Gary Bettman upholds NHL’s 8-game suspension for Nazem Kadri

The Daily Goal Horn |

May 31, 2021

May 19, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk (72) falls to the ice after being hit in the third period by Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (91) in game two of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Kadri would be ejected from the game for an illegal hit to the head. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The NHL on Monday upheld the eight-game suspension assessed to Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri.

Multiple media outlets, however, reported Kadri will appeal this decision to a neutral discipline arbitrator.

Exclusive: Nazem Kadri will now appeal a second time, to neutral discipline arbitrator Shyam Das. NHL and Avs/Kadri split the cost of the arbitrator. Das ruling will be binding
— Adrian Dater (@adater) May 31, 2021

Kadri was suspended following an illegal check to the head of St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk during Game 2 of their first-round series on May 19.

The initial suspension was announced two days later by the NHL Department of Player Safety. The NHL Players’ Association filed the appeal on May 23 before Commissioner Gary Bettman heard from Kadri on Thursday.

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NHL upholds Kadri suspension

nazem kadri suspension — May 19, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (91) checks St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk (72) in the third period in game two of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Kadri would be ejected from the game for an illegal hit to the head. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK (May 31, 2021) – NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman today upheld the eight-game suspension that was assessed to Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri by the Department of Player Safety for an illegal check to the head against St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk during Game 2 of the teams’ First Round Stanley Cup Playoff series on Wednesday, May 19. Commissioner Bettman heard Kadri’s appeal of the original decision, assessed May 21, at a hearing on May 27.
NHL

Kadri didn’t play in Games 3 and 4 against the Blues, both won by the Avalanche, as well as Colorado’s 7-1 romp versus the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday in Game 1 of the second-round set.

It is Kadri’s third suspension in four years. The then-Toronto Maple Leafs forward was banned three games after a high hit on Boston forward Tommy Wingels in 2018, and a year later was suspended for five games after a cross-check to the head of Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk.

Kadri, 30, posted 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists) in 56 games during the 2020-21 season and has 425 points (191 goals, 234 assists) in 668 career games with the Leafs and Avalanche.

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–Field Level Media