May 11, 2023 by Michael Hebert

In a baffling turn of events, common sense and reason seem to have been thrown out the window when it comes to the NHL Department of Player Safety (DOPS).

So far in this year’s edition of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Toronto Maple Leafs fans are up in arms over what they perceive as an overly harsh suspension for Michael Bunting, while lighter fines imposed on Florida Panthers’ forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett have left many scratching their heads. In fact, it appears that most fans across the league are clueless about the DOPS’s decision-making process on any given night. This has raised serious doubts about the future of George Parros as the head of the department.

The spotlight fell squarely on the DOPS once again during the Wednesday night matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and Las Vegas Golden Knights in Game 4, where two plays late in the game were reviewed by the DOPS and resulted in suspensions. The first incident involved a Darnell Nurse instigator penalty during the final minutes of the game.

Per rule 46.21, a player automatically receives a one-game suspension for instigating a fight in the last five minutes of a game, but the suspension can be overturned upon review. However, despite two similar incidents during the regular season where suspensions were lifted, Nurse’s suspension was upheld this time around, defying the precedent set earlier. Not only baffling because of the earlier precedent, but it’s often noted that playoff games carry heavier weight than those in the regular season.

The second play that drew attention was an Alex Pietrangelo two-handed slash on Leon Draisaitl’s arms in the final two minutes of the game. Pietrangelo received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for his actions. While the game was out or reach for the Golden Knights at that point, and Draisaitl seemed relatively unharmed after momentarily going down, it was evident to even the most casual observer that the slash was not a legitimate hockey play, but rather an intentional attempt to injure. Consequently, the DOPS announced a hearing for Pietrangelo on Thursday.

Given the blatant intent to injure on the play, many hockey observers expected Pietrangelo to receive a severe punishment. In any other context, such an action would likely result in an assault charge. However, the DOPS handed down a mere one-game suspension for Pietrangelo, raising eyebrows and prompting widespread criticism. The NHL is renowned for its physicality, making the Department of Player Safety all the more crucial as the guardian of actual player safety. Equipped with game tape, multiple angles, and high-definition cameras, the DOPS should take into account precedents, severity, and the overall context of the game when making decisions.

Former player Kevin Bieksa voiced his disagreement with the ruling on Sportsnet, unafraid to call out what he perceived as a flawed decision. Many players, broadcasters, and fans of the league have joined in questioning the consistency and logic behind the DOPS’s actions. From my vantage point it appears that the department was more concerned about avoiding the appearance of favoritism toward either team, resulting in a questionable decision to balance the Nurse and Pietrangelo suspensions in an attempt to appease everyone.

The fans are understandably bewildered by the lack of clarity regarding what warrants a suspension and what constitutes a fineable offense. The league must be aware of the mounting confusion. When former players and broadcasters start highlighting the inconsistency, it raises a significant concern: should this be the end of George Parros’ tenure as the head of the Department of Player Safety?

Without a doubt, I think the league should step in and find a new leader for DOPS. It’s time for the league to take this in another direction and move away from former players running the department. George Parros’s time is up, it couldn’t be more clear than today.