Detroit Red Wings forward David Perron has been suspended six games for checking on Ottawa Senators defenseman Artem Zub on Saturday, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Monday.
Perron (35 years old) hit Zub in the side of the head, apparently in defense of his teammate Dylan Larkin, who received successive blows to the head and neck area from Ottawa strikers Mathieu Joseph and Parker Kelly that left Larkin motionless on the ice in the first period. From Saturday’s match. When play stopped, Byron saw Zub standing over Larkin’s body and checked Zub’s head in response. Peron was ejected from the game with a penalty for hitting with intent to injure.
As a result of his suspension, Perron will forfeit $148,437.48 of his salary to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
The left winger scored seven goals and six assists in the 26 matches he played this season.
The Red Wings are 14-8-4 and are in fourth place in the Atlantic Division. Their next six games are against the Dallas Stars (Monday), St. Louis Blues (Tuesday), Carolina Hurricanes (Thursday), Philadelphia Flyers (Saturday), Anaheim Ducks (Dec. 18) and Winnipeg Jets (Dec. 20).
Why was Peron suspended for six games?
According to an explainer video released by NHL Player Safety, the reason for the extra discipline for Perron’s cross-check on Zub (as opposed to the common cross-checking infraction) was because “it wasn’t a hockey game.” Instead, it was “a deliberate blow with a stick, intended to take revenge on an opponent.”
The video also notes that “the brunt of the impact of this blow is absorbed directly by Zob’s head due to the actions and choices made by Perron.” — Max Bultmann, Red Wings staff writer
What is Larkin’s status?
After remaining unconscious on the ice, Larkin was helped by his teammates and did not return to the game. He was placed on injured reserve Monday, retroactive to Dec. 9. He is unavailable to return for at least a week by virtue of being on IR, but there is no current time frame for his return. — Bultmann
How will Perron’s absence affect the Red Wings?
Perron is a major contributor for Detroit with 13 points in 26 games this year. He plays on the team’s senior power play unit, and is an alternate captain on the team. Losing him while Larkin is already down would be painful for the Red Wings, who are fighting for a playoff spot.
They will especially miss him below the goal line in the offensive zone, where he is their most skilled puck protector. – Bultmann
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