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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.

Tyler Bertuzzi Suspended Two Games For Unsportsmanlike Conduct

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The NHL Department of Player Safety reviewed the film from last night’s Detroit Red Wings-Colorado Avalanche contest and confirmed, as many already have, that Wings’ forward Tyler Bertuzzi was indeed guilty of a cheap shot on Avs’ veteran Matt Calvert. Bertuzzi sat for his hearing with Player Safety earlier today and this evening they have announced a two-game suspension for the big winger.

What makes this situation unique is that Bertuzzi was not even on the ice when the “unsportsmanlike conduct” occurred. As Player Safety’s descriptive video shows, Calvert received a hit by Detroit defenseman Mike Green in front of the Red Wings’ bench in the third period. Calvert’s stick, while still in his grip, fell into the laps of the seated Red Wings and several, although primarily Bertuzzi, hold the stick, preventing Calvert from jumping back into the play. When Calvert attempts to jar his stick loose by shoving it toward Bertuzzi, a scrum begins in which Dylan Larkin grabs Calvert and holds him in front of the bench. Bertuzzi took this opportunity to deliver several punches, including a final bare fist punch to Calvert’s head. Player Safety admits that defensive altercations on the bench are common, but Bertuzzi’s actions “rise to the level of supplemental discipline” as roughing/unsportsmanlike conduct, to put it kindly. They were convinced of the “intentional nature of the punch and the force with which it was delivered”, believing this is “not a reactionary or defensive play in any way.” Player Safety determined that a two-game suspension was fitting for Bertuzzi, although this is a stain on the player’s reputation that will last far longer.

Although this is Bertuzzi’s first suspension and a penalty was not even called, the cheap nature of the punch to a defenseless player being held by another teammate is bad optics to say the least. Bertuzzi has avoided discipline thus far in his career, but moving forward may struggle to hide from the looming shadow of his uncle’s legacy. Todd Bertuzzi, a good hockey player and tough competitor, will forever be remembered instead for his role as the on-ice assailant of Steve Moore in a 2004 match-up between the Vancouver Canucks and ironically the Avalanche. Bertuzzi hit Moore in the back of the head and drove him into the ice. Moore suffered career-ending neck and head injuries from the hit. Bertuzzi was suspended for 13 games, but was also served with criminal and civil charges. Bertuzzi was never able to escape the disdain that many fans felt and still feel towards him and his nephew, Tyler, would be better served to clean up his game as soon as possible to avoid drawing any further comparisons to his notorious relative.

Penguins’ Matt Cullen Fined For Dangerous Trip

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The NHL Department of Player Safety has made a ruling today on an incident that no one has considered ripe for supplemental discipline. Player Safety announced that veteran Pittsburgh Penguins center Matt Cullen has received a $1,000 fine for a “dangerous trip” of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s J.T. Miller in last night’s game. A minimum fine by any measure for a pro athlete, $1,000 equates to 0.0015 of Cullen’s $650K salary or approximately one-eighth of his game check.

The incident in question occurred late in the first period of a 4-3 win for the Lightning. Cullen’s stick appeared to jab Miller in the back of the right leg as he was about receive a pass in the offensive zone, sending the Bolts forward toppling backward. Cullen was assessed a two-minute minor penalty for tripping and Brayden Point scored on the resulting power play for Tampa Bay. Apparently, this was not enough for Player Safety who, while not expanding on their decision, felt that this trip qualified as “dangerous” and worthy of a fine.

Cullen recently voiced his opinion about the NHL’s system of punishing its players, citing his displeasure with the appeals process and the overturned suspension by a neutral arbitrator of rival Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson. Cullen, 42, is a well-respected veteran player who himself likely has a future beyond his playing days with the league or in a front office. Yet, there would be quite a degree of comical irony if he was to appeal his own minor punishment, perhaps even all the way to a neutral arbitrator. Seeing as this fine is relatively random, he may even have a case. Cullen, of course, is unlikely to move forward with an appeal of $1,000 fine unless only to display his own opinion on the redundancy of the NHL’s appeals process.

Winnipeg’s Brendan Lemieux Will Get Hearing With Department Of Player Safety

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Sunday: The Department of Player Safety announced that Lemieux’s hearing will take place Monday afternoon.

Saturday: The Department of Player Safety announced that there will be a hearing for Winnipeg Jets forward Brendan Lemieux for his illegal check against Florida Panthers forward Vincent Trocheck Friday in the NHL Global Series in Finland. No time and date have been set yet.

Lemieux clipped Trocheck directly in the head as he passed by him in the neutral zone (video here) during the second period of the game. Lemieux was given a match penalty, triggering an automatic review of the hit. Immediately after, Lemieux and Florida Panthers’ MacKenzie Weegar got into a fight with Lemieux ejected afterwards.

Lemieux, the son of former NHLer Claude Lemieux, is still trying to find his scoring touch as he hasn’t posted a point so far in nine games this season and only has one NHL goal to his name, picked up last season. The 22-year-old was a second-round pick back in 2014 and accumulated 300 penalty minutes in two seasons in the AHL.

Blackhawks’ Duncan Keith Unlikely To Face Supplemental Discipline

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Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith had a short night against the Calgary Flames last night. The veteran logged just 37 second of ice time, as he was ejected from the game on just his second shift, less than three minutes into the first period of the game. Keith was guilty of a boarding call on Flames rookie forward Dillon Dube, when he smashed Dube head-first into the end boards (video). Keith was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct, ending his night before it had really begun.

However, The Athletic’s Mark Lazerus hears that no additional discipline is coming for Keith. Seeing as Keith was ejected so early into the game, the misconduct operated more or less like a one-game suspension. Lazerus calls this already a “significant penalty for what was a borderline hit”. Lazerus is not wrong; the hit looks bad, but also isn’t a typical “between the numbers” boarding call. Dube was hit with force, but more from the side and with some sense of where Keith was coming from. A game misconduct is a debatable response to such an incident.

Yet, a couple factors do work against Lazerus’ claims. First, Dube did not return to the game and may have suffered a lasting head injury. Second, the last time Keith was in trouble, the league got it wrong. At the tail end of the 2015-16 season, Keith was suspended for the final five regular season games and first postseason game for the Blackhawks after a violent slash to the face of Minnesota Wild forward Charlie Coyle. Intentional, dangerous, and not unprecedented – Keith had a similar slashing incident with the Los Angeles Kings’ Jeff Carter in the 2013 playoffs – Keith somehow escaped with just six games when Boston Bruins defenseman Marty McSorley received a season-long suspension for his notorious slash back in 2000. The league was simply far too lenient in their response and the suspension was universally panned. This would be a chance to make up for that mistake which, even three years later, is still fresh. At the end of the day, Keith is probably safe, but the NHL Department of Player Safety will certainly take a look and has fair reason to tack on a fine or suspension.

Poll: Should Christian Fischer Face Discipline For Hit On Jamie Benn?

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Flying under the radar today was one of the more dangerous knee-to-knee hits in recent memory that occurred last night in the opening game between the Arizona Coyotes and Dallas Stars. Late in the first period, Coyotes forward Christian Fischer was facing down none other than Stars captain Jamie Benn as he crossed the red line on a rush. Fischer decided the best course of action was to extend his left leg as Benn cut to left, making direct contract with Benn’s left knee and sending him airborne from the contact (video). The trip cost Fischer two minutes for a minor kneeing penalty, but 24 hours later there has been no word on any other supplemental discipline from the NHL Department of Player Safety.

On one hand, Fischer made a split second decision to both slow the rush and brace himself against the charging Benn. It wasn’t the type of hit typically targeted by Player Safety and did not appear to have much forethought or intent to injure. Although clearly a penalty, Fischer served his time and, to some extent, justice was served.

However, this also seems like the type of incident that has gone unnoticed almost entirely due to the result. Not only did Benn get right up, seemingly totally uninjured, but he went right back at Fischer. He also finished the night with two assists and looked perfectly healthy. Had Benn instead suffered a massive knee injury, as was entirely possible from such a check, the likelihood that Player Safety would have looked into the loss of one of the league’s top players is extremely high. Fischer was fortunate that Benn was not seriously hurt and, even if the decision was made in haste, knew full well that knee-to-knee contact could have had a disastrous result. Yet, he still decided to throw his leg into the path of the speeding Benn.

Player Safety tends to respond quickly to incidents such as these, sometimes announcing a hearing and sometimes even recognizing a controversial event and confirming that there would not be any supplemental discipline. At this point, Fischer’s knee has somehow gone totally unnoticed. Is this just a minor penalty that simply looked dramatic on the ice? Or was this a dirty play by Fischer that was dangerous and/or intentional and deserving of punishment?

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