Toronto Maple Leafs: The NHL’s Big Problem

Parros’s History of Questionable Decisions

It didn’t take long for Parros to be questioned for his decision making when he began working for the league.

In January 2018, he suspended Andrew Cogliano with the Anaheim Ducks for two games, which was a big deal at the time because it ended his 830-game iron-man streak. Cogliano and the Ducks were furious when a few days later Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown was handed just a $10,000 fine for cross-checking Pittsburgh Penguin defenseman Justin Schultz.

In May of 2018 many were left scratching their heads after Boston Bruins forward and serial spit swapper Brad Marchand avoided any additional discipline when he licked the face of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan. Parros and the NHL didn’t appear to take Marchand’s history of the unsanitary into account. He wasn’t fined or suspended.

Instead, he was just given a warning. Colin Campbell, who was the league’s Executive Vice-President and Director of Hockey Operations, called Marchand and his general manager Don Sweeney to let them know that the behaviour was unacceptable. Marchand was off the hook but told that his next incident would warrant supplemental discipline.

This season, Parros suspended Maple Leafs winger Alexander Kerfoot two games for boarding Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson. On its own, one could argue that Johnson was thrown violently into the boards making the punishment fitting. However, when comparing the incident to a similar one where a member of the Leafs was the victim of a dangerous hit, infuriated fans.

Parros was once again questioned and rightfully so when he and his department ignored a very comparable hit. In the same fashion that Kerfoot delivered his hit, Buffalo Sabres winger Kyle Okposo drilled Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman, Travis Dermott. Both hits landed on their opponents back when they weren’t looking, only this time, Parros chose not to punish Okposo.

The NHL has been sending mixed messages with the suspensions and fines they’ve been levying.

The Bruins Zdeno Chara was only fined for attempting to crush Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher’s windpipe. Chara was forced to pay $5,000 for the incident. In contrast, Gallagher’s coach, Claude Julien, was fined $10,000 for calling out the referees in a game less than a week later.

Inconsistency has been a serious problem for the NHL and Parros. Players don’t know what will or won’t lead to supplemental discipline. It’s not only been frustrating for fans but for the players as well. This came to light when Parros summoned San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane for a hearing.

Parros decided to suspend Kane for three games as a result of the elbow he delivered to Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk. This didn’t sit well with the San Jose player who took to Twitter to criticize Parros. He first referenced the leniency granted to Chara and followed that up by posting a statement on his account.

"“The fact the NHL Department of Player Safety headed by George Parros continue to pick and choose, who and what they suspend is ridiculous! There have been countless incidents of the same nature through this season and past seasons that have gone unsuspended or fined. No one person can tell you what is or isn’t a suspension in today’s game, it’s become a complete guess. There is a major lack of consistency with NHL Department of Player Safety. A completely FLAWED system in so many ways. From the suspensions to appeal rights, it’s baffling to me how we as players agreed to this. You can’t continue to give some players a pass and throw the book at others. There has to be an outside third party making these decisions to remove the bias that transpires in this department headed by George Parros. None of it makes any sense.”"

Kane had reason to be upset, especially after seeing Chara’s wallet lightened by $5,000 while he had to forfeit $112,900 that went to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund as part of his suspension.