Sabres Edge: Concussion for Stafford

The diagnosis is not good for Drew Stafford. It sounds as if he will miss some time and maybe the whole first round. This will give an opportunity to some of the young players while Stafford heals up.

about 2 years ago David Oleksy 9 comments 0 recs |

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Suspension?

As much as I hate to say it, I don’t think one is going to be coming and this time the reasoning is going to be more legitimate than it has been in the past (see Ovechkin vs. Kaleta). This hit was very similar to the one that most recently knocked out David Booth of the Panthers, delivered by former Sabre Jaro Spacek. The new rules are expressly targeting hits from behind against otherwise defenseless players. This hit doesn’t fall into that category.

"I could have conquered Europe, all of it, but I had women in my life." - King Henry II of England

by Calvert on Apr 11, 2010 10:17 AM EDT reply actions

I never saw the hit, I had to listen to the 1st & 2nd on the radio because I was working. But Rick and Harry sounded like they didn’t even think it was penalty-worthy (and it didn’t get one, right?). Also, the new rules haven’t taken effect yet, have they? Last I heard it was supposed to be for next season, but they were trying to push them up to the start of the playoffs. I haven’t heard much on that recently

by The Burl 8 on Apr 11, 2010 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions

There's no penalty rule yet, but there is a blindside suspension rule now

It was a punishing hit, but it was straight on. Sutton didn’t sneak up on him, he didn’t try to hit high… it’s just a shame it happened the way it did. Seems somewhat inevitable when it’s a huge guy like Sutton hitting.

Hope that Stafford recovers quickly.

Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.

by DarrenM on Apr 11, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I’m very very very far from a fan of Sutton’s but I can’t find fault with that hit – seemed to be about as clean as they come.

Let’s hope Stafford fully recovers and quickly.

"The horse jumped over the f#@king fence."
- KV

by TEMSON on Apr 11, 2010 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought it was a clean hit as well...

…however I still have that little tick in the back of my mind that remembers who was the first Sabre to go after Chris Neil after his attempted execution of Chris Drury, and that Neil wasn’t penalized for that hit either.

"I could have conquered Europe, all of it, but I had women in my life." - King Henry II of England

by Calvert on Apr 11, 2010 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

it was a border-line clean hit. Stafford had his head down. The only thing you could say is his arms were up a little. more of a bicep hit then a shoulder check. game is so fast though you just never know what guys do

Got some work to do before being a playoff team let alone a contender again!

by thenewhockeytown on Apr 11, 2010 10:53 AM EDT reply actions