Jordin Tootoo punches out Stephane Robidas

The big talk right now is about Nashville Predators' energy player Jordin Tootoo and his punch that knocked out Stephane Robidas of the Dallas Stars on Saturday night. On Monday Tootoo was suspended for 5 games for his punch. Here's what happened: Tootoo layed out Mike Modano which looked to be a hard clean check. It was clean, maybe could have been charging, but this is still hockey, players can hit each other. We all know Bettman wants ballerina dancing in hockey, but Tootoo says "NO!" and so do we fans of true hockey. Anyways, Tootoo lays out Modano with a clean check, Robidas looks to be coming in on Tootoo high with his arms, but before Robidas can get at Tootoo, Tootoo turned and fired a gloved right hand punch that sent Robidas down to the ice and down for the count as he was out. Watch the YouTube video of this incident below.

Jordin Tootoo knocks out Stephane Robidas

Make sure you catch Mike Modano's reaction to his teammate getting knocked out after he came in to protect Modano. Modano slashed at Tootoo's back, and then just stood there, backing away from Tootoo not wanting any piece of him. What a good teammate Modano is, he just had a teammate try and stand up for him and he did nothing to help Robidas. Geez, no wonder he lost the Captaincy in Dallas. Even Marty Turco and Trevor Daley came in to try and get at Tootoo but the linesmen made sure to break everything up before it got out of hand.

I think five games is too much, maybe two or three games is enough. What do you think? I think Robidas got what he deserved and Tootoo was protecting himself from getting knocked out himself. All Tootoo knows is that someone is going after him, so he better defend himself. Robidas should have blocked his face with his gloves because what a shot Tootoo gave him. Even Mark Messier on VS didn't think Tootoo should have been suspended. That's right Mark, you're right on, old-time hockey baby, let them play!