The NHL has suspended Nashville Predators rookie forward Zachary L’Heureux for three games after he slew-footed Minnesota Wild captain Jared Spurgeon. The suspension came after L’Heureux had a hearing with the Department of Player Safety on Thursday afternoon.
The incident took place at 3:19 of the second period during the Predators’ 5-3 loss to the Wild on Tuesday. L’Heureux received a game misconduct for slew-footing Spurgeon while both players were chasing a loose puck. Spurgeon collided with the boards feet-first and was injured.
The NHL explained that most slew-footing penalties can be dealt with by in-game penalties. However, “when a player simultaneously kicks out the skates of an opponent from behind while at the same time driving his upper body backward, he renders his opponent defenseless and at risk of injury, and the offense may warrant supplemental discipline,” a Player Safety official said in an explanation video.
“In this case, L’Heureux makes legal upper-body contact with Spurgeon, but then uses his arm and skates to push Spurgeon backwards in a way that leaves him defenseless. What makes the play more dangerous is the speed of the players and their closeness to the boards.”
Though this is L’Heureux’s first suspension in the NHL, he was suspended nine times while playing junior hockey in the QMJHL and twice in the AHL, according to the Tennessean.
L’Heureux will miss the Predators’ three-game road trip against the Vancouver Jets, Calgary Flames, and Winnipeg Jets on Friday, Saturday, and Tuesday. He will be eligible to return on January 11 when the Predators play the Washington Capitals at home.
Drafted by Nashville in the first round (27th overall) in 2021, L’Heureux has earned nine points (four goals, five assists) and 32 penalty minutes in 33 games this season.
