Eric Gryba Got 2…How Many Games Will Repeat Offender Raffi Torres Get?
If you are in a playoff pool deep enough that you got down to Raffi Torres, then you shouldn’t be expecting any more points from the Sharks winger any time soon.
May 14, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) makes a save off San Jose Sharks left wing Raffi Torres (13) in the second period of game one of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
For the second straight season, Torres is in trouble with the NHL department of Player Safety, and all signs point to Torres being suspended long-term.
If you missed it, here is the hit from Tuesday night on Kings centre Jarret Stoll.
If you ask me, this hit is worse in terms of intent than the Eric Gryba hit on Lars Eller that cost the Senators defenseman 2 playoff games in round 1 of this season’s playoffs. It is even more “against the rules” than the hit that cost the winger, who was playing for Phoenix at the time, 25 games (later reduced to 21) last spring for a late hit/head shot on Blackhawks winger Marian Hossa.
Torres has a past history, being suspended or fined 5 times since October 2007 and has racked up more long distance minutes conversing with the NHL office than Bob Goodenow and Donald Fehr combined.
If Gryba got 2 games, for a first offence, then repeat offender Torres will probably get the remainder of the playoffs plus a portion of next season. The number, unfortunately could be determined by how injured Stoll is on the hit. He left the game and did not return for the third period after the hit came in the last minute of the second period. Torres has an in-person hearing on Thursday, meaning a suspension of 5 games or more is possible and likely.
It is a no-brainer, one that will have Shanahan flexing his muscles and throwing the book after some questionable decisions earlier in these playoffs. Also, it is a no-brainer that whatever the decision is, it will further serve to bring about frustration and accusations of inconsistency.