I don't like this decision but the NHL has only themselves to blame. Their record on suspensions is hardly consistent. The overriding rule only appears to be if you are a star player, you get special treatment. If you are a journeyman, they throw the book at you. Judges are very big on  precedent. If they could point to a working system of increasing disciplinary action for offences like this, they would have a much better chance of convincing judges and arbitrators.