Brad Marchand Appealing Suspension, Says Process Needs to Change

Brad Marchand isn’t happy he’s been suspended by the NHL for six games after punching Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Trystan Jarry in the head and losing his temper on the ice. Suggesting he’s being punished because of his history of suspensions and not the actual play on the ice, Marchand is arguing that the process by which the NHL examines suspensions needs to be revisited in the next CBA negotiations.

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The NHLPA has filed an appeal on behalf of Brad Marchand regarding the NHL’s decision to suspend him six games.

— NHLPA (@NHLPA) February 11, 2022

There are going to be two schools of thought here. First, Marchand is out to lunch thinking the NHL shouldn’t be coming down hard on him for being such a bonehead on the ice and earning himself his eighth suspension while a member of the NHL. In fact, some will argue that suspensions need to be heftier, otherwise, players like Marchand will never learn and the consequences won’t hit home. Second, some will agree with Marchand and say that this is just the NHL trying to stick it to a player who couldn’t have possibly hurt anyone on the play.

Marchand is arguing that his reactions weren’t very smart and that he needed to be more in control, but that this series on the ice was not suspension-worthy. He said, “Was it stupid? Of course, it was stupid. I’m not denying that. I absolutely should not have done it. But suspension-worthy? I don’t think so.” He also added, “These plays were not going to injure Jarry. No potential injury on that play. He was very well protected. The fact that it’s six games is based on history, not on the play.”

However, Marchand did sucker-punch an NHL goaltender in the head and then used his stick as a weapon, while carrying on and needing to be separated by officials. It seems clear that if he wasn’t restrained, he could have hurt Jarry and while there’s no proof of that, his history suggests he can’t be trusted to do the right thing. This is the NHL’s way of saying, ‘Kid, you’re clearly not getting the message. If you won’t change, we’ll force you to.’

That Marchand is arguing the NHL reconsider how these suspensions are dished out has merit only based on the fact that there’s been no consistency from the DoPs in recent years. Some infractions go unpunished. It’s not hard to see why Marchand probably feels he should be given a pass here too. However, the argument that seems to be made when it comes to suspension is that they’ve not been nearly severe enough. If a change should be made, many will argue that players need to face stiffer fines and suspensions.

Who is Right? The NHL or Marchand

There are people falling on both sides of this argument and understandably so. Marchand has an extensive history and one that can’t be ignored. But, players have been ignored for doing worse and six games seems like a stiff penalty for something like this.

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