Strome avoids punishment for knee-on-knee hit on Connor

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This article was published 11/12/2023 (666 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SAN JOSE — Fingers are crossed when it comes to Kyle Connor’s knee and heads are being shaken over the NHL’s decision to not impose further discipline on the player who caused his injury.

Connor, the leading scorer for the Winnipeg Jets, was knocked out of Sunday’s game in Anaheim after Ducks forward Ryan Strome caught him with a knee-on-knee hit. He had an MRI done Monday in San Jose and his status has not been made public by the team.

Strome was given a five-minute major and game misconduct, which was upheld by officials upon video review. However, a league source said no further sanctions are coming. The explanation provided is that Strome had essentially planted his foot and didn’t intentionally make contact with Connor. Reckless, yes. Deliberate, no.

The Jets vehemently disagree and pleaded their case to no avail.

“He sticks his knee out. You hope that’s suspendable. Knee on knee.”–Head coach Rick Bowness

“He sticks his knee out. You hope that’s suspendable. Knee on knee,” is how coach Rick Bowness put it following the 4-2 comeback victory over the Ducks. “Listen, there’s no other way of looking at it. You hope it’s suspendable. But the referees made the right call. Five-minute major and a game misconduct and we’ll see where it goes from there.”

Nowhere, it turns out. Winnipeg was off on Monday, so an official update on Connor’s injury won’t be made until after Tuesday’s morning skate.

Dave Jackson, a former NHL referee who now works as a broadcast analyst, said he believes the on-ice officials got it right when it came to the Strome-Connor incident.

“Having said that, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the refs felt it was dirty. Their protocol is to call a two-minute minor if a player trips another with his leg/knee. Even if the refs were to deem it accidental, it’s still a penalty,” Jackson explained.

“If an injury results, then five plus a game misconduct is the protocol, regardless of intent.”

“Their (refs) protocol is to call a two-minute minor if a player trips another with his leg/knee. Even if the refs were to deem it accidental, it’s still a penalty.”–Former NHL referee Dave Jackson

So how could the NHL not deem it suspension-worthy?

“My personal opinion is that he attempted to check him with his upper body but made a substantial miscalculation and missed him. He had a wide stance and caught his leg,” said Jackson.

“I would say it was more of a reckless hockey play gone bad versus a malicious attempt to take his knee out. Had he shot his knee out at the last second with zero body language attempting to make a hit, I would then classify it as dirty. I’m not really privy to what Player Safety does, but I would imagine that they probably see it the way I just explained it.”

Jackson said, like it or not, there’s probably another factor in play.

“They take into account the five-minute power play and the fact that Anaheim lost a good player for two-thirds of the game with the ejection and chalk it up to time served because they did not feel that his actions were intentional or malicious,” said Jackson.

“The referees don’t take it personally. They make the arrests and then let the courts decide.”

“The referees don’t take it personally. They make the arrests and then let the courts decide.”–Dave Jackson

Connor, 27, has 17 goals and 11 assists through 26 games, and an extended absence would create a major hole to fill for the Jets. Winnipeg is currently on top of the Central Division with a 16-8-2 record. They’ve won four straight games and will try to extend that Tuesday night when they face the Sharks.

Forward Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, a healthy scratch against the Ducks, is expected to step back into the lineup, while a call-up from the Manitoba Moose is also likely as insurance.

As for how Bowness might juggle his personnel, both Alex Iafallo and Morgan Barron got looks against the Ducks in Connor’s spot on the top line with Mark Scheifele and Nikolaj Ehlers. Barron ended up scoring the tying goal in the final frame.

Whether the Jets go with one of those players, or another winger option such as Gabe Vilardi (who had the winning goal, his first with the Jets after coming off a knee sprain (MCL) which cost him 18 games), Nino Niederreiter, Mason Appleton, Cole Perfetti, Vlad Namestnikov or someone else remains to be seen.

The Jets have as much forward depth as ever this season, and they’ve also been sticking to a sound, structured defensive system which has seen them now go an impressive 16 straight games without giving up more than three goals. That may now take on greater importance with a major weapon such as Connor neutralized.

Scheifele dropped the gloves and fought Strome immediately after the hit. The Jets will see him again when they return to Anaheim on Jan. 5, then host the Ducks on March 15 to close out the season series.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X: @mikemcintyrewpg