The NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Toronto Maple Leafs forward Zach Hyman has been suspended for two games. This is his first career suspension.
Toronto’s Zach Hyman has been suspended for two games for interference on Boston’s Charlie McAvoy. https://t.co/1qvBURr6sM
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) December 9, 2018
Zach Hyman Suspended
Zach Hyman has been suspended for two games for an incident with Boston Bruins defenceman Charlie McAvoy. Hyman hit McAvoy from behind with 10 minutes left in the third period of Boston’s 6-3 victory over Toronto.
The Bruins’ defenceman returned with one minute left in the game. He was put in concussion protocol. It was McAvoy’s second game back from a concussion. Hyman will forfeit $24,193.55 from the suspension.
He has scored seven goals and eight assists for 15 points in 30 games during the 2018-19 season. He also added 36 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers are 50.1 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of 0.7.
Hyman has only played for the Toronto Maple Leafs over his four-year NHL career. He has put up 36 goals and 53 assists for 89 career points in 210 career games. Toronto drafted Hyman originally in the fifth round, 123rd overall of the 2010 NHL draft.
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety called the play by Hyman a “late, forceful, high hit” that came well after McAvoy had played the puck. The league also called it a “predatory hit,” but cited Hyman’s lack of previous fines or suspensions for the decision to suspend him only two games.
What This Means for the Future
Hyman will miss Tuesday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes and Thursday’s Atlantic Division showdown with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
He was on the top line on the left wing with centre John Tavares and right wing Mitch Marner. Hyman has been pulling his weight on the top line with the two talented forwards. The Leafs will miss him in Thursday’s matchup against the Lightning.
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 19: Zach Hyman #11 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a goal against the Washington Capitals in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on April 19, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
