The National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety (DOPS) announced Tuesday that Vancouver Canucks forward Nils Hoglander has been fined $2,864.58, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for slew-footing San Jose Sharks forward Kevin Labanc during Monday's 3-1 victory.
Hoglander was assessed a match penalty for "intent to injure" on the play as the second period wound down and the Sharks received a five-minute powerplay. As the third period began, it was Sharks forward Tomas Hertl who notched a powerplay goal.
The 22-year-old has tallied three goals and five assists for eight points in 17 games this season and had scored in back-to-back games prior to meeting San Jose. Last season during the 2022-23 campaign, Hoglander split time in the NHL and with the Canucks AHL affiliate the Abbotsford Canucks; where he worked on his development and notched 32 points in 45 games. He added an additional six points in six AHL playoff contests. His hard work earned him a contract extension, Canucks GM Patrik Allvin signed the fellow Swede to a two-year contract carrying an AAV of $1.1M.
Hoglander was originally selected in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft by the Canucks. In his draft year, he played for Rogle RK Angelholm in the Swedish Hockey League. He scored seven goals and 14 points in 50 games that year as the youngest player on the team.
Hoglander made the jump to the NHL during the 2020-21 season when he put up 13 goals and 27 points in the COVID-19-shortened 56-game season. He ended up eighth in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy that season, for the top NHL rookie. He was between Ty Smith and Tim Stutzle with 24 Calder votes.
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