Suspension possible for Byfuglien over Gallagher hit

By: Tim Campbell Posted: 3:00 AM CST Tuesday, Nov. 3, 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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This article was published 03/11/2015 (3609 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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 today for his hit on Montreal’s Brendan Gallagher during the first period of Sunday’s game in Montreal.

The note from the NHL late Monday 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.

Winnipeg Jets Practice / SportsPlex. Dustin Byfuglien. BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS PHOTO Sept. 21, 2015

Byfuglien was penalized for elbowing on the play, but replays clearly showed 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.

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 just over a week ago against the Minnesota Wild’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 be considered a repeat offender because of his suspension for hitting the New York Rangers’ J.T. Miller last March, one that cost Byfuglien four games.

— — —

Because the Jets had an off-day Monday, 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 Monday. The team will practise this morning, the next time an update is possible.

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca