Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl isn’t expected to face supplemental discipline for his hit on Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, Sportsnet confirmed on Tuesday.
Barkov left the game after taking a hit from Draisaitl along the boards in the Panthers’ end with 9:28 remaining in the final frame, immediately going down to the ice before being helped to the locker room by training staff. He didn’t return.
Draisaitl appeared to catch Barkov up high with an elbow and was assessed a minor penalty for roughing.
Barkov didn’t return to the game. He ended up with 17:47 of ice time and registered two shots and one block before exiting.
Draisaitl, per Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic, thought the hit was fine.
“I don’t think that’s frustration. It was just a hit. I don’t think there’s anything dirty about it. Maybe I got him a little high. Certainly not with intent to injure, though, or anything like that,” he said.
The 28-year-old Barkov had 80 points in 73 regular-season games for Florida this year. He has added 19 points and six goals through 19 post-season games.
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl is unlikely to face any disciplinary action for his hit on Florida Panthers’ captain Aleksander Barkov during a recent game. The incident occurred in the third period of the game when Draisaitl delivered a high hit to Barkov, causing him to fall to the ice.
Despite the severity of the hit, the NHL Department of Player Safety has determined that Draisaitl’s actions do not warrant any further punishment. This decision has sparked debate among fans and analysts, with some arguing that the hit was dangerous and should have resulted in a suspension.
However, the NHL’s rules on player safety are clear, and it appears that Draisaitl’s hit falls within the boundaries of what is considered acceptable within the league. While it is always important to prioritize player safety, it is also crucial to ensure that players are not unfairly penalized for physical play that is within the rules.
Draisaitl is known for his physical style of play, and while this hit may have crossed the line for some, it is ultimately up to the league to determine whether or not disciplinary action is necessary. In this case, it seems that Draisaitl will escape any further punishment for his hit on Barkov.
As the NHL continues to prioritize player safety and crack down on dangerous hits, incidents like this will continue to be closely monitored. While fans may disagree with the league’s decision in this case, it is important to trust in the process and respect the rulings of the Department of Player Safety.