Oilers superstar may face suspension after clear intent to injure

The Edmonton Oilers played their first game following the firing of head coach Jay Woodcroft and assistant coach Dave Manson last night against the New York Islanders. The Oilers responded well to the coaching change with a 4-1 win, but it didn't come without some controversy.

Midway through the second period, Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl was engaged in a board battle with the Islanders' Bo Horvat. Horvat won the puck and cleared it, but as he was doing so, an apparently pissed off Draisaitl delivered a dangerous cross-check to the back of Horvat's knees sending him falling to the ice. Draisaitl received a minor for tripping on the play, but there was clear intent to injure here.


As of this morning, the NHL Department of Player Safety has yet to announce any supplemental discipline or hearing for Draisaitl, but that could change at any time. If it was someone other than Draisaitl or a player of his caliber, Player Safety would have likely announced a hearing or fine already, but as we have come to understand, supplemental discipline is rarely used on the league's stars.


A suspension is certainly warranted here, as this is not a hockey play in any way, shape or form. Draisaitl is clearly acting out of frustration, and had Horvat fallen back on his leg, he stood a very good chance of suffering a serious injury. If the NHL really does care about protecting its players, we'll hear from the Department of Player Safety at some point today.