The NHL Department of Player Safety is back in the crosshairs following a review of Matt Rempe’s high hit on Nick Blankenburg The outcome? They decided against issuing any further discipline. The controversial hit during Sunday night’s New York Rangers-Nashville Predators game had fans waiting with bated breath for a suspension, especially given Rempe’s history of questionable hits. Instead, the league brushed it under the carpet, which is enraging those who believe player safety is not being taken seriously.

As reported by Vince Z. Mercogliano, Rangers beat reporter for USA today, “I’m hearing @NHLPlayerSafety has reviewed the Matt Rempe hit and decided there will be no discipline.” Given the nature of the hit and of the player behind the hit, this news has not gone down well among opposition fans.

The altercation occurred just four minutes into the game when Rempe’s elbow made direct contact with Blankenburg’s head, bouncing it off the glass. Predators defenseman Andreas Englund jumped in right away, and the two engaged in a bloody fight. Rempe received just a minor for elbowing and a five-minute major for fighting, but Englund received a two-minute minor penalty, a ten-minute misconduct for instigating and a five-minute major for fighting.

To many, the lack of further discipline is another example of inconsistency in NHL rulings, especially considering that Rempe was suspended eight games earlier this season for an almost identical hit on the Dallas Stars’ Miro Heiskanen. Fans were quick to express their outrage, asking how the league could possibly claim to be cracking down on dirty hits while letting blatant elbows to the head slide without punishment.

Fan backlash erupts over the league’s decision

For those who envision cleaner hockey, the NHL’s response (or lack thereof) is a step in the wrong direction, reinforcing the idea that player safety takes a backseat to enforcers being on the ice. Some fans question the NHL’s true commitment to player safety. One expressed their frustration in a few choice words.: “Shit league who really does not care about its players’ safety.”

The sentiment mirrors the perception of some fans that the league is not consistent with whom they discipline. Others shot back, however, that this isn’t just a matter of who threw the hit, but what the hit was.“Forget it’s Matt Rempe. It’s a clear elbow to the head. If you want to get these hits out of the league, why isn’t there discipline?”

Meanwhile, another fan was less dramatic in his response, stating that while the hit was horrible, it may not be the worst this player has ever delivered.“When I saw this last night, I thought it wasn’t nearly as bad as anything Rempe had done previously.”

However, another fan, presumably a Rangers fan, went completely against the grain. In fact, he straight up defended Rempe: “What is every freakin’ hit he makes reviewed now? So ridiculous.”

But the general consensus leans against Matt Rempe. It is quite clear what people think: if the NHL really cares about maintaining the safety of players, then such hits would not just be shaken aside. The NHL’s inability to intervene again caused outrage—and for a good reason.

The inconsistency in the field of players’ security has reached a point where no one has an idea of ​​what can or cannot pass. So the question is: does the NHL really consider the safety of the player, or is it just another case of selective memory? For fans who see these decisions being made, the answer is obvious.