, the NHL elected to issue only a fine ($5,000) to Neal rather than to suspend him. I understand why the result of the play needs to taken into consideration in supplementary discipline – I do the same when reviewing playing for possible suspension – but intent and the offending player’s past history also need to be taken into genuine consideration.

The NHL and its Department of Player Safety pays lip service to wanting to stamp out hits to the head. They claim to weigh past history in the formula for suspension. They say intent is considered. So what the hell happened here? Beats me.