Sharks’ Torres suspended for hit

“My problem’s always been, I get a little too emotional out there”.

That was the thing about Torres. He’s a player who has defined himself not by his skill but by his recklessness and his potential for causing grave injury every time he steps on the ice. The 33-year-old winger battled hard for the opportunity, desperate to prove that he could make a contribution to a team for which he’s played only 28 games since being acquired in an April 2013 trade.

As of now, Torres first game back would be January 14th against Edmonton.

It’s a blessing that so few players have, and an asset that has given Torres value.

Torres’s lengthy history with illegal hits put the wheels in motion for a substantial form of supplementary discipline from the league, which it did in this case. He just can’t process the new standards. So as of now, no word on if he’ll appeal a suspension for the second time in his career.

Sorry, this video is not available in your country/region. In his last three seasons, Torres has 10 goals and 13 assists in 43 games.

Torres didn’t become this player by accident.

In the past, most bans relative to illegal checks to the head fell in the two to five game range, as previously mentioned.

Undeterred, on December 31 Torres skated out against Minnesota and cracked Nate Prosser with a patented shoulder to the head.

But with the Penguins, Despres saw that the prime spots on the blue line were taken by players like Kris Letang, Paul Martin, Matt Niskanen and Olli Maatta.

While not being fitted for a Hanson Brothers or Ogie Oglethorpe jersey quite yet, Torres has accrued quite the laundry list of reckless actions over his 703-game career, a cache of indiscretions the National Hockey League could no longer tolerate.

Torres was given a match penalty for the hit and immediately ejected from the game.

“Hopefully Silfverberg’s all right”, DeBoer said.

Enough from a player that has never learned what it means to change.

On that front, those in charge of slapping a historic 41-game suspension on San Jose Sharks forward Raffi Torres Monday afternoon should be applauded. The Sharks are not absolved of paying his contract however.

In fact, if you hadn’t seen the hit on Silfverberg, it wouldn’t matter because they are basically the same: an elbow or shoulder delivered high to the head, usually from the side so there’s no warning, no way to defend against the assault. Or perhaps a full season.