Per Bob McKenzie of TSN, the NHL is in the process of reviewing the Jordan Nolan hit on Rusty Klesla from the first period of Sunday night’s 4-2 Coyotes split-squad victory over the Kings from Jobing.com Arena in Glendale.
First bad concussion of NHL pre-season: PHX’s Rusty Klesla KO’d on hit by LA’s Jordan Nolan. No penalty on play. NHL currently reviewing.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) September 16, 2013
All questionable hits are reviewed by the league. Though he has never been suspended, Nolan was fined $1,436.94 – the lesser of $10,000 or one-half of his daily salary – by the league for this shove to the back of Henrik Sedin during a Los Angeles-Vancouver game in March, 2013.
Klesla was “alert and conscious” and was taken to a local hospital last night after being observed by doctors following the violent neutral zone collision in the first period, as reported by Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic.
Also being reviewed by the league, per Bob McKenzie, was an incident following Nolan’s exit from the penalty box – he was assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty following his hit on Klesla, though the original hit was unpenalized – in which Paul Bissonnette left the Phoenix bench to engage the Kings forward. Should the league uphold the game misconduct assessed by the on-ice officials, Bissonnette would face a 10-game suspension, per league rule 70.10.
70.10 Fines and Suspensions – The first player to leave the players’ or penalty bench during an altercation or for the purpose of starting an altercation from either or both teams shall be suspended automatically without pay for the next ten (10) regular League and/or Play-off games of his team.
PHX’s Paul Bissonette assessed GM for leaving bench to fight Nolan. Calls for auto 10-game suspension unless league rescinds on appeal.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) September 16, 2013
Only way Bissonnette’s 10-game suspension is rescinded is if PHX has video proof he didn’t violate rule for coming off bench to fight.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) September 16, 2013
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