Update 11:06am PT:Darren Dreger—

In this case, Seabrook was vulnerable and as video replay clearly shows, Torres made no attempt to play the puck and focused on what he understands his job to be - separating player from puck by administering a thunderous body check.

An important distinction for the NHL is the fact the puck was in the area of the hit last night and Torres stopped skating near the faceoff circle and cruised in before landing the hit. [...]

Multiple GMs want this type of hit and the danger it brings removed from the game, but until a rule is instituted that outlaws all shoulder to the head hits, then the Torres hit is deemed acceptable.

Rule 48 does provide a hitting area and recognizes there is a responsibility for players to always have their head up. A great example of this illustrated in a game between the Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins on Jan. 28 - where Sens forward Chris Neil leveled Penguins defenceman Mark Eaton deep in the Penguins’ zone.

Update 11:39am PT: via Chicago Breaking Sports—

“With his history, I think that hit deserves a suspension,” [Brent] Seabrook said Monday. “I’m not going to sit up here and complain about that. It’s a fast game, things happen quick. You have a split-second to make a decision. I don’t think he was trying to hit me in the head but at the same time, I mean, if the league’s not going to suspend somebody for that I just don’t really understand that.”

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