P.K. Subban has a demonstrable history of slew footing players, and in his latest incident may have caused a serious injury.
In roughly the last two months, Subban has stuck out his leg or skate and slew-footed/tripped an opposing player. It began with the Rangers’ Ryan Reaves during the exhibition season in early October. The NHL DoPS didn’t even bother to review it.
Maybe if they did, Milan Lucic of the Flames, and Trevor Zegras of the Ducks wouldn’t have fell victim.
The league did deem it fit to fine Subban $5,000 for the Lucic slew-foot. When he did the same to Zegras, George Parros opted to hand out another fine, this time for $15,000. Basically a parking ticket for the defenseman making $9M a season.
NHL DoPS fails again to protect its players
The NHL Department of Player Safety is supposed to be there to protect the players health and well-being on the ice. What if George Parros, who was under fire from the Rangers last season over the Tom Wilson incident, actually suspended Subban for the slew-foot on Lucic? Or Zegras? Would that have spared Sammy Blais from what could be a very serious injury?
In the third period of the Rangers 4-3 win over the Devils on Sunday, Blais and Subban went to the corner to retrieve the puck. The Devils defenseman appeared to stick out his skate causing Blais to go hard into the boards leaving him writhing in pain. Blais needed help off the ice and could not put an ounce of pressure on his right leg.
Considering the history of Subban using his feet on three separate occasions, the NHL DoPS was certainly going to review this one, right?
Wrong. Apparently this was incidental contact and not worthy of a review.
Good luck to the next NHL player that goes into the corner with Subban.
Blais injury looked eerily similar to Subban slew foot on Reaves
After the game, the MSG Networks broadcast aired all four plays discussed above. Former NHL goalie turned analyst, Steve Valiquette noted that Subban has lost a step in his skating ability which may be a reason why this is happening more often. He questioned if there was indeed some intent.
Remember, the Rangers have seen this play by Subban before and head coach Gerard Gallant called it out.
“It’s a lot like the Reaves play,” he said referencing the Subban slew-foot that injured Reaves in preseason. The coach added that he doesn’t know the extent of Blais’ injury.
Two incidents with Subban injuring a Rangers player. Twice not even a review by the NHL DoPS.
It makes one wonder if Parros may be holding a grudge against the Blueshirts for their letter calling him “unfit” to lead the Department.
Update: Blais is out for the remainder of the season
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