Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri has officially been suspended for the remainder of the first round of the playoffs. The suspension will be between three games to five games and could keep Kadri out for the rest of the playoffs if the Maple Leafs do not advance.
Kadri had an two-and-a-half hour long in-person meeting with the NHL Department of Player Safety in New York City, Monday.
Video
Kadri was suspended for a cross-check to the face of Boston Bruin Jake DeBrusk. He was retaliating for a hit DeBrusk laid on Patrick Marleau.
Kadri was given a cross-checking penalty and ejected with a game misconduct. This is Kadri’s second playoff suspension in as many years, with last year’s taking place in the first round as well.
Toronto’s Nazem Kadri has been suspended for the remainder of the First Round for Cross-checking Boston’s Jake DeBrusk. https://t.co/doqkyMVrLS
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) April 15, 2019
“It is important to note that this is not a case in which Kadri’s stick rides up DeBrusk’s body or stick in some way before making contact with DeBrusk’s head,” the NHL states in the video. “This is also not a case in which Kadri loses control of stick while attempting to make an otherwise legal play, such as establishing body position or making a play on the puck.”
More from the NHL:
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri has been suspended for the remainder of the First Round of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs for cross-checking Boston Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk during Game 2 of the teams’ series in Boston on Saturday, April 13, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.
The incident occurred at 14:01 of the third period. Kadri was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for cross-checking.
