Sestito doesn't 'really agree' with suspension

EDMONTON, Alberta -- Generally speaking, Tom Sestito is great at generally speaking.

Not so Friday afternoon, the day after the NHL suspended the Penguins' enforcer four games for boarding the Jets' Toby Enstrom in Winnipeg, he appeared to choose his words carefully and didn't come close to approaching his usual candor.

"I really don't agree with the four games, but we've got no choice but to serve 'em, so I'll take it in stride and go from there," Sestito said after the morning skate at Rogers Place.

I asked Sestito to describe the play, including whether or not he'd seen Enstrom's numbers, per the NHL guideline for avoiding a check from behind, particularly near the boards.



"I saw him look over his shoulder, and we made eye contact," he replied. "He knew I was coming, so I thought he would take the hit. Things happen quickly out there. I know they analyze it frame by frame and it looks like I could have changed direction. But in my mind, I thought he saw it coming. I don't mean for him to get hurt. I hope he has a great recovery."

Enstrom was hospitalized because of concerns regarding facial fractures, but he turned out to have none. He has been diagnosed with a concussion, and the Jets say he will be out indefinitely.

I also asked Sestito how much the burden has shifted overall in hockey away from the player with the puck when it comes to protecting himself along the boards or with his back to the play.

"I think the onus has to be on the player with the puck," Sestito replied. "Know where you are on the boards. You know, I think the players have to ... maybe I can avoid, somehow, going into the boards. But I thought he made eye contact with me, so he knew I was coming."

Asked about his emotions over the past 48 hours, Sestito replied, "It's not a fun thing to go through, especially when you see a guy get hurt. You don't want to see that. You know, it's a long process. That 24 hours seemed like it took three days. I got through it. I'll sit my time and, hopefully, get back to playing."

Mike Sullivan mostly declined comment on Sestito's suspension, saying, "We respect what the league does. I just know Tommy didn't mean to injury anyone."