Analyst expresses 'profound disappointment' in Scheifele's comments after Jets were eliminated

With the Winnipeg Jets eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs after a sweep by the Montreal Canadiens, much of the focus remains on Mark Scheifele and his hit on Jake Evans in game one that earned a four game suspension. While discussing the impact of the suspension on the series Wednesday, Scheifele chose to blame the NHL's Department of Player Safety for knocking him out of the series rather than take responsibility for the hit. TSN analyst Craig Button says those comments are disappointing.

"Profound disappointment," said Button when asked about Scheifele's comments. "The Department of Player Safety did not shut down Mark Scheifele. Mark Scheifele's actions on that charging play against Jake Evans shut down Mark Scheifele. HIs actions alone took him out of the lineup. He let his team down."

Button said listening to Scheifele's comments would lead you to believe he was the victim in the incident, which Button says is simply not true. Evans was the victim and Scheifele was the perpetrator.

"Mark need to be accountable and contrite for his actions," added Button. "If he needs an example on how this is done, I would direct him to Paul Byron's comments after receiving a three game suspension for a hit to the head of Florida Panthers' defenceman MacKenzie Weegar in 2019. Full stop."


Byron released a statement following his suspension stating he accepts and respects the decision by DoPS, adding that even though he did not intend to injure Weegar, he accepts full responsibility for what happened and apologized to Weegar. The two would end up fighting in a later game, with Byron on the receiving end of a concussion as a result.


Source: TSN.ca