Head shot hits

Recently there have been a rash of suspensions due to late/dirty/head shot hits in the NHL.
I don't know what was going through those players heads when the hit was made or what they were thinking leading up to the hit. But I do know, since I play hockey myself, that when a collision is about to take place, sometimes there is really no time to stop it and it is instinct to just get your arms up and protect yourself.  That isn't an excuse for some of the hits but I do understand what happens in a split second.
I would want to protect myself in any way possible and sometimes it happens.  That's hockey.

Sometimes though there are players who can see where a player is going to be and they still manage to get an arm up and hit the other player in the head or some dirty fashion. These are the hits that the league is trying to eliminate.  In my opinion, which holds zero weight, the only way to eliminate these hits is to give out some form of punishment for them weather they are accidents or not.
So far I think that the NHL has done a decent job at doing this.  Weather the hit was a split second decision or not, they have reviewed and had hearings with pretty much everyone who has made one and then suspended them for some time period.  2 games, 3 games, 4 games, whatever the sentence is, I think it is fair and should continue to be dealt out.
The hits won't stop, we all know that, but at least they may slow down.  When some of your better players are getting hit I think you will probably see more serious suspensions.  Now I'm not saying that not everyone in the NHL isn't good, but some players are obviously better than others.  When you see those players getting hit and hurt the NHL has to protect their showcase stars and you will probably see larger suspensions handed out.  Or you will see the return of the 4th line enforcers.

The NHL so far I think has done a decent job at showing that the type of hits being made aren't clean and every player that makes one is getting a suspension. I feel they are doing what they can but it's is just barely enough to make a player pause and give a second thought about it before it happens.
As long as they keep it up, things should continue in the right direction for them.
If you don't think so or you feel I'm way out there in left field with what I think, then leave a comment and let me know what you think.  And don't just say "because it's stupid." that isn't an argument for anything.

Thanks for reading.
Remember to get out and support your local teams and players and minor hockey.
Until next time

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