Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Update: This story has been updated after NHL Player Safety announced it suspended Matt Stienburg for two games for charging.
You can kind of see where Matt Stienburg is coming from when it comes to his NHL career. He’s a 24-year-old rookie who is trying to make a name for himself. And he’s trying to do it on a Colorado Avalanche team that is chock full of skilled players.
It’s pretty clear he’s trying to stay in the lineup and establish himself as a pest, shift disturber and battler who finishes his checks. And, as a young player, he’s bound to go over the line, the way he did with his predatory hit on Erik Cernak of the Tampa Bay Lightning Wednesday night.
Let’s look at this as a teachable moment. The NHL had an opportunity to tell this young man that there is a way to play that role and there is a way not to play that role. Having to sit and watch for a few games might make Stienburg think twice about making that kind of hit again.
Or not. But at least the NHL will have sent a message to him.
Here’s more:
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