I'd first like to start off by saying that I think Colin Campbell has one of, if not the, hardest job among the NHL league executives. However, that doesn't make up for his lack of disciplinary action over the events that have gone on the past few days.

Honestly, I didn't think I would have to write anything about this at the start of the NHL season. Campbell did an excellent job handing down a 20-game suspension to Steve Downie for his 'Macho Man' Randy Savage flying elbow drop on Dean McAmmond in pre-season. Campbell continued his excellence by giving Jesse Boulerice 25 games for his vicious cross-check to Ryan Kesler's face during the first week of the season and did an even better job when he gave Chris Simon 30 games for his stomp on Jarkko Ruutu. That, however, is were the excellence ends.

As I mentioned earlier, there were some events, three to be exact, that have happened over the last few days that Colin Campbell has really dropped the ball on.

I'll start off with the light and get to the heavier stuff later.

First is Steve Ott. Mr.Ott received a 3-game suspension for his elbow to the head of Colorado's Jordan Leopold. This wasn't as bad as Laraque's elbow, but it was a flagrant charge without any indication of easing up. The NHL has struggled to take head shots out of the game, so that alone should warrant him a 6-game suspension...minimum.

Next up is Georges Laraque. Georges also received a 3-game suspension for his blatant elbow to the head of Buffalo's Nathan Paetsch. As I talked about, this one was definitely worse than Steve Ott's elbow on Leopold. The play was moving up ice and Laraque skated by and out of nowhere elbowed Paetsch, not even 10-15 feet near the puck or play. It seemed, at least to me, very similar to Tie Domi's stupid elbow to Scott Niedermayer in the 2001 playoffs. Laraque should have to sit for the rest of this season, which is 11 games, and the first round of the playoffs, which could be anywhere from 4-7 games. Seems harsh but if you want to take out head shots you have to be firm.

Lastly is Chris Pronger's stomp on Ryan Kesler. I feel bad for Kesler, poor guy gets cross-checked in the face and then stomped on in the same season. I'm sure you've all seen the video, so I won't explain what happened. Pronger should be suspened for at least 20 games, including the playoffs. First with Simon, and now Pronger, the NHL can't let the players get away with these idiotic actions like they've done so with head shots. The only way to get rid of these occurrences are to take a strong stance and what better way than by dishing out a lengthy suspension to a former Hart and Norris trophy winner.

Colin Campbell had a chance to really put his foot down and send a message to the players. Instead, he just gave them a slap on the wrist and told them to go play nicely with the other boys on the playground.



Take off,
Coco