Byfuglien to face NHL brass following suspected illegal check

By: Tim Campbell Posted: 5:34 PM CST Monday, Nov. 2, 2015

TORONTO — Jets defenceman Dustin Byfuglien is in trouble with the NHL law.

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TORONTO — Jets defenceman Dustin Byfuglien is in trouble with the NHL law.

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TORONTO — Jets defenceman Dustin Byfuglien is in trouble with the NHL law.

Byfuglien will have a hearing with the league’s department of player safety on Tuesday for his hit on Montreal’s Brendan Gallagher during the first period of Sunday’s game in Montreal.

The note from the NHL today didn’t specify a phone or in-person hearing, but it could take place in person since the Jets are in Toronto ahead of Wednesday’s game with the Leafs.

JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS files
Elbow or no elbow? Jets defenceman Dustin Byfuglien has a hearing with the NHL's player safety department after a hit against Montreal’s Brendan Gallagher. — JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS files Elbow or no elbow? Jets defenceman Dustin Byfuglien has a hearing with the NHL's player safety department after a hit against Montreal’s Brendan Gallagher.

Byfuglien was penalized for elbowing on the play but replays showed clearly he made the check with his elbow down. The NHL said the hearing was taking place because of a suspected illegal check to the head.

There is a strong chance Byfuglien will be suspended for the hit on Gallagher. Initiating a hearing on a foul (illegal check to the head) that wasn’t called in the game usually indicates the matter has gone well beyond a simple investigation.

And while you won’t likely hear anything about it this week – however the case is decided — the league won’t be happy with Byfuglien for a check he threw a just over a week ago against Minnesota’s Jason Pominville.

Then, Byfuglien crunched Pominville against the boards while the Minnesota player had already been knocked down and was in an vulnerable position.

Byfuglien will also be considered a repeat offender because of his suspension for hitting New York Rangers’ J.T. Miller last March, one that cost Byfuglien four games.

Because the Jets had an off-day today, there was no update on the condition of rookie centre Andrew Copp.

Copp sat out Sunday’s game with an unspecified injury.

Coach Paul Maurice said Sunday it was a day-to-day thing and wouldn’t know more until Copp was evaluated again today. The team will practise Tuesday, the next time an update is possible.

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca