[1990C4S]

The NHL does a very good job of documenting and explaining suspensions, their logic is sometimes questionable, but they do explain their thinking.

In this case:

a) Torres took several strides before he made the hit

b) Torres used his shoulder to contact Silfverberg's head

c) at a minimum the hit was 'slightly' late, the Shark's had the puck when the hit was delivered

d) Torres could have veered left and taken Sifvergerg out of the play, as he changed his path slightly to avoid a Duck's player just before he delivered the hit

e) the whole play had a look of 'I am going to get Silfverberg'

f) Torres is not (technically, by definition in the collective bargaining agreement) a repeat offender, but he has multiple suspensions, fines and warnings. He has had an 'incident' (fine or suspension) every 100 games of his 700 game career. He does not get it.

Marginal player, he is a danger on the ice. Good riddance. He deserves his $440,000 fine. He is wearing out his welcome around the league.

Torres did the league a big favor here; the NHL gets to send a message that the fines and suspensions are going to be more punitive, and no one is up in arms because Torres is a marginal player that won;t be missed.

Now lets see if the league has the fortitude to keep the same line of thought when a star player makes a similar hit.