Aaron Dell’s hit on Drake Batherson: Should goalies be able to take the body?

Dell said after the game: “I was just trying to buy some time for my defenseman and step into (Batherson’s) lane.”

Mission accomplished. One problem: That’s interference, and it was a predatory hit. Batherson was in an extremely vulnerable position as he cut around the net. 

Dell had no business initiating contact in that scenario. Yet he leans into Batherson, makes contact and sends the Senators' leading scorer dangerously into the boards.

According to Senators coach D.J. Smith, Batherson suffered an ankle injury and will miss significant time, including the NHL All-Star Game on Feb. 5. It would have been Batherson’s first All-Star appearance.

From a goalie’s perspective, I can understand Dell’s thought process. He’s setting a pick, trying to fill Batherson’s skating lane. Goalies, as well as skaters, do that quite often.

But everything goes sideways when Dell lowers his shoulder. It would have been acceptable for him to stand there like an orange pylon and make Batherson skate around him, but he didn’t. Dell purposefully ventured into Batherson’s route.

No penalty was assessed on the play.

According to former NHL referee Tim Peel: “If I see that, I’m calling a two-minute penalty for interference. As an official, if I’m aware this goaltender has done similar things in the past, my antennas will be up during the game.”

That’s an important observation. In an exhibition game on Sept. 29, 2019, Dell – then playing for the San Jose Sharks – clobbered Golden Knights forward Mark Stone with a similar hit. He was assessed a minor penalty for interference.

I was working that game as a broadcaster for the Golden Knights, and I’ll never forget how angry Stone was. He immediately went after Dell with his hands up. That’s rare. Skaters usually don’t attack goaltenders.

Why? Because the contact was unnecessary and dangerous. Stone had every reason to be incensed.

Players and officials take notice of these incidents, and Dell has crossed the line more than once. In January, Dell was charged with interference for a body check on Nashville Predators winger Eeli Tolvanen.

What makes the hit on Batherson different is that an injury occurred on the play, which is something Peel believes should be considered by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.

“If Batherson wasn’t hurt on the play I don’t think it’s suspendable,” Peel said. “But because Batherson sustained a serious injury and will miss significant time, I think Dell should receive a minimum three- to five-game suspension.”

When informed that Batherson had been injured, Dell was remorseful: “That sucks," Dell said. “I really didn’t want to hurt anybody, and I hope he’s all right.”

It’s easy to say that after the fact, but for me it’s simple: If you truly don’t want to hurt anyone, don’t hit them when they’re in a compromised position. Particularly as a goaltender.

Had Peel been on the ice and seen the play, what would the dialogue have been like with Dell after the penalty was assessed?

“I would tell him: If you expect officials to protect you, you cannot hit unsuspecting players.”

Senators goaltender Matt Murray – who posted a 32-shot shutout and led his team to a 5-0 victory – voiced a similar opinion during his postgame media availability..

“I don’t like calling out other goalies, but for me as a goalie, (skaters) are not expecting to get hit by a goalie,” Murray said. “Just like when the goalie comes out to play the puck, you can’t hit him. I just thought that’s a dangerous play that turns out to be a really unfortunate result. One of our best players goes down.”

I’ve thought about this for a while and still wonder: Would these situations be easier to avoid if goalies weren’t allowed to body check? The rulebook clearly states that they are not eligible to be checked anywhere on the ice so why are goalies allowed to?

I don’t have a good answer. It’s been that way as long as I can remember.

Realistically, how often do goaltenders have the opportunity to lay a hit? Rarely. That’s why it’s so entertaining when it does happen. A goaltender laying a hit is a novelty. It’s almost comical, but it is legal.

I asked Peel if he thinks there should be a rule banning goaltenders from body checking opponents.

“No, I don’t think we need a rule,” said Peel. “Because whether it was the goalie or just another Buffalo player, it was clearly interference.”

No argument here.