![]() ![]() This is both an illegal check to the head and interference. ![]() Bunting and Cernak turn to locate the puck, with Bunting slightly ahead of Cernak.Īs the puck wraps around the net, Bunting cuts back into Cernak, elevating significantly into the contact and picking his head, making it the main point of contact on a hit where such head contact was avoidable. Tuesday night in Toronto, Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting was assessed a match penalty for an illegal check to the head of Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak, causing an injury.Īs the video shows, the Maple Leafs win a faceoff and take a shot toward the goal that bounces into the corner. The equivalent of five more games for a player with no history, though? Bunting absolutely deserved supplemental discipline for a needless, reckless play away from the puck that caused an injury to Cernak, but it doesn’t add up. In a month when Minnesota’s Ryan Hartman - who has a suspension history dating back to an illegal hit to the head on Gabriel Landeskog in the 2018 playoffs - received one regular-season game for his interference infraction on Nik Ehlers (who missed time), it seems disproportionate, while still recognizing Bunting’s hit deserved more games for more clearly/principally targeting the head. Bunting’s suspension of three playoff games, therefore, makes this the harshest punishment handed out this year. The NHL has issued 21 suspensions this season, the longest being three games - Nicolas Aube-Kubel’s illegal check to the head on Cal Foote, Jeff Skinner’s high-sticking of Jake Guentzel, and K’Andre Miller’s spitting incident involving Drew Doughty. Knowing the Department of Player Safety is applying some kind of multiplier in the playoffs, this makes this the most egregious suspendable offense of the entire 2022-23 NHL season so far according to the league. The ruling on Bunting’s illegal check to the head is three games, or as we’re told, the equivalent of six regular-season games. Time is indeed a flat circle when it comes to this team and the postseason. All rights reserved.A suspension at playoff time is clockwork at this point for the Maple Leafs.įor the Leafs, the last 24 hours have included a really tough Game 1 loss and now a suspended player. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information / Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. ^ Back to Top ^ © 2023 ESPN Internet Ventures. "I'm also thrilled to once again work alongside Brad Treliving and continue a working relationship that began during Brad's time with the Coyotes." "The Maple Leafs have a such deep history and a passionate fan base, and I'm excited to contribute in any way I can in the organization's pursuit of their ultimate goal," Doan said in a statement. He later worked in the Coyotes' front office for two years and most recently served as assistant GM of the Canadian national team, which won gold at the 2023 world championship. He was an All-Star in 20.Īfter his retirement as a player following the 2016-17 season, Doan spent three years in the NHL's hockey operations department. The 46-year-old Doan spent his entire 21-year playing career with the Coyotes franchise, starting in its final year in Winnipeg in 1995-96. TORONTO - Former Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan has been hired as a special adviser to new Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving, the team announced Friday. ![]() NHL, Arizona Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs Shane Doan joins Maple Leafs front office as special adviser You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser ![]()
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