Florida Panthers Forward Facing Potential Suspension After Ejection For Dirty Play
Sam Reinhart may end up facing punishment for his vicious knee on knee hit on Isac Lundestrom as the NHL will no doubt have a keen eye on the incident.
The NHL has been busy this season when it comes to doling out punishment to its players for some pretty egregious actions. Players like Ryan Reaves, Tanner Jeannot, and Matt Rempe are just a few names who have felt the wrath of the NHL Player Safety Department.
While the League has done its best to try and curb the amount of dangerous hits and injuries, there is still the risk of players getting caught up in the wrong situation at the wrong time.
However, the League might be less lenient on Sam Reinhart after his egregious and vicious knee on knee hit to Anaheim's Isac Lundestrom.
Sam Reinhart's Punishment May Go Beyond Just An Ejection
While it wasn't as vicious as say, Matt Rempe's elbow earlier this season it was still a nasty bit of checking from the normally level-headed Reinhart.
Not only did he receive a five minute major on the hit, he also got a game misconduct as Reinhart seemed to wait until Lundestrom's knee was parallel to his before laying in the hit.
Lundestrom ended up leaving the game and not returning as announced by the Ducks.
The NHL often takes injuries into account as the CBA states:
(a) The type of conduct involved: conduct in violation of League Playing Rules, and whether the conduct is intentional or reckless, and involves the use of excessive and unnecessary force. Players are responsible for the consequences of their actions.
(b) Injury to the opposing Player(s) involved in the incident.
(c) The status of the offender and, specifically, whether the Player has a history of being subject to Supplementary Discipline for On-Ice Conduct. Players who repeatedly violate League Playing Rules will be more severely punished for each new violation.
(d) The situation of the game in which the incident occurred, for example: late in the game, lopsided score, prior events in the game.
(e) Such other factors as may be appropriate in the circumstances."
Reinhart's hit would be classified as section b) under the CBA and would be justified if he were to receive a one or two game ban.
This season for the Panthers, Reinhart has registered 27 goals and 24 assists as Florida tries to regain control of the Atlantic Division.
