NHLPA Appeals Jason Spezza's 6-Game Suspension

The NHLPA has filed an appeal on behalf of Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jason Spezza after Spezza was handed a six-game suspension for delivering a knee to the head of Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk.

The NHLPA is citing the fact Spezza is a first time offender and should not have received such a stiff penalty. The 38-year-old has never previously been suspended in his 1,230-game career.

It was an ugly hit, as Spezza had one thing on his mind - get revenge for Rasmus Sandin. Pionk went knee-on-knee with Sandin earlier in the shift and Spezza was seen from the bench absolutely livid. Surely the NHL's Department of Player Safety brought up the motive in their meeting.

All NHL fans want though, is consistency. Ian Cole of the Carolina Hurricanes kneed Mark Scheifele of the Jets a couple of nights ago and only was fined. Meanwhile Pionk received two games and Spezza six.

It's also pretty crazy to think a repeat offender could bite someone multiple times during a fight and get less games than Spezza. Regardless here we are. The first stage of Spezza's appeal process will be via NHL Commissioner, Gary Bettman. After Bettman's ruling, the Maple Leafs forward can go through an independent arbitration process if he's not happy with the results.

Here's the hit, does it warrant six games?