Florida Panthers forward David Booth was the victim of yet another head hit on Thursday night. As he carried the puck into the Montreal end, Canadiens defenseman Jaroslav Spacek lowered his shoulder and buried it into Booth.
VIDEO: Panthers’ Booth Victimized By Another Head Shot
Here’s the video.
It’s clear that this hit doesn’t violate the new head shot ban that went into effect around the NHL tonight. That new rule only outlaws blind side hits, still allowing those from the front.
After viewing the play several times, I have a hard time faulting Spacek. It wasn’t a terribly vicious hit, though he could have done a better job tucking in his shoulder. Booth was hunched over and he had his head down, and Booth of all people should be more conscious of that position just to avoid further concussions. Spacek came front and square, it wasn’t a blindside hit. Most importantly, I don’t think anyone will interpret the hit as an intent to injure.
Going by the notion that hit location (blindside) is the driver for suspension, I don’t think this one warrants a second look. Booth had the puck, Spacek was coming in square, and the hit happened without any elbow or forearm.
However, if people want to debate a total elimination of hits to the head, then here’s your gray area in terms of punishment. Do you fault Spacek because he made the connecting blow? Does the responsibility fall on him for tucking his shoulder in even further -- all despite the fact that Booth was hunched over and looking down?
If you treat it like high sticking, where the player is responsible for his stick, then something like this would be considered a penalty. I consider myself open-minded about the hits-to-the-head debate; as bad as I feel for Booth, though, I don’t really see anything wrong with what Spacek did.
At our Panthers blog, Litter Box Cats, they aren’t really looking at the legality of the play; more so, just the absurdity of the situation.
On the very night when the NHL’s fast-tracked new head-shot rules became the law of the league - heavily influenced by this little number from a few long months ago - the involuntary posterboy himself is again thrust to the front page, this time at the hands of the Jacques Martin’s Canadiens. Yep, the same helmet-headed Martin who as general manager of the Cats less than two years ago signed Booth to a six-year, $25.5M contract. Seriously...you can’t write this stuff.
A patched-together Booth has played almost 27 games this season. Scored a pair on Tuesday. Has anyone in the modern era had worse luck? Well, other than this dood?
The entire affair will be debated for days on end; the league will get a trial-by-fire right off the opening horn with their vaunted new rule.
No matter, the Panthers - again - lost their go-to guy to questionable contact. And for the record, there was not a physical altercation to be found afterward.
You have to feel bad for Booth, but luckily, he’s attentive and will travel with his teammates to Ottawa on Friday morning, according to the Miami Herald. Hopefully he won’t miss much, if any, playing time.
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