NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has affirmed the six-game suspension handed to Detroit Red Wings forward David Perron, the league announced Friday.
Perron returned Friday night against the Philadelphia Flyers after serving the suspension, but now can go to an independent arbitrator to try to get some salary back.
During the game’s broadcast, Red Wings play-by-play announcer Ken Daniels reported that Perron indeed intends to go to an independent arbitrator.
Perron initially appealed the suspension on Dec. 12, following an incident that occurred during a Dec. 9 game against the Ottawa Senators.
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 Artem 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.
Perron’s suspension is the longest since February 2022, when Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand was banned for six games after an altercation with Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry.