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Chris Pronger is one of the best defencemen in the world of hockey. Why for the life of me is he continuing to make a complete fool of himself and the game of hockey. Please Chris get a life and grow up.

Thank you
HP

Pronger should be suspended for the rest of the season including playoffs along with a healthy fine. The game is about control and as evident in all the video pronger was not, if he had to catch him where there was no pad it would have been a serious injury. The game has a way to back at a person you are frustrated with, that is fight. Pronger can fight and why he decided to step on the guy instead of a fight is a question he can only answer. Longer suspension and bigger fines for intent to injure is the way to go.

For anyone that actually plays the game, the frustration is substantial when trying to get yourself back into the play when someone has a very intentional scissor lock on your leg. Kesler is not blameless in this incident. These scissor locks can be dangerous as well, leading to wrenched or damaged knees if the trapped player loses his/her balance. I saw Pronger's actions as not malicious but more driven by trying to extricate himself from the leg lock, using his foot to pry/push himself free from the lock.

I saw this as an equivalent to using a well placed gloved hand (usually closed and stuck in the other player's face with some velocity) to get a player to release your stick when he is holding it and not releasing it.

Unfortunately refs do not catch everything and sometimes you have to free yourself from opponents doing their best to illegally detain you.

Just look at all eight of Pronger's suspensions. When Collin Campbell said he took the length of Pronger's suspension into consideration for the appalling eight games he gave him for stomping on Kesler's leg, he made the biggest joke of himself and the rest of the NHL. If Pronger can not control himself when someone gets under his skin maybe it's time for him to hang his skates up. As for the Ducks organization, having Pronger as your captain just tells us what a joke you guys really are. Don't use excuses someone says or does something go you lose your temper. What if the rest of the NHL thought like you? The NHL has become a joke and don't blame the Canadians. It's American's that are trying to change the game so they can understand it and follow it. News flash!!!! The game was just fine until Bettman started catering to the Americans who still don't get the game. Let them watch their basketball and football and leave our hockey game alone. And get with the program and start handing out the appropriate suspension for everyone who has to be review. By the way Collin Campbell stop sucking up to the ever whinny Burke. He makes me want to vomit.

The NHL needs to look at the "deliberate intent to injure" much more severely. In looking at the video, it wasn't so much the first step, it was the second one that really made me sick; the one that missed Kesler's shinguard by millimetres (would it have taken Kessler getting cut to have a longer suspension?). You can't tell me Pronger was in control of his actions. It was a deliberate attempt to injure. And sorry, but 8 suspensions means you're a thug. The number of games is woefully short; this suspension should have been for the rest of the season, including playoffs.

The other player involved in this is rarely mentioned, the camera man. If this situation wasn't a nicely centered framed shot we wouldn't be talking about it right now. The NHL waits to see public reaction, counts how many times it's shown on Sports Center in slow motion then decides on suspensions.

the reason he didn't get a mass suspension is because the league wants to see the ducks wion the cup again, its good for the game in the US,
wow!!! WHO CAREs, if kesler was injured i would of called for the leagues and prongers heads, lucky for them kes isnt injured...oh wait isnt kes a amaerican born player maybe they should premoted his tallent and success he is having this yr instead of rewarding goons like pronger...i hate him, i hope he doesnt make our olympic team.

All this wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth from you hockey-land Henny-Pennys is really quite humorous. Agitator Kesler played footsie with the wrong guy. If you don't want to get stepped on stay out from under peoples' feet. Really, what did you expect Pronger to do? He was up on one foot and a dummy was laying on the ice insisting on putting his leg under Pronger's skate. Boo hoo. If you think what Pronger did was a stomp, you haven't seen my wife when she is mad. I don't know why Pronger was suspended at all.

i dont see why anybody is shocked by this latest joke that the higher brass handed out, after all isn't it the era now that there is no room for enforcers in the league anymore and that the game has changed. i could only wish that the days of droping your gloves when someone took a cheap shot or acted like a goon were back, then maybe and just maybe the game would be more enjoyable to watch. forget about waiting for the league to rule on things like this (and mess it up again). for those who can remember the days of the 80's and 90's watching hockey there were far less cheap shots and far less mistakes in fairness like what just took place. in closing what a great message to send to the kids watching, if your a good player it's ok to take cheap shots but the average players had better watch there pee's and q's.

Intent to injure is what this is about and a lack of respect amongst the players. They've lost respect for each other since they have no respect for the League itself. The (NHL) National Hokum League is run by Bettman and his 'puppets'. And if you're with a southern team, you get perks, since he is so intent on selling the game to the southern US. Nice that's he's grown the revenue base, but his impact on the game itself and his 'puppets' that dole out suspensions, has rendered the game unworthy of a true hockey fan's approval. Pronger is a goon with talent who needs some anger management, or a good wooping! Good luck Betts, when the Canadian audience leaves the buildings. I hear Nascar is growing!

Pronger got off lightly. He should have received the same amount of games as Simon did, considering he is also a repeat offender. He got off lightly in the playoffs last year for his elbow to the head of the opposing player, 1 game, please. Remember how many games Domi got for the exact same thing. NHL punishments are a joke, no consistancy. If you are a star like Pronger, light punishment, if you are like Simon, punished heavily.

Yes I agree with most of the previous comments. Pronger although a steady force
with his team and team Captain should not
be treated any differently than Chris Simon.
Pronger has displayed a dark side since he
entered the league(my opinion) and yes he
should pay the appropriate penalty for his
actions. A lot of young hockey players have
been looking up to Mr Pronger in the past.
So Mr Pronger please clean up your act and show the true professionalism that you have
the strength and ability to do.

Vince Kennie

The merits or comparisons of each player are valid and as such the skate drop on Ruutuu and the stomp on Kesler , or was it the other way around?? are being judged by mere mortals who actually played the game and came up with a 22 game difference. Do you think Simon will play for Team Canada at the olympics in 2010?

Any one still believe Burke isn't running this circus? This is perfect for him. Here you go Pronger take a rest and we will see you fresh for the play-offs. The NHL is a bad joke.

To Todd from Newfoundland -

First off, you know nothing. Second Kesler wasn't injured, you're right! But neither was Ruutu when Simon stepped on him! So, there goes that argument right out the window! And if they are judging the crime at hand (another of your stupid arguments) then Pronger should have received the same suspension as Simon BECAUSE THEY DID THE SAME THING!

Do us all a favour Todd, never respond to a thread again.

I think everyone is blowing this WAAAYYY out of proportion. Was Kesler injured on the play? No! Did Pronger step on Kesler's face? No he stepped on his leg, which just so happens to be protected by a plastic shin guard. Many worse incidents happen in the NHL on a nightly basis. Bottom line is that if Kessler hadn't tried to wrap his legs around Pronger's he wouldn't have gotten stomped on. Kesler deserves some of the blame in this as well. We've turned into a society that is manipulated by the media. Can't we think for ourselves? Back in the day, when hockey was apparently hockey, it wasn't uncommon for players to slash each other over the heads with sticks. Gordie Howe became a legend for doing things that Pronger does (ie. playing dirty along the boards) and the fans loved him for it.

I do agree that Pronger deserves to be suspended and I believe the punishment he got was appropriate. I think it is unfair for people to come on here and compare him to Simon. They are totally different players and their past suspensions are not even comparable.

And for all you people bringing up legal examples, think about this. When a person is on trial, he/she cannot be judged on their previous history, only the crime at hand.

To Todd in Newfoundland,
Just think for one minute about what you wrote. Blaming Kesler for the reaction of Pronger? Did your parents not teach you that 2 wrongs don't make a right? Then to compare Gordie Howe to Pronger. That was a totally different time and hockey era. ANd your comment about the law...when making a decision regarding punishment of a crime, a judge is allowed to take into consideration the criminal past of someone. Do you think that the person who robs a bank for the first time would get the same punishment as the guy who just got caught for the 8th time? Think before you type and read before you submit.

Another Classic Morrison Article...

You couldn't be further from the mark...one thing that has always bothered me about the NHL is the fact the major suspensions only come after someone's been hurt (IE Bertuzzi vs Moore) Would Todd have received as big of a suspension had Moore gotten hurt? Probably not...

The NHL said coming into this year they had a fairer system in making suspensions...

Yes, Simon intentionally (after the whistle) Stepped on Ruutu (I think that's who it was) Pronger (during Play) Stepped on Kesler...Neither were hurt on the play THANKFULLY...I can't seem to recall but I remember Don Cherry stating something that I'm not sure it was true or not, but everyone one of Simons incidents never caused anyone to miss prolonged peroids of time off the ice due to Injury (I forget if Hollwig missed any time)

Last Playoffs Pronger got 1 game for a blatant elbow to the head...McHammond (sorry if I misspelled that) Missed the remainder of the series...That was the first time I can recall someone not getting a significant amount of time for suspension for injuring someone...(Jones on Bergeron was an unfortunate incident indeed but the suspension warranted the incident)

Pronger knowingly stepped on someone and only gets 8 games, Simon knowingly steps on someone and gets 30 games...both had 8 previous suspensions, both are repeat offenders...

Ice time, and Contributing to your team SHOULD NEVER MATTER, in intentionally break a rule, you should be done...in my opinion, there should be a 3 strikes your out rule...not 8...maybe 9...maybe 10...strikes and maybe you'll get a few more games...rule...

Morrison...please either man up and actually watch a hockey game, because the lack of respect there is between players out there is truly ridiculous, whether they're a 4th line checker or a 1st line PP specialist, you never should receive favoritism when it comes to hurting your fellow NHLers....

Im glad nobody posting here agrees with this nonsense.

Anyone who knows Chris Pronger knows he is cleary a dirty player and cleary a repeat offender in the NHL and yet, the opportunity comes up to show the PAYING CUSTOMERS of the NHL that their "Zero tolerence regime" (that seemed to be going great until Captain Pronger came along) knows no bias....well that opportunity went right out the window didnt it.

I cant believe that in a league that needs to find ways to improve their product, they constantly find the best ways to discredit themselves and the great name of the NHL

Way to go Colin and Gary !! I hope they remember you guys in the Hall as the brains behind the desimation of the NHL

So, because Pronger got off easy in the past (eg. two one-game suspensions for ending the playoffs for two separate people with pretty vicious hits), then therefore he should get off easy now? If Simon got 30 games because he was coming off a 25 game suspension, then in effect you are saying that Pronger should continue to get off with light punishments because he's gotten light punishments in the past.

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't voluntarily hitting someone with a sharp object considered a a dangerous and a criminal act? To Pronger and Simon, the hockey rink is what office, or other workplace, is for the rest of us. What would happen if we would voluntarily hit our colleague with a sharp tool? Not only will we be out the door, but criminal charges will most likely be laid against us as well. However, it seems that the NHLA, NHLPA and their employees live by different standards.

I say, fire both Simon and Pronger as every single one of us would when we would commit a similar offense on our job.

Wow; I hope to be on a Stanley Cup winning team too so that I can be a total idiot and not be held accountable for my actions. Pronger=kid gloves treatment; Simon=3rd degree. Seems like the only justice in the NHL is injustice. I guess it only figures that the disciplinarian of the league (Mr Campbell) assesses suspensions the same way the referees call the penalties: inconsistently.

A weak argument that lacks logic and invites serious injury in future. This type of thinking continues to destroy a great game. If you can't use common sense then at least look at other sports and their more reasonable suspensions.

Yet again the NHL get it wrong, I almost feel sorry for Simon. Pronger is a talented goon but still a goon and as an high-profile player, he is also a roll model and Campbell should have come down on him like a ton of bricks. Time and time again he keeps re-offending and time and time again he keeps getting away with it.

Pronger embarrassed us several times in his year in Edmonton. The league should of sent him a message here and the best one would have been a 15-20 game suspension this does not even hurt. He took it as a joke and if he hurts some one in the playoffs all I can say is he should get 50 Next time

This s simply an example of the NHL treating their star players differently than their role players. I can almost assure you that if any "enforcer" type player have done the same thing, they would have been suspended longer than Pronger was. How many times will Pronger have to be suspended before the NHL thinks of him as a serious repeat offender? Look at the type of infractions that have lead to Pronger's previous suspensions: Hits player in the throat with his stick, swings his stick at another player's head, leaves the bench and instigates a fight, severe cross check of another player, kicks a player, rams a player into the boards using his elbow to the player's head, hits another player in the head temporarily knocking him unconcious. Now, he stomps on a player. These are all pretty violent infractions and the NHL needs to look at him as a repeat ofender, not a star of the league.

It seems PAINFULLY obvious that there is a two-tiered discipline system: one for lesser players and one for "star" players. Furthermore, we ALL know that Burke, Bettman and Campbell are bed-buddies and that what whinny Burke wants, Burke gets.

Giving Pronger 8 games is not only a slap in the face to ALL players, but it gives him the chance to come into the playoffs, the BEGINNING of the playoffs completely rested and ready to re-offend, and mark my words, with his rap sheet, he will CERTAINLY re-offend.

I suppose if there's any truth to the other players in the league being annoyed or downright angry with Burke and his team, that perhaps in this years playoffs, we could see some SERIOUS fighting and running & gunning of Burke's spoiled players!
I, for one, think that Pronger, and those two "fake retirees" Selanne and Nieds, could use a little of their own medicine to take them down a peg or three!

All this venting and ranting to say that regardless of Pronger's Captain status, he did the crime, and sadly the punishment in his case way much too light!

I think Mr. Campbell should have extended Prongers suspension through the playoffs. Pronger is a proven goon! This is the 8th time he has been suspended....and all have been for very serious infractions. (kicking, hitting to the head(his favorite action), etc. His action was deliberate and intentional, you can see it on the film. He is going to heart someone someday mark my words! If Pronger is not a repeater....then Colin, what is your definition of a repeat offender? This was just another gutless move by front office.
Is it because Pronger is Canadian....what if he was from Europe? Maybe you don't want to heart the teams chances in the playoffs...well too bad for them. Hockey does not need guys like Pronger.
Hmmmm...why is hockey loosing its fan base??

I think everyone is blowing this WAAAYYY out of proportion. Was Kesler injured on the play? No! Did Pronger step on Kesler's face? No he stepped on his leg, which just so happens to be protected by a plastic shin guard. Many worse incidents happen in the NHL on a nightly basis. Bottom line is that if Kessler hadn't tried to wrap his legs around Pronger's he wouldn't have gotten stomped on. Kesler deserves some of the blame in this as well. We've turned into a society that is manipulated by the media. Can't we think for ourselves? Back in the day, when hockey was apparently hockey, it wasn't uncommon for players to slash each other over the heads with sticks. Gordie Howe became a legend for doing things that Pronger does (ie. playing dirty along the boards) and the fans loved him for it.

I do agree that Pronger deserves to be suspended and I believe the punishment he got was appropriate. I think it is unfair for people to come on here and compare him to Simon. They are totally different players and their past suspensions are not even comparable.

And for all you people bringing up legal examples, think about this. When a person is on trial, he/she cannot be judged on their previous history, only the crime at hand.

Whichever way you look at it, stomping on another player with a skate blade is unacceptable; out of the quesion in fact. Pronger has a history of questionable acts and he's a team captain for God's sake. Anyway he'll get a nice rest now and be fresh for the playoffs, so I guess he's not complaining too much.

equal justice for all players,from the rookie to the veteran.the league better get better people to administer justice for wrong doing on behalf of the players, and the owners how they stand back and let this to happen to their "investment". Scott the league is becoming a joke when it comes to discipline,it only have excuses and explanations from Colin and Mike.

What most of the people posting comments seem to forget is that Simon's past suspensions where for very vicious attacks. Prongers doesnt have the same history as Simon. I am certainly not defending Pronger, I dont like the fact he is a dirty player, but he hasnt two handed players in the head with his stick or voluntarily left a team because he has anger management issues like Simon has. Simon essentially had back to back incidences with players, clearly he was having issues managing anger and once he returned to New York they traded him away. However I dont doubt that Pronger's suspension was reduced due to the fact the playoffs are coming up. I dont think Simon has any right to argue, he has reaped what he has sown. He should put a lid on it and be thankful he is still playing.

Sorry Scott, gotta disagree here. He should've been suspended for a much longer time. Stepping on somebody's leg with your skate is a violent act that can't be tolerated, even in the NHL's hockey gongshow of violence. The league needs to stop being so hypocritical and take some serious action. I've pretty much lost faith in this league entirely. Pathetic...

The issue i have with defending Pronger is dead simple he is a captain supposedly a role model the differences in the infraction by simon were diffeent in certain respects but Pronger clearly looked down and intentionally used his skate as a weapon watch the video its very clear so intent is a non issue
of more concern to me is the 2 kids i had watching this with me who are 14-15 and who play they were simply astounded and one was and i state WAS a pronger fan now he wants to go throw his autograph at him with rotten eggs
then the league message was we will punish him but not like others ,and the kids that watched this said to me well you know when this will end when a player dies on the ice
so if thats the message the NHL wants sent they are doing a seriuos disservice to hockey in general never mind showing different standards for differsnt players
in closing im sorry Scott i usually find you take on issues pretty well founded not this time

Pronger has a long history of suspensions.
He had 2 incidents last year in the play offs that he got off easy for..

This will not be his last offence. My guess is he will cross the line again this year in the playoffs.

Pronger's suspension is a joke just as everyone seems to believe. If you saw the interview he gave after the suspension he was basically laughing it off with his crooked little grin. he knows, as we do, that he's getting time to rest before the playoffs. He's been a dirty player since his arrival in the NHL but noone has the guts to suspend him accordingly i.e. last year playoffs, now that was a real joke. This is not coming from an Ottawa fan but a true hockey fan that wants equal justice throughout the league.

The way I see it this is Prongers second time Pronger has been suspended for his use of feet,(either a kick or a stomp).As a repeat offender for the same offence he should have got at least as much as Simon,if not more.How many times will he be allowed to use his skates on another player before he gets what Pronger got.

Ok so let me get this straight.

Simon: 8 suspensions, gets 25 or 30 games for stepping on a player (sorry cant remember exact number) and forfiets a ton on cash (ok to me it's a ton of cash)

Pronger: 8 suspensions, gets 8 games for stepping on a player.

Is there a number (cash wise) related to how much Pronger will lose because I think Mr Simon has a case here to get some of his money back from the NHL.

I dont condone any of the stuff each player has done but if you try and tell me that one is a goon and one is a talented player I say B.S.

WHo really cares if Pronger plays more minutes than Simon. They each did the same thing and yet Pronger gets less time. Who cares if Prongers team is in the playoff race and losing him is costly. Guess he should have thought of it before hand.

I for one hope Simon sues or does something.

Scott, if you try to move the discussion towards the impact a player has on his team, then surely Pronger should be suspended for an even longer period than Simon. The reason? Simon is a no-skill pony. Pronger is the team captain and supposedly the face of his team. I'm not even going to go into "role model for kids" and all that, but your argument, though possibly valid, does not lead to your conclusions.

This suspension is a real joke. Pronger basically gets time off to be ready for the playoffs. The ducks are all but certain to be in the postseason and not having Pronger for 8 games is not going to change that. A suspension that would have carried over for at least 3 or 4 games into the playoffs would definitely have sent a clearer message to the rest of the league. For a league that prides itself on it's "manliness", they should learn a thing or two about showing some balls from time to time.

Scott Morrison, and his logic, comes across just as stupid as the NHL. C'mon Scott, have some balls and stand up for something.

So if I get an impaired driving charge, I should get less of a fine, and penalty, because I am in integral part of my company and drive for extended periods.

The janitor should get more because he plays (drives) less and is worth less to his team?

Both players have a history of suspensions and dirty play. The difference is that one is a marquee player, the other an enforcer. The league should be ashamed in trying to explain the discrepancy. A dirty play is a dirty play and should be suspended as such.

As the captain of an NHL hockey team AND being recognised by both the media and the league as a prominent player (Norris & Hart Trophies), Mr. Prongers' behavior should subsiquently be viewed by the league disciplinarians as less forgivable. Justifying punishment by comparing their "on ice" minutes isn't relevent unless you believe that more minutes entitles the player to a greater range of indiscretion.

The suspension should have included playoff games (3?)

What the hell are you talking about.

When an incident like this happens it is the player that receives the punishment not the team. Saying that Pronger’s ice time should have something to do with the length of the suspension is like saying that if Bill Gates went on a rampage and killed 3 people that he should get less time in the clink then Microsoft employee Joe Nobody because Gates contributes more to Microsoft.

This NHL ruling is a joke.

Simon = Goon in established marketplace
Pronger = Star in a marketplace they hope to expand in.

The NHL cannot claim to be anything more than they are. They are not willing to enforce discipline themselves, therefore they cannot complain when the judicial authorities decide to enforce it for them.

Pronger is nothing more than a goon who can play well. This doesn't excuse his behaviour in anyone's mind ouside of Burke and the NHL front-office!!

100% agree with you Scott

Maybe I could agree with Scott if this was Pronger's first offence. But as it turns out he is a menace and a sore loser. I believe the last time they played Vancouver. Kesler had just scored, was standing by the celebrating as every player does, Pronger came up to him, after the play was over, after the goal light had been blinking, after the ref had blown his whistle and indicated a goal...and cross checked Kesler onto the ice. Not even a 2 minute minor.

That actually goes against the logic most people use to defend him: It was during play, therefor not as bad as Simon. Well normally during play cross checking is at least a 2 minute minor. So by Scott's logic, Pronger should have received worse for his cross check after the goal, because it was pre meditated, after the whistle.

He is a repeat offender. And worst of all he is a repeat offender who repeats his offences mostly because he knows the league doesn't have the balls to penalize him like they do the rest of the league.

Pronger is a dirty player. I hate Chris Pronger and I don't care how much people say they'd love to have him on their team. He shouldn't even be in the NHL.

My blood boils everytime he does something stupid and gets away with it. Pronger gets ONE GAME and Dean McAmmond couldn't play the rest of the Stanley Cup Final because of Prongers elbow to the head. Ridiculous!

What a mickey-mouse League this is for allowing players like Pronger, Chris Simon and Todd Bertuzzi to play. There is absolutely no accountability for these goons.

One of these days somebody is going to die on the ice, Zednik was an ACCIDENT (skate blade to the neck), and the NHL is allowing guys to do similar things INTENTIONALLY. The layers will have a field day when it happens....

So, what I have learned is that if I was an NHL Professional Hockey Player, and if I wanted to hurt someone, then I would do it at a point in the game that is not crucial to the outcome! Good job NHL for making another stupid justification for your suspensions!

Why did Simon step on Ruutu? Because he was aggravated with him! Why did Pronger step on Kesler? Because he was aggravated with him as well! I still think the league is biased towards not providing lengthy suspensions to star players. Both Simon and Pronger have vicious pasts, and I feel they set precedent with Simon's suspension, and I was expecting at least 20 games for Pronger's suspension! Oh well, I guess I'll never figure the NHL out...

I disagree...this is a classic case of "DRFDP" (different rules for different people)What this amounts to is a nice rest for Pronger,whose team is comfortably in the playoffs.Actually,the league is probably doing the team a favour as both he and the other "part-time" players who re-signed this year will be fresh and ready to go. I think 15 games would have been about right.This is really not a "penalty".

The eight games is NOT significant. The depth the Ducks have on their blueline will ensure a playoff spot for them. I agree that it wasn't quite the same as Simon's situation. However, he should have been suspended for 11 games (or 12 as Scott suggests) precisely because it drifts into the post season. Then the message would be more than a bark. As I said, it is not the same situation as Simon, but Chris was absolutely correct that this was star treatment. It's good to be the king (Burke).