This week we are proud to bring you a hot topic circling in the NHL right now: The Top 5 Longest NHL Suspensions from dirty hits ... all on video! Assaulting, slashing, and baseball style swinging are found in these video clips so if you are weary of violence, then you may want to turn back. On with the longest NHL suspensions on tape!
5. Brad May, Phoenix Coyotes (20 games)
May gets 20 games for a slash to the head of Steve Heinze.
Note: This is really a tie for fifth with Tom Lysiak of the Chicago Blackhawks who intentionally tripped a linesman in 1983. Lysiak got 20 games as well.
4. Dale Hunter, Washington Capitals (21 games)
This is especially cruel, as Hunter absolutely creams Pierre Turgeon after a goal in the '93 playoffs. In my opinion this should have been more as they were not even in play when in occurred.
3. Todd Bertuzzi, Vancouver Canucks - Rest of Season (20 games)
This would have been many more games if it wasn't for the next NHL season being canceled by a labor dispute... Not only does Bertuzzi sucker punch Steve Moore, but then he holds his head down while he is unconscious and sliding face first on the ice.
2. Marty McSorley, Boston Bruins - Rest of Season (23 games)
McSorley swings his stick at Donald Brashear's head and knocks him out cold. The video doesn't make the hit look that hard, but Brashear drops quicker than Carmen Electra on the runway.
1. Chris Simon, New York Islanders - Rest of Season (minimum 25 games)
The longest suspension in the history of the NHL that happened this year. Simon lines up like he is Albert Pujos and smacks Ryan Hollweg in the neck like he is in the friggin Home run derby. What's the kicker? Hollweg wasn't even the one who checked Simon in the first place!
Note: In 2000, Gordie Dwyer of the Tampa Bay Lightning got 23 games (4th longest) for starting a fight and abusing officials. This was not a single incident, so it was left off this list.
Makes you think that beer pong is a much safer sport. Thanks for stopping by!