On Running Goaltenders...

After another incident with Ryan Miller, this time with Jordin Tootoo barreling through his crease, leaping and taking Miller out. The Sabres, under heavy scrutiny for not coming to Miller's defense last month when Milan Lucic ran him over and subsequently concussed him, the Sabres wasted no time in pouncing on a defenseless Tootoo.

The video:

Pretty nasty stuff. The point isn't whether or not Tootoo could have avoided the hit, but the more pressing issue at hand: how far is too far when it comes to crashing the crease and taking out goaltenders?

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff is hoping the NHL reacts with a heavy hand:

"I hope to see a strong message," Ruff said following practice. "Really, it’s just time. I just hope they do the right thing with it.

"I understand with a phone hearing the max you’re going to get is [a five-game suspension]. In my eyes, is that a big message? It’s OK. I look at the NFL and I look at the Detroit Lion [Ndamukong Suh] that got two games for a 6-inch kick. He got kicked out of the game, and then that amounted to one-eighth of our season. That’s a 10-game suspension. I think they do it right. The message there is we’re not putting up with this stuff. I think we need a strong message. Is five strong enough? I don’t know."

But what can be done? Goaltenders are in a unique position. It's an unwritten rule that goaltenders don't get touched, even when they vacate the crease. Because of this it puts them in a vulnerable position. It's one thing for a defenseman to get smoked in front of the net; they are expecting contact. But when a goaltender is focused on playing the puck and gets bowled over; well, that's another story.

What should the NHL do? Is it even a problem, or just an overreaction to a star goaltender getting smoked in consecutive starts (that were a month apart)? I don't believe major rule changes are in order, however there needs to be a clear understanding of what is acceptable and off-limits when it comes to playing a goaltender, especially where they are susceptible to injury.

In Tootoo's case, I don't think a huge suspension is warranted. But the NHL should send some sort of a message--a few games or so--to make it clear that it is not indeed open season on goaltenders. Goaltenders are such a valuable part of a team and to have one injured with a careless play would be unfortunate.

Canucks coach Alain Vigneault chimed in on the issue  in The Province, echoing those sentiments:

"You want your players to go to those areas and be a good net presence and it's a hard league to score goals in," the Vancouver Canucks coach said Sunday. "But obviously, you want your goaltenders to be protected - I want all 30 to be protected. It's a position that's important, but it's a fine line there and some obviously cross the line and that makes it very challenging for referees and everybody else in the game."

The timing in Tootoo's hit is poor and hopefully that doesn't weigh into the decision making on a suspension. Whether or not the play is clean, plays like it need to be avoided in the future to keep goalies on the ice and out of the press box.

GOH