Raffi Torres

Last spring the Vancouver Canucks took us on an amazing roller coaster ride with many unforgettable highs and lows. After a long and hockey-less summer it's easy to forget that only a little more than two months ago our 'Nucks were just one win away from the ultimate prize in hockey.

The Vancouver Canucks had a pretty successful 2010-2011 season, winning the President’s Trophy as the best regular season team, and then making it to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals before losing to the Boston Bruins.

So tweaks, rather than major overhauls, are what general manager Mike Gillis is looking at to improve his roster.

The NHL has taken some serious steps in addressing dangerous hits to players' heads this season.

Referees are watching hits much more closely—if anything comes near the head then it is a distinct possibility that culprits could see a five-minute major, and possibly even be ejected from the game.

The new concussion policy that the NHL has introduced is another great way to make sure that players are kept safe.

So far in the first round of the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs, there have been a number of exactly the type of hits the NHL says it wants to eliminate.

The Canucks are now up 3-0 on the Blackhawks and can attempt to sweep their playoff rivals on Tuesday.

But they might have to make that attempt without Raffi Torres.

You've probably already seen the hit, but if you haven't, here is the CBC feed from the game.

The Hawks are calling for Torres to be suspended.

Ray Shero and Mike Gillis have plenty in common.

The General Managers of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Vancouver Canucks, respectively, their teams are among the best in the game. Each commands a front office which performs some of the most masterful managerial work in the NHL salary cap era, and their clubs are among the favorites to win the Stanley Cup.

The NHL ruled Thursday that Raffi Torres would be suspended four games for his hit on Jordan Eberle in Edmonton on Tuesday night.  Two regular season games and two playoff games seemed harsh, considering Torres kept his elbow in and didn’t seem to target Eberle’s head. 

Eberle also bounced back up and played on the ensuing Oilers power play, leaving many to believe Torres would escape suspension.

Word has come down (via TSN) that Canucks winger Raffi Torres will be suspended for four games for his hit on Jordan Eberle during the Canucks/Oilers game last Tuesday.

The NHL got it wrong here.

Last night Raffi Torres leveled Jordan Eberle with a blindside elbow to the head. Torres got a five-minute major for elbowing plus a game misconduct, as well as a fighting major from the scrum afterwards. Eberle was luckily not injured and came back to play during the following power play. You can view the video of the hit here.

Vancouver Canucks forward Raffi Torres was assessed a game misconduct and a five-minute major penalty for elbowing Edmonton Oilers forward Jordan Eberle in the head at 13:05 of the third period.

Headshots and concussions are the hot button issues in the NHL right now, so immediately it raises the question of whether this warrants as suspension.