"The NHL rule book is a joke" - Fans left divided over league's decision on Brady Tkachuk suspension 

The recent announcement regarding the lack of a one-game suspension for Ottawa Senators' captain Brady Tkachuk has stirred up a storm of reactions from passionate NHL fans. It pertains to an incident late in Senators' game against the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday.

The news, initially shared by Bruce Garrioch, a contributor to TSN's Senators broadcasts, has shocked some of the NHL fans.

Garrioch's tweet revealed that the NHL's Department of Player Safety had informed the Senators of no suspension for Brady Tkachuk.

Additionally, Coach D.J. Smith would not be fined for an incident that occurred late in a game against the Buffalo Sabres.

The tweet also indicated that the responsibility for dealing with the instigator's actions would fall on the officials, leaving room for plenty of speculation and discussion among fans.

One fan voiced their frustration by saying:

"The NHL rule book is a joke."

"I don't get that... how does the NHL say no suspension if the refs don't erase the instigator?"

"Wtf, that F**k."

"Must've been a pretty easy decision given the circumstances."

The NHL's Department of Player Safety decisions always generate a wide range of emotions and opinions from passionate hockey fans. The case of Brady Tkachuk's potential suspension, or lack thereof, is no exception.

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Brady Tkachuk escapes suspension for late-game Instigator Penalty

The Ottawa Senators can breathe a sigh of relief as they won't face any consequences for a late-game instigator penalty handed to forward Brady Tkachuk. The league has made it clear that Tkachuk won't be suspended for his late-game fight with Buffalo's Alex Tuch. Notably, head coach D.J. Smith won't be subject to any fines either.

Typically, instigator penalties come with automatic suspensions to deter late-game brawls. But in this case, the Senators managed to avoid the suspension despite Tkachuk's penalty. It's worth noting that Tkachuk appealed the suspension, which was subsequently lifted.

This development is a welcome relief for Senators fans who were concerned that their top forward might face disciplinary action. Brady Tkachuk has been performing exceptionally well, leading the Senators in goal-scoring with four goals in the first six games of the season. He's also contributed two assists, maintaining a point-per-game scoring pace.

This consistency mirrors his performance from last season, during which he scored 35 goals and 83 points in 82 games. Tkachuk also amassed 126 penalty minutes last year, making him the third-highest in the league. It was three minutes ahead of his brother Matthew, who ranked fourth in this regard.