Early in the season there were many suspensions. . . and the season has barely begun. Has this game suddenly become a game of bashing the brains out of your opponent and maybe sneak a goal here and there? Or is it still a game of finesse and clean checks? Personally, I think it's a mix of both. With all the protective gear that the players wear now, they feel that it's OK if they hit a little harder then they know they should. The truth is, even with all the gear, a hit is still a hit. A helmet doesn't protect your neck from a slam into the boards, just ask Mike Modano. And some of these cheap shots from behind are embarrassing. Checking someone from behind into the boards when he has no clue you're there, and you know it, is wrong. Pounding away at an opponent when he's not fighting back, is wrong. The violence is ridiculous.
I don't think the penalties that they are using are going to make a dent either. 4 or 5 game suspensions without pay isn't going to make anyone think twice before they attack their next victim and wipe him out for 3 weeks. Punishment should be greater. People should start getting fined, and penalties for a cheap shot should be 10 games without pay, and if the offender does the same thing when he gets back, 20 game suspension. Then maybe they'll think a little harder before steam rolling someone. Maybe even start fining GM's? If it's costing them more money to bail a player out, then the players paycheck, maybe it would make a lasting impression. Another thing that should happen, is players policing themselves. Make them know that is you smash one of their guys, you'll pay the price.
I don't think this game has become a goons game either. Not in the least. You still see players that amaze you; players that make goals and set ups that make you shake your head and wonder what just happened. It's still a game where the best goes against the best. But the violence is taking most of the attention away from that, because there is so much of it.
In my opinion, it's still the coolest game on earth, it just needs a few repairs in a couple of areas.