San Jose Sharks Forward Raffi Torres Must Clean Up His Game
By Coral Cannon
Following a long road to recovery due to a knee injury, it seems San Jose Sharks forward Raffi Torres is just not meant to stay in the lineup for long.
A hit to the head of Anaheim Ducks forward Jakob Silfverberg during a preseason game has left Torres suspended 41 games (yes, half the season) without pay by the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety.
The league determined the hit was illegal, forceful, and cited number 13’s history of illegal hits as contributing to his rather lengthy suspension.
Unfortunately, I don’t think I can defend Torres in this case.
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Let me first express my adoration for Torres. He is a fantastic hockey player and one the Sharks have very much enjoyed playing with, rather than against. Despite skepticism, San Jose took a quick liking to number 13, and it wasn’t long before he began to make a huge impact on the ice and in the locker room.
San Jose and its fans were more than ready to welcome Torres back to the ice for the 2015-16 season. Torres brings a toughness and a presence that this Sharks team has long missed, and he was expected to be a contributor for this team in 2015-16.
It looks like we’ll have to wait a while longer. Even then, it seems doubtful Torres can stay out of trouble for long.
I do, however, believe 41 games is far too long a suspension. Perhaps the league is making an example of Torres. There is no doubt his colorful past has caught up with him and the league is more than fed up with his style of play.
Though he is not technically considered a repeat offender under the current terms of the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, Torres is no stranger to suspensions and will have to adapt a cleaner game if he wishes to stay remain in hockey, let alone the lineup, for long.
Given his past, Torres had a responsibility to clean up his game. Risking his eligibility to play for a dirty preseason hit was irresponsible. The San Jose Sharks need Torres to change his ways and remain in the lineup. He is far too valuable a player to spend half the season anywhere but on the ice.
Unfortunately for Torres and the Sharks, his past has reared its ugly head yet again, and he’s paid another hefty price.
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