Nazem Kadri has now been on both ends of a throat-slashing gesture, and its subsequent punishment, this season.
Anaheim Ducks defenceman Josh Manson was fined $2,486.56, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Friday for an inappropriate gesture aimed at the Toronto Maple Leafs forward during Thursday’s 6-5 Maple Leafs win at Air Canada Centre.
The incident occurred at 17:17 of the third period, and Manson was given a game misconduct for his action — a response to being boarded by Kadri. (Kadri was penalized for hitting Manson.)
Kadri capped off a four-point night by scoring the overtime winner.
Ironically, the 25-year-old centre was himself fined $5,000 in February for making a throat-slashing gesture toward Calgary Flames captain Mark Giordano.
“I learned the hard way with that, too, so I know where he’s coming from,” Kadri told reporters Friday. “That’s just the league cracking down, so I don’t have a problem with that.”
The league’s stance on such actions falls under Rule 75.5, which reads, in part:
Game misconduct penalties shall be assessed under this rule for the following infractions:
(ii) Any player who uses obscene gestures on the ice or anywhere in the rink before, during or after the game. The Referee shall report the circumstances to the Commissioner of the League for further disciplinary action.
