Patrick Maroon was ejected from last night’s Edmonton-Los Angeles game after a hit on Drew Doughty, and that won’t be his only punishment. Maroon has been suspended two games by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. Maroon came together with Doughty in the corner before the Kings’ defenseman had ever touched the puck. As the accompanying video explains:
While we understand that Maroon reasonably anticipated that Doughty would get the puck, the onus is on the hitter that the player he is hitting is eligible to be checked and that the hit is delivered legally. On this play, at the moment Maroon commits to the hit, the puck is in the possession of [Connor] McDavid.
In addition to this hit being interference, what causes this hit to rise to the level of supplemental discipline, is the significant force and substantial head contact that occurs.
Maroon, despite being a physical player, has never been fined or suspended by the DoPS previously, making this a steep penalty for a first-time offender. This is exactly the type of hit to the head the league has been trying to eliminate, as Doughty was an unsuspecting opponent that had no chance of defending himself.
The Oilers will have to go without Maroon for the next couple of matches, with him eligible to return on Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Dirty hit + 3 goals on the major, an L + a suspension. Maroon really is garbage
What a maroon
I can agree with the suspension but I don’t necessarily see something worthy of a game misconduct penalty there. Players get boarded or slashed much worse, and with more intent, and get a minor penalty.
On a side note, I do really like the NHL releasing videos explaining their decision. I don’t know if the NBA, NHL, or MLB do similar things, but wouldn’t be a bad idea. I think it would be very beneficial for the NFL as they might actually create some consistency with their suspensions/fines if they did release videos with an explanation for the punishment levied.