NHL Department of Player Safety Reaches Controversial Decision on Whether or Not to Suspend Andrei Svechnikov
Photo credit: Sportsnet
The National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety has reached a decision on whether or not they'll discipline Andrei Svechnikov for hit on Filip Hronek.
Adam Foote's group opened up a three-game road trip on Friday night against the Carolina Hurricanes and after being without captain Quinn Hughes due to an undisclosed injury, the Canucks finished the game without the other member of their top pair - Filip Hronek.
In the third period, Carolina Hurricanes forward Andrei Svechnikov elbowed Filip Hronek in the head, forcing the Canucks blueliner to leave the game after being pulled by a concussion spotter and with no penalty called on the play, his agent, Allan Walsh, was not too pleased.
"Here we go again! The National Concussion League. Open season on NHL players' brains. No call on the play. If only the referee were in a position to have a clear view of the play." Walsh said.
Department of Player Safety reaches decision on whether or not to suspend Andrei Svechnikov
As Vancouver Canucks fans awaited word about potential supplemental discipline for Andrei Svechnikov on Saturday morning, they ended up being quite disappointed.
According to Rick Dhaliwal of Donnie & Dhali, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety has decided not to issue a suspension or fine to Andrei Svechnikov for his hit to the head on Filip Hronek.
"There is no discipline coming for Andrei Svechnikov and his elbow on Filip Hronek last night.
While it could have been called a penalty on the ice, the movement of Hronek as he is moving the puck substantially contributes to the hit to the head rather than Hronek's arm." Dhaliwal said.
While it could have been called a penalty on the ice, the movement of Hronek as he is moving the puck substantially contributes to the hit to the head rather than Hronek's arm." Dhaliwal said.
The decision has come as a big surprise to many and as expected, one of those who is frustrated is Filip Hronek's agent Allan Walsh, who took to social media to express his displeasure with the league, Gary Bettman and George Parros.
"The Parros Kangaroos declare open season on players' brains. No penalty, no fine, no suspension. Nothing to see here. Reminder that Gary is the ONLY person in pro sports that denies a link between blows to the head and #CTE." Walsh said.
Hronek, who has nine assists in 19 games this season, has been an important piece of the Canucks' blue line ever since he arrived in Vancouver and if he happens to be out for an extended period of time, it'll be a devastating blow for a team that's already missing several key players.
Previously on Canucks Daily
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