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NHL fines Shane Doan $2,500 for boarding

Shane Doan, Ray Whitney

Phoenix Coyotes’ Shane Doan, left, is embraced by teammate Ray Whitney (13) after Doan scored his 300th career goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. The Stars won 3-2 in a shootout. (AP Photo/Matt York)

AP

Phoenix Coyotes captain Shane Doan is generally described as a good guy and sometimes a sympathetic figure for sticking it out through some lean years in the desert. Still, his rugged style occasionally goes over the line.

The NHL deemed his boarding hit on Mark Giordano as “a bit” over the line, at least if you classify things by punishment alone. Doan was handed the wrist-slap maximum fine of $2,500 for his misstep.

Feel free to agree or disagree with the decision in the comments, but allow me to float this other thought: should bigger fines be discussed during the next CBA talks? That much money is tear-jerking kind of stuff for most of us, but aside from maybe the occasional goon who bounces between the AHL and NHL, that “maximum” fine probably teaches a minimal lesson.

Then again, Doan might miss that money if he isn’t saving up for a possible lockout.