Nathan MacKinnon fined $5K for throwing helmet at Conor Garland

Arizona Coyotes right wing Conor Garland (83) and Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) fight in the third period at Ball Arena. Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon fined $5,000 for throwing helmet at Coyotes' Conor Garland

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 4/1/21

The NHL's Department of Player Safety announced on Thursday that Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowed under the collective bargaining agreement, for unsportsmanlike conduct against Arizona Coyotes forward Conor Garland in the third period of Wednesday's game that the Avalanche won 9-3.

With under six minutes remaining in the contest, MacKinnon and Garland scuffled in the corner. MacKinnon threw Garland to the ice during the battle and, in the process, removed Garland's helmet. The Colorado star returned the headgear by tossing it at Garland, which is a definite no-no per NHL rules.

MacKinnon received a 10-minute misconduct for the crime. His fine money will go to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

"I didn't see it until I saw the highlights. I thought if you did that you got some kind of ... I don't know if it would have mattered, but maybe get some more minutes on the power play. Keep those guys off the score sheet," Arizona coach Rick Tocchet said after the game, per Greg Wyshynski of ESPN.

"Nate is a competitive guy. I don't like seeing him get involved in every scrum, but every once in a while, he doesn't have a choice, and that might have been the case there," Colorado coach Jared Bednar added.

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