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Arizona Coyotes: NHL player safety has some explaining to do

By Jim Lynch

DALLAS, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 19: Oliver Ekman-Larsson #23 of the Arizona Coyotes is checked out by team attendants after being checked into the boards against the Dallas Stars in the second period at American Airlines Center on February 19, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 19: Oliver Ekman-Larsson #23 of the Arizona Coyotes is checked out by team attendants after being checked into the boards against the Dallas Stars in the second period at American Airlines Center on February 19, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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I understand that Jamie Benn’s hit was an unfortunate incident for the Arizona Coyotes. I also understand that out of some of the hits we have seen this year, that was not the dirtiest hit. However, I do not understand the Department of Player Safety’s comments on it.

If Oliver Ekman-Larsson did not return to the game last night we would be looking at a multi-game suspension for Jamie Benn. The fact that the Department Player Safety has been iffy on their calling all season just hurts this situation even more. It will only be a matter of time before a bigger injury occurs and then the league will have to be playing catch up.

I am not as mad about the Coyotes incident a few nights ago than I am about the recent skid of poor calls made at the NHL level. This incident gives me an opportunity to voice some of my thoughts on it so let’s dive in.

Zdeno Chara cross-checks Brendan Gallagher of the Montreal Canadiens in the head. Instead of an actual suspension, Chara gets a 5000 dollar fine. That might just have to do with the team Chara plays for and the place they are at in the standings.

You turn this around and look at some of the other players in this league who are getting sharper penalties and it just looks crazy. Zack Kassian gets 7 games for trying to jab his skate into a Tampa Bay Lightning player. Evander Kane got a three-game suspension for his actions against the Winnipeg Jets. Watch the Kane play and let me know your thoughts.

After viewing it return your attention to the play from Jamie Benn against Oliver Ekman-Larsson just a few nights ago.

Now I know those are two individual incidents, but they look similar to me. Why do you think that Jamie Benn walked away with a 5000 dollar fine while Evander Kane got suspended for three games? We need to work at being more consistent as a league with what we are calling. 

The NHL likes to pick and choose which cases they are going to really prosecute and punish while the other ones get away with easier punishment. I guess it goes down to if you are competing for the playoffs as Dallas is, or just looking forward to the draft like San Jose.

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