NHL insiders and fans have engaged in a spirited debate over the referees’ controversial decision to assess Edmonton Oilers’ Darnell Nurse a minor penalty for slashing Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz. Former NHL player and “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast co-host Paul Bissonnette had his own take on the call. His assessment was echoed by NHL Hall of Famer Chris Pronger as well.
Paul Bissonnette and Chris Pronger’s “Painful” Comment on Slash
Bissonnette commented on a highlight reel of the incident, which was posted on X (formerly Twitter). The former hockey player said he agreed with the referees’ final decision, a stance that drew massive backlash from fans on social media.
“Hard to call this a 5 minute major. Can’t really. But there’s a lot of people in these comments that have never been slashed with the heel of a stick blade right on top of the laces. You can break a foot with that chop. Some guys wear shot blockers on top of their skates for that reason as well. I wouldn’t call this a dive. Just got hit in the perfect spot to cause damage,” Bissonnette posted.
Pronger replied to Bissonnette’s post, expressing his agreement and support. His reaction also sparked a heated debate on the microblogging platform, with other users criticizing the Hall of Famer and bringing up controversial calls he had been a part of.
I can attest @BizNasty2point0 all the guys that I did this too can attest as well. It hurts and when all you hear is a thud you know it will do some damage. Probably got him on the nerve.
— Chris Pronger (@chrispronger)
Hintz has five goals and 11 points across 15 playoff games this season. According to sources in the Dallas front office, he is awaiting some medical test results before the team can take a call on his availability for Game 3 in the Western Conference Final series scheduled for Sunday, May 25.
Nurse’s slash on Hintz had sparked a war of words among the Dallas and Edmonton coaches as well. Stars head coach Pete DeBoer had condemned the minor penalty call, claiming that the officials would have protected a star player like Oilers captain Connor McDavid with a harsher assessment.
“Does anyone in this room think if Connor McDavid gets carried off the ice like that, that it’s not a five-minute major? Again, if that’s 97 carried off the ice in the same situation, I think we all know the answer to what that looks like for us.” DeBoer had said during the postgame press conference on Thursday.
The series is currently tied 1-1 after Oilers bounced back with a 3-0 shutout win in Game 2.
