And the Tootoo verdict is....2 games

Shanahan has suspended Jordin Tootoo for two games for the steamroll over Ryan Miller that took place on Saturday, December 3, 2011.



I believe that Shanahan was in a position where he could have given him zero games on the grounds that the five minute major and game misconduct was sufficient punishment, or he could have assessed the maximum five game suspension with the over-the-phone hearing.

In my mind, if Miller had not already been plastered by Lucic who got off scot-free, Tootoo would not have been suspended.

Factors that probably influenced Shanahan:

• Reaction from the non-suspension ruling on Lucic
• Lindy Ruff's comments on Miller part 1 and Miller part 2
• The GM's vote that took place following the Lucic ruling where a majority felt that Lucic should have been suspended
• The perceived notion that it is "open season" on goaltenders in the league
• The recent spike in goaltender interference calls made on the ice in games that have occurred during the last week (Carey Price in Los Angeles twice, Marc-Andre Fleury against Boston, Luongo against Calgary)
• Tootoo a repeat offender previously fined and suspended in the league
• The fact that it was Ryan Miller and not any other goaltender

Seems to me this ruling could go one of two ways going forward...

1. Ruling enough for players to realize that the onus will more often than not fall on them if contact is made with a goalie in his crease. Result: A more concerted effort will be made to avoid interfering with the goaltender league wide.
2. The two game suspension could be perceived as being minor for a repeat offender. The  average number of games handed out to a player suspended has been 3.25 prior to this suspension, two appears minimalistic in that regard. Result: Goalies will continue to be run over and Shanahan finds himself on a slippery slope of assessing what goalie interference merits supplemental discipline and what does not. 

Let's hope it is the former in the spirit of protecting the quarterbacks of the NHL.