Matt Hendricks suspended 3 games for boarding Aaron Ekblad (Video)
The fact that Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad missed Monday night’s game in Vancouver didn’t bode well for Matt Hendricks’ chances of avoiding a suspension.
The Edmonton Oilers forward drilled Ekblad into the boards on Sunday night, and while the reigning Calder Trophy winner played three more shifts he entered concussion protocol and was scratched against the Canucks.
Late Monday night, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced that Hendricks has been suspended three games.
Ekblad didn’t make any late or sudden movements to change his body position before the hit, and Hendricks sees his numbers the entire time. As Patrick Burke notes, and as many of these DoPS suspension videos point out, Hendricks needs to either pass up the opportunity or tie Ekblad up rather than drill him violently against the boards.
The suspension will cost Hendricks $29,838.72 in salary and he’ll be eligible to return next Monday when the Oilers and Panthers meet again.
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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy
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