1:18: TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that Kadri’s hearing is scheduled for Monday.
8:31: It’s not a question of if Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri will be suspended, but rather for how many games. The aggressive forward will undoubtedly miss time for his second straight postseason after cross-checking Boston Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk in the face in last night’s chippy Game Two loss. Kadri received a major penalty and game misconduct, but the NHL Department of Player Safety was quick to announce that Kadri’s hit would be reviewed further and not via a phone hearing, but instead an in-person hearing. The date and time have yet to be revealed, but it will certainly be before the two teams square off again in Game Three on Monday night.
An in-person hearing allows for Kadri to be suspended for longer than five games, which seems like a very likely outcome in this case. In fact, the initial reaction to the hit from NBC analysts Eddie Olczyk and Keith Jones after the game was that Kadri could face upwards of ten games in this suspension. The hit in question was unquestionably egregious, after Kadri took issue with a hard but clean hit by DeBrusk on Patrick Marleau along the boards in the third period. Deep in the Bruins zone, Kadri cornered DeBrusk and delivered a cross-check right to the head area, taking DeBrusk down. It was nearly the exact same area in which Kadri intentionally boarded Bruins forward Tommy Wingels in the playoffs last year, which earned him a three-game suspension. At the time, that was Kadri’s fourth career suspension, for a total of 14 games, and his seventh punishment from Player Safety. After his eighth interaction with the Department in this upcoming hearing, it is safe to assume that the suspended games total will go up significantly. A repeat offender who has clearly not learned his lesson, Kadri seems likely to feel the full force of the Department. It is expected that they will take full advantage of the in-person hearing rule, banning Kadri for more than five games. He is unlikely to see the Bruins again this postseason and may have even played his final game already. His absence will be a big loss for the Maple Leafs.
As for DeBrusk, the response from many – especially in Toronto – has been that the Bruins forward deserves a second look of his own. Not only did DeBrusk check Marleau dangerously close to the curved-glass stanchion, but he also caught Kadri with a knee-to-knee hit earlier in the game. However, neither check was considered a penalty by the officials nor did they appear to have an intent to injure, and the expectation is that Player Safety does not have interest in further discipline for DeBrusk. In fact, the escalating aggression between Kadri and DeBrusk, which began in Game One and re-started early in Game Two, may only be used to justify keeping Kadri from a Round One return. DeBrusk’s health will also be taken into account, as the young forward did not return to the game after Kadri’s cross-check and his status is unknown for Game Three. All signs point to the tough youngster avoiding serious injury and being ready come Monday night, but his absence from the rest of the third period will be a factor in Player Safety’s decision.
Gotta be at least 5 games, worse than last year’s hit on Wingels and he’s a repeat offender. Debrusk’s knee on knee at best deserved a 2 minute minor as it could easily be argued an unintentional.
I hope it’s only 3 but gosh darn it that was the worst officiated game ever played and kadri has a legit argument against the league. Shame his team couldnt stick up for him like he stuck up for Patty
With their boss in attendance… and yet they’ll do nothing about it. This could have easily been nipped in the bud before it escalated at the officials did absolutely nothing. I was saying all game that was someone was going to do something stupid, and of course it was Kadri.
It’s really the refs fault for letting the game get out of hand, and if anything needs to happen those refs should be suspended.
Too bad the pos was too scared to stand up to Chara after his dirty hit
I’d say three but wouldn’t be surprised if it’s at least five. This guy needs to clean up his act. He’s approaching Tom Wilson level.
So its the refs fault Kadri is a dirty player and took yet another cheap shot on a defenseless player? Dont make excuses for this cheap shot artist.
Sean Avery arguably the dirtiest player ever called debrusk a dirty pos and that kadri shoulda taken a row of debrusks teeth out for his play in that game
Ah, you know if Sean Avery says something, it must be true. I’ll go ahead and listen to all the analysts and the league and the majority of fans who agree that the Debrusk hit was fine.
Throw the book at this douche. This just adds to his already shady history.
birds of a feather flock together
directed at Sean Averys comments
defenseless player? please explain that one
the debrusk hit wasn’t fine. was it against the rules? technically no however generally players have a code that you aren’t supposed to ride a guy along the boards into the corner stanchion.
anything 5 games or more is rediculous. this was less dirty than last year. debrusl wasn’t a defenseless player, saw Kadri coming.
while I agree a suspension is warranted, this cant be more than 2-3.
I also agree that the officiating is partly to blame for the third period of yesterdays game. certainly kadri is at fault for his actions but this officiating crew let this game get out of hand but not calling virtually anything till it was too late. i mean they called a very light high stick on Marchand but nothing on tavares. didnt call the clear elbow to mcdermott’s face.
and even in the third, Marchand was interfered with in the leafs end in the corner and there was no call.
usually fans of one team can be mad at the officiating but yesterdays officiating made that entire game a joke.
Suspension? I thought the refs we’re letting everything go last night… maybe if they’d police the game the players wouldn’t need to. Bring back enforcers now please
The Leafs will now activate Tie Domi !!!!!!!!!!!!
People crying about the refs come on it’s playoff hockey that’s what makes it one of the best things out there for sports there not calling all the tic tak penalty’s
Agreed case. I think the Debrusk elbow was the only thing that actually should’ve been called. Everything else that is getting whined about is just blatant homerism from both sides.
People crack me up. You really think that because the refs were letting them play, it’s their fault that Kadri crosschecked someone in the face.
If Kadri thought the DeBrusk hit was wrong, drop the gloves like a man. Don’t be a wuss and cheap shot the guy.
All being said, he’s getting 5-7 games easy because of intent and history.
I can’t decide if I want him gone for the series or face the consequences in game 5/6…
The Toronto fans trying to shift blame to the refs are absolute cowards. Kadri is the one who crossed the line, not the refs. Anyone defending Kadri or championing Avery’s words is a detriment to the game of hockey.
No doubt, he’s a dirty player anyway. It’s time to pay the piper. He a piece of trash anyway!!!
Well I certainly stirred the pot by saying the refs should be suspended, in all reality Kadri should be suspended.
Mixture Bill I agree. I’m a Toronto fan Hyman and Kadri where whining at the refs looking for calls suck it up and play your embrassing yourself and them. Don Cherry even said so in Coaches Corner. Kadri did cross the line there is no defending what he did. Babcock was trying to shut him up in game 1 when Toronto was leading Kadri was yapping at Debrusk. You don’t wanna wake a sleeping giant like Boston. Typical game two for Boston more physical, bumped Freddy numerous times, chippy after the whistle. Toronto played a excellent game one stayed away from that. What kinda game will game 3 be back in T.O one only know? Will the real Auston Matthews please show up!!
Someone had to do somthing. Personally I don’t think kadri should be suspended. Refs let way to much go. You can’t bruins running around hurting all the leafs best players.
He has a gripe against the league so that allows him to hunt down a player and cross check him in the head? The dude is one of the dirtiest players in the game, he deserves a lengthy suspension.
Tom Wilson was only suspended 3 times in his career but amassed plenty of PIM. This loser has been suspended 4 times and has plenty more actions from dept of player safety against him. I’d say he’s at Tom Wilson’s level
Yeah Sean is a reliable source to listen too. But yeah DeBrusk was a little rough but the knee to knee should have been a penalty but not a major
The lack of accountability in here is astounding
Ain’t that the truth!!!! Seriously, there are some CRAZY comments being made on here. I understand people seeing thing shaded towards their team’s side, but way too many people are being blinded by team loyalty to the point of senselessness. It’s one thing to play aggressive like Boston did last night and completely another to get rattled and play dirty out of frustration and anger like Kadri did.
I dont think many are saying this isn’t a suspendable offense. the point was more the officials lack of calling anything was bad. does kadri still do this? quite likely but the game also could have been different had there been more calls that were actual penalties.
also those believing in Keith Jones and his prediction have already lost credibility.
Right on man about the officiating. One of the worst ever for sure. Anybody who thinks letting everything go in the playoffs is good for hockey is a moron. Let the small stuff go -yes. But the goonery which is not good hockey should be called every time. If you like that kind of stuff watch wrestling or old time roller derby. Hockey is meant to be a game of skill. Clean checks with no intent to hurt or injure are certainly part of the game but that is where the line should be drawn. In this particular game everybody knew what Boston intended to do- which is bring on a full out barrage of goonery. The refs could easily have laid down the law right from the opening faceoff and kept the whole game under control. The thing everybody seems to be overlooking here is that the Kadri incident would never have happened if the refs hadnt been unbelievably willfully blind or ridiculously adamant in allowing Boston to get away with murder throughout the entire game. Debrusk should have been thrown out not once but twice, For the elbow to Dermott – 5 minutes and a game, and for the knee-on-knee hit – 5 minutes and a game. That is besides the 4 other penalties he should have been given. Also Pastrnak should have been thrown out for his leaping charge into Muzzin drilling his face into the glass causing a cut and obvious bleeding- 5 minutes and a game plus at least a one-game suspension. Kadri was targeted all night and had multiple infractions committed against him yet as usual he gets the big penalty call for a retaliation that was extremely deserved and no where near as vicious as it was made out to be. Yes- he deserved the 5 minutes same as Debrusk and Pastrnak deserved- but no worse under the circumstances.
Welp, add another to the list
Lol wizz I think we know who you cheer for. Should they get thrown out for shooting pucks at Andersen too?