I just saw on TSN that Todd Bertuzzi has been suspended for the rest of the regular season, AND the entire playoffs.

I find this too harsh. The rest of the season I could understand, but the playoffs too? They're really making an example of Todd. Now I wonder if he'll face any charges in court as well.

I thought hockey players were tough. What's Todd's excuse?

I am sure that the league is using this to set an example, to quell any similar incidents, INCLUDING any retribution attempts....

I've watched the incident.... it was uncalled for, IMHO..... cold cocking someone from behind is uncalled for.... even in hocky....

Betruzi has the skills to play the game without the bully tactics...

I think he deserved it.
Most of the hockey players and coaches said yesterday, thats what they believe he deserves too.

One thing to put a guy to the wall.
Another thing to beat the piss out of him, even though, he is passed out and motionless on the ice.

I saw the video on ESPN. That guy should be suspened for longer then that and he should face criminal charges as well.

He snuck the guy from behind, then forced him into the ice. The guy was not prepaired and collapsed. He is a coward for doing what he did, and he should have known there could be a good chance the guy could end up hitting the ice.

Hitting in hockey is part of the game, but coming up from behind someone to do it ( at least from the little I know about hockey) is cowardly and not acceptable.

Yeah I'm not entirely sure about the whole thing. Obviously Bertuzzi was wrong to do what he did. His emotions got the best of him, and he admitted as much on television this morning.

One thing which I'm glad about is that the NHL is making this into a "code" problem, a "retaliation" problem, and NOT a fighting issue.

Too harsh? Gimme a friggin break. It was a pussy-ass sucker punch. Yes, I know it was in retaliation for a hit last month that Moore put on Naslund which caused a concussion and put Naslund out for three games - but that was a clean hit.

Don't get me wrong - a lot of my favorite players have been fighters, going back to the days when Billy, Barkley, and Bobby Plager were members of the Blues together and got arrested in Philly (?) for going into the stands after an asshole throwing stuff at them.

But bullshit like what Bertuzzi pulled has no place in the game. I think he ought to face criminal charges, and his suspension for next year should be double the number of games that Naslund is out for.

The fact that he mentionned he was going to "get him" 3 weeks earlier made it pre-meditated. There is a good chance that he will face charges over this in a court of law. A heat of the moment sucker punch is one thing...

I think the suspension is fine. Also glad he realize he's an idiot.

GO AVS!!!!
Todd out for rest of the season if fine with me
Chris what did you want? a 10 game suspension?
he broke his neck
with a sucker punch

anyone see the AVS game last night?
OT win baby

Hey I would have been fine with a suspension for the remainder of the regular season. But more than that is not only punishing Bertuzzi, but the entire Vancouver Canucks team.

As it stands right now, he's losing over half a million dollars in pay and benefits because of this.

Sounds about a right amount to me.

The Canucks are already in the playoffs...

suspending him only for the rest of the season would have been like giving him a vacation to get ready for the playoffs.

Of course its hurting the Canucks, he's part of the organisation, they should suffer.

This is a good call if you ask me.

I think the most important part is that the league has NOT assured him of being allowed to play next year. While it is sure that Moore will make a full "normal" recovery, there is some discussion that he might not be able to play again as a result of this action.

IMHO, players who intentionally injure another player should be suspended for as long as the other player cannot play, plus 50%. If Moore cannot return to the game, then it should be a career ender for Bertuzzi as well.

Further, if Moore suffers a loss of future income as a result, I would think that legal action might be in order.

This sort of thing has no place in sport (or the real world) and Bertuzzi should face the real world consquences of his actions.

Alex

Wow, you guys are tough.
You know, I'm not condoning his actions at all but everyone who watches hockey loves the fights and the rough stuff, and sadly this kind of thing is eventually going to happen.

We all cheer when there is a good fight on the ice, and it's a bonus when it's over and the players tap each other on the head and say "good fight". But if one of them gets seriously hurt, it's another opinion altogether.

Bertuzzi was wrong. That's a given. But he has shown remorse and is taking his punishment like a man. There's no need to also kick him while he's down.

If sitting him out for the entire rest of the year makes other players think twice about pulling the same stunt, then it's a good decision on the part of the league.

If a NASCAR driver rams someone and they fly out of their car, then he drives over them, that's a little more than just racing...

If a baseball player knocked someone down and then hit them in the back of the head, that's a little more than just a brawl on the field...

It's all a matter of perspective.

kick him while he's down???

Hello, let's talk about the guy he TOOK down! How is he doing. Where is HE right now. Luckily he might have a full recovery, but WTF, that can be career changing for HIM....

Coming and fighting face to face is one thing. But tackling a guy while his back is turned and dropping him to the very unforgiving ICE..while on top of him!!! Please. He could have been killed.


Dont get me wrong, i am all for fighting in hockey....but this was NOT acceptable.

Raw Alex, Katie, KK:

I completely agree this was the ultimate not-cool punch. Deterring this kind of behavior in the future is important. A slap on the wrist isn't going to do it.

Alex, I agree: Let Bertuzzi suffer the same consequences as Moore.

No one "competely recovers" from a broken neck, especially professional athletes. I'll be really surprised if Moore ever plays again, and this incident will affect him for the rest of his life.

Let Bertuzzi play next year, every year Moore can't play Bertuzzi surrenders 50% of his salary to him.

Haha, now there is a very intersting thought.

Though then comes the issue, is Bertuzzi really going to put in that much of an effort to play hockey if THAT much of his salary is taken away?

Hmmm, kind of reminds me of taxes.....

Great idea Toolz.