Like picking Bjorn Borg in the French Open odds, I’m a bit behind the times here, as the Hawks look finished, but I figure I should weigh in on the Kronwall/Havlat hit that rocked NHL betting Friday night.

Let’s start by watching the hit again:

My thoughts: the league and refs probably handled everything right, but I’m not even totally convinced Kronwall deserved a penalty there. Most people would bet at the sportsbook that Kronwall left his feet to deliver that kind of impact, but he was flat-footed. Also, the play wasn’t interference, as Havlat was handling (or attempting to handle) the puck. In theory, I guess you could say Kronwall committed an NHL betting faux-pas by “hitting someone in a vulnerable position,” but where do you draw the line? Most guys carrying the puck are in a vulnerable position.

It’s not the end of the world that Kronwall got the boot from the game, and I can understand why the refs had to react quickly to what they saw, but I’m glad the NHL didn’t discipline him any more than that. It would’ve been a major detriment to any sports wagering fans resting their hopes on Detroit’s Stanley Cup odds.