Zac Rinaldo will have a phone hearing Monday that could result in a suspension longer than five games.
The Philadelphia Flyers antagonist waived his right to an in-person hearing with the NHL’s department of player safety for a hit delivered on Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Kris Letang at Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday.
According to the collective bargaining agreement, an in-person hearing must be offered for any suspension that can exceed five games.
Rinaldo was dealt a five-minute major and a game misconduct for boarding Letang at 15:36 of the first period.
“More than likely I’m gonna get suspended,” Rinaldo, a repeat offender, told reporters. The forward served a four-game suspension in April and a two-game ban in 2012.
“Just the way the league is going right now. Especially with it being Letang, a star player, it being me with some history and him getting hurt doesn’t help me in my situation, either. I’m just gonna take it with a grain of salt.”
Letang left the game, a 3-2 Flyers overtime win, and did not return. He also sat out the Penguins’ 3-2 shootout loss Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks.
As of Thursday, Penguins GM Jim Rutherford gave no timeline for Letang’s return.
The Penguins’ next game is Tuesday, when they host the red-hot Winnipeg Jets.
