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Arber Xhekaj suspension: 3 reasons why Habs D-man may be suspended after Tim Stutzle hit
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj has already run afoul of the National Hockey League in the last week after he earned a game misconduct and fine; he jumped on Toronto Maple Leafs forward Cedric Pare after he injured teammate Patrik Laine and delivered several punches to the back of his head.
He will now be hearing from the NHL Department of Player Safety due to his actions on Tuesday night against the visiting Ottawa Senators. Xhekaj clocked Senators forward Tim Stutzle with a hit to the head, resulting in the latter's departure from the game with an injury.
Xhekaj was assessed a major penalty and a game misconduct for his actions, which automatically triggered a review from the Department of Player Safety. Will he be suspended?
1. Xhekaj made direct contact with Stutzle's head
The Stutzle's head was the principal point of contact from Xhekaj's hit in direct violation of NHL rule 48.1, which reads:
"A hit resulting in contact with an opponent's head where the head was the main point of contact and such contact to the head was avoidable is not permitted."
The following determinations are then considered:
"Whether the player attempted to hit squarely through the opponent’s body and the head was not “picked” as a result of poor timing, poor angle of approach, or unnecessary extension of the body upward or outward."
"Whether the opponent put himself in a vulnerable position by assuming a posture that made head contact on an otherwise full body check unavoidable."
"Whether the opponent materially changed the position of his body or head immediately prior to or simultaneously with the hit in a way that significantly contributed to the head contact."
Xhekaj had Stutzle in his sightline the entire way, and replays show that the former's elbow made contact with the latter's head, knocking the helmet off.
2. Suspensions due to incidents in exhibition play aren't unusual
In years past, there have been several examples of players being suspended due to their actions during exhibition play.
Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson earned a 20-game suspension for a check delivered to the head of St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist in September of 2018. Additionally, Philadelphia Flyers forward Steve Downie was banned for 20 games for a September 2007 hit to the head of Senators forward Dean McAmmond.
There is a clear precedent that shows rule violations in exhibition play are treated just as seriously as those that occur in the regular season and playoffs.
3. Stutzle didn't return to the game
Another factor that the Department of Player Safety will be considering is the fact that Stutzle, one of Ottawa's top players, was injured on the play and departed the game.
The following factors are taken into account by the League when deciding on supplemental discipline for a player:
"Injury to the opposing Player(s) involved in the incident."
"The status of the offender and, specifically, whether the Player has a history of being subject to Supplementary Discipline for On-Ice Conduct. Players who repeatedly violate League Playing Rules will be more severely punished for each new violation."
Despite his no suspension history, Xhekaj is under scruitny because of his actions against the Leafs on Saturday, which resulted in a fine.
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