The National Hockey League announced today that San Jose Sharks forward Raffi Torres has been suspended for 41 games due to his preseason match penalty for a hit to the head of Anaheim Ducks forward Jakob Silfverberg.
In the NHL’s video, they say they suspended Torres for targeting a defenseless Silfverberg. As Chris Johnston transcribed, the NHL notes “Torres has been warned, fined or suspended on nine occasions — the majority of which have (involved a head shot).”
Torres will forfeit $400,000+ in salary because of the suspension.
While the suspension is one of the longest in NHL history, it should have been much longer. Torres is a repeat offender and is a danger to other players as long as he’s in the lineup.
Former Vancouver Canucks teammate Ryan Kesler even chimed in, commenting:
“Same player every year. I played with the guy. He needs to learn how to hit. That has no part in our game any more.”
That’s 100% right. Get one suspension (or fine) for a dangerous play, shame on you. Do it nine times, you have a problem and you’re never going to learn from it.
Does this look like a man who’s learned from his mistakes?
https://twitter.com/HockeyWebCast/status/651138434153648128
With the suspension, I suspect if Torres is dumb enough to get suspended one more time, he’ll be done in the league.
