Detroit Red Wings forward David Perron was suspended six games by the NHL's Department of Player Safety for cross-checking Ottawa Senators defenceman Artem Zub on Saturday.
The incident occurred during the first period after Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin collapsed to the ice when he was hit in the head area by Mathieu Joseph and Parker Kelly.
Perron went after Zub in retaliation, catching the defenceman with a cross-check to the head. Perron was assessed a five-minute match penalty for intent to injure.
The Red Wings forward was offered an in-person hearing for the cross check, which gave the league the option to suspend him for more than five games.
If Perron wants to appeal the suspension, he would have to go to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, then to an independent arbitrator.
This is the league's longest suspension since February 2022, when Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand was suspended six games for roughing/high-sticking after an altercation with Tristan Jarry of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
In 26 games with the Red Wings this season, Perron has seven goals and six assists.
Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement and based on his average annual salary, Perron will forfeit $148,437.48 during the suspension. That money will go into the players' emergency assistance fund.
Larkin was put on injured reserve, along with left wing J.T. Compher and centre Klim Kostin, with undisclosed injuries before Monday night's game at Dallas.
Asked earlier Monday if Larkin had a concussion, Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said "that's not my category'' and that he would be listed with an upper-body injury. Larkin will be unavailable for at least a week.
"No time frame on it. We'll know more in the next few days,'' Lalonde said. "Unfortunate to lose a player of that calibre for an extended period of time.''
Lalonde said he spoke to Larkin for about 20 minutes Sunday night and that the 27-year-old centre was in good spirits. Larkin has 11 goals and 14 assists in 24 games this season.
— With files fro Associated Press
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