Photo: ESPN
The NHL Department of Player Safety announced on Thursday that Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri has been offered an in-person hearing via Zoom for an illegal check to the head on St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk in the Avalanche’s 6-3 win in Game 2 of the first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series.
After Faulk shot the puck from the slot, Kadri delivered a high hit to the head and received a match penalty for it at 6:30 of the third period.
An in-person hearing hints the suspension could be at least six games long. The date and time of it has yet to be determined and will depend on whether Kadri accepts or waives his right to an in-person hearing.
“That’s a very dangerous hit. It’s gotta be a suspension,” Blues captain Ryan O’Reilly said. “He’s a repeat offender. It’s completely uncalled for. That’s awful to see.”
The 30-year-old has been suspended five times, including twice for an illegal check to the head, in his 668-game NHL career.
Colorado’s Nazem Kadri has been offered an in-person hearing via Zoom for an Illegal Check to the Head on St. Louis’ Justin Faulk. Date and time TBD.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) May 20, 2021
“The guy can’t control himself,” said Blues center Brayden Schenn. “In the playoffs, he’s a repeat offender. Bad hits. Greasy hits. He had a guy in a vulnerable position and he picked nothing but the head.”
Faulk left Game 2 and did not return.
The Avalanche lead the best-0f-seven series 2-0 as it shifts to St. Louis for Game 3 on Friday night (9:30 PM ET, USA).
By Harrison Brown
Kadri should get twice what Wilson got, if DOPS wants to prove its not a bleeping joke
Agree with you. He has a previous history, too. It will be interesting to see what he gets.
Toronto traded him to the Avs (for Kerfoot) after he had been suspended for misdeeds against the Bruins TWO years in a row. Hence, the Leafs were down a center, as a result, and they lost to Boston in post season. Granted, Kerfoot didn’t work out that well for them but Leafs figured if they could not count on him to keep his temper long enough to keep from getting suspended in the playoffs TWO YEARS IN A ROW, they figured it was time to move on from him.