Byers Suspended For Three Games

by Matt Wagner on Jan 16, 2012 8:11 PM EST

Unsurprisingly, the department of player safety (as represented by Brendan Shanahan) has issued their ruling on Dane Byers after his 12:30 hearing this afternoon, and the verdict is a 3 game suspension.

The NHL ruled that Byers could have made a hit to the shoulder or chest rather than intentionally targeting the head, that Byers' previous suspension was worth consideration, and the fact that Andrew Desjardins was injured on the play.

Here's the video for the full details and explanation:

All things considered, the ruling seems reasonable, given the standards which have been set this season. If anything, I think Byers may have gotten off a little light.

For now, the Jackets will give his spot in the roster to Colton Gillies, who will make his CBJ debut on Tuesday. Once the suspension has cleared, I would not be surprised to see Byers returned to Springfield if the waiver pickup plays well.

Poll

Do you feel a three game suspension was the right call?

It's fair

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Too much

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Comments

Honestly,this is part of whats wrong with the NHL suspension system. I mean, does anyone really care how much Byers got suspended for? What about JFJ when he hit Umby? I guarantee Anaheim fans didnt really care that much. Lets be honest, Byers is a nobody on our team and is easily replaceable. He could have gotten 20 games for all care.Just throw in Gillies and were good.
Maybe the NHL needs to find a system that hurts the organization in some way or make it so AHLers cant just make a dangerous hurt only to be returned to the AHL.

by cbjfan14 on Jan 16, 2012 8:25 PM EST reply actions

For the record, the AHL recognizes and enforces NHL suspensions. So Byers will have to sit his games whether here or there. Byers may be a “nobody” to you, but he is the captain of the Falcons and a well liked leader here.

IMO, the whole “Department of Player Safety” is a joke. If the A) League and B) Union were really interested in “player safety”, then head shots should be banned altogether. If that were violated, let the suspensions start at 10 games. Or 20. Something that really has some teeth to it. Hurt the offending player and his team. I know, the union would bitch all day long about punishment like that, but how disingenuous would they seem, after all, then they (the union) aren’t adequately protecting their own members.

Maybe it’s just going to take more Crosby’s and Pronger’s sidelined, possibly permanently, before the league and the union realize that they should have done something sooner.

Co-Founder, Springfield Hockey Heritage Society

Editor of The Cannon, a Columbus Blue Jackets Blog. Check us out!

by Lou Bordeaux on Jan 16, 2012 10:15 PM EST up reply actions

Its not that he is a nobody to me, its that he is a nobody to the NHL.
Having someone like Wiz suspended hurts a hell of a lot more than Byers to the club. It obviously hurts the Falcons, but im sure the Jackets would prefer that then it hurting the big team.
This is another instance the system is flawed. We can just send down Byers with no impact to the big club, and its over. I liked the idea someone had on twitter. Make it so the team has to play a man down for the amount of games someone is suspended. Now i think that may be a little harsh, but maybe make teams play a man down for half the amount of suspension games.
I guarantee there would be a lot less teams willing to employ someone like Cooke (who has surprisingly been good this year) or someone that is a repeat offender as it really hurts the club

by cbjfan14 on Jan 16, 2012 11:59 PM EST up reply actions

I thought that’s what you meant. That’s why I wanted to include Crosby and Pronger in my post to differentiate the level of player. I hope I didn’t sound like I was president of Dane’s fan club ;)

Co-Founder, Springfield Hockey Heritage Society

Editor of The Cannon, a Columbus Blue Jackets Blog. Check us out!

by Lou Bordeaux on Jan 17, 2012 6:46 AM EST up reply actions

It’s such a fast paced game, it’s understandable that hits like this happen. However, we all must be held responsible for our actions. Fair suspension.

Ohio's premier Russian fan.

by Heavysoviet on Jan 16, 2012 11:30 PM EST reply actions

Was at this game and this happened right underneath our seats, so, initially, I was baffled at the extensive “intent-to-injure” penalty. Looking at it now… yipes.

by painaxl on Jan 17, 2012 7:14 AM EST reply actions

If the league and union are serious, the place to start is with those stupid little caps they pretend are helmets. Half the players don’t even have them tightened enough to provide protection, anyway, and they fall or are pulled off in most fights, leaving the players vulnerable to heads hitting the ice. I know the players won’t like it, and old guys like me will remember how cool everyone looked with bare heads, but I think it would help cut down (but not eliminate, of course) serious head injuries.

"If less is more, think how much more MORE is!"

by pete goegan on Jan 17, 2012 9:27 AM EST reply actions

Helmets, and making shoulder/elbow pads softer and smaller would be a good start.

by cbjfan14 on Jan 17, 2012 11:42 AM EST up reply actions

I think the counter point to better helmets is the general fact that people play to the level of their perceived safety. Also, I’m not sure there is a whole lot of room to move up as far as concussion prevention goes. Helmets are to prevent your skull from cracking. Soft tissue damage requires almost contradictory protection.

by painaxl on Jan 17, 2012 1:14 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

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