The Department of Player Safety has decided that Joe Thornton’s hit on Mathieu Perreault last night did not rise to the level of a suspension, issuing the Toronto Maple Leafs forward a $3,017.24 fine for interference instead. Perreault left the game for a time but ended up returning to action for the Winnipeg Jets. That is the maximum allowable amount under the current CBA.
The incident occurred partway through the third period and Thornton did receive a minor penalty for it. Still, this is now the second time a Toronto player has been fined in the last week for a dangerous play against the Jets, following Zach Hyman’s high-stick on Neal Pionk. Between those incidents, Alexander Edler was given a two-game suspension for a hit on Hyman.
It’s getting physical in the North Division as the playoffs approach, especially between the Maple Leafs and Jets who are still battling it out for the top spot. The lack of serious injury likely helped Thornton’s case here and Toronto will certainly be happy their veteran forward will be available going forward.