Predators’ Shea Weber Avoids Suspension, Fined $2,500 Hitting Henrik Zetterberg

I’m all for the NHL treating the playoffs different from the regular season. Playoff games are much more valuable than regular season games, and what draws a one-game suspension in the regular season should probably be just a fine in the playoffs, even when dealing with a repeat offender. No one is really going to argue this, nor should they.

I don’t care if Weber has won a Lady Byng (yes, I know he hasn’t). It also doesn’t matter if Weber has any history of this type of behavior (unless he has worked for WWE in a previous life, this doesn’t seem likely). Also irrelevant is whether Zetterberg was injured or not (he’s reported to be fine).

GIF: Shea Weber smashes Henrik Zetterberg’s head into the glass

The fine is the maximum financial punishment allowed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, but it’s rather shocking that Weber didn’t see a suspension given the obvious intent of his actions. It’s clear that the league feels further discipline is not warranted given the lack of an injury to Zetterberg on the play, but with the recent emphasis on blows to the head, it’s a bit curious that Shanahan decided against sitting Weber for even a single game.

It was kind of like a wrestler slamming someone’s head into the turnbuckle. Except, unlike professional wrestling, smashing someone’s head into a nearby barrier isn’t so legal in hockey. It’s frowned upon, friends. And punished.

Not his finest moment, but a hilarious GIF!