Sheldon Keefe responds to question about whether Niederreiter's hit on Kampf deserved supplemental discipline
With NHL officials and their lack of attention to detail or lack of willingness to call penalties generating so much discussion in the hockey community right now, it seems as though the league may have no choice but to make some changes sooner or later. Whether that involves more plays being eligible for reviews or having referees made available to the media to explain themselves following a bad call or a non-call remains to be seen.
On Thursday, following the Leafs' morning skate, head coach Sheldon Keefe was asked what his thoughts were on whether or not the league should look at Nashville Predators forward Nino Niederreiter for his head shot on Leafs pivot David Kampf. While most in Leafs Nation were calling for a fine or a suspension, Keefe didn't necessarily want things to go that far.
In case you missed it, here's the play in question:
Keefe's response to the question on whether or not Niederreiter deserved a fine or a hearing on the play surprised many Leafs fans. He said that while he might have liked a penalty, he didn't believe the play was a malicious one by Niederreiter.
"I don't know about that. I'd like to see a penalty ... you know that the guy coming across is coached to pick the penalty killer and get in his way. I don't think he intended to hit him in the head."
-Keefe on whether or not he thinks Player Safety should have offered Nino Niederreiter a hearing for his high hit on David Kampf
After Keefe was fined a couple of weeks ago for his ferocious criticism of Wes McCauley, perhaps this was just Keefe's way of trying to avoid another $25K fine. Then again, maybe the league did look at the play and came to the conclusion that since there was no injury on the play (Kampf finished the game after a brief trip to the quiet room to go through concussion protocol), it didn't require supplemental discipline.
POLL |
JANVIER 13 | 340 ANSWERS Sheldon Keefe responds to question about whether Niederreiter's hit on Kampf deserved supplemental discipline Did the hit from Niederreiter on Kampf deserve a suspension? |
Yes | 284 | 83.5 % |
No | 56 | 16.5 % |
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