Gabriel Landeskog
2017-18 Penalty Minutes: 37 minutes, plus 8 minutes in the playoffs
Career Penalty Minutes: 391
NHL Fights: 11
DoPS Suspensions: 3
Our captain and his self-proclaimed “wild ways” is our most habitual of line-steppers. Gabriel Landeskog is a power forward, and he has the suspensions to prove it.
The first suspension came on March 9, 2016 on a cross-check of Anaheim Ducks skater Simon Despres:
Ok, that wasn’t a good hit. Unfortunately, that single play earned Landeskog the reputation as a habitual line stepper with the DoPS, and that’s not a good distinction.
On November 12, 2015, Landeskog got suspended two games because Bruins
licker
instigator dove:
The initial point of contact is clearly Marchand’s shoulder. And Mr. Brad “I Lick People” Marchand couldn’t have been that injured if he proceeded to sucker-punch Landeskog. Props to Johnson for flying in to protect his captain.
Because of that bogus suspension, the Department of Player “Safety” meted out harsh punishment for Landeskog’s subsequent hit on Flames skater Matthew Tkachuk:
I’m not saying Landeskog didn’t deserve any supplemental discipline, I’m saying four games was too steep. The hit occurred two years after his last suspension, so his record shouldn’t have been considered.
Ah, well, the DoPS won’t be satisfied until it actually executes — or permanently bans — our gifted captain. Moving on.
Our captain also sticks up for players and for his team when necessary. My favorite Landeskog fight came three-and-a-half years ago when Gabe engaged in a captain fight:
That said, my favorite Landy line-stepping move will always be his sucker-punch to Mikko Koivu:
I make no apologies.