Here are Ducks general manager Bob Murray’s thoughts on Wisniewski’s eight-game suspension:
First of all, we love the way Wiz plays and we want
him to
play the game hard. That is how he has to play and he is very effective
doing
that. In this instance, he crossed the line. He went too far and he was
going
to get suspended. I applaud the league cracking down on these things. He
should
get suspended. I hope they continue to work on this. What happened at
the last
GM meetings and the direction we’re going is wonderful.
The problem I have is the length of it. It just
seems that
Wiz at this point because of the climate of the league is an easy
target. I
sure as heck hope that if we’re going to crack down, that it is a crack
down
across the board no matter if you’re a star player or not and that
everybody
gets whacked. It can’t just be on certain people at the right time.
Nothing
makes you cringe more than when you see some of the hits this year. All I
say
is, if you’re going to get them, let’s get them all.
He crossed the line and has to get whacked. I
support Colin
(Campbell). Colin’s job is a tough job to do. It is not easy. Let’s get
them
all if we’re going to do it and make it equal across the board, whether
it is a
fourth-line player or first-line player, whether the player plays on the
East
Coast or the West Coast. Don’t forget, what was the last suspension of
eight
games or more? Chris Pronger when he was in Anaheim. Let’s just make
sure it is
even.
On the impact of losing Wisniewski
He’s a 20-some minute guy. Obviously, it’s an awful
blow to
the hockey team.
The game has evolved and we play it different now.
We have
to get rid of this stuff. I’m all for it. I want this stuff gone. I
cringe. My
boys played the game. It’s an awful. I can’t imagine being a parent
watching
that. We have to clean it up, but let’s be consistent.