NHL Commissioner Upholds David Perron’s Six-Game Suspension
2 min read
Image: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman Upholds David Perron’s Suspension
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has upheld the six-game suspension imposed on Detroit Red Wings forward David Perron. The suspension was initially handed down on December 11th, following an incident in which Perron cross-checked Ottawa Senators defenseman Artem Zub in the head during a game. The league deemed the hit as a retaliatory move after Senators’ Mathieu Joseph and Parker Kelly had previously targeted Detroit’s Dylan Larkin, leaving him unconscious on the ice.
Perron’s appeal, which took place on December 13th, has now been dismissed, and he has already served all six games of the suspension. He is eligible to return to the ice on Friday, when the Red Wings face the Philadelphia Flyers.
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety had determined that Perron’s cross-check was an “intentional strike with the stick made with the purpose of exacting retribution on an opponent,” rather than a standard hockey play. Consequently, Perron was given a match penalty for the incident.
In response to the suspension, Perron’s agent, Allan Walsh, described the decision as a “farce” and attempted to draw attention to his client’s otherwise clean disciplinary record. Perron, who has played in 1,081 career games, had never faced a suspension prior to this month.
Despite the suspension, Perron’s agent argued that his client’s history should be taken into consideration. However, the NHL’s ruling stands, and Perron has the option to appeal again to a neutral arbitrator if he chooses to do so.
The 35-year-old Perron has recorded 13 points (seven goals and six assists) in 26 games this season, marking his 17th year in the league.
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