The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced Filip Forsberg of the Nashville Predators will receive a three-game suspension, without pay, for interference on New York Rangers forward Jimmy Vesey. Forsberg will forfeit $96,774 during this suspension.
Nashville’s Filip Forsberg suspended three games for interference on NY Rangers’ Jimmy Vesey. https://t.co/7gTton1szC
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) February 4, 2018
Filip Forsberg Receives Three-Game Suspension
The incident occurred on home ice against the Rangers on Saturday night. Frustration was evident from the start, with big hits from both sides. Midway through the second period, Forsberg skated behind the net and collided violently with Vesey. It was considered a late challenge as Vesey had already moved the puck. Forsberg however, did not receive any penalty on the play, and the bloodied Vesey went to the Rangers dressing room and did not return to the game.
Vesey the recipient of a absolutely BRUTAL Forsberg #ButtCheck. REVERSE CHOO CHOO! #Preds #NYR pic.twitter.com/EpmVln8uG6
— FOX Sports Tennessee (@PredsOnFSTN) February 4, 2018
This was just minutes after Alexei Emelin‘s worrying head hit on Marc Staal, who also did not return for the Rangers. Nashville surged forward to a confident 5-2 win.
The NHL agreed and noted Forsberg was suspended for making “significant” contact with Vesey’s head. Forsberg is a first-time offender and has not been fined or suspended previously in his 303 career NHL games.
Just returning from injury himself, Forsberg has been an asset for Nashville this season, ranking second in goals (16) and points (38). He will be particularly missed on the power play, an aspect where the Swede is most effective. Nashville are 31-12-7 this season, good for second in the tough Central Division. Forsberg’s suspension will start Monday night on the road against the New York Islanders.
