Frank Nazar of the Chicago Blackhawks just got slammed with a two-game suspension without pay by the NHL on Friday night. This isn’t some minor infraction either, we’re talking about an illegal check to the head that happened Thursday night. The league is not messing around early in the season, and this kind of hit is exactly why.
The Hit That Got Him Banned
The incident went down against New York Islanders forward Bo Horvat. It was late in the game, just 1:35 left on the clock in the Islanders’ 4-1 home victory, when Nazar delivered the illegal check. The refs on the ice immediately hit him with a match penalty, which pretty much tells you how egregious it was in real time. But the on-ice call was just the beginning. The NHL reviewed it, and decided two games off the ice, plus a hefty financial hit, was the right call.
The League’s Message Is Clear
This isn’t just about Frank Nazar missing a couple of games. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Nazar is set to forfeit a cool $68,041. That’s a serious chunk of change to lose for one play. It’s a loud and clear message from the NHL that player safety, especially when it comes to headshots, is a top priority. They want these hits out of the game, and they are willing to make players pay for them, both in time and money.
So, Nazar is sidelined for two, and the Blackhawks have to adjust. This kind of punishment sets a precedent for how the league intends to handle these situations moving forward, reminding every player that illegal checks to the head will absolutely not be tolerated. Keep your heads up out there, fellas.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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