Zachary L’Heureux Suspended Three Games

1/2: The NHL has announced a three games suspension for L’Heureux. It’s the first suspension of his NHL career. L’Heureux built up a long rap sheet while playing junior hockey, ultimately sitting out of 36 games across four seasons in the QMJHL due to suspension. He will be eligible to return on January 11th, when the Predators host the Washington Capitals.

1/1: Predators winger Zachary L’Heureux injured Minnesota defenseman Jared Spurgeon in the second period of Tuesday’s game on a slew-footing incident.  The play (Twitter link via 102.5 The Game’s Nick Kieser) saw the rookie receive a match penalty on the play, creating an automatic review.

Following that review, it was announced that L’Heureux will have a hearing on Thursday about the hit.  Michael Russo of The Athletic clarifies (Twitter link) that it will be a phone hearing.  The maximum penalty for a phone hearing is five games.

L’Heureux was recalled to Nashville’s roster just two weeks into the season and he has been a regular in their bottom six since then, averaging 11:31 a night of playing time.  The 21-year-old has played in 33 games so far, picking up four goals and five assists along with 106 hits and 32 penalty minutes in those outings.

Assuming a suspension comes his way, it will be the first NHL ban of L’Heureux’s career.  However, it’s worth noting that he was suspended nine times in the QMJHL while also receiving a pair of suspensions last season in the minors.  None of those will be taken into consideration here, however, since they occurred at other levels.

With Cole Smith on injured reserve, the Predators are now down to just 12 healthy forwards on their active roster.  With a potential suspension looming for L’Heureux, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Nashville recall a forward or two from AHL Milwaukee before Friday’s game against Vancouver.