The NHL on Monday upheld the eight-game suspension assessed to Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri.
Multiple media outlets, however, reported Kadri will appeal this decision to a neutral discipline arbitrator.
Kadri was suspended following an illegal check to the head of St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk during Game 2 of their first-round series on May 19.
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The initial suspension was announced two days later by the NHL Department of Player Safety. The NHL Players’ Association filed the appeal on May 23 before Commissioner Gary Bettman heard from Kadri on Thursday.
Kadri didn’t play in Games 3 and 4 against the Blues, both won by the Avalanche, as well as Colorado’s 7-1 romp versus the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday in Game 1 of the second-round set.
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It is Kadri’s third suspension in four years. The then-Toronto Maple Leafs forward was banned three games after a high hit on Boston forward Tommy Wingels in 2018, and a year later was suspended for five games after a cross-check to the head of Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk.
Kadri, 30, posted 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists) in 56 games during the 2020-21 season and has 425 points (191 goals, 234 assists) in 668 career games with the Leafs and Avalanche.
–Field Level Media