Shanahan Must Go
Whereas: Brendan Shanahan, former longtime Detroit Red Wings player, has demonstrated the inability to rule impartially in his role as NHL Director of Safety; and Whereas: Brendan Shanahan at least appeared to "play favorites" in his ruling in the case of Colorado Avalanche player Cody McLeod's first period hit on Detroit Red Wings player, Niklas Kronwall at the Pepsi Center on October 17, 2013; and Whereas: Brendan Shanahan, despite being aware of the fact that any ruling he might make in this case, could be viewed as biased, did not recuse himself from making said decision; and Whereas: the punishment of a five-game suspension, in view of the fact that 1. This was a "first offense" for Cody McLeod, 2. Niklas Kronwall himself admitted to a share of the "blame" for his injury, and 3. Another recent hit (by non-Avalanche player Michael Grabner, to non-Red Wings player Nathan Gerbe) targeting the head did not receive such a severe penalty (two games versus five), is excessive; and Whereas: the credibility of the NHL is now at stake, and will remain in doubt as long as Brendan Shanahan retains his position, We, the undersigned, hereby demand that Brendan Shanahan resign from his position as NHL Director of Safety and be replaced by someone who has either not played in the NHL or, at the very least, someone who is not so associated with one of the most heated rivalries not only in hockey, but in all of sports.
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