Radko Gudas might be getting a phonecall from the NHL Department of Player Safety before the 2016-17 season officially begins.
The defenceman was issued a five-minute major and a game misconduct for boarding Jimmy Vesey in the final 30 seconds of the first period of Monday’s pre-season matchup between the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers.
He also earned himself a five-minute fighting penalty following the play. (Watch the whole sequence of events at the top of this post.)
Vesey was slow to get up, but would return to the game. He went on to score his first goal of the pre-season in the Flyers’ eventual 4-3 overtime victory.
Gudas is no stranger to controversial hits. He was suspended three games for an illegal check to the head of Mika Zibanejad in Dec. 2015 and had plenty of close calls last season.
He’s also not the only player to land himself in hot water this pre-season.
Montreal Canadiens agitator Andrew Shaw is currently serving a three pre-season game suspension for boarding Washington Capitals prospect Connor Hobbs.
Earlier Monday, Chicago defenceman Niklas Hjalmarsson was suspended for the Blackhawks’ final three pre-season games, plus one regular season matchup after charging St. Louis Blues forward Ty Rattie on Saturday.
Shortly after, it was also announced that Los Angeles Kings winger Tanner Pearson could also be facing a suspension after delivering an illegal hit to the head on Edmonton Oilers defenceman Brandon Davidson.
Check out our 2016-17 NHL Suspension and Fine Tracker for up-to-date information about all fines and suspensions throughout the upcoming season.
