Phoenix Coyotes winger Raffi Torres has been suspended indefinitely by the NHL with an in-person disciplinary hearing set for Friday in New York.
Torres delivered a leaping, shoulder-to-head hit to Marian Hossa in the first period of Game 3 on Tuesday. Hossa was hospitalized because of the hit and later released.
Torres' hearing was originally planned for Wednesday afternoon, but it was deferred at the request of Torres and the National Hockey League Players' Association.
"It sounds like they're going down the right road," Hawks captain Jonathan Toews said Wednesday. "It sounds like a good start."
Should a message from NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan be sent?
"I think so," Toews said. "You can get into all the other things that have been going on in the other series right now and talk about the precedent that's been sent, what's been done before and where this falls in. It's tough to really know where it does it fall in, what any individual would do if they were in a position to suspend a player.
"Hopefully, they come up with something that is satisfying for us, but I think the most satisfying thing for our team and for [Hossa] is to go out there and win [Game 4 Thursday] and get our team back on our feet here."
Torres is a repeat offender and has delivered numerous head shots in the past. He's likely facing a lengthy suspension.
"As far as the hit goes, I just felt like it was a hockey play," Torres said after the game. "Just trying to finish my hit out there.''
This isn't the first time Torres has struck the Hawks with a hit deemed dirty or predatory. Exactly a year ago Tuesday, when Torres was with the Vancouver Canucks, he delivered a shoulder-to-head check to a puckless Brent Seabrook in the playoffs, resulting in a concussion.
"It was the same thing when he was with Vancouver last year," Toews said. "He probably thought that was a hockey play too. There is no remorse at all I don't think with a guy like that when you pretty much take him out and have a guy carried off on a stretcher. He probably doesn't feel bad about it at all. That's not hockey to me."
Plenty of Hawks exchanged texts with Hossa Tuesday night after the game and on Wednesday. Patrick Sharp described him as in "good spirits."
Hossa won't play in Game 4 Thursday. Rookie Brandon Saad, who was recently called up after a standout season in the Ontario Hockey League, is expected to take Hossa's place in the lineup.
"It's tough to take a guy like Marian out of the lineup," Sharp said. "You can't really replace him."
There have been seven suspensions and one fine handed out this postseason, including Andrew Shaw's three-game ban for running into goalie Coyotes goalie Mike Smith in Game 2. Shaw has always maintained it was accidental, considering his head hit Smith's facemask initially.
Shaw's suspension drew ire from many as other suspensions for seemingly worst offenses carried less weight.
Center Dave Bolland said players need to have respect for others and that Torres deserves a strong suspension.
"It might be a respect level," Bolland said. "It's just getting out of control. Things are getting to be a joke around here.
"We'll see what happens. It's in the hands of Shanahan now."
Coach Joel Quenneville reiterated his stance that it was "a brutal hit" by Torres. Torres, though, was not penalized for his hit on Hossa during the game.
Hossa didn't have the puck at the time; Torres was trailing the play. An NHL official said the hit ''went unseen'' by on-ice officials, and that's why no penalties were assessed against Torres.
Quenneville sounded off on the officials after the game, calling it a "disgrace." He said Wednesday that he is yet to hear from the league about a possible fine.
This deserves attention by the cook county prosecuter.
The referees should be suspended as well. Maybe the coach of Phoenix, who saw nothing wrong, should join all of them in the IHL.
The league should suspend those 4 officials indefinitely too. Or Q should refuse to let the Hawks take the ice if that is the assigned team of officials. Phoenix team is comprised of a bunch of thugs and bullies. Congrats Betteman on great TV ratings, guess this is what you want.
So Torres is suspended at least through tomorrows game. So if Hossa is out for any time this is not exactly an even swap. We lose an allstar and they lose a goone (not to mention Torres continued playing last night. It is like they should lose one of there better players as well until Hossa is back.
at what point does the referees not get into trouble for watching it happen and not doing anything about it , except watch them carry him off the floor
Interesting that NHL Commissioner Bettman was at the game last night - I wonder if he "saw" the hit on Hossa....this kind of cheap shot artistry has to stop!
The NHL need take the number of days the player is injured, double it, and that is the number of GAMES the player is suspended. That is the first occurence. On the second occurence the susspension begins immediately for 1-season, 80+ games. You could kill someone being hit like Hossa was hit...
"just...a hockey play"?? in what prison league is that?! off with his (torres) head!
How the hell does the ref say he didn't see the hit?! The ref closest to the play flinched when Torres hit Hossa!
Give me a break.
Why should somebody who did nothing get suspended along with Torres?
wHAT'S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT tORRES CHECKING HOSSATO THE ICE...COULDNT HAVE HURT HIM TOO BADLY...HE WAS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY. SINCE THEY MADE HOCKEY PLAYERS WEAR HELMETS THE GAME HAS BECOME ABOUT AS EXCITING AS FLAG FOOTBALL
Suspension? How about referring it to the Cook County State's Attorney?
Either inflict a serious, long-lasting penalty on the offending team (unfair, but it would stop the behaviour over time) or simply have Chicago goons take the bastard out. Since they missed the chance to do the latter yesterday (great officiating; no penalty but a league suspension later) making the Coyotes pay by virtue of suiting one fewer player for the duration seems fair. Not as fair as banning them from the playoffs or some other radical response, something has to be done.
Solid hit. If Hossa wasn't a cup chasing selfish prick, maybe he could hold his head up. Hockey 101
it was definitely a clean hit if you take all the physical play out of sports its not worth playing. Hossa gets paid enough to take a little hit. Viva la Torres! is everyone complaining a blackhawk fan? more hits less bitching NHL needs more guys like torres not less he needs a trophy
I think your a bunch of cry babies. It's a physical game and people get hurt, and you all need to get over it. if i was Torres I would get an Lawyer and file a law suite, and Hossa "while I hope he is well and plays Soon" he is a hero for standing in to make the pass. as he did have the puck when Torres was going to hit him. yes it was gone when he got hit you would pass it also when Torres is heading your way.
Shaw should not have been suspended either it was part of the game. Can't suspend someone every time so one gets hurt.
If you so called Hockey Fans want I think perhaps ever hit should be review at every game then we can suspend everyone? Almost every hit in a game the person instigating leave their feet.
The comments from the team and the NHL are unprofessional
Won't matter Your still getting handed a one way trip out of the playoffs
This is why hockey is unpopular compared to every other sport. The NHL is a Joke for allowing this to happen. We arn't watching the movie Slapshot. This sport was becoming more focused on the skill and less on the violence but now thats not the case. Bottom line clean up the crap or set the sport back like the lockout did.
City of Broad Shoulders? Quit your crying. There was not outrage when you babies took out our Goalie with a shoulder to the chin. Start practicing what you preach ladies.
I think Torres should be banded from ever playing hockey again. This guy needs to be charged with attempted man slaughter. As far as the refs, what a bunch of losers. While Hosa was lying on the ice they should of reviewed the tapes and suspended torres right then and there. Lastly hats off to the Blackhawks for not retailiating and keeping their composure and playing with class. Just goes to show you what a class act that organization really is.
The NhL has to be more consistant. Weber from Nashville only gets a 2500 fine,and no suspensions!!!! He took that Players face and smashed It right Into the glass!! I could not believe It!! I called Nashville today and told them,I will not come back to your Stadium if this Is what you will allow!! Just went there 2 weeks ago,and If It was not for us Hawk Fans that place would not have been sold out!! If the NHL cannot be more consistant I CAN!! I will cancel every membership,not go to the games.I love the Sport,but I also love Nascar!! I will take those thousands we spend on the games and go to more Nascar Events!!! I will not have my son bear witness to a Player trying to MAME another!!!
I was listening to AM 720 and they played a clip with the Coyotes announcers. The one announcer for them said that is was a clear as day clean hit. I can't believe that. Was the guy watching the same game that they rest of us were? I think Torres should be suspended for the rest of the post season. The referees should be suspended as well. I can't believe out of the 4 of them none of them saw it. This whole situatiion is ridiculous. The Coyotes need a reality check.
That wasn't a hit, it was an assassination attempt. Players who hit like that do it because they aren't good at hockey fundamentals. Poor player, poor play.
- Not a Hawks fan
Nobody on the blackhawks could take out Torres, he a good player and a fighter. If Hossa was smart he would have his head up.
Shut up
Well said, I agree
talk about a cry baby- that's your wussy goalie. get your ass back in the net where you belong you leave the net subject to getting hit
Shaw took out our star goalie, we were not crying like little bitches like you guys are. Smith is more valuable to the Coyotes than Hossa is to the Blackhawks. All you guys need to shut up. It's hockey those things are going to happen if you don't want to see that go watch soccer where guys have vaginas. Torres barely left his feet before he hit him but when they made contact his feet were on the ice. It's payback and payback is a bitch.
Hawks fans, Someone please tell Crawford not to mess with Smith because smith can fight and I don't want to see another guy get injured in this series. I was laughing so hard when Crawford went at him, hahaha.. Lol
Your seeing eye dog must have explained the hit on Smith to you wrong. It was helmet to helmet contact, not shoulder to chin. Unless of course Smith wasn't wearing hos goalie helmet, you know, the one that covers your chin. Watch the replay, it is clear as day. Just like it is clear as day the Torres' hit was shoulder to head and he jumped into it. Your tv must not have instant replay. I'm all for a good hit but that kind of disgraceful playing gets people seriously injured. And ps. Smith deserves an Oscar. What a pansy.
Anyone who has followed hockey for any length of time knows that was an illegal and dirty hit made worse by Torres' intent. Anyone who thinks that was a clean hit needs to review NHL rules 42 and 48. Torres has a history of dirty hits: Jan Hejda, Nate Prosser, Brent Seabrook and now, Marian Hossa. It's amazing that he hasn't killed anyone yet. There should be no place in the league for players like Torres and Shanahan should throw the book at this guy. Keep him in the league and he probably will kill someone.
Two things.
1. Players wear helmets to protect them from knuckle-draggers like you.
2. Your caps lock is on.
Torres' hit on Hossa was closer to a clean hit, than Duncan Keith's headshot on Daniel Sedin.
Enjoy the tractor pulls at your arena phoenix dopes. You have 1 home game left. The chihauhuas are moving to quebec because you only have 10 fans. Torres a great fighter? did you see him turtle like a total pussy after his head shot? This guy gives dirty a dirty name. Mike smith? I thought he had been shot. He must have been near death looking at his flail and seizure. Amazing that his perfect recovery immediately followed shaw's 5 minute assessment. I am so thankful he is okay. What a tool. Did you see him blame his defense for the 1st goal also. What a good guy. Unfortunately, Hossa was not playing to shanahan and the refs. he is really hurt. His pain will subside, but your sense of loss will never fade, you poor misguided 10 fans.
I hear hulk hogan is on a championship wrestling nostalgia tour- you have plenty of open dates at jobbing.com. Plenty of time for long walks in the desert as well. Or camelback. Or border crossings.
Dave Tippet, I watched you for years live and in person. Rooted for you. Still do- until yesterday. Your avoidance/ deflection of direct questions regarding Torres was somewhere between soft and dishonest- especially after the holier than thou stand you took with shaw. Disgusting to see you change from day to day. Once you were a real hockey player, unlike Torres. Be a man and call it like it is. You should be ashamed of this crap. Quick, phoenix "fans": where did tippet play? I'll bet not one of you 10 fans know.
Your goalie... oh you mean that 6 foot something inch flopping fish. What an embarrassment!
AMEN!!! finally someone who remembers hockey before 2005!
There has been a lot of dirty hits on ice when hockey is being played by real players the worst thing for us the fans watching is when you favorite player is injured! The things that go through a persons head WTF is gonna happen now?? Torres is hired to do a job and he does exactly that his job which is hitting the crap out of the other guy! Marine Hossa isn't exactly a clean player! He plays dirty when ever he can. Let's see what happens I am not really hoping for to much to happen. But we will see. Maybe the hit on Daniel sedin and on Hank Sedin should be looked at too!
It the responsibility of NHL officials to protect our damn players! Whether it was an accident or not, Phoenix got their 5 minute major for the hit on Smith. The suspension of Torres is too little to late, PLUS PHOENIX WAS GIVEN ENOUGH NOTICE TO ARRANGE A REPLACEMENT FROM THE MINORS BEFORE GAME 4 IF THEY WANTED TO - unlike Chicago's case, who were notified of Shaw's suspension the day of game 2!
The issue here is not rooted in Torres' morals, because there will always be dirty-playing brutes in the NHL like him. The officials are responsble for maintaining the rules on the ice. We never got the 5 minute major that we deserved, or even a 2 min minor - which means that had NHL rules been maintained, we would have seen a completely different game.
As stated above, anyone who disagrees needs to review rules 42 and 48. Officials, do your damn job tonight.