Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

NHL Player Safety

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

at CDT | by 3 Comments

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?

Max Domi To Receive Hearing With Department Of Player Safety

at CDT | by 2 Comments

In what was essentially a meaningless preseason affair for veteran players just looking to shake off the rust before the season begins, Max Domi may have risked the start of his Montreal Canadiens career. After coming together with Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad and attempting to start a fight, Domi quickly dropped his glove and delivered a punch to the unsuspecting Ekblad, knocking him to the ice. The NHL’s Department of Player Safety will have a hearing today with Domi over the incident, and could potentially hand out a suspension.

Domi did receive a match penalty for the punch, ending his night early in what would eventually become a 5-2 loss for the Canadiens. For a player who is expected to be the first line center in Montreal this season, it wasn’t a great first impression and could get even worse if a suspension is handed down today. It seems unlikely that Domi will miss any regular season games since the incident happened so early in the exhibition schedule, but nothing is certain at this point.

The Canadiens have a lot riding on the 23-year old Domi, and are hoping that he can experience a bounce back offensive campaign after scoring just nine goals last season in 82 games. While this doesn’t change those hopes, it certainly gets him off on the wrong foot.

Tom Wilson Avoids Suspension After Game 1 Incident

at CDT | by 16 Comments

11:50am: That didn’t take long. Kevin Allen of USA Today reports that there will be no disciplinary hearing for Wilson for the hit on Marchessault.

11:28am: Game one of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals took place last night, and perhaps not surprisingly Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals was involved in another questionable incident. Wilson appeared to hit Vegas Golden Knights forward Jon Marchessault well after he had distributed the puck, resulting in a skirmish and calls for another suspension. Wilson has already been involved in several incidents in the playoffs, and was suspended for three games after hitting Zach Aston-Reese up high in the second round. According to Greg Wyshynski of ESPN, the league is still considering what to do about the latest Wilson hit. In a tweet, Wyshynski explains:

As of about 20 min ago, no official word on Tom Wilson from NHL Player Safety. One source told me they see the hit as slightly if not egregiously late, but that lack of head contact (it was shoulder to shoulder) is a big consideration. Personally, would be surprised if suspended.

In this case, there is also another player to consider in any disciplinary decisions. David Perron of the Golden Knights appeared to jump onto the ice after the hit was made, and collided with Alex Ovechkin immediately. Perron was the sixth player on the ice for Vegas, and immediately engaged with the opposing team. Leaving the bench is supposed to be a 10-game suspension, as we saw earlier this year with Luke Witkowski of the Detroit Red Wings. Whether the league will determine that Perron was leaving the bench as a response to the hit will likely decide whether or not he sees any further discipline.

For Wilson, it’s just another example of how he uses his physicality to rile up the opponents. Marchessault appeared to be okay after the hit, which did not connect with his head, but was forced off the ice and into the dressing room for a time. As one of the Golden Knights’ key forwards, missing any time would be a big blow to the team’s hopes for the rest of the series. So too would another Wilson suspension, as the physical power forward has found a home on the Capitals’ top line next to Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Wilson has 12 points in 17 playoff games so far, nearly matching his total (19) from the entire 2016-17 season.

Jets’ Josh Morrissey Suspended One Game

at CDT | by 1 Comment

The NHL Department of Player Safety is staying busy this season, handing down yet another suspension. Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey has been suspended for Game Five of the Jets’ first round series against the Minnesota Wild for cross-checking Eric Staal in the head area. The check, which went unnoticed by the officials, was followed up moments later by a Winnipeg goal. Staal was able to return to the game, but that made the check no less dangerous and purposeful. As Player Safety explains in this video:

“Morrissey sees Staal and moves towards him, raising his stick… Morrissey raises his stick above his shoulders and makes sharp contact with Staal’s neck. This is cross-checking… This also is not a routine motion to box out an opponent. Staal is in Morrissey’s field of vision. There is no ongoing battle between the players. Morrissey is in control of this play and initiates contact… This is a reckless strike to an opponent’s neck with sufficient force to merit supplemental discipline.”

While Staal and the Wild are happy to have Morrissey out of the lineup for an elimination game on Friday, head coach Bruce Boudreau was frank that the lack of an in-game call cost Minnesota a win. Not only should the first goal of the game soon after not have happened, but the Wild should have enjoyed at least a two-minute power play.

Perhaps the Wild will get their revenge against a Jets blue line that is severely lacking right now. With Morrissey’s suspension on top of injuries to Tyler Myers and Toby Enstrom and the long-term injury absence of Dmitry Kulikov, Winnipeg may be left to employ all three of Joe Morrow, Tucker Poolman, and Sami Niku in Game Five, none of whom began the year as starters for the Jets. The suspension may also throw Paul Maurice for a loop; the head coach expected a hearing, but was adamant that Morrissey’s check did not have the requisite intent to warrant a suspension. However, Player Safety continues to play hardball in these playoffs.

Nazem Kadri Suspended For Three Games

at CDT | by 17 Comments

After much anticipation, the NHL Department of Player Safety has finally made their decision on Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri. Kadri, who had a hearing today regarding his charge and boarding of the Boston Bruins’ Tommy Wingels last night, learned his fate this evening. Kadri will be suspended for the next three games of the Leafs’ first-round series against the Bruins. Player Safety explained their decision as such (video):

“Kadri sees Wingels has fallen, and with sufficient time to adjust his course or minimize the force, instead drives recklessly into the defenseless Wingels, causing his head to dangerously impact the boards. This is boarding. It is important to note that Kadri is in control of this hit at all times… Instead of avoiding or minimizing this hit, Kadri drives his hip into Wingels’ upper body”.

What Player Safety doesn’t address is the context that also leads one to believe that the hit was intentional. Kadri had just served a minor penalty for boarding Wingels less than four minutes earlier and, just before the hit in question, Sean Kuraly had scored for Boston, giving the Bruins a commanding 4-1 lead late in Game One. Kadri has a history of losing his cool, as this is his fourth career suspension – all of which have come from dirty hits to the head area – another fact that Player Safety definitely took into consideration in issuing this lengthy ban. Also likely taken into account is the fact that Wingels did not return to the game last night and did not practice today (and now the Leafs will likely have to deal with Ryan Donato in Game Two and beyond). Down in the series, the Leafs will be forced to bounce back from a convincing four-goal loss without the services of a veteran top-six forward for three more games. Head coach Mike Babcock and Kadri’s Toronto teammates can’t be happy about what was honestly a thoughtless, selfish decision by Kadri in the team’s playoff debut. Kadri could live to regret it, especially if he’s already played his final game of the season.

Kadri’s suspension is already the second handed down by Player Safety this postseason and just two days into the action. Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty will serve his one-game suspension tonight for a high, dangerous hit to the Vegas Golden Knights’ William Carrier on Wednesday. Yet, some are upset that the number of suspensions is not even higher. The Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals traded cheap shots last night, with the Jackets’ Josh Anderson injuring Michal Kempny and the Caps’ Tom Wilson injuring Alexander Wennberg, but neither player received any additional punishment. Nashville’s Ryan Johansen also had a questionable check on Colorado defenseman Tyson Barrie that didn’t draw any league scrutiny. As always, the playoffs take the physicality to the next level, but this year has seen heavy hitting early and often. At least through two suspensions in two days, Player Safety has shown that they aren’t afraid to hit players with postseason suspensions.

Blue Jackets’ Ian Cole Fined For Dangerous Trip

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Department of Player Safety announced they have fined Columbus Blue Jackets’ defenseman Ian Cole $5,000, the maximum allowed by the CBA, for a dangerous trip on Vancouver’s Brandon Sutter on Saturday between the two teams.

The 29-year-old blueliner was given a two-minute minor for the incident. Cole was suspended for three games back in 2012 for an illegal hit to the head.

Cole was acquired at the trade deadline from the Ottawa Senators after they picked him up from the Pittsburgh Penguins days before. He has fit in nicely to the team’s lineup, but while there are rumors that Columbus has been discussing an extension, there is concern that the Blue Jackets might not be able to afford his pricetag as he will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. He has five goals and 15 assists this season.

 

Devils’ Miles Wood Suspended Two Games For Boarding

at CDT | by 7 Comments

1:01 p.m. — The Department of Player Safety have suspended Wood for two games for boarding Namestnikov.

8:53 a.m. — The Department of Player Safety announced they will hold a hearing today for the New Jersey Devils Miles Wood for his boarding of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Vladislav Namestnikov during Saturday’s game. Watch the video here.

Early in the second period, Wood appeared to leave his feet and delivered a hit to Namestnikov from behind, sending his head into the boards. To make matters worse, Tampa Bay teammate Andrej Sustr attempted to come to Namestnikov’s aid, but instead took a punch to the visor and sustained a bloody face.

Wood, who has had no previous suspensions, was given a two-minute minor penalty for boarding. He also received a two-minute minor for roughing for the fight with Sustr, which the Tampa Bay defenseman also received. To make matters worse for Tampa Bay, Wood also scored the game-winning goal.

Alex Burrows Suspended Ten Games

at CDT | by 6 Comments

When Alex Burrows was invited to a in-person hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety, it became known that the Ottawa Senators forward could be suspended more than five games. While the Senators squared off with the New Jersey Devils last night, Burrows got tangled up with Taylor Hall and seemed to intentionally and maliciously knee Hall in the head repeatedly. Player Safety saw the play the same way and tonight handed down a ten-game suspension for Burrows. Player Safety summed up the altercation as follows:

“In short, for the sole purpose of retribution, Burrows drags an unwilling opponent to the ice, punches him several times, then uses his knee pad to violently inflict more punishment on his opponent’s head… This is a dangerous and unjustifiable attack that runs the risk of severe injury and such plays will not be tolerated by the Department of Player Safety.”

This ten-game ban, more than 12% of the 82-game season and exactly one third of Ottawa’s remaining games, is the longest suspension of the season in the NHL. It’s no surprise that Burrows is the culprit, as the veteran forward has one of the more tarnished reputations in the league when it comes to dirty play. (Remember he bit Patrice Bergeron in the 2011 Stanley Cup Final). In fact, Burrows has already been fined $5,000 earlier this season for roughing, though that’s nothing compared to the $135,000 he is now set to lose.

Burrows does have the right to appeal the suspension, first to commissioner Gary Bettman and then to a neutral arbitrator, but such challenges are rare in the NHL and even more so is unlikely to be successful, given the clear graphic nature of the offense. Burrows will have to sit for ten game, unable to return to the Ottawa lineup until March. For the bottom-dwelling Senators, Burrow’s absence won’t mean the difference between making the playoffs or not. However, it does make last year’s trade, in which the Sens gave up promising prospect Jonathan Dahlen, that much harder to swallow.

 

Filip Forsberg Suspended For Three Games

at CDT | by 7 Comments

3:52 PM: Forsberg has been suspended for three games, the Department of Player Safety announced (video link).  He will be eligible to return on Saturday, February 10th.

8:36 AM: The Department of Player Safety announced today that Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg will have a hearing today for his hit on New York Rangers winger Jimmy Vesey during the Predators’ Saturday’s 5-2 win.

The incident happened during the second period of the game in which Forsberg skated backwards behind the net and collided with Vesey, leaving the second-year forward a bloody mess. Video link here.

There was no penalty called on the hit during the game. The highly debated hit brings many questions as it looks like Forsberg leaves his feet to make the hit and his elbow connects with Vesey’s face, suggesting it was malicious in nature.

Pacific Notes: Cogliano, Martin, Dell, Bellemare

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Department of Player Safety announced they will have a hearing today for Anaheim Ducks forward Andrew Cogliano for his illegal check to the head on Los Angeles Kings forward Adrian Kempe during the first period of Saturday night’s game between the two teams.

A possible suspension for the iron man Cogliano in jeopardy. The veteran has not missed a game since 2007 and has played 830 consecutive games, ranking fourth highest in NHL history, according to NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti. Elliotte Friedman added that he is just 134 games behind Doug Jarvis, who played with Montreal, Washington and Hartford between 1975 to 1988.

  • On his Headlines segment on Hockey Night in Canada, Friedman reports the San Jose Sharks are trying to trade defenseman Paul Martin. The veteran defenseman, in his third season with San Jose, was injured in the second game of the season and has only appeared in one game since then on Dec. 7. He played a four-game stretch of games in the AHL on a conditioning loan, but has been called up and has been a healthy scratch since. With the emergence of defensemen Tim Heed and Joakim Ryan on San Jose’s blueline, there is no place for Martin. With defenseman Dylan DeMelo about ready to be activated off of injured reserve, the team hopes to send Martin elsewhere. Martin played 159 games in his first two seasons with the Sharks. The problem is Martin is owed $4.85MM both this year and next, which might make moving the veteran much more difficult than it looks.
  • Paul Gackle of the Mercury News writes that while the Sharks are likely to move goaltender Aaron Dell before he hits unrestricted free agency this summer, the team cannot consider moving their backup goaltender until the last possible moment as the team finds itself fighting for a playoff spot. The Sharks are currently one point out of a playoff spot in a highly competitive race. “We need great goaltending in the second half,” head coach Peter DeBoer said. Due to the recent struggles of starter Martin Jones, the team doesn’t want to lose Dell too quickly in case Martin, who has struggled since the beginning of December, fails to bounce back. Gackle adds that in a perfect world, the team would try to send Dell off as soon as possible to get a fourth-line center or a wing.
  • The Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Steve Carp writes the Vegas Golden Knights avoided a possible injury Saturday in their game against Edmonton when forward Pierre-Eduoard Bellemare took a puck to the face off a shot from defenseman Darnell Nurse. The veteran tough-guy took three stitches and only missed one shift.

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

scroll to top