NHL Player Safety under fire from Leafs fans after Bobby McMann suspension
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The NHL Player Safety Department is facing some backlash from Maple Leafs fans after Bobby McMann's suspension, believing the league is unfairly biased against them.
It was announced Monday that Toronto Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann was scheduled to have a hearing with the NHL Player Safety Department for his high-stick to Tampa Bay' Oliver Bjorkstrand during Monday's game.
McMann was issued a one-game suspension, meaning he will be ineligible to play for the Maple Leafs come Thursday against San Jose, and will likely be back in action on Saturday vs. Edmonton.
It's understandable as to why McMann received a suspension as you can't be wildly swinging your stick, and the NHL is going to punish players who do so; however there seems to be a bit of unfair treatment at least in the eyes of Leafs fans.
Toronto fans peeved about McMann suspension
One fan pointed out that Jacob Trouba, who took a baseball swing at Boston's Trent Frederic back in 2023, was only issued a $5,000 fine.
It shows that perhaps the NHL doesn't always follow precedent and when it comes to the Maple Leafs, they seem to have a bit of an issue overall.
Toronto has consistently finished in the bottom third of the league in penalties drawn, and what of Sam Bennett's elbow on Anthony Stolarz?
The NHL was silent there, and they didn't even issue a fine or punishment to Tampa's Gage Goncalves, who put a knee-on-knee hit on Dakota Mermis that took him out of the game and potentially much longer.
Taking a look at statistics since George Parros took over, Toronto is in a three-way tie with Boston and St. Louis for most suspensions with 9, and they lost the third most games in total (25) only second to Boston (28) and Washington (43).
Is the NHL biased against the Toronto Maple Leafs and how can they adapt if they are?
Look we can't definitively say that Parros has it out for the Maple Leafs, but looking at the statistics and numbers over the past few seasons, it shows a discrepancy that might give fans the wrong idea.
The NHL also isn't going to really come out and say 'Yes, we're biased against a team,' but if the current trends keep up, it means the Maple Leafs are going to continue to take lots of penalties and not have many chances on the man advantage.
So they need to maximize their opportunities when they get them.
The power play has been stagnant all season, and splitting up the group to have more balance could be the key to starting things up again.
A more balanced lineup with perhaps more of a focus on shooting and traffic in front can bring out the best in the power play units, which will make their few and far between opportunities feel even more special.
But it also means the team can't play that lackadaisical defense as we've seen.
No more lazy clearances, weak backhanders up the middle, and they need to tighten up their mental game.
Toronto has been charged with several delay of game and too many men on the ice infractions. Those mental errors give teams extra chances to score, and for a long time; they were.
The Maple Leafs may get the short end of the stick when it comes to assistance from the Player Safety Department, what better way to rub it in their face is to take what's being given and turn it into a positive?
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 10|1360 ANSWERS NHL Player Safety under fire from Leafs fans after Bobby McMann suspension Do you think the Maple Leafs are unfairly judged and officiated by the NHL? | ||
| Yes | 1117 | 82.1 % |
| No | 243 | 17.9 % |
| List of polls | ||