Wisniewski Slammed For Eight

  Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman James Wisniewski got his answer on his impending suspension today as Brendan Shanahan, senior VP of player safety, announced the penalty. Wisniewski will sit the remainder of pre-season, including eight regular season games for an illegal check to the head on Minnesota Wild forward Cal Clutterbuck in Friday night’s pre-season game.

"I found out about it between periods. It was a tough one to swallow," coach Scott Arniel said after the game. "Obviously, the League has a mandate, and they're trying to really set a tone here early on in the season, and it was harsh. It was very harsh.”

  Harsh or not; it was the lengthiest suspension under the new reign of Shanahan. The second check to the head suspension we’ve seen thus far. The first was to Buffalo Sabres forward Brad Boyes.
There are clear differences in these two players however, and very clear differences in the hits themselves. While it’s Boyes’ first suspension, Wisniewski has been suspended four times since March, 2008.

  Boyes’ hit was clearly un-intentional, still seeing him off for two pre-season games suspended. Boyes’ penalty may have seemed uncalled for to some, and too light to others. It’s impossible to please everyone of course, but Shanahan did a great job in contrast. Once again Shanahan released a video explanation in the great NHL and NHLPA public relations and transparency boost.

  Boyes suspension, I believe, was a statement to the NHL that “this hit” is entirely suspendable, and yet left Boyes (who is a clean player through and through) unscathed in terms of taking the heat for an illegal hit under a new regime.

  Wisniewski’s hit came after the horn at the end of the game, an obvious payback blow to the head of Cal Clutterbuck after a hit Clutterbuck delivered to Wisniewski’s defensive partner earlier on this shift. Wisniewski became the example of the NHL that the league is not tolerating any of it.

"It was a lot harsher than I was expecting, but there's not much we can do about it. We've got to move forward -- they've made their decision. We've already put our best foot forward when it came to our side of the story, and obviously the League felt that, being a repeat offender, a blow to the head, that was the call that needed to be made."

  The talented but grossly overpaid 27 year old defenseman enters the first year of his 6 year $33 million contract signed in July, and will now forfeit the first $536,585.36 for his missed time under the CBA.

  It’s a big blow to the Blue Jackets club as they had high expectations and minutes planned for Wisniewski. Last season, split between the New York Islanders and Montreal Canadiens he played in 75 contests and registered 10 goals and 51 points with a -14 rating. In 6 post season games with the Habs, he tallied 2 assists and a -3. He will be eligible to return Oct. 25th against the Detroit Red Wings.

- Kendall Grubbs