More bad news for the Vancouver Canucks.
Forward Zack Kassian was suspended three games Friday by the NHL’s department of player safety following his illegal hit on Dallas Stars defenceman Brenden Dillon during Thursday’s 6-1 loss in Dallas. He will forfeit $32,103.66 in salary, which goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
Kassian received a major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct for the hit, which occurred with 1:30 remaining in the first period.
Dillon was shaken up and left the ice but returned to the game in the second period.
“I was relieved to get [Dillon] back,” Stars coach Lindy Ruff told reporters. “It was definitely a shot from behind. Those are tough hits and the best retribution is make the other team pay on the power play.
“[Kassian] didn’t come from a long way, but Dillon was in a bad position when he got hit.”
Because Kassian’s hearing with the league was conducted over the phone, he was facing a maximum suspension of five games.
A repeat offender, Kassian was suspended three preseason and five regular-season games for high-sticking Edmonton Oilers forward Sam Gagner in September.
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