Whether we like it or not, it's not the severity of the hit that's at stake here, but rather the absolute prohibition of intervening with the game while on the bench.
The NHL has no choice but to impose a penalty for this kind of action, especially since it was 100% intentional. It's a lapse of judgment on the part of the young defenseman, and we don't want that in professional hockey.
If the NHL doesn't intervene, even if there was no penalty on the play, others will do the same, and it could escalate.
However, I don't expect an extraordinary sanction. Guhle is a young player and is not a repeat offender. If there is a suspension, I don't expect more than one or two games.
