Update (12:37 PM): Helene St. James has quotes from Kris Draper (who didn’t notice it) and Jordin Tootoo (who claims it was an accident) on the incident. - Mat
Intentional a la Simon? No. Still dangerous a la Pronger? Yes. Will anything come of it? We’ll see.
It seems like it would be difficult to determine whether there was intent to injure, it was an uncalled for move by Tootoo to use Draper’s back as a stepping stone.
I doubt anything will come of this because it looks like Tootoo can do no wrong even with his track record of being a cheap shot artist and general nuisance on the ice.
The NHL and the refs have looked the other way on several instances in this series (see: the double standard between what they consider a Holmstrom crosschecking versus him being the recipient of one, Tootoo leaving his feet every single time he attempts to hit Chelios or Drake) and I don’t think the league will think twice to reexamine Tootoo’s actions.
It’s wishful thinking, but as dirty as Tootoo is, he seems to be protected by a higher power.
The NBC announcers did nothing but sing Tootoo’s praises in their broadcast, with not a word for any of the future hall-of-famers on the Wings. He’s safe.