Nashville Predators defenseman Anton Volchenkov has been suspended four games for an illegal check to the head of Calgary Flames forward Michael Ferland. Volcheckov delivered a significant blow to Ferland’s head with his forearm Friday night. He was not penalized on the play.
Volchenkov is not considered a repeat offender under the CBA, but he was suspended four games two seasons ago for elbowing Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand.
The NHL's Department of Player Safety has not yet released its suspension video, but here's a look at the hit in question:
The hit that got him rung up this time was fairly similar to the one against Marchand, if not a little worse. Volchenkov actually delivers more of a forearm shiver to Ferland's head than trying to make a full body check.
Ferland actually was playing in his first NHL game when he took the blow from Volchenkov. He did not return to the game.
Considering Volchenkov has a disciplinary history and the nature of the hit being fairly similar to his first suspension, it seems like the Preds rearguard is getting off light, but that decision was made before the hearing. Since Volchenkov wasn't offered an in-person hearing, he couldn't have been suspended beyond five games.
Meanwhile, the Department of Player Safety, after having levied no suspensions in training camp or through the first two weeks of the season, has handed down five in the last seven days. That's a pretty disappointing figure given the relatively clean start to the season.
