5-STEP ETHICS CASE STUDYP.K. SUBBAN

1. IDENTIFY ISSUE

P.K. Subban (MTL) administered a 2-handed slash to Mark Stone’s (OTT) wrist

5-minute major penalty + game misconduct given to Subban

Following the game (won by MTL), it was revealed Stone has a microfracture (return time uncertain)

It has been alleged that Subban had threatened Stone prior to the slash

As Stephane Quintal, NHL Director of Player Safety, what should you do?

2. IDENTIFY & EXPLAIN STAKEHOLDERS

Montreal, notably P.K. Subban Subban is a star player, if he is suspended, team loses a valuable player

Ottawa Stone is an important player for the Senators

NHL This was the first game of the playoffs. If mishandled, could set wrong

tone, violence could escalate.

Quintal (Disciplinarian) Sets a precedent, first year in job needs to appear decisive

3. IDENTIFY ALTERNATIVES

1. Do Nothing Subban returns in Game 2, business as usual

2. Suspend Subban for a few games

3. Fine Subban

4. Remove Subban from the entire playoffs (suspend indefinitely)

4. ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES: EVALUATING ALTERNATIVES

1. Do NothingStar player is on the ice, merchandise/ticket sales unaffected“Ref made the right call” – Subban the following day. By

admitting guilt, that may be sufficient.

BUT Is Subban actually remorseful (or just PR savvy)?Will Ottawa retaliate if it seems like this sort of behaviour is

tolerated?Does Quintal appear weak through inaction?

4. ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES: EVALUATING ALTERNATIVES

2. Suspend SubbanMore “Fair” – Ottawa lost a player, so should MontrealDeterrent for other players (intent to injure is

unacceptable)

BUTIs he just being punished because Stone got hurt?He already served a game misconduct – according to

rule #61.3, isn’t that the appropriate call?

4. ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES: EVALUATING ALTERNATIVES

3. Fine Subban“Hit ‘em where it hurts” – make him pay (financially) for his on-ice behaviour

BUTFor a guy earning $9 million/year for the next 8 years…

4. ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES: EVALUATING ALTERNATIVES

4. Remove Subban from playoffsAppears to be strict, no tolerance for blatant attempts to injure Make an example out of Subban (no one is above the law)

BUTWill this hurt the NHL brand?Will they start having to kick everybody out?

5. MAKE A DECISION & SUPPORT

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POSSIBLE ETHICS TOPICS DUE TUESDAY, APRIL 28TH

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