Yet Another NHL Suspension

Aaron Rome’s four-game suspension has left the Vancouver Canucks fuming.

Originally, head coach Alain Vigneault admitted that Rome's hit on Boston Bruin Nathan Horton was late. But after hearing he will be out for the rest of the playoffs, the team is outraged.

Rome's suspension is the longest in playoff history. Neither player will be seen again this spring as Horton suffered a severe concussion due to the hit.

It appears the NHL still has problems with proportions. Rome was given four games for headhunting while Sean Avery of the New York Rangers was given six just for badmouthing. There has also been non-punishment of many previous head hits because the league could find no rule to apply.

But most importantly, the Rome case suggests that the league is finally chasing public opinion rather than ignoring it. The NHL is changing concussion protocol. They are restructuring their discipline office with clear hints that punishment will be more severe next season.