John Tortorella's confusion over Matthews signals a league prioritizing code over star safety
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
John Tortorella went on ESPN, praised George Parros as one of the greatest guys around, and in the same breath admitted he has no idea how the NHL decides to punish players. And he just described the entire problem without realizing it.
Taking some time to speak about the Radko Gudas knee on Auston Matthews, 'Torts' decided that he needed to chime in now that he's no longer behind a bench and let the cat out of the bag without even knowing it.
Appearing during the NHL on ESPN's second intermission, Tortorella explained that there's a clear difference between Parros the person, and Parros the Head of Player Safety:
Parros, he's one of the greatest guys around, he's got a tough job. But, there's been a number of situations, they always talk about repeat offenders, and now he takes out a star that you're trying to protect, I don't get it. I don't know how they come to these conclusions - they can't figure it out.
So which is it John? Is Parros a great guy, or someone who can't do what he's supposed to?
Tortorella isn't sticking up for Parros' decisions, as he's as bewildered as the rest of us. But he basically let out that the NHL prioritizes how the office feels day to day than the protection of their players.
The phone-hearing loophole proves the NHL already predetermined the value of Matthews' health
Did Parros not want to bring down the chill vibes by offering Gudas an in-person hearing? Is that why he decided to only give him five games?
This is one of the faces of your league and one of your top money-makers. Instead of punishing the guy who took him out properly, Parros decided that he wanted to keep his in-office reputation intact.
But that resignation to a phone hearing shows the league already predetermined what Gudas was going to get. He wasn't even offered an in-person decision - it was phone only, so five games max.
A superstar from your most profitable franchise is out for the season and could have potentially career-altering consequences down the road and that's worth a week to the league. Great precedent there.
Tortorella's defense of Parros reveals a terrifying conflict between relationships and reality
But Tortorella's confusion is well justified because this is a department steeped in old head philosophy, and it's costing players games and their careers.
Parros comes from a time where it was always eye for an eye, and he himself isn't exactly the most clean and shiny player either. He was kind of a 'prickly' character if you catch my drift.
Parros' playing career was defined by the enforcer code, and that 'eye-for-an-eye' mentality clearly still influences the department today. It's ironic that a guy who was hurt in a fight and renewed talks of fighting safety and player safety in general decides not to protect his star players.
Parros doesn't care about safety. If he did, he would have punished Tom Wilson in 2021 beyond a $5,000 fine when he threw a helmet-less Artemi Panarin to the ice, or maybe actually punished another player in Gage Goncalves - who took Dakota Mermis out with a direct knee as well.
It's a 'Gentlemen's Agreement' over there in the NHL offices where season-ending injuries are simply just the price of doing business.
A five-game slap on the wrist means it's open season to target Maple Leafs players
Gudas gets to rest up his banged up body and make his way back to the Ducks as they fight for a playoff spot. Matthews is going to be out months and could have his career changed drastically.
Seems like a fair trade.
Sarcasm aside, this puts a genuine target on any Maple Leaf player now. If you're only going to get a few games, or potentially nothing at all then what's the real risk?
What's going to stop someone like Easton Cowan being targeted? We already saw that happen previously when Brendan Gallagher went after him with a clean but nasty hit.
Who's next? Does someone take out the remainder of John Tavares' legs and end his career prematurely? When Chris Tanev comes back next year is he going to have to worry about another concussion?
Right now the Maple Leafs are on their own, and it's clear that the Player Safety Department doesn't care about them.
So it's time they start caring about each other a whole lot more and with more than enough big bodies to step up, now is the perfect time.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Chris Pronger at the CN Tower is the only proof fans need that a front office shakeup is imminent
Chris Pronger at the CN Tower is the only proof fans need that a front office shakeup is imminent
Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
MARS 15|959 ANSWERS John Tortorella's confusion over Matthews signals a league prioritizing code over star safety Should the NHL fire George Parros? | ||
| Yes | 906 | 94.5 % |
| No | 53 | 5.5 % |
| List of polls | ||