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Lightning’s Yanni Gourde Suspended Two Games

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The NHL Department of Player Safety is on a run. After assigning Ottawa Senators forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau a one-game suspension yesterday, they have stayed in the Atlantic Division with a punishment for Tampa Bay Lightning forward Yanni Gourde. Player Safety has determined that Gourde’s illegal check to the head of the Carolina Hurricanes’ Jordan Staal is worthy of a two-game suspension.

The ban is almost more of a three-game suspension, as Gourde was tossed from Thursday night’s game after the first period altercation due to a match penalty. This is Gourde’s first incidence of supplemental discipline, having never been previously suspended or fined, but he has already set a career-high in penalty minutes this season and his often overly-aggressive style and the clear intent of the hit were enough to levy a substantial suspension. Player Safety explained as much (video):

With one hand on his stick, Staal holds off (Ryan) Callahan and moves the puck to a teammates. As he does so, Gourde cuts across the front of Staal and delivers a forceful hit that picks Staal’s head, making it the main point of contact. On a play where such head contact was avoidable, this is an illegal check to the head. It is important to note that the head is the main point of contact on this play, as Gourde’s shoulder makes clear and forceful contact with Staal’s head. While we acknowledge Gourde’s argument that Staal was bent low and stumbling as he plays the puck, this hit does not meet any of the criteria for unavoidable head contact… Based on their relative positions on the ice, Gourde has angles of approach available to him that do not require hitting through Staal’s head. In addition, Staal’s head does not materially change position just prior to contact to cause it to become the main point of contact for a hit that otherwise would have been legal… Even before Staal stumbles, Gourde takes an angle that cuts in front of Staal’s core, picks Staal’s head, and makes it the main point of contact.

Gourde clearly used his hearing with Player Safety this morning to argue that the hit to the head would not have occurred if Staal – at 6’4″ – was not stumbling forward while Gourde – at 5’9″ – was trying to make the check. Player Safety throws out this explanation, stating that Gourde’s trajectory was always one with intent to hit a defenseless Staal in the head area. Fortunately, Staal was able to return to the game. The Hurricanes star has a history of concussions and an injury absence may have landed Gourde with a longer suspension. Instead, he will miss the next to games for the Lightning, who have little to play for having already locked up the President’s Trophy.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau Handed One-Game Suspension

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The decision has come down from the NHL Department of Player Safety and Ottawa Senators forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau will be suspended for his team’s next game. Pageau was assessed a minor penalty for boarding late in the second period of Wednesday night’s game at the Vancouver Canucks for a check on defenseman Ashton Sautner. However, the league felt that the altercation deserved further examination and held a hearing with Pageau this morning. The result is a one-game ban that will leave Pageau sidelined when the Senators travel to play the Calgary Flames tonight.

Player Safety opined that the hit in question was clearly made from behind and was a premeditated move by Pageau (video):

Sautner goes into the corner to collect the loose puck. As he tries to corral the puck while moving up the wall, Pageau is in pursuit from behind… Pageau delivers a hard hit into his back, driving him into the boards with force. This is boarding. It is important to note that from the moment Sautner collects the puck until contact is made, Pageau sees nothing but Sautner’s numbers. This is not a case in which a sudden move by Sautner just prior to contact turns a legal hit into an illegal one. Pageau has sufficient time to adjust his course and deliver a legal hit, minimize the force of the hit, or avoid the hit entirely. Instead he delivers this hit directly through Sautner’s back, driving him forcefully into the boards.

Pageau perhaps avoided further punishment due to the fact that he has no history of supplemental discipline, either by suspension or fine, as well as the fact that Sautner was able to return to the game in the third period. Nevertheless, his absence leaves Ottawa even more short-handed that usual. After trading away several core forwards ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline, Pageau was left as one of the de facto leaders of the Senators offense. Without him in the lineup, their minimal odds against the Flames are even worse. On top of that, it’s yet another missed game for Pageau, who was sidelined for the first half of the season with an off-season Achilles injury. His suspended game will be his 43rd absence in a season to forget.

Jack Eichel, Jakub Voracek To Have Disciplinary Hearings

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First Connor McDavid, now Jack Eichel. Even the NHL stars are finding themselves in trouble as the Department of Player Safety announced that the Buffalo Sabres’ star will have a hearing for hitting Colorado Avalanche forward Carl Soderberg in the head Saturday. Minutes after that, the DoPS also announced that Philadelphia Flyers forward Jakub Voracek will have a hearing for interfering with New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk.

The hit occurred in the second period of the Avalanche’s 3-0 victory (video here) where Eichel intercepts Soderberg who has the puck and clearly puts his shoulder into Soderberg’s face. The play resulted in a two-minute minor for an illegal check to the head. Coincidentally, the Eichel’s hit came not long after he took a severe hit to the shoulder from Colorado’s Nikita Zadorov that knocked his helmet off. While Eichel was upset at the lack of a call and then being hit with a penalty for his hit, it does mean a suspension of some kind is likely. Eichel has never been suspended before by the league.

Voracek will also get a hearing after interfering with Boychuk during the third period of the Flyers’ 5-2 win over the Islanders (video here). In the play, Voracek saw Boychuk streaking towards the puck and back-checked him in the head, knocking him to the ice. Boychuk was forced to leave the game and did not return. Boychuk also wasn’t at practice this morning, according to Newsday’s Andrew Gross. Voracek received a five-minute major for interference. Voracek has never been suspended either.

 

Jaden Schwartz Receives Max Fine For Cross-Checking

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Cross-checking is apparently the flavor of the week for the NHL Department of Player Safety. After handing Winnipeg Jets defenseman Ben Chiarot a maximum fine for cross-checking on Monday, they have assigned the same punishment to St. Louis Blues forward Jaden Schwartz, per an announcement. Schwartz will be out $5,000 as a result of his actions, the most he could be fined under the CBA.

The hit in question was on Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dougie Hamilton in last night’s game between the two teams, a convincing 5-2 Hurricanes win. Late in the first period, Hamilton delivered a hard, but legal check on Schwartz along the boards and Schwartz decided to retaliate with a cross-check up high on Hamilton. The decision cost Schwartz a two-minute minor right away, but has cost him even more in retrospect. It’s another knock against Schwartz in a disappointing season for the 26-year-old winger. Schwartz has just 28 points through 58 games and it could be that his offensive frustration is beginning to boil over into his checking game.

Player Safety might not be done dolling out discipline today. They have also announced that New Jersey Devils forward Kurtis Gabriel will have a hearing this afternoon in regards to a boarding penalty against the Philadelphia Flyers’ Nolan Patrick last night. So too will Winnipeg Jets forward Adam Lowry for what’s being called “high-sticking/slashing” on Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg. With the Devils set to face the Boston Bruins tonight, the department will likely act swiftly in their punishment of Gabriel following his hearing, while they can take more time with the Lowry decision as the Jets are off today.

Jets’ Ben Chiarot Receives Max Fine For Cross-Checking

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Even the NHL Department of Player Safety was busy on deadline day. Player Safety has announced that Winnipeg Jets defenseman Ben Chiarot has been issued a maximum fine for cross-checking Arizona Coyotes forward Nick Cousins in Sunday’s game. Per the CBA, Chiarot has been fined $3,763.44, equivalent to about one-fifth of a game check on his $1.6MM salary.

The hit in question came late in the second period with the Jets trailing the Coyotes 3-1. Chiarot delivered a hard cross-check to head/neck area of Cousins and was fortunate to only get a minor penalty on the play. The lack of further in-game punishment was likely a factor in the fine decision. Cousins remained in the game and Arizona held on to win, adding insult to injury in the whole ordeal.

While Chiarot has been known to be a hothead from time to time, it is important to note that Cousins is also a renown instigator. The Coyotes forward uses his ability to annoy the opposition and get them to react as one of the hallmarks of his game. While in this case Chiarot’s response was dangerous and over the top, it’s fair to assume that Cousins initiated the exchange, as he has many times before.

 

Kenny Agostino Will Not Face Further Discipline From Player Safety

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As the Montreal Canadiens prepare to take on the Detroit Red Wings tonight, they are fortunate to do so with forward Kenny Agostino in the lineup. Agostino, who has carved out a nice role for himself with the Habs this season, received a match penalty game misconduct in the first period of the team’s match-up with Minnesota last night for a late hit on the Wild’s Eric Fehr. Yet, missing most of the game and leaving his team shorthanded appears to have been a fitting punishment for Agostino in the league’s eyes. Sportsnet’s Eric Engels reports that no further discipline will come from the Department of Player Safety and instead Agostino will take the ice this evening.

The incident in question occurred early in the first period of last night’s game in Montreal. Agostino hit Fehr with a late check along the boards, despite having enough time to slow up after Fehr had passed the puck away. Fehr fell against the boards in front of his own bench and hit his face on the way down (video). The veteran forward left the game and did not return. Wild head coach Bruce Boudreau told the media today that Fehr is out tonight against the Boston Bruins but due to soreness and not any long-term injury. Both Fehr and Agostino logged just 25 seconds of ice time apiece in the game due to their early collision. In addition to a game misconduct, Agostino earned a major penalty for interference, a penalty that was partially reduced by Minnesota defenseman Nick Seeler who came to the defense of his teammate and fought Agostino, but at the cost of an instigator penalty. Not long after Agostino’s exit, the Canadiens also lost Shea Weber, who was took a puck up high and left the game. Down two skaters for much of the game, Montreal somehow still held the Wild to one goal albeit in a 1-0 defeat.

In his defense, Agostino has no suspension history or past dealings with the Department of Player Safety. While his check on Fehr was certainly late, it was not a heavy or high hit with an intent to injure, but the unfortunate way that Fehr landed caused most of the damage. Although the league could have thrown the book at him for a late, careless hit that caused an injury, the decision not to further discipline Agostino with a fine or suspension seems fair.

Throughout most of his pro career, an absence by Agostino would not have mattered much to his teams. The former AHL standout struggled to earn play time in stops with the Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues, and Boston Bruins, but has already set a career high in games played (28) and points (11) in Montreal. Agostino is still playing a limited bottom-six role, but improved physicality and extraordinary possession numbers have helped him lock up a spot in the Habs’ lineup. On a $700K two-way contract this season, the winger is a bargain for the Canadiens. However, the 26-year-old is surely looking forward to being a free agent again this summer following his current breakout campaign.

Montreal’s Phillip Danault Receives Max Fine For Tripping

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A late-game scuffle is going to cost Montreal Canadiens forward Phillip Danault. The Department of Player Safety announced today that Danault has been served with a $5,000 fine for a “dangerous trip” on Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad, the maximum fine for that type of penalty under the NHL CBA. While it the maximum amount that Player Safety may fine Danault, $5,000 is less than one-seventh of Danault’s next game check on his $3MM salary this season.

The incident in question occurred late in the third period, when Danault lodged his stick underneath the left knee of Ekblad after a scrum along the boards. Danault then used that leverage to upend Ekblad, causing him to topple to the ice. Ekblad responded immediately, chasing down Danault before the pair dropped the gloves. However, it was again Danault getting the takedown as Ekblad was once gain forced to the ice. Danault received a two-minute minor on the play for tripping in addition to the five-minute major for fighting that both players received.

While Player Safety properly saw fit to punish Danault further for the dangerous takedown and the Montreal center will be out a decent amount of money, it is safe to say that last night’s events were far more damaging for Ekblad. This was the first meeting between the Panthers and Canadiens since the preseason, when Max Domi earned a suspension for the remainder of the preseason for sucker punching an unwilling Ekblad. Many expected the big Florida defenseman to seek his retribution against Domi in this re-match, but again the 6’4″, 220-lb. Ekblad shied away from confrontation despite knowing that the much smaller Domi is usually a willing combatant. Instead, Ekblad waited until the last minute before engaging with Danault, not known for his physical prowess, and still ended up “losing” the fight after being taken down by the smaller Danault. It was Ekblad’s first bout of the season and only the fifth of his career, as the Panthers’ defensive cornerstone hasn’t felt the need to fight to prove that that he has the toughness to match his size and strength. Now that smaller Canadiens forwards have gotten the best of him twice, will he feel the need to prove himself?

David Backes Suspended Three Games For High Hit

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The Department of Player Safety has had their hearing with Boston Bruins forward David Backes and has opted not to be lenient with the respected veteran. Instead, Player Safety announced a three-game suspension for Backes, resulting from an “illegal check to the head” on New Jersey Devils forward Blake Coleman late in the third period of Thursday night’s game. The response from Player Safety is as follows:

As Coleman releases the puck, Backes delivers a shoulder to the head of Coleman, making the head the main point of contact, and knocking him to the ice. This is an illegal check to the head… (T)he brunt of the impact on this hit is delivered to Coleman’s head. It is also important to note that the head contact here was avoidable… If Backes wishes to deliver this check, he must take an angle of approach that hits Coleman’s shoulder and core. Instead Backes takes an angle of approach that cuts in front… making it the main point of contact.

Backes is a repeat offender by NHL standards, but also specifically for this type of hit. The power forward delivered a similar high hit to the head of Detroit Red Wings forward Frans Nielsen late last season and received a similar three-game suspension. At that time, a three games on his Backes’ violation seemed like a harsh penalty from Player Safety. This time around, so soon after the last incident and so similar in nature, anything less than three games likely would have been too lenient. The absence will also cost Backes approximately $220K.

Backes is set to miss a divisional bout with the Buffalo Sabres tomorrow night, as well as a tough match-up with the Calgary Flames on January 3rd, but Backes’ biggest regret is likely that he will not be able to participate in the Winter Classic on New Years Day, when the Bruins face the Chicago Blackhawks at Notre Dame Stadium. While this likely opens the door to young Bruins forward Anders Bjork earning a call-up in time to make a homecoming of sorts at his alma mater, the 34-year-old Backes may have cost himself his last chance to play in an outdoor game in his NHL career.

San Jose Sharks’ Erik Karlsson Suspended Two Games

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The Department of Player Safety announced that they have suspended San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson two games for an illegal check to the head Saturday against Los Angeles Kings forward Austin Wagner. Karlsson is expected to miss two Pacific Division contests, including tonight’s game against Arizona and then a Dec. 27 game against the Anaheim Ducks. Karlsson will be eligible to return on Dec. 29 in Edmonton.

It’s a blow for San Jose, who have seen an uptick in production from their big offseason acquisition. Karlsson has scored 11 points over the past 10 games (all assists). The incident occurred 2:33 into the second period when Karlsson checked Wagner in the neutral zone with his shoulder that appeared to hit Wagner’s head. Karlsson admitted Saturday that it was an accident.

“It’s one of those plays, I’m closing (the) gap, and he skates into me,” he said. “I don’t really even lean into him. I’m in his lane, and just shoulder-to-shoulder hit. Unfortunately he went down hard and he didn’t come back, and I hope he’s OK, but at the end of the day it’s a hockey play.”

Karlsson has never been suspended in his career and was fined just once for a slash in 2012. Under terms of the collective bargaining agreement and based on his annual average salary, Karlsson will forfeit $69,892.48, which will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Edmonton’s Jujhar Khaira Suspended Two Games For Cross Checking

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The decision was prompt by the Department of Player Safety and Edmonton Oilers forward Jujhar Khaira will now take a seat. Player Safety announced a hearing with Khaira this afternoon and apparently already had time to meet with the winger and make their decision already. The department has now announced a two-game suspension for Khaira for cross checking, stemming from an incident with St. Louis Blues defenseman Vince Dunn last night.

In the third period of Tuesday night’s contest, Dunn and Khaira went back and forth in front of the St. Louis net following a hard, but legal check by Khaira in the corner. Dunn made first contact, appearing to cross check Khaira in the shoulder. For his part, Player Safety already issued Dunn a maximum $1,942.20 fine for cross checking. However, in response, Khaira hit Dunn with a much harder cross check aimed at the head and neck area. In their descriptive video, Player Safety ruled the following:

While Dunn is the first player to deliver a cross check on this play, his cross check does not land as forcefully or directly as the one delivered by Khaira… Illegal actions by one player do not mean that their opponent can retaliate however they see fit. On this play, while Khaira is justifiably angered by Dunn’s illegal and unnecessary response to a legal hit, raising his arms to head level and delivering a sharp, forceful blow to his opponent’s head with his stick is not excusable.

This is Khaira’s first incidence of supplemental discipline, somewhat impressively given his hallmark physical style. However, the optics on this cross check did not work in his favor, as the shot to Dunn was far worse than the one he received himself. A two-game suspension is well within the realm of a reasonable response by player safety. Khaira will now miss the next two match-ups for the Oilers, as they continue their home stand against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday and the Vancouver Canucks next Thursday. Khaira is seventh in scoring for Edmonton, fifth among forwards, and his production will be missed in addition to his checking game while he sits for a week.

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