Vancouver Canucks defenceman Nikita Zadorov will have a hearing on Saturday night for an illegal check to the head of Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced.
Zadorov’s hit on Raymond came at the 4:11 mark of the second period in the Canucks’ 4-3 overtime loss to Detroit on Saturday.
Raymond, who opened the scoring for Detroit in the first period, left the game momentarily but did return. Zadorov was assessed a five-minute match penalty, leaving the Canucks with five defencemen for most of the game.
The 28-year-old hasn’t faced punishment from the Department of Player Safety in his career up to this point. Because Zadorov already missed the majority of the game on Saturday, and because he’s never even been so much as fined by the NHL — not to mention the fact that Raymond appears no worse for wear — it would be surprising to see anything more than a fine come sent Zadorov’s way.
Acquired by the Canucks from the Calgary Flames back in November, Zadorov has tallied four assists through 27 games played with the Canucks. He registered a goal and five assists through 21 games with the Flames prior to the trade. He is slated to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
Was it a legal hit? Will the NHL hand out a suspension? How does the appeal process work? Who is the heavyweight champ? Every Tuesday, Ryan Pinder & former NHLer Jay Rosehill are in your Department of Discipline. Tune in to catch their takes on some of the most scrutinized parts of hockey. Check it out and subscribe to catch the latest episodes!
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