As predicted, the NHL again missed the mark, with a golden opportunity to send a message about dirty play, especially when it is consistent, and being done by a "player" who has NO OTHER value other than to hurt other players. This might be a bigger joke than the even the missed mark on the Penguins/Islanders suspension involving Gilles. Here are the reasons I say that:
First off, as you may recall, Gilles' hit on Tangradi was a blindside elbow to the head after about 6 strides, followed by punches to the head as Tangradi was obviously dazed. To top it off, Gilles stood in the runway taunting the guy. Well, Tangradi is still not even skating as a result of this gutless assault from behind(We might be on to something here. Perhaps his anger stems from repeated assaults from behind)? Tangradi is now not allowed to even return to the AHL IF he gets healthy to participate in the AHL playoffs, so effectively this worthless player has ended Tangradi's season in either league. Now, the league thought that they sent a message about head shots to Gilles and the Islanders with that ridiculously low 9 game suspension. Well, if you listen to the Islanders organization, and their broadcast crew and alumnni, they make it clear that they thought that all of the garbage they pullled was justified. To me, that alone made it painfully obvious that NO MESSAGE WAS SENT. Now if I am ColonSniffer Campbell, that would make me mad. I would be WAITING for a chance if the Islanders or Gillies gave me one to MAKE sure the message about headshots was sent this time. Well, that thought would assume some sort of functional brain power. Last night, he who shoulda been flushed returns from his 9 game suspension from his headshot, lasted exactly 1:51 of ice time, then delivered an elbow to the head of Cal Clusterfuck of the Minnesota Wild, knocking him senseless. He made this hit in retaliation for a boarding infraction by Clutterbuck on a team mate. Um, yeah, the message was CLEARLY NOT SENT. Post game, Gillies defended the play. Again, clearly THE FUCKING MESSAGE WAS NOT SENT CAMPBELL!! So now, the league will make it right is what some people thought, though I was NOT one of them. Surely, you would end at least this season to show this guy that this will not be tolerated. Remember, it took this guy less than 2 minutes of ice time post 9 game suspension to deliver another blow to the head. There are 17 games left in the Islanders season, and surely you will end this season at a minimum and make this joke think about how much more of this he can afford, right? Since the entire organization from the GM to the Coach, to the broadcast team clearly has not gotten the message, you will fine them so that they are not as eager to ask or allow Gillies to play this way, right? WRONG. They give this guy a 10 game suspension, one game more than his last one, and do nothing to the organization that at a minimum allows this, and more likely asks for it, and enjoys it. They think that this makes them "tougher," not dumber! So, Gilles comes back for 7 more games this season, about $60,000 lighter in his wallet, but with 7 more games to take the whole 2 minutes he plays a night to attempt to maim the next person who irritates him. Now, one of the games is April 8th against the Penguins. Is the league going to allow the players to take care of this waste of life? Will Gillies try to take someone else's head off? Will the Penguins try to avenge the cheap shot on Tangradi with an equally cheap shot on Tavares, or Moulson? Will there be a bench clearing brawl? I don't know, and neither do they. Reducing the tension in that April 8th game, and thus reducing the possibility of another black eye on the league is not a reason to suspend Gillies for the year, in fact one big part of me is glad he will be there. I truly hope he gets what is owed. But, truthfully, I cannot fathom how a league who is supposedly going to great lengths to eliminate head shots tolerates a guy who has delivered two of the worst in exactly 1:51 of ice time, who has NO other value, and is backed by a franchise who clearly thinks that this okay, lets said player return to the ice this season. I wish I were surpised, but I am not. If the league office will not the send the message to the Islanders and their team, perhaps the league's other players will. Remember, all of youz on Long Island, you live by the sword.............you die by the sword.
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