Ristolainen wrecks Guentzel

[Axeman33]

I wasn't the worst hit I've ever seen but I still found it dirty. Not only did he not have the puck, he was in a defenseless position, looking backwards for the pass.

[RizzeeDizzee]

Judging whether a hit was dirty is similar to the old legal test for pornography was "you know it when you see it;" and in this case I'm thinking I've seen a lot worse get less than 5 games. Plus, Risto is a guy I think the league doesn't want tarnished. Put me down for 2 games, 3 max.

[islefan31]

People actually defending this hit saying it's not dirty are....wow.

I don't get it either. SMH

[J0e Th0rnton]

I didn't think it was that bad. Risto is timing a hit to a player who is going to receive a pass. That pass is deflected away at the very last moment.

This reminds me so much of Gybra's suspension when player 74 (or whatever it was) threw up a suicide pass...

This.
Unfortunate circumstance, not intent.

LOL to the people saying he had 4 seconds to change course. In real time, it was a second or less.

5 and a game was the right call. No additional suspension required.

[Godin]

If Tkachuk only got 2 for his elbow and reputation, then this isn't suspendable. If Guentzel had touched the puck, this thread wouldn't even exist. Risto timed it perfectly but the puck was intercepted by his teammate. He basically hit him with his rear end. How can that be dirty? He received his due justice for interference with 15 minutes in penalties.

[blackaces]

I blame Crosby. Brutal pass. He set the kid up for that hit whether he received the puck or not.

[Jouko-Pouko]

According to EliteProspects, Ristolainen is 40 lbs heavier than Guentzel. He definitely didn't need that much speed for the hit to begin with. But because he hit a player who couldn't defend himself and didn't even touch the puck, that's a suspension waiting to happen. But yeah, it's likely just 2 or 3 games considering he doesn't officially have a reputation (I think) even though he has been throwing lots of questionable hits before as well. Ristolainen likes to play on the edge, and sometimes you have to sit a few games when you do that.

[bigbadwolf]

Dirty hit. Risto deserves 8 games. What a POS.

[finnys_fanatsy]

If Tkachuk only got 2 for his elbow and reputation, ....

?Reputation? he's been suspended once and already he has a Rep? sure hes a physical player, but to say he has a rep for doing stuff like that..c'mon man.

Risto will get some time for sure, i say 5 games.

[Godin]

?Reputation? he's been suspended once and already he has a Rep? sure hes a physical player, but to say he has a rep for doing stuff like that..c'mon man.

Risto will get some time for sure, i say 5 games.

By reputation I meant basically the same things others have said on here about his borderline hits, slew foots and warnings. And you don't have to be suspended to have a reputation.

Risto isn't getting anything for that.

[rataylor22]

By reputation I meant basically the same things others have said on here about his borderline hits, slew foots and warnings. And you don't have to be suspended to have a reputation.

Risto isn't getting anything for that.

I wouldn't be surprised if he got zero, but only because NHL "player Safety" actually cares very little about that.

[audiopile]

Is there a rule against hitting a guy with his head down? No. Should Risto hit him? No but it's not illegal IF he had the puck. Less than a second between the pass and the hit.

Bad pass and Guentzel was getting hit regardless. Tough call and it sucks to have happen. Big guys hit little guys and it hurts more but they all jump on the ice willingly. The players union should talk about this type of stuff and work it out for the good of the sport. Taylor Hall on Adam Larssen, same thing. Yeah you can hit him but do you have to?

Too bad we have to see this not Sids goal in the ramblings.

[Godin]

I wouldn't be surprised if he got zero, but only because NHL "player Safety" actually cares very little about that.

...and he did not target the head.

[rataylor22]

...and he did not target the head.

And they don't care about player safety, on this extremely unsafe play.

[Loch]

And they don't care about player safety, on this extremely unsafe play.

I find it interesting that you viewed the Miller on Burmistrov one as clean and this one as dirty.

Very similar plays and I would argue that Risto, by coasting in backwards, was making a less dangerous play.

edit: I realize that Burmistrov actually did receive the puck (whereas the one Guentzel was deflected) but we aren't talking suspension solely because it was interference....