Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri has been handed a suspension for up to 5 games for his cross check on Boston Bruins’ winger Jake Debrusk.
The league stated the following:
“This is not a hockey play. Instead, this is a player retaliating against an opponent by using his stick as a weapon to make forceful and direct head contact. While we understand that Kadri took offense to DeBrusk’s hit against Marleau, players are simply not permitted to flagrantly violate league playing rules because they feel that retribution is justified. It is also important to note that Kadri has an extensive disciplinary track record that must be considered when issuing supplemental discipline.”
Toronto will now be without their most physical players for the rest of the series.
