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Should Torrey Mitchell receive suspension for Cody Franson hit? (video)

By Catherine Silverman

Apr 12, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Torrey Mitchell (17) waits for a face off against the Boston Bruins during the first period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Torrey Mitchell (17) waits for a face off against the Boston Bruins during the first period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the regular season right around the corner, the NHL is getting into full swing already- both with playing and with injuries, it seems.

This past Sunday night, Buffalo Sabres defenseman Torrey Mitchell checked Toronto’s Cody Franson into the boards from behind, while Franson was already going down. The Toronto player had to be assisted off the ice, and no word yet on how severe his injuries are.

There’s always an argument as to whether a play is ‘dirty’ or simply an accident. The most recent controversy over this came just months ago, when New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider slid skates-first into Montreal Canadiens net-minder Carey Price. It looked like he was tripped, it looked like he was going too fast towards the net, there’s risk to the skater in that kind of move as well… all the arguments were brought up.

What can’t necessarily be categorized as a ‘dirty’ play, though, can most decidedly still be categorized as reckless. This is the second time that Torrey Mitchell has made this kind of hit, categorizing him as a reckless player.

Reckless skating doesn’t make a player dirty, but still shows a disrespect for the game- particularly when a certain reckless play has been made more than once by the same offender. It shows an unwillingness to fix a problem, which makes a player a hazard within the league.

Mitchell isn’t alone in this- Krieder’s goalie-rush was a second offense, as well. Does this mean that the league isn’t taking these kinds of plays seriously? These obviously aren’t as intentional as the knee-to-knee contact hits that were flying around this past post-season, but they can be career-ending nonetheless.

The Hockey News’s Ken Campbell wants to see a significant suspension for Mitchell; it’s entirely likely he’ll get his wish.

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