In recent years, one of the most frustrating aspects of the National Hockey League (NHL) for fans and players alike has been the perceived inconsistency of the NHL's Department of Player Safety. Despite the NHL's efforts to crack down on dangerous plays in the game, there remains a lack of clear guidelines for certain infractions, leading to seemingly arbitrary rulings on similar incidents.
Pittsburgh Penguins' captain, Sidney Crosby, echoed these concerns during a recent appearance on the "32 Thoughts" podcast. When asked about the most confusing aspect of the game for current NHL players, Crosby pointed to the inconsistency in suspensions as a significant issue.
Crosby's sentiments resonate with many NHL fans who have long called for more clarity and consistency in player safety rulings. However, whether the NHL can address these concerns and establish a more predictable system for assessing suspensions remains an open question.