Malkin fined $5,000 for slashing Logan Stanley in Penguins-Jets game

Overview

• Evgeni Malkin was fined $5,000 by the NHL for slashing Logan Stanley during Saturday's Penguins-Jets game.

• Fans are split: some say the fine is fair, others argue it's too lenient and point to inconsistent officiating, especially regarding uncalled crosschecks.

• Many believe the monetary penalty is too small to impact star players, with some calling for harsher consequences to deter similar incidents.

Malkin fined for slashing Stanley

The NHL announced a $5,000 fine for Evgeni Malkin after he slashed Logan Stanley during Saturday's Penguins-Jets game. The incident, which happened in the heat of the moment, drew a range of reactions about Malkin's reputation for fiery play and whether the punishment fits the act. Many see the fine as a slap on the wrist for a star player, while others think it's a fair response to a dangerous play.

• Malkin wildly swinging his stick at an opponent? Never.

• He will never financially recover from this

• That’ll show him!

Debate over NHL officiating and consistency

A big part of the conversation is about consistency in NHL officiating. Many fans are frustrated that Malkin was fined for his retaliation, while the crosschecks he received from Stanley went unpunished. This has sparked debate about whether the league only penalizes the response and not the initial infraction, and if the Department of Player Safety is applying standards fairly across the board.

• DOPS is such a joke, Malkin fined for a in the moment slash but Cizikas against the Wings breaks his stick on Rasmussen's back off a face off and only gets a two minute penalty.

• Immediately after uncalled cross checks makes me care 0% about this

• I must have missed the announcement of Stanley's fine for that crosscheck to the ribs. Refs only penalize the retaliation; which is half the reason players retaliate.

Is the fine enough to deter future incidents?

A lot of fans are questioning whether a $5,000 fine is enough to deter future incidents, especially for high-earning players like Malkin. Some point out that the fine isn't even the maximum allowed under the CBA, and others joke that it's pocket change for NHL stars. There's a sense that if the league wants to change behavior, the penalties need to have more bite.

• They really need to make these monetary penalties mean something to players if they want to stop these plays. How about a game cheque.

• Just a gentle reminder $5,000 is not the maximum allowable. If DoPS wanted to hit Malkin with a maximum fine, it would have been $15,000. Still a pittance - but at least not a lie. [Source: CBA 18.7 (b)]

• Oh no not $5000! What a hefty fine for a pro athlete!

The Malkin-Stanley incident has reignited debates about NHL discipline and officiating standards. Whether you think the fine was fair or a slap on the wrist, the conversation is far from over—jump in and share your take on Reddit.