In recent years, one of the most perplexing aspects of the National Hockey League (NHL) for both fans and players has been the apparent inconsistency in the NHL's Department of Player Safety. Despite the league's efforts to clamp down on dangerous plays in the game, there remains a lack of clear guidelines for certain infractions, leading to what often seem like arbitrary decisions on similar incidents.
Sidney Crosby, captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, recently shared his concerns during a discussion on the "32 Thoughts" podcast. When asked about the most confusing aspect of the game for current NHL players, Crosby pointed directly at the inconsistency in how suspensions are handled as a significant issue.
Crosby's remarks mirror the sentiments of many NHL fans who have long called for more clarity and predictability in player safety rulings. However, whether the NHL can address these concerns and establish a more transparent system for assessing suspensions remains uncertain.