That suspension was fair. It's unfair that Tkachuk didn't get anything for the first hit though.

A ton of former players saw it the same way. Parros just took a fat dump on the code.

Idk, I thought the Kassian side of it was pretty straightforward. You're not allowed to tee off on an unwilling combatant, no matter how big of an asshole he is. Tkachuk played him hard. Regardless of the old school "code", there's no reason for Tkachuk to fight after that hit. THAT hit was clean.

If the refs handled this right and gave Matt Tk a penalty for the first hit, it's unlikely any of what followed would happen.

Good take by Bizznasty on Tim and Sid. Youtube it.

Total bull**** that Kassian got a suspension and the NHL player safety department FAILED AGAIN, what an effing joke!
I'm all for open ice hits but Tkachuk is a degenerate and a predator, if the league won't protect the players they'll have to do it themselves, thankfully Kassian can protect himself.

Same thing for Corey Perry's suspension, how in the f@ck was that only 5 games? Should've been 10 at least.

Smart GM's would still have a "tough guy" in their lineup to take care of the scum of the league like Tkachuk and a smart coach would have it taken care of before it got to that point.

Imagine the reaction if Tkachuk did that to McDavid and don't tell me he wouldn't cause it's just a matter of time before he does take a run at the stars of the game, he's already been trying it with McKinnon.

The only thing I'll say in Tkachuk's defense is what's a clean hit and what isn't seems like pretty gray area these days, same with a lot of interference and hooking/slashing penalties, goalie interference calls and offsides, I'm sure a lot of these guys don't know wtf is a penalty and what isn't anymore.
The inconsistent reffing/calls is by far the most frustrating part of the game for this hockey fan!