Will The Leafs’ Nazem Kadri Be Disciplined For His Hit On Tommy Wingels?
Update: Kadri has been suspended three games for his hit on Tommy Wingels.
Nazem Kadri already has a well-earned reputation as one of the dirtiest players in the National Hockey League. He struck again in Game 1 on Thursday night, when he made an egregious hit on Bruins forward Tommy Wingels.
In the third period, soon after the B’s went up 4-1, Kadri lost his cool. With Wingels crouched over and battling for the puck, Kadri charged at him and launched off his feet with his backside, driving Wingels’ head-first into the boards.
Watch the play and judge for yourself:
Pure garbage from Kadri pic.twitter.com/jxKa0rWYX7
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) April 13, 2018
Wingels delivered a bit of a high hit prior to the incident, but that’s no excuse. In Kadri’s case, there should be no debate. It’s a suspendable offense by Kadri, who was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct for the hit. If the NHL is going to suspend Drew Doughty for what he did, which wasn’t nearly as ugly a hit, then Kadri should find himself suspended for at least a game. Perhaps 2-3.
The league will certainly factor in Kadri’s penalty when reviewing the play (assuming they do review it), as well as whether Wingels got injured. Bruce Cassidy said Wingels is still being evaluated and had no update. The coach described the penalty on Kadri as the “appropriate call.”
If Wingels avoided an injury, Kadri might be lucky enough to escape a suspension. He really should not. It was a dirty hit by a dirty player.
But the NHL has been anything but consistent with its punishments this season, so it’s frustratingly unclear what they’re going to do.
— By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
