The Chicago Blackhawks have had to play for a while without one of their biggest leaders. Now they?ll have to do it missing one of their top defensemen.
Duncan Keith was suspended five games on Friday for elbowing Vancouver forward Daniel Sedin in the chin in the Blackhawks? 2-1 overtime victory on Wednesday. It?s a tough blow for the Blackhawks, who have already been without Jonathan Toews for nearly a month and defenseman Steve Montador for even longer than that.
Brendan Shanahan said that Keith?s hit was in violation of Rule 45: the use of an extended elbow in a manner that may or may not cause injury (see the complete video below).
In his video explanation, Shanahan said that, ?regardless of Keith?s assertion, that the intent was to impede Sedin?s progress as opposed to retaliation for an earlier hit, Keith?s hit was still dangerous, reckless and caused injury.?
Keith will be eligible to return on April 5, when the Blackhawks take on the Minnesota Wild. He will forfeit $149,688.15 for the five games he?s suspended. The money goes to the Players? Emergency Assistance Fund.
Daniel Sedin played just one more shift in that game and did not play against the Dallas Stars on Thursday night. He is currently in Vancouver getting further medical evaluation for his injury.
?It?s unfortunate that Daniel got hurt. I don?t think that was Duncan?s intention,? Patrick Sharp said earlier Friday. ?It?s something we?re going to have to rally behind. You never want to see guys go down, especially like that. You never want to see guys get hurt.?
Shanahan added that the NHL took into consideration that Keith has no suspensions and just one fine in his NHL career. Keith said earlier today that he respects all the decisions the NHL makes on these matters.
Coach Joel Quenneville said earlier Friday that he respects the way the league handles these situations. He later said that keeping cool during heated games is a must.
?Every game we?ve seen, whether it?s a playoff game or regular-season game, you have to control your emotions and make sure you think,? Quenneville said. ?There are certain switches that are just reactionary and in the moment of the game. That?s something we?ll always focus on moving forward. Whether it?s Vancouver or anybody, we need to be smart.?
While Keith serves his suspension, the show must go on for the Blackhawks. They?re currently sixth in the Western Conference and tied in points with their Sunday opponent, the fifth-place Nashville Predators (92). The Blackhawks have improvised just fine in the wake of recent injuries. In Toews? absence they?ve gone a more-than-respectable 10-4-1.
It?s never ideal to lose a key player at this critical part of the season. But what?s done is done. The Blackhawks have adjusted before and they?re just going to have to adjust again.
Duncan Keith was suspended five games on Friday for elbowing Vancouver forward Daniel Sedin in the chin in the Blackhawks? 2-1 overtime victory on Wednesday. It?s a tough blow for the Blackhawks, who have already been without Jonathan Toews for nearly a month and defenseman Steve Montador for even longer than that.
Brendan Shanahan said that Keith?s hit was in violation of Rule 45: the use of an extended elbow in a manner that may or may not cause injury (see the complete video below).
In his video explanation, Shanahan said that, ?regardless of Keith?s assertion, that the intent was to impede Sedin?s progress as opposed to retaliation for an earlier hit, Keith?s hit was still dangerous, reckless and caused injury.?
Keith will be eligible to return on April 5, when the Blackhawks take on the Minnesota Wild. He will forfeit $149,688.15 for the five games he?s suspended. The money goes to the Players? Emergency Assistance Fund.
Daniel Sedin played just one more shift in that game and did not play against the Dallas Stars on Thursday night. He is currently in Vancouver getting further medical evaluation for his injury.
?It?s unfortunate that Daniel got hurt. I don?t think that was Duncan?s intention,? Patrick Sharp said earlier Friday. ?It?s something we?re going to have to rally behind. You never want to see guys go down, especially like that. You never want to see guys get hurt.?
Shanahan added that the NHL took into consideration that Keith has no suspensions and just one fine in his NHL career. Keith said earlier today that he respects all the decisions the NHL makes on these matters.
Coach Joel Quenneville said earlier Friday that he respects the way the league handles these situations. He later said that keeping cool during heated games is a must.
?Every game we?ve seen, whether it?s a playoff game or regular-season game, you have to control your emotions and make sure you think,? Quenneville said. ?There are certain switches that are just reactionary and in the moment of the game. That?s something we?ll always focus on moving forward. Whether it?s Vancouver or anybody, we need to be smart.?
While Keith serves his suspension, the show must go on for the Blackhawks. They?re currently sixth in the Western Conference and tied in points with their Sunday opponent, the fifth-place Nashville Predators (92). The Blackhawks have improvised just fine in the wake of recent injuries. In Toews? absence they?ve gone a more-than-respectable 10-4-1.
It?s never ideal to lose a key player at this critical part of the season. But what?s done is done. The Blackhawks have adjusted before and they?re just going to have to adjust again.
