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Player Safety Makes Surprising Decision on Illegal Check to the Head By Leafs' Matthew Knies
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The NHL's Department of Player Safety has made a surprising decision on Leafs forward Matthew Knies' illegal check to the head on Thursday against Detroit.
The Maple Leafs are already heading into their season opener on October 8th down a man after Scott Laughton suffered an unfortunate and untimely lower-body injury on Thursday, which will see him sidelined for the next few weeks.
Matthew Knies Put Himself at the Mercy of the League After Illegal Check to the Head of Detroit's Simon Edvinsson
There was also some speculation that Matthew Knies may begin the season in the press box as well after being called for an illegal check to the head on Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson in Thursday's pre-season meeting between the two Original Six clubs.
The NHL's Department of Player Safety Will Not Pursue Supplemental Discipline Against Leafs Winger Matthew Knies
These are historically the types of hits that the league tends to crack down on, and with Player Safety often making an example of players in Toronto, some expected Knies to be suspended for a game or two as a result of the hit.
Thankfully for Knies and the Leafs, that does not appear to be the case as Player Safety did not offer Knies a phone or in-person hearing.
The fact that Edvinsson was not injured on the play and remained in the game was probably the deciding factor in the league's decision not to pursue any supplemental discipline for Knies, who was penalized on the play during the game.
For Knies, he has certainly dodged a bullet, as the hit was clearly an errant elbow straight to the head/jaw of Evindsson, and was entirely avoidable.
Perhaps the most surprising thing about this situation is that Knies didn't even receive a fine for the hit. Player Safety has already assessed fines to Hayden Hodgson, A.J. Greer and Nick Cousins for their various offences during the pre-season.
Knies is coming into the 2025-26 season on a high after signing a lucrative new six-year extension back in June.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 4 | 1221 ANSWERS Player Safety Makes Surprising Decision on Illegal Check to the Head By Leafs' Matthew Knies Do you think Matthew Knies should have been fined or suspended for the illegal check to the head of Detroit's Simon Edvinsson? | ||
| Yes | 357 | 29.2 % |
| No | 864 | 70.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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